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| About Dr. Arthur Keiser, Ph.D. |
Keiser
University is a private university in Florida that offers various degree
programs in different fields of study. The university has 28 campuses across
the state and online, and serves over 19,000 students. But who owns Keiser
University, and how did it become one of the largest private universities in
Florida? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with
more information about the history, accreditation, and reputation of Keiser
University.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Who Owns Keiser
University?
- How Did Keiser
University Start?
- Is Keiser
University Accredited?
- What is Keiser
University Known For?
- Summary or
Conclusion
- FAQ or People
Also Ask
- Call to Action
- Footer
Introduction
If
you are looking for a university that can help you achieve your academic and
career goals, you may have come across Keiser University. Keiser University is
a private university that offers various degree programs in different fields of
study, such as business, health care, criminal justice, education, information
technology, and more. The university has 28 campuses across Florida and online,
and serves over 19,000 students. But who owns Keiser University, and how did it
become one of the largest private universities in Florida? In this article, we
will answer these questions and provide you with more information about the
history, accreditation, and reputation of Keiser University.
Who Owns Keiser University?
Keiser
University is owned by Keiser University, Inc., a for-profit corporation. The
university was founded in 1977 by Arthur Keiser, a businessman and education
entrepreneur. The university operates 28 campuses in 21 states, as well as
online degree programs. Keiser University is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The university is
named after its founder.
However,
in 2011, Keiser University underwent a major change in its ownership structure.
Arthur Keiser sold the university to Everglades College, Inc., a non-profit
entity that he also founded and serves as the vice president3. Everglades College also owns
Everglades University, another private university in Florida. The sale was
financed by a $321 million loan provided by Arthur Keiser himself. The reason
for this transaction was to avoid the scrutiny and regulations that for-profit
colleges face from the government and the public. By becoming a non-profit
institution, Keiser University could benefit from tax exemptions and access to
more federal student aid.
However,
some critics have questioned the legitimacy of this conversion, arguing that it
was a mere legal maneuver to evade accountability and transparency. They claim
that Arthur Keiser still maintains control over the university through his role
in Everglades College and his loan agreement. In fact, in 2020, the U.S. House
Committee on Education and Labor asked the U.S. Department of Education to
review the non-profit status of Everglades College and its subsidiaries,
including Keiser University. The committee expressed concerns about the
potential conflicts of interest and misuse of federal funds involved in this
arrangement.
How Did Keiser University Start?
Keiser
University started as a small career college called the Keiser School in Fort
Lauderdale in 1977. Arthur Keiser and his mother Evelyn founded the school to
prepare students for jobs in Florida’s growing business and health care
sectors. The school offered vocational training programs in fields such as
accounting, secretarial skills, medical assisting, and nursing.
In
1982, the school changed its name to the Keiser Institute of Technology to
reflect its expansion into computer-related programs. In 1986, the school
became Keiser College and began to award associate degrees. In 2001, the
college added its first bachelor’s degree programs in business administration
and computer information systems. In 2006, the college became Keiser University
and started to offer graduate degrees in fields such as education, psychology,
criminal justice, and business administration.
Since
then, Keiser University has grown rapidly both in size and scope. The
university has opened new campuses across Florida and other states, as well as
online. The university has also added new degree programs in various
disciplines, such as engineering, biotechnology, sports management, culinary
arts, chiropractic medicine, and more. The university has also established
partnerships with international institutions in countries such as China,
Nicaragua, Moldova, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Is Keiser University Accredited?
Keiser
University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional accrediting agency for higher
education institutions in the Southern states. SACSCOC is recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
as a reliable authority on the quality of education offered by its member
institutions. Accreditation by SACSCOC means that Keiser University meets the
standards of quality and effectiveness in its mission, goals, resources,
policies, programs, and services. Accreditation also enables Keiser University
to participate in federal student aid programs and to transfer credits to other
accredited institutions.
In
addition to regional accreditation, Keiser University also holds programmatic
accreditation for some of its specific degree programs. Programmatic
accreditation is granted by specialized agencies that evaluate the quality and
standards of education in a particular field or discipline. Some of the
programmatic accreditors that have recognized Keiser University’s programs are:
- The
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for its
business programs.
- The Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for its
medical assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, and surgical technology
programs.
- The Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its nursing programs.
- The Council on
Chiropractic Education (CCE) for its chiropractic medicine program.
- The
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) for its
business programs.
What is Keiser University Known For?
Keiser
University is known for its career-oriented and student-centered approach to
education. The university aims to provide students with the skills and
knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields of study and in the
competitive job market. Some of the features that distinguish Keiser University
from other universities are:
- Small class
sizes: Keiser University limits its class sizes to an average of 12
students per instructor, which allows for more individualized attention
and interaction.
- Flexible
scheduling: Keiser University offers classes in different formats and
schedules, such as daytime, evening, weekend, hybrid, and online, to
accommodate the needs and preferences of working adults and
non-traditional students.
- Hands-on
learning: Keiser University emphasizes practical learning through
simulations, labs, internships, externships, clinical rotations, and
capstone projects that give students the opportunity to apply their
theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
- Career services:
Keiser University provides students with career guidance and assistance
throughout their academic journey and beyond. The university offers
services such as resume writing, interview preparation, job search
strategies, career fairs, employer networking events, and alumni
mentoring.
Summary or Conclusion
Keiser
University is a private university in Florida that offers various degree
programs in different fields of study. The university has 28 campuses across
the state and online, and serves over 19,000 students. The university is owned
by Keiser University, Inc., a for-profit corporation that sold the university
to Everglades College, Inc., a non-profit entity founded by Arthur Keiser, the
founder of Keiser University. The university is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and holds
programmatic accreditation for some of its specific degree programs. The
university is known for its career-oriented and student-centered approach to
education.
FAQ or People Also Ask
Here
are some of the frequently asked questions or related queries that people also
ask about Keiser University:
- How much does it
cost to attend Keiser University?
- The cost of
attendance at Keiser University varies depending on the degree level,
program, campus, and delivery mode. According to the university’s
website, the estimated tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year
are as follows:
- Associate
degree: $20,208-$23,808
- Bachelor’s
degree: $40,416-$47,616
- Master’s
degree: $18,960-$28,080
- Doctoral
degree: $36,000-$54,000
- These costs do
not include other expenses such as books, supplies, transportation,
housing, food, and personal expenses. The university offers financial aid
options such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to
help students pay for their education.
- Is Keiser
University a good school?
- Keiser
University is a good school for students who are looking for a
career-oriented and student-centered education. The university offers
various degree programs in different fields of study that are relevant to
the current and future needs of the workforce. The university also
provides students with small class sizes, flexible scheduling, hands-on
learning, and career services that can help them achieve their academic
and professional goals. However, some factors that may affect the quality
of education at Keiser University are:
- The ownership
structure: As mentioned earlier, Keiser University was sold by its founder
to a non profit entity that he also founded and serves as the vice
president. This raises questions about the legitimacy and transparency of
the university’s operations and finances. Some critics have accused the
university of evading accountability and regulations by becoming a
non-profit institution.
- The reputation
and ranking: Keiser University is not ranked by major publications such
as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, or The Princeton Review. This
may indicate that the university does not have a strong reputation or
recognition among peers, employers, or students. However, some of the
university’s programs have received positive reviews and ratings from
independent sources such as Niche, College Factual, or GradReports. These
sources may provide more insight into the quality and outcomes of the
university’s programs.
- The student
satisfaction and outcomes: Keiser University has a mixed record of
student satisfaction and outcomes. According to the university’s website,
the student retention rate is 69%, the graduation rate is 65%, and the
placement rate is 88%. These rates are above the national average for
private universities. However, according to the U.S. Department of
Education’s College Scorecard, the average annual cost of attendance at
Keiser University is $26,704, which is higher than the national average
of $23,680 for private universities. The average salary after attending
Keiser University is $31,900, which is lower than the national average of
$43,800 for private universities. The student loan default rate is 11%,
which is higher than the national average of 9% for private universities.
These figures may indicate that Keiser University may not provide a good
return on investment for some students.
Therefore,
whether Keiser University is a good school or not depends on your personal
goals, preferences, and expectations. You should do your own research and
compare Keiser University with other options before making a decision.