Independence University

Independence University (IU, formerly California College for Health Sciences) is a private, online career college headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.[1] Independence University is the online branch of Stevens–Henager College, and operates four schools: the School of Healthcare, the School of Business, the School of Technology, and the School of Graphic Arts. Independence University is owned and operated by Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE).

For other uses, see Independence College.
Independence University
MottoOnline but never alone.℠
TypePrivate, non-profit career college
Established1978
Parent institution
Center for Excellence in Higher Education
PresidentEric Juhlin
ProvostMarilee Hall
Location
Salt Lake City
,
Utah
,
United States
CampusOnline
ColorsRed, white, and blue
NicknameIU
AffiliationsCollegeAmerica, Stevens-Henager College, California College San Diego
Websitewww.independence.edu

History

In 1978, the school began to offer education at a distance and operated as California College for Health Sciences. In 2005, it was renamed Independence University in order to reflect the institution's broader range of programs and its claimed philosophy that education should lead to greater independence. In 2010, Independence University merged with its affiliated institution, Stevens-Henager College, becoming a branch of Stevens-Henager's main campus in Ogden/West Haven, Utah.[2] Stevens-Henager was started in 1891.[3] In 2012, Carl Barney, its owner, turned the school into a non-profit. In 2020, Carl Barney was fined $3 million by the State of Colorado for defrauding students at CEHE schools.[4] Stevens-Henager is currently under heightened cash monitoring by the US Department of Education.[5]

Academics

IU is an open enrollment institution. Independence University claims to offer degrees specially tailored to working people looking to further their education.[6] It offers programs in the fields of technology, business, graphic arts, and healthcare. Students attending the university may receive an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree.[7] The university does not function on a typical college schedule and does not have semesters or quarters. Instead, classes start each month and generally run for 4 weeks.[8] According to the US Department of Education College Navigator, Independence University has a 45 to 1 student to teacher ratio. It also has a graduation rate of 12 percent.[9]

Student body

According to the US Department of Education, 90 percent of IU's students are low-income individuals. The student body is 25 percent white, 14 percent black, 4 percent Hispanic, 0 percent Asian, and 45 percent unknown.[10]

Military assistance

More than 500 students are attending under the GI Bill.[11] Independence University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program,[12] a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows approved institutions of higher learning and the Department of Veterans Affairs to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.[13] IU offers several different types of aid for active military members, veterans, and their families. The university provides military financial specialists to help military members and their families get the most out of their service. IU also helps veterans transfer their military experience into university credits to be used for their education.[14]

Accreditation

Independence University is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).[15] Independence University was placed on probation in September 2018 due to ACCSC's concerns that "the inputs, resources, and processes of CEHE schools are designed and implemented in a manner that is not designed for student success."[16][17]

Student outcomes

According to the College Scorecard, people who have attended Independence University has 20 percent student loan repayment rate, and a 31 percent graduation rate. Median salary after attending is $28,800, and typical debt after graduation is $27,139[18] For those in student loan repayment, 34 percent are in forbearance, 25 percent are not making progress, 16 have defaulted, 10 percent are delinquent, 8 percent are in deferment, 4 percent are making progress, 1 percent are discharged, and 1 percent are paid in full. [19]

References
  1. "Independence University - CCHS". The College Board. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  2. "About IU".
  3. "Learn About Stevens-Henager College". www.stevenshenager.edu. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  4. Bauman, Dan; Vasquez, Michael. "How a For-Profit Tycoon Turned His Colleges Into Nonprofits". www.chronicle.com. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. "Heightened Cash Monitoring". studentaid.gov. US Department of Education. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. "Our Mission".
  7. "Explore our online degree programs".
  8. "About Us".
  9. College Navigator https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=independence+university&s=all&id=465812. Retrieved 16 September 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "Independence University". College Scorecard. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  11. College Navigator https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=independence+university&s=all&id=465812#service. Retrieved 16 September 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. "UT State Yellow Ribbon Program Information 2018-2019".
  13. "Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-25.
  14. "Military & Veterans Admissions".
  15. "Accreditation".
  16. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (September 6, 2018). "System-Wide Review Probation Order" (PDF). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  17. Kreighbaum, Andrew (September 11, 2018). "Probation for For-Profit College Chain". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  18. https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?465812-Independence-University
  19. "Independence University". College Scorecard. US Deprtment of Education. Retrieved 1 February 2021.

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