Southwest University (Louisiana)

Southwest University is a for-profit virtual college located at 2200 Veterans Boulevard in Kenner, Louisiana offering associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.[1][2] The school does not operate under an academic calendar but instead allows students to enroll and begin coursework at will. Final examinations are to be proctored by someone who "holds a position of integrity" according to the university catalog.[3]

Founded as a school of hypnotism the school now offers associates of science degrees in General Studies, Business Administration and Criminal Justice. Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, International Business, Leadership and Management, Management, Marketing and Organization Management. Masters of Science degrees are offered in Criminal Justice. Masters of Arts degrees are offered in Management and Organizational Management. Masters of Business Administration degrees are offered in Management and Organizational Management.[3][4]

History

The organization was founded by Reginald Sheldrick in Phoenix, Arizona as a Hypnosis school.[4][5] Southwest University was accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission in 2004 following a 7-year hold on the application by the commission and a move from Arizona to Louisiana. The Louisiana Board of Regents recommended licensing the school at its committee meeting on March 26, 2014. Louisiana Statuate requires licensing but according to a board spokesperson an institute "cannot use that it is registered with the regents in its advertising or intimate that registration means the school is state-approved."[5] [6]

Crticism

The school has been called a diploma mill by reporters at the Arizona Republic and The Morning Call who also point to Louisiana's minimal laws covering for-profit education. Sheldrick's claim of PhD credentials has been questioned, pointing out that it was granted by the non-accredited Newport International University which Sheldrick' also founded.[4][5]

Official website

References

  1. ↑ "Southwest University". The College Board.
  2. ↑ M.A, John Bear, Ph. D. and Mariah Bear, M.A. ; additional writing and research by Tom C. Head., (2001). Bear's guide to earning degrees by distance learning (14th ed.). Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press. p. 231. ISBN 1580082025.
  3. 1 2 "Course Catalog" (PDF). Southwest University.
  4. 1 2 3 "Lack of standards forces students to look beyond brochures". Arizona Republic. March 9, 1983.
  5. 1 2 3 "In Credential-happy America, Mail-order Diplomas Are The Latest Lesson In Ethics". The Morning Call.
  6. ↑ "Planning, Research and Performance Committee Meeting Minutes" (PDF). Louisiana Board of Regents.

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