About Brandon Platt Expertise Expertise in finding the correct school and career path, as well as what real life concerns and challenges will face someone seeking continuing education. From accreditation, credit transfers, loan scenarios, even the current political and economic effect on your education and the laws that govern your degree are things I have expertise in.
Experience From childhood, my family has been deeply involved in the adult and continuing education field professionally and personally. I myself have worked in this field from the marketing, recruiting and other angles for eleven years. During this time I have visited over fifty different education institutions and attended countless accreditation and industry conferences. My sister is a graduate of an adult education institute and holds two degrees.
Publications Career College Central
Education/Credentials Degree in Philosophy from the University of Missouri
Past/Present Clients Corinthian Colleges
UEI education
Apollo Group
University of Phoenix
PlattForm Advertising
Career College Association
Question I'm currently attending Miami Dade College and I'm thinking of changing schools. I've visited Everest Institute webpage and i really don't understand if there are accredited or not. This is what the webpage says:
"Licensure
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 2650 Apalachee Parkway, Suite A, Tallahassee, FL 32301, toll-free telephone number (888) 224-6684.
Accreditation
Accredited Member, ACICS
Everest Institute is institutionally accredited at the non-degree and degree level by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ABHES is listed by the U. S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency under the provisions of Chapter 33, Title 38, U. S. Code and subsequent legislation. ABHES is recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) to accredit institutions of allied health and medical assistant programs in the private sectors and medical laboratory technician programs in the private and public sectors. ABHES is located at 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 N. Falls Church, VA 22043 (703) 917-9503."
My question to you is...In Plain English form is this Institute accredited? If I decide later on to go to any other college will my credits be transferable?
Answer This is hard to give a short answer to, but I'll do my best:
Yes, they are accredited. Maybe, your credits (some) will transfer (to certain schools).
Accreditation means that the school is approved by a state or regional board to provide post-secondary education, not just training. This really just means that students of these schools get all the same benefits as students of traditional state schools. And frankly, the main benefit is you will be able to secure a student loan if your credit and what-not are good enough.
Unfortunately, this isn't an easy question to answer. My recommendation is to get in contact with the school and set a meeting with their admissions department. Keep in mind that these admissions people, even if they aren't making commissions, are paid to get you into the school.
Ask very pointed questions, and request responses IN WRITING from their director of admissions. The main question you want to ask is, "Will my credits transfer?"
The issue here is that, yes, they are accredited, but that doesn't mean credits will transfer to every institution of higher learning. But this is the case with really almost any college, university or trade school.
So some courses and credits may transfer to certain schools, such as ITT and University of Phoenix, and others won't.
But in the end, you need to ask yourself if the programs they offer fit your desired outcome, because if they do I highly recommend pursuance of education through Everest. Let me explain why I say that-
Because they are a "for profit" school, they have a lot more oversight and restrictions placed on them versus state and public colleges. For example, they have to place their students in jobs after graduation, they have to maintain a certain percentage (very high) of graduating students, and many other things.
If you follow through and complete your education there, you will most likely find employment opportunities right off the bat and be thankful for going the "for profit" route. Think about other services you utilize- do you get better service at the DMV (not for profit) or a car dealership (for profit)?
But just like a car dealership, you need to be very on your game so to speak, when dealing with the sales people there. Fortunately, unlike a car dealership, these schools have an obligation, legally, to get you through graduation and into a job, so they don't stop servicing you after the "sale" but for the entirety of your education.
So that was a long answer.
I can provide further help if you let me know exactly what you are hoping to study and what your goal is career wise.
Here is more information for you on the accreditation body that they belong too:
