Stratford University

Stratford University
Stratford University Seal
Motto	Scientia est potentia (Latin)
Motto in English	Knowledge is power
Established	1976 (MCMLXXVI)
Type	Private, Coeducational
President	Dr. Richard R. Shurtz II[1]
Location	Falls Church, Virginia Woodbridge, Virginia Richmond, Virginia New Delhi, India
Campus	Urban campuses
Tagline	The University for your Future
Colors	Blue and Silver
Mascot	Cardinal
Website	Stratford.edu

Stratford University is a private, higher educational institution founded in 1976. Stratford specializes in adult education and offers placement assistance for students and graduates. It delivers online, classroom, and blended online/classroom programs.^[2]

Stratford is a wholly owned subsidiary of The American Transportation Institute, Inc., a privately held Virginia corporation. Stratford has campuses in Virginia (Falls Church, Woodbridge,^[3] and Richmond^[4][5][6]), as well as New Delhi, India,.^[7] The majority of the student body is non-traditional and works full-time while attending school. Stratford's international student body is diverse and represents over thirty countries.^[8]

Stratford has partnered with the Global Land Coalition to provide distance education services in developing countries and with the K. K. Modi Group to offer residential American degrees in India.^[9]

Dr. Richard R. Shurtz II, Stratford president, won the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Greater Washington for the Government/Education Services category.^[10][11] Stratford University was ranked as one of the Top 100 Graduate Degree Producers for All Disciplines in 2009 by Diverse Education.^[12][13]

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and Computerworld reported that the Stratford University has a larger number of F-1 Visa students receiving post-graduate Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extensions (727) than any other school in the US, with twice the combined total of the entire Ivy League — Brown (26), Columbia (105), Cornell (90), Dartmouth (18), Harvard (27), Princeton (16), Penn (50), and Yale (9).^[14][15][16]

Academic programs

Stratford University awards graduate and undergraduate degrees in a number of disciplines including business administration, computer information systems, health sciences, nursing, culinary arts, and hotel management. Online, residential, and blended programs are available. All online and blended courses use the Stratford online Moodle platform hosted in Stratford's data center.^[17] The learning outcomes embedded within the curriculum are employer-centric, while the teaching methods and delivery style are student-centric.

The University offers accelerated degree programs for those who wish to start their careers quickly. An associate's degree can be earned in 15 months, a bachelor's degree in 30 months, and a master's degree in 15 months. The table below lists all programs and indicates which are available online.^[18]

Stratford University Degrees

School of Business Administration Masters of Business Administration* International Masters of Business Administration* Enterprise Business Management MS* Entrepreneurial Management MS* Accounting MS* Business Administration BS* Accounting BS* Business Administration AAS* Accounting AAS* School of Computer Information Systems Information Systems MS* Information Assurance MS* Software Engineering MS* Telecommunications MS* Information Technology BS* Networking Management and Security AAS*

School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Hospitality Management BA* Culinary Management BA Advanced Culinary Arts AAS Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Hotel and Restaurant Management AAS* School of Health Sciences Healthcare Administration BS* Medical Assisting AAS Clinical Hemodialysis Technology AAS EKG-Phlebotomy Technology AAS Medical Insurance Billing and Coding AAS* Pharmacy Technology AAS School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing

* Also Available Online

Continuing Education Programs

Stratford University offers a number of non-credit continuing education and professional development courses as part of its community outreach initiative.

• Event Management Certificate Program The mission of the Professional Event Management Certificate Program at Stratford University is to support the events profession by offering superior educational courses and practical experiences for career advancement within the industry, including special events, meetings, tradeshow, entertainment, sports management and fundraising.
• Culinary Workshops Stratford University's Culinary Workshops offers first timers and experienced cooks the opportunity to learn a few outstanding recipes and to make some new friends while having fun on a Saturday morning. The schedule includes special classes for couples and singles.
• Certification Courses including Oracle, MSCE, .Net Framework, Cisco, Linux, and computer security-related topics for students and IT professionals.

Scholarship Programs

Stratford University has a number of general scholarship programs for undergraduate studies.^[2]

• Graduating High School Senior Scholarship Program -- This program is designed for high school seniors who begin a program of study during the summer after graduation. In order to qualify a student must complete a scholarship application before May 1 and be admitted to the institution to start classes in July or August annually. The scholarship requires evidence of recent high school completion, and the desire to achieve success in the selected program. The scholarship pool under this program is limited to a maximum of $25,000 to be awarded in the Spring and Summer.
• Private Scholarship Programs -- Stratford University accepts private scholarships from foundations, service clubs, and other organizations. Examples of these programs used by Stratford students include Culinary Scholarship Programs such as the scholarship from Careers in Culinary Arts (C-CAP) Culinary Competition, American Culinary Federation Scholarship Fund, Virginia Culinary Competition, Northern Virginia Culinary Competition, or Discover America.

Programs for US Military Personnel

Stratford University has established a number of programs to help US military and former-US military personnel complete their education.

• Stratford is recognized by the Veteran's Administration as a military-friendly institution and a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program.^[19]
• Stratford has programs to assist military students on Tuition Assistance (TA) to eliminate out-of-pocket tuition expenses.
• Stratford is a member of the DoD Servicemembers Opportunities Colleges (SOC) Consortium,^[20] and the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP).
• Transfer credits are accepted from AARTS, SMART, CCAF,ACE, DANTES, CLEP exams, as well as from other SOC colleges and universities.
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is used to grant credit for military experience and training programs.
• Stratford is approved for the training of veterans, reservists, and other eligible persons under US Code,^[21] Title 38 (Veteran's Benefits), including Chapter 30 (Active Duty), Chapter 31 (Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities), Chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 Educational Assistance), and Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance), as well as, Title 10 (Armed Forces), including Chapter 1606 (Selected Reserve Educational Assistance), and Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance).

Campuses

Stratford University has campuses in Virginia and India. Stratford University's main campus is located in Falls Church, Virginia near Tysons Corner. It has a two additional US campuses in Woodbridge, Virginia near Potomac Mills and in Richmond, Virginia near Short Pump. In 2009, the University opened three learning sites in New Delhi, India.

• Falls Church, Virginia campus near Tysons Corner is located on Leesburg Pike within ten miles of Washington DC. The Falls Church campus features a broad range of laboratories and classrooms equipped with the latest technology.
• The Woodbridge, Virginia campus is located on Gideon Drive. The campus, designed using green technology throughout, has culinary arts, health science, nursing, and computer laboratories. The specially designed classroom environment is conducive to learning.
• The Richmond, Virginia campus at Short Pump is located on Broad Street. In addition to an on-site restaurant, the campus has culinary arts, health sciences, and computer laboratories.
• Stratford has a main learning site and one satellite learning site in the New Delhi region. The main learning site is located in South Delhi. The satellite learning site is located in Gurgaon.

Supporting Services

Stratford University offers a wide range of services to assist the students and faculty some of which include:

• Stratford's Welcome Center offers a range of services including free gym memberships, housing assistance, information about health insurance plans. Welcome Center personnel assist students with any non-academic problems which they may encounter while completing their degree. Student activities and events are organized by the Welcome Center year round.
• Stratford's International Student Office provides support for international students, including: admissions assistance; obtaining F-1/J-1 Visas; transferring from another school; securing housing; travelling within and outside the US; obtaining CPT/OPT employment authorization; and advice for securing an H-1 Visa. This office serves as the gateway to all Stratford services for the international student community.^[8]
• Stratford's Language Institute offers an academic English as Second Language (ESL) program to help international students enter a degree program.^[22]
• Stratford's Career Services Office provides placement assistance for students through a large network of employers who hire Stratford graduates.
  

  Stratford Tech Talk Radio
• Stratford's Academic Services provides tutoring and developmental mathematics and English to assist students academically.
• Stratford's Continuing Education Office offers many non-credit workshops and courses in business, health sciences, technology, culinary arts, and event management.
• Stratford's Food Services are managed by the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. The School of Culinary Arts offers fine dining to the public as part of its culinary curriculum. The School operates the Escoffier Dining Room, the Careme Dining Room, and the Library Cafe.
• Stratford's Media Office produces and broadcasts a weekly radio show, Tech Talk Radio, which is aired on WFED (1500 AM) each Saturday from 9 to 10 am EST.^[23][24] The show is streamed live over the Internet from the WFED home page. Audio files of the show and a podcast feed are posted each week to the Tech Talk Radio home page.^[25] The podcast is also available via iTunes.^[26] Tech Talk Radio first aired in January 2000 and has been previously broadcast on WMAL (630AM), WJFK-FM (106.7FM), WTWP (1500AM, 107.7FM), and WWWT (1500AM, 107.7FM) radio stations.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Stratford University has been endorsed and/or accredited by an broad range of organizations and agencies.

• Stratford University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award degrees through the master's level.^[27]
• Stratford and ACICS are recognized by the United States Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).^[28]
• Stratford has been authorized to award degrees and diplomas by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).^[29]
• Stratford is authorized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue a Form I-20 for an F-1 Visa and to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.^[30]
• Stratford is listed in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs which identifies it as an institution or program which "is accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education within the meaning of the Higher Education Act of 1965."^[31]
• Stratford is authorized to award Federal Student Aid, including both loans and grants for eligible US citizens and permanent residents.^[32]
• Stratford's nursing program has been approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.^[33]
• Stratford's culinary programs have a second accreditation (programmatic) with the American Culinary Federation (ACF).^[34]
• Stratford is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.^[35]
• Stratford is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.^[36]
• Stratford is a member of the United States-India Educational Foundation.^[37]

References

1. ^ "Richard Shurtz II-President-Stratford University". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/jobs/jobslive102699.htm. Retrieved October 26, 1999. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Stratford University 2010-11 Catalog". http://www.stratford.edu/img/fckimages/2010-11Catalogweb.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
3. ^ "Stratford University opens Woodbridge campus". http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/stratford_university_opens_woodbridge_campus/30640/. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
4. ^ "Stratford University to Enter Richmond Market". http://www.thalhimer.com/news/item/stratford_university_to_enter_richmond_market/. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
5. ^ "Stratford University's Glen Allen Campus Creates 150 Jobs". http://www.wtvr.com/wtvr-stratford-universitys-glen-allen-campus-creates-150-jobs-20110406,0,1373575.story?track=rss. Retrieved 20 April 2011. 
6. ^ "GRACRE honors Richmond's top real estate projects". http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/business/2011/mar/31/TDBIZ03-gracre-honors-richmonds-top-real-estate-pr-ar-939779/. Retrieved 20 April 2011. 
7. ^ "Stratford University to set up campus in India". http://www.indianexpress.com/news/stratford-university-to-set-up-campus-in-ind/528941/. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Stratford University International Student Booklet". http://www.stratford.edu/img/fckimages/International%20Student%20Booklet.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
9. ^ "Stratford University Opens Campus in India". http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/23472/. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
10. ^ "Winners for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 awards in Greater Washington Announced". http://www.ey.com/US/en/Newsroom/News-releases/Winners-for-Ernst---Young-Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year-2009-awards-in-Greater-Washington-announced. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
11. ^ "Ex-Techie Gets Educational". http://www.bisnow.com/washington_dc_tech_news_story.php?p=5375. Retrieved 2010-03-16. 
12. ^ "Top Graduate Degree Producers", Diverse Issues in Higher Education, July 23, 2009.
13. ^ "Top 100 - Graduate Degree Producers". http://diverseeducation.com/article/12744/. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
14. ^ "Computerword: How the Tech Worker Visa is Remaking IT in America". http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9196738/H_1B_at_20_How_the_tech_worker_visa_is_remaking_IT_in_America?taxonomyId=10&pageNumber=2. Retrieved 2010-11-23. 
15. ^ "ICE Data: All OPT Extension Requests for F-1 students with a STEM Primary Major". http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/OPT_EXT_STEM_MAJOR/Schools?:embed=yes&:toolbar=yes. Retrieved 2010-11-23. 
16. ^ "Slashdot: How the Tech Worker Visa Is Remaking IT in America". http://news.slashdot.org/story/10/11/21/2243234/How-the-Tech-Worker-Visa-Is-Remaking-IT-In-America?from=rss. Retrieved 2010-11-29. 
17. ^ "Stratford University Online Programs". http://www.stratford.edu/stratford-university/online-programs. Retrieved 24 May 2010. 
18. ^ "Stratford University Academic Programs". http://www.stratford.edu/stratford-university/academic-programs. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
19. ^ "Veteran's Administration Yellow Ribbon Institutions in Virgina". https://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/states/va.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
20. ^ "SOC Consortium Member Institutions". http://www.soc.aascu.org/pubfiles/socmisc/UNIV_COLL.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
21. ^ "Veterans Educational Benefits". Startford. http://www.stratford.edu/stratford-university/mso-va-benefits. 
22. ^ "Stratford Language Institute Homepage". http://www.stratford.edu/content_pages/view/stratford-language-institute. Retrieved 2 July 2010. 
23. ^ "WTOP Feature: Stratford University's Tech Talk". http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=410&sid=1474952. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
24. ^ "University president talks, teaches tech". http://beta.ecampusnews.com/2009/03/26/university-president-talks-teaches-tech/. Retrieved 2010-03-15. ^{[dead link]}
25. ^ "Stratford University Tech Talk Radio Podcast". http://www.stratford.edu/rss/techtalkradio.xml. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
26. ^ "iTunes Tech Talk Radio Podcast". http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-talk-radio-podcast/id254985702. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
27. ^ "ACICS Directory of Institutions". https://personify.acics.org/ACICSMemberDirectory/tabid/204/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
28. ^ "CHEA Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations". http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
29. ^ "SCHEV Directory of Private and Out-of-State Colleges and Universities". http://www.schev.edu/Students/PrivateCollegeList.asp. Retrieved 2009-10-23. 
30. ^ "SEVIS Approved Schools in Virginia". http://www.ice.gov/sevis/map/va.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
31. ^ "The database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs". U.S. Department of Education. http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/SearchResult.aspx?6d6f64653d5365617263684279496e737469747574696f6e267264743d382f322f3230313120313a35363a313720504d. 
32. ^ "US Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs". http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
33. ^ "VBON Programs Preparing for Registered Nurse Licensure". http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_edprogs.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
34. ^ "ACF Accredited Postsecondary Programs in Virginia". http://www.acfchefs.org/Source/Schools/Postsecondary.cfm#VA. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
35. ^ "NVTC Member Directory". http://nvtc.org/membership/public.php. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
36. ^ "Stratford Accreditation and Affiliations". http://www.stratford.edu/content_pages/view/accreditation-and-affiliations. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 
37. ^ "USIEF Institutional Members". usief.org. http://www.usief.org.in/Scripts/StudyinUSASchedulesandResourcesChennaiCenter.aspx#s. 

External links

• Stratford University US
• Stratford University India
• Stratford University's Tech Talk Radio
• Tech Talk Radio Podcast Feed

Coordinates: 38°54′26.53″N 77°12′52.13″W / 38.9073694°N 77.2144806°W / 38.9073694; -77.2144806 (Stratford University Main Campus)