Kaplan University Read this before you enroll! Fort Lauderdale Florida

To those of you considering choosing Kaplan University as your educational provider, READ THIS FIRST:

Kaplan University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, so degrees from Kaplan University are VALID.

However: Kaplan's individual programs lack specialized accreditation, with the exception of the School of Nursing, which obtained CCNE accreditation in 2006.

If you are wishing to pursue a legal studies/paralegal studies degree from Kaplan, you must be aware that they do not have ABA accreditation. The American Bar Association does not accredit online programs due to a lack of a physical legal library for students. This is not necessarily Kaplan's fault, online schools are unable to provide such an accommodation.

If you are doing your Master of Education or Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning, PLEASE check with your state prior to enrolling to see if a Kaplan M.Ed/MATL would qualify you for your teaching license. Your state may not accept your coursework from Kaplan because Kaplan does not have NCATE accreditation for their Education programs, which is something that is essential for earning your teaching license. Students living in Iowa should not have to worry about this since only they can enroll in the M.Ed program.

Business Majors, your Kaplan degrees currently do not have the AACSB accreditation, but your new Dean is looking into the possibility of becoming AACSB accredited. While accreditation is preferred, you may be able to skate by without it for your field.

Accounting majors: your Kaplan Accounting degree should still qualify you for your accounting license, but check with your state's requirements first.

Arts & Sciences majors and Health Science majors: your degrees do not need any specialized accreditation, so you should be fine.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with online universities, here is the basics:

Schools like Kaplan University, University of Phoenix, DeVry University, American InterContinental University, Argosy University, Capella University, ITT Technical Institute are FOR-PROFIT schools.

This means that their top priority is making money, not educating individuals. These schools try to purport that they are high quality institutions, but if you peruse through the ripoffreport.com complaints made against for-profits, you will find that most students complain about the shady practices regarding loans, financial aid, and billing. Many students also complain about the lacking quality of the classes taken through these schools. Some students have reported that they found the classes to be of good quality, so this for the most part depends on the individual's experience.

Please note that University of Phoenix, AIU, and Kaplan University have come under fire for their purported lack of quality. University of Phoenix has taken most of the heat, and AIU was placed on probation by the SACS (lifted in early 2008.) Kaplan University is currently being sued by three former employees who reported illegal practices regarding the obtaining of funds from the government. They also claim that Kaplan waters down course content so that students look like they are doing well academically. The business has staunchly denied these allegations, and for now, the court is siding with them. The government may press further investigations, but only time will tell.

Have you noticed that you are receiving multiple calls from your admissions adviser daily telling you how important it is to sign the dotted line and get enrolled? That is because they need your enrollment to keep their very stressful job. You can be enrolled at anytime time, terms start every month, which is something they don't tell you. Why? Because if they fail to meet their established number of enrollments, Kaplan fires them. Admissions advisers' salaries are based on their number of enrollments. When they do good, their salaries go up. When they do bad, their salaries go down drastically. If they do bad for three months in a row, they are terminated.

Why would Kaplan do this, you ask. Good question. Kaplan University is first and foremost a business. They are here to make money. So everyone there will be incredibly nice to you in an effort to get your money. Are their degrees valid? Yes. They are regionally accredited, and their review is coming up in the Fall of 2008. But the truth still remains: Kaplan University is a business, not a school. Schools don't hound you for your money, business do.

Will my Kaplan degree open up employment opportunities?

The answer to this varies. Many students who come to Kaplan are already employed full time and their employer has already promised them a promotion with a pay increase if they get their degree. Most employers don't care what school the employee attends, just as long as they are accredited, which Kaplan is, so this group of students are fine.

There are students who are going full time and working part time, or not at all. With the economy woes and employers stepping up expectations for candidates, Kaplan graduates of this group may find it hard to compete against the Texas A&Ms, Harvards, Princetons, Yales, Drexels, Loyolas, and so on. In fact most people are not even aware that Kaplan has its own university. Most people recognize the Kaplan name for the SAT/ACT/LSAT/GMAT/GRE test prep services. Some employers won't care if your degree is from Kaplan, others will care, and they will eliminate you. Again, this is all based on individual experiences.

Kaplan University employees pay the least due to their 50-90% tuition discount. *Please note that actual universities let their employees enroll for free and they also provide educational assistance to other schools. Kaplan University ONLY provides its employees with a discount, not full reimbursement, AND Kaplan University does NOT provide educational assistance to other schools WHATSOEVER.

Kaplan University employees recently asked the higher ups if they obtain their degrees will they receive higher pay and a promotion. The executive who responded gave a watered down response, which basically says, NO. Kaplan University prides itself on paying next to nothing, and since the company has high turnover in every department, they don't have to give out many raises. (Kaplan also continues to reduce health benefits and number of days off, usually every two years. This company just loves to take more and more away from the employees. All in the name of profit.)

Should I enroll at Kaplan University?

Only if you feel that Kaplan is the best fit for your educational needs. Kaplan does have it's good side: it provides disadvantaged students with a chance to earn an accredited degree, right from their own home. Education is brought to those people who would otherwise not be able to get it. Kaplan's technology for their online learning platform is decent, but like every system it has its flaws.

If you are looking for the convenience of an online education, then first look into actual schools like Drexel University who provide many degrees completely online now. Even state universities are offering degrees online. Explore your options. If you are unable to find a not-for-profit school to fit your educational needs, then come to Kaplan. Many students have a good experience here and they benefit from their degrees. Many students experience the opposite and face hardships as a result.

The conclusion is to DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SIGN THE DOTTED LINE. Make sure Kaplan is a good fit for you, and IGNORE anyone from Kaplan because they will only tell you positive things about the company. Research the facts and do listen to the negative things about this school, because it will help you make a solid decision. ALWAYS SEE BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN BEFORE PLUNGING INTO ANYTHING!

Concerned Citizens for Legitimate Higher Education
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.