Career Education Corp/ 60 Minutes Fallout

Does anyone here know if there has been any fallout from the recent 60 Minutes segment highlighting recruiting at schools owned by Career Education Corporation? I am researching DL master's programs and I'm curious to know how the reputation of AIU and Colorado Technical University might suffer due to the bad press (and obviously bad behavior) of thier parent company and sister schools.

 

What have you heard recently?

Robb,

What have you heard about AIQ or CTU?

I only thing that I've heard is that some of the admissions representatives use high-pressure tactics to get you to enroll.

I don't see why they would, though. If someone likes what they see, and can afford the costs, they'll enroll. Otherwise they'll choose another school. That's business

My Navy recuiter wanted to put me in, but he wasn't banging down my door, either.

The actual curriculum itself is not so bad at all. It easy (to me), although a lot of other classmates have found it challanging. But almost all have admitted that you get out of it what you put in.

But I'm very curious to hear what you've heard as kind of an FYI.

 

i think Rob is referring to this http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/31/60minutes/main670479.shtml but it's still what u put into it.

 

What a story! But you're still a victim anywhere....

Thank you delenjose,

I just got done reading the article and I don't know quite how to take this. But just goes to show that no system is perfect. You can be a victim anywhere....even in education (especially with mills). I'm not saying that some of the tactics that CEC uses are right. And these certainly need to be investigated by the proper authorities. I know my growing pains that I experienced with CTUonline, although it was more administrative problems. They had a strong brick-mortar reputation, but their online division was a totally seperate division. Since I my first class, the online division went though a LOT of changes and in general has come a long way from a customer service perspective.

The only thing I can say in CEC's defense is that NO college can guarantee you a high paying job. A degree can increase your chances of getting one, but no guarantees can be made or should be made. All schools are eager to grab a hold of your money, whether public or private. You could have a perfect application, perfect grades, and perfect test scores; tell the financial aid dept that you have no scholarships and terrible credit and see how quickly they show you the door.

Perhaps this is why some schools do have GREs and admissions essays, tests, gpa requirements, etc in place. Kind of a protective measure so that

Like mama said: You cannot believe everything you hear. Not everything that glitters is gold. You have to learn to seperate the game from the truth.

Even if CTU turns out to be a total wash (which I highly doubt), most of it was paid using MGIB and TA dollars, so I wouldn't lose out completely out of pocket-wise.

RobbCD, like we mentioned above, you get out what you put in. Continue to do your research (with all DL masters programs) and see what you come up with. Perhaps this link will help you:

http://www.dantescatalogs.com/DEDC/InstitutionsByDegreeType.asp?RecID=4

Good luck....it's amazing how we are running around with our heads cut off just to move up in the world.

 

Robb,

I can't say there has been a lot of fallout since the CEC story aired on CBS. The company's stock price plunged, but that occured back in early 2004. As far as the schools' reputation in academia, I don't think the story really did any damage because the schools' didn't have a great reputation in the first place.

Although the schools' don't receive a lot of respect in the world of academia, I don't think they are necessarily a bad choice. I graduated from AIU and I am a pretty happy. Although I was not happy with the rampant grade inflation and some of the academically-inferior students, I managed to learn a lot about the world of management. In fact, I have been promoted twice since earning the degree. Also, I was very happy with the customer service I received while I was there.

 

Spoke with AIU Academic Administration

After being taken by surprise with the 60 Minutes piece on Career Education Corp., as a graduate of AIU Online I immediately contacted all Presidents and Academic Admins. of the school to discuss this in detail. The piece was mostly directed at some of CEC's other schools/colleges, the complaint AIU received is that the Advisors came across with a salesman type pitch and tried to force enrollment. While I agree this is in poor taste, it is not out of the norm, as a student I have attended 2 brick and mortars and AIU Online. I received a salesman type pitch at each school, if they want you, they are going to try to sell their program over another schools. It is the way of the world folks, better get used to it. I am a bit surprised as well by all of the complaints AIU receives on this forum. I felt that I received a wonderful education from them, like most say, you get out of it what you put into it. All distance learning requires much more self motivation, you actually have to do things on your own, rather than waiting around after class and hoping the Prof. points you in the right direction. I am very proud to be a graduate of AIU Online, I graduated summa cum laude and my career has accelerated beautifully since graduating. People on this forum need to act more like grown ups at times, an education is not given to you only, it is something that must take/absorb. Just because admissions at a school was less than perfect with you does not in any way demean its academic standards. The accreditation alone speaks volumes.

 

Re: Spoke with AIU Academic Administration

I should add that when I contacted CTU online for similar reasons, one of the advisors replied back with a couple of official company press releases, one in which cited significant achievements of other students that have graduated from cec schools.

As far as admissions goes, I did notice an emphasis on near-immediate enrollment for the CTUonline and AIUonline schools when I was going through the admission pipeline (I applied and got accepted into both). Oh well.

So it is all in what you make it. I'm happy with it so far, and I'm almost 1/2 the way through.

 

Query?

JStover24

Who has not acted like an adult?

 

CEC - Career Education Corporation (CECO) is a highly unreliable company. Researching this company for 5min will reveal countless negative reports including a CBS investigation, scam school list and a degree mill list. Moreover, thousands of past and current students along with faculty are suing CEC for enrollment and job placement fraudulence in addition to many other untrustworthy practices. It appears numerous lawsuits have recently been won by students and faculty with many more in the pipeline. There is something wrong at CEC and these judgments are evidence of that. Career Education Corporation final days are numbered.

CEC Schools:
AIU – American InterContinental University (Class-Action)
IADT – International Academy of Design
La Cordon Bleu (Class-Action)
Briarcliffe College (Class-Action)
CTU – Colorado Technical University
Brooks Institution
California Culinary Academy (Class-Action)
(There are more class-action coming and class actions I'm not aware of pertaining to CEC run schools - Please do your own research)

This company will have a difficult time with imminent federal spending cuts.