From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kaplan University
Kaplan University
Kaplan University In September 2004, Kaplan College officially changed
its name to Kaplan University after it was granted per-
mission to offer graduate-level degree programs. [6]
The university’s school of nursing was awarded a na-
tional professional accreditation for its Bachelor of
Science in Nursing degree in April 2006 from the Com-
mission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In Oc-
Established 1937 as the American Institute of Commerce
tober 2007, all seven Iowa and Nebraska-based Hamilton
Type For-profit online university College (Iowa) campuses merged with Kaplan University
and are now operating under the Kaplan University
President Wade Dyke
brand. Concord Law School merged with Kaplan Univer-
Academic More than 3,600 sity in October 2007, changing its name to Concord Law
staff School of Kaplan University. Concord is not recognized
Students 66,000 online and campus-based students by the American Bar Association, which does not accredit
online institutions, although students with non-ABA-ac-
Location Davenport, IA, US
credited law degrees are allowed to take California’s bar
Campus 10 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska and Maryland examination and practice law once admitted to the
and 1 Kaplan University Learning Center in bar.[7][8]
Milwaukee
Affiliations Kaplan Higher Education Corporation, The
Washington Post Company
Offerings and enrollment
Kaplan University offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and mas-
Website kaplan.edu
ter’s degrees as well as certificates in such fields as ed-
ucation, business, information technology, arts and sci-
Kaplan University ("KU") is the "doing business as" (DBA)
ences, healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, and law. Ka-
name[1] of the Iowa College Acquisition Corporation, a
plan serves more than 66,000 online and on-campus stu-
company that owns and operates for-profit colleges. It
dents. While Kaplan University is based in Davenport,
is owned by Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of the Washington
Iowa, the main administration building is located in Fort
Post Company.[2]
Lauderdale, Florida.[9] In addition to 10 campuses in
Kaplan University is predominantly a distance learn-
Iowa, Nebraska and Maryland (and one Kaplan University
ing institution of higher education that is regionally ac-
Learning Center in Milwaukee), Kaplan has online stu-
credited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a
dent support centers in Florida, Illinois and Arizona. Ka-
member of the North Central Association of Colleges and
plan has more than 3,600 instructors, professors and ad-
Schools (NCA). Kaplan University was named in honor of
ministrators..
Stanley H. Kaplan,[3] who founded Kaplan Test Prep.[4]
In 2010 Kaplan and other for-profit education compa-
nies came under scrutiny from the U.S. Congress due to Academics
concerns that the industry leaves too many students with
Kaplan University is academically organized into ten
heavy debts, and with credentials that are of little help
schools.[10][11]
finding jobs.[5]
• Arts and Sciences[12]
• Business[13]
History • Criminal Justice[14]
• Education[15]
The American Institute of Commerce was established in
• Health Sciences[16]
1937 before changing its name to Quest College. In
• Information Systems and Technology[17]
November 2000, Quest College’s name was changed to Ka-
• Legal Studies[18]
plan College after Kaplan, Inc. acquired it with the pur-
• Nursing[19]
chase of Quest Education Corporation.
• Kaplan Continuing Education[20]
• Concord Law School of Kaplan University[21]
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kaplan University
Admissions and financial aid research papers are expected and electronically/visually
monitored for plagiarism by instructors.[citation needed]
Kaplan University has an open admissions policy.[22] Ap- Courses also have a complete series of live seminars in-
plicants are eligible for both Pell grants and federal stu- cluding PowerPoint presentations and audio lectures in
dent loans. The university offers members of the military addition to curriculum offerings. Seminars are also avail-
discounted tuition rates as well as granting service mem- able in transcripts for student access at the conclusion of
bers college credit for some of the military education seminars.[citation needed]
they may have received while in the service.[23]
Alleged misrepresentations Student interactions
In 2010 Florida’s Attorney General opened an investiga- Kaplan University has created pages at social networks
tion of Kaplan and four other for-profit universities for such as LinkedIn.com, Facebook.com for casual student
allegedly making misrepresentations to students about interaction. All seminars and group study sessions are
several matters, including financial aid.[24] The federal archived so that students who cannot attend may review
Education Department released data in August 2010 them in text form later.[citation needed]
demonstrating that only 28% of former Kaplan students The Kaplan School of Arts and Sciences has purchased
were paying anything off the principal of their student a virtual island inside the Second Life virtual world, in-
loans. The remainder were paying only interest on their tending to have group help sessions and virtual laborato-
loans, were behind in payments, or in default. For com- ry exercises available for students who obtain avatars.[ci-
tation needed]
parison, the federal data show that 56% of students from
non-profit colleges in the United States are paying off Former employees and students have alleged that
principal from their loans, thus at twice the rate of Ka- academic advisers register students for classes without
plan students.[25] their permission.[30]
Alleged improper recruiting False Claims Act lawsuits
Kaplan University was one of 15 for-profit colleges cited In 2008 three former academic officers at Kaplan Univer-
by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for de- sity filed wide-ranging federal False Claims Act lawsuits
ceptive or questionable statements that were made to accusing the university of defrauding the United States
undercover investigators posing as applicants.[26] The government out of more than $4 billion. The lawsuits al-
Pembroke Pines and Riverside campuses were both cited leged that Kaplan enrolled unqualified students, inflated
in the GAO report.[27] Andrew S. Rosen, President of Ka- their grades so they could stay enrolled, and falsified doc-
plan, Inc., described the tactics as "sickening" and uments to obtain accreditation for certain academic pro-
promised to eliminate such conduct from Kaplan.[28] On grams. The three suits were consolidated and filed in the
November 30, 2010, the GAO issued a revised report with U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida in March 2008.[31]
several significant edits, altering key passages and soft- Kaplan moved to dismiss the consolidated suit. The
ening several of the initial allegations.[29] Justice Department maintained that the “parade of horri-
bles” that Kaplan predicted if the case were not dismissed
Course format was “entirely illusory”. The government is entitled to a
portion of the proceeds if the employees prevail against
Online instructors and professors (licensed and practic-
the company. Kaplan University has denied any wrong-
ing in their fields) are required to hold two online office
doing.[32]
hours per week, and are also available via email and have
The Chronicle of Higher Education has reported that the
to respond within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours
U.S. Department of Justice has taken a stance in siding
on weekends if a student emails them. Weekly discussion
with several whistle-blowers in false claims lawsuits
boards are a part of each class curriculum, with a unit-re-
against various colleges owned by Kaplan Higher Edu-
lated discussion topic required weekly for student/class-
cation. Under the False Claims Act, individuals are al-
mates and student/instructor interaction. In addition,
lowed to file lawsuits on behalf of the government in cas-
scheduled weekly seminar sessions are held online with
es which involve allegations of fraud.
audio chat capabilities. An "Option 2 Alternative Assign-
Kaplan argued that the consolidated lawsuit should
ment" is offered if students cannot attend the scheduled
be dismissed because it lacks the specificity required in a
weekly seminar session, although most professors expect
federal fraud case.[33]
students to attend weekly seminars. Core classes include
Separately, former employee Charles Jajdelski
required weekly exams that must be completed within
brought a lawsuit in Nevada alleging that Kaplan’s Her-
the weekly deadline, along with required weekly assign-
itage College had filed fraudulent student financial aid
ments. Assigned, APA formatted, unit study topic-related
requests, allegations denied by Kaplan. Jajdelski’s request
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kaplan University
to transfer the suit to Florida to join with the others was [19] School of Nursing
denied as a "potential tag-along action". In July 2011, af- [20] Continuing Education
ter Jajdelski had amended the original complaint several [21] Concord Law School
times, a judge dismissed the suit due to Jajdelski’s failure [22] National Center for Education Statistics (2008).
to "state with particularity the circumstances constitut- "College Navigator – Kaplan University".
ing fraud".[34] http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
?q=Kaplan+University&s=all&id=456384#admsns.
Agreement with California [23]
Retrieved 2010-08-05.
"University Corner: Kaplan University". Military
Community Colleges Advanced Education (KMI Media Group) 4 (2).
March/April 2009. http://www.military-advanced-
In 2009 a two-year memorandum of understanding was
education.com/military-advanced-education/
signed between Jack Scott, the chancellor of the Cali-
102-mae-2009-volume-4-issue-2/870-university-
fornia Community Colleges System, and Gregory Marino,
corner-kaplan-university.html. Retrieved August 1,
President of the Kaplan University Group. Under this
2011.
agreement, students who need a course to meet their as-
[24] Rosenblatt, Joel (October 20, 2010). "Washington
sociate degree requirements would be able to take it at
Post’s Kaplan, For-Profit Schools Are Focus of
Kaplan. However, they would have to pay Kaplan’s tu-
Florida Probe". Bloomberg.
ition, which is $646 for a three-credit class, compared
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-20/
with $78 at the community colleges. The agreement is
florida-probing-kaplan-for-profit-colleges-after-
controversial because it was signed without any input
complaints-u-s-report.html. Retrieved 4 December
from community college educators.[35]
2010.
[25] Anderson, Nick (August 17, 2010). "For-profit
References higher-education providers resist regulatory
action". Washington Post.
[1] Iowa Secretary of State Filings – search for "Kaplan
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
University".
content/article/2010/08/16/
[2] http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/
AR2010081603853.html. Retrieved 4 December
transcript.php?storyId=126564748
2010.
[3] http://www.kaplan.com/shk/Pages/default.aspx
[26] GAO Report available at http://www.gao.gov/
[4] http://ny1.com/content/top_stories/104636/test-
products/GAO-10-948T
prep-pioneer-stanley-kaplan-dead-at-90/
[27] http://chronicle.com/article/Kaplan-Suspends-
Default.aspx
Enrollment-at/123835/
[5] Lewin, Tamar (November 9, 2010). "Scrutiny Takes
[28] Vise, Daniel de; Paul Kane (2010-08-05). "GAO: 15
Toll on For-Profit College Company". The New York
for-profit colleges used deceptive recruiting
Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/
tactics". The Washington Post. ISSN 0740-5421.
education/10kaplan.html?pagewanted=all.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
Retrieved July 20,2011.
content/article/2010/08/04/
[6] http://kucampus.kaplan.edu/Platform/
AR2010080403816.html?hpid=moreheadlines.
CampusInfo/GeneralInfo/History.aspx
Retrieved 2010-08-05.
[7] ABA website
[29] Anderson, Nick (8 December 2010). "GAO revises its
[8] California State Bar website
report critical of practices at for-profit schools".
[9] http://www.kaplan.com/aboutkaplan/
The Washington Post.
pressreleases/archive/2007/july+11+-
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
+Cypress+2.htm
content/article/2010/12/07/
[10] http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu
AR2010120706803.html.
[11] http://www.edvisors.com/Detailed/
[30] Kirkham, Chris (December 22, 2010). "At Kaplan
Online_Degrees/
University, ’Guerrilla Registration’ Leaves Students
Kaplan_University_Online_76608.html
Deep In Debt". Huffington Post.
[12] Schools of Arts and Science
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/22/
[13] Schools of Business
kaplan-university-guerilla-
[14] Schools of Criminal Justice
registration_n_799741.html?page=3.
[15] Schools of Education
[31] Blumenstyk, Goldie (March 21, 2008). "3 Former
[16] Schools of Health Sciences
Employees Accuse Kaplan U. of Bilking
[17] Schools of Information Technology
Government Out of Billions". The Chronicle of Higher
[18] Schools of Legal Studies
Education. http://chronicle.com/article/3-Former-
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kaplan University
Employees-Accuse/10495. Retrieved 13 October http://floridaindependent.com/39000/kaplan-suit-
2010. dismissed. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
[32] Blumenstyk, Goldie (May 30, 2008). "Justice Dept. [35] Is outsourcing community college education
Argues Against Dismissal of Lawsuit Challenging serving students? California Community Colleges’
Kaplan U.". The Chronicle of Higher Education. deal with for-profit Kaplan University has a few
http://chronicle.com/article/Justice-Dept-Argues- catches (Los Angeles Times, July 4, 2010)
Against/41060. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
[33] Blumenstyk, Goldie (July 6, 2010). "Justice
Department Weighs In for Whistle-Blowers in Cases
External links
Against Kaplan". The Chronicle of Higher Education. • Official website
http://chronicle.com/article/Justice-Dept-Argues- Coordinates: 26°8′N 80°12′W / 26.133°N 80.2°W / 26.133;
Against/66150. Retrieved 13 October 2010. -80.2
[34] Chamlee, Virginia (July 12, 2011). "Kaplan suit
dismissed". The Florida Independent.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaplan_University&oldid=472706135"
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