U. of Arizona aquires Ashford U.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Aug 3, 2020.

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  1. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

  2. Linguaphile89

    Linguaphile89 New Member

    Interesting! The last thing like this I can recall is Purdue Global. Not too familiar with Ashford, but how do these acquisitions generally go? Does the status quo remain, just with new branding? Does the quality of education improve? Does the accreditation change? Looking at their accreditation status, they have a notice of concern listed by WASC.
     
  3. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

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  4. JoshD

    JoshD Well-Known Member

    If it is anything like when Purdue acquired Kaplan, they will undergo a rebranding. However, they typically keep all of the instructors, accreditation’s (RA and programmatic), etc. the same. They just become an awkward extension of the parent University.
     
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  5. Linguaphile89

    Linguaphile89 New Member

    Makes sense. I briefly considered Purdue Global for my MBA because I thought it might have higher name recognition than WGU. I was put off by the fact that as soon as I applied, it asked me for a background check. I don't have any nefarious past or anything, but I've never been asked that as part of a legitimate higher education application. Not sure if its purpose was to meet some specific state requirement, but I definitely thought it was strange. Further research on the acquisition made me abandon the pursuit entirely.

    It's a shame Purdue didn't make an effort to really fold in and make changes to Kaplan. It's further exacerbated by the fact that Purdue has another wing of distance education which is actually tied to its university system, Purdue Online. It seems to me that these re-branding acquisitions, with no substantive change in quality of education, are a bit disingenuous to the student. It's one thing to know what you're signing up for. It's another thing entirely when the expectation is that you're getting a degree equivalent in caliber to the acquiring institution when in fact, it's only a nominal change. Sure, this happens in business all the time, but I'm not sure it sits right with me in these cases in higher ed. Maybe I'm just a naysayer. Maybe this time will be different.
     
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  6. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    As long as it keeps under the University of Arizona brand, without a separated logo. I think it is a good move for both institutions. Ashford University brand is becoming likes the University of Phoenix. Purdue University Global Campus was a different story because Purdue University does not recognize PUGC as Purdue alumni instead of a separated branding such as the University of Maryland - College Park and University of Maryland Global Campus (FKA University College).

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    It is interesting that public institution starts acquiring private for-profit institutions. Eventually, the University of Minnesota acquires Capella University and Walden University to become the University of Minnesota Global Campus. The University of Colorado acquires Colorado Technical University becomes the University of Colorado Global Campus. :D
     
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  8. Linguaphile89

    Linguaphile89 New Member

    Agreed. If they don't create 'second class citizens' in the form of their global students, then this is cool news. Of course, they could likely look at Purdue and follow the same model. This protects their original brand from damage should something go ary - they can simply say "but this isn't the REAL University of Arizona'. From an institutional standpoint, that is probably the safer move because you effectively win in both arenas. Your on campus students or distance students with the university 'proper' still feel an incentive to attend the normal programs because there is some assurance that the brand won't be cheapened. Conversely, the institution still extends its total addressable market by taking on the 'global' brand for very little risk to the main brand. In that scenario, things can become disingenuous for students who don't realize the distinction.
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2020
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's not just separate branding. University of Maryland - College Park and University of Maryland Global Campus are different universities. Purdue University and Purdue University Global are different universities. And the University of Arizona and the the University of Arizona Global Campus will be different universities.

    Agreed, it's a fascinating development. But at least it would be a soft landing for those proprietary institutions that overreached and are not doing well in today's economy. And a better outcome for their alumni as well.
     
  10. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    What happened to Mount St. Clare College's original campus?
     
  11. JoshD

    JoshD Well-Known Member

    When I accepted my admissions offer from Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business, I had to undergo a in depth credential verification. They contacted my previous universities to make sure I did attend there. They contacted my recommenders to make sure they wrote my LORs. They contacted my employer to make sure I was indeed employed there and that my title was correct.

    Most top business schools have some sort of verification process. Duke used Re-Vera Services LLC.
     
  12. Linguaphile89

    Linguaphile89 New Member

    Yeah, that makes sense. Credential/work experience verification wouldn't be out of the norm. I can also see criminal background checks in cases where you will be TA'ing or involved in an official capacity with the university. Makes total sense.

    What Purdue Global was asking for was a criminal background check as part of the application process. Maybe it was just awkwardly worded on their part and I misunderstood. I had assumed that it was solely criminal in nature, but that could be their catchall term for a more complete verification of credentials. To call it criminal background check, though, made me think they had a problem with alumni ending up as felons. Hah
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2020
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  13. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    The University of California acquires Kensington University and Pacific Western University....
     
  14. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Purdue is in IN, Kaplan was in IA.
    UofA is in AZ, Ashford is in CA.

    Why do we assume that Capella, Walden, CTU, and the others will be acquired by a university within the state they are located, or even be acquired at all?
     
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  15. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    Damn, I was thinking about getting an online degree from Univ. of Arizona but if they will convert that to 'Univ. of Arizona Global Campus' degree, it's going to be a bad idea.
     
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  16. JoshD

    JoshD Well-Known Member

    There is obviously no difference in the degree whether earned on-campus or online. However, the University of Arizona has degree programs that are delivered online. Those should not transition to their acquired university.
     
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  17. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

    Yeah, I hope they won't force me to switch to their new global campus lol
     
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  18. nomaduser

    nomaduser Active Member

  19. JoshD

    JoshD Well-Known Member

    The University of Arizona will have degree programs that can be earned via remote learning that will not be apart of their Global Campus.

    I was admitted to Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management to pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics via remote learning. It was NOT offered through their Purdue Global extension. This was from their AACSB Accredited and highly regarded business school. Arizona will have similar offerings.
     
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  20. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    So, Ashford shared the news on FB and LinkedIn, and all the replies seem to focus on whether students who have already graduated could request a replacement diploma with UofA Global or list it on their resume... LMOA. Unfortunately, they are stuck with Ashford. Only those who graduate after the transaction is finalized will get the UofA Global diploma.
     
    JBjunior and JoshD like this.

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