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Bircham International University describes itself as an international distance education university. It formerly operated from the Bahamas ^[1], or the United Kingdom ^[2], and is now registered in Spain ^[3]. It has no recognized educational accreditation in any of these places.^[4] ^[5]

History and location

According to its website^[6], Bircham was established in Europe in 1992 and is "registered" in Delaware (USA) ^[7], Spain, and the Bahamas. According to John Bear's guide, Bircham was founded in 1992 in the United Kingdom as Oxford International University ^[8], but changed its name in 2000 and has addresses in the Bahamas, Spain, England, Florida, New Zealand, and Taiwan.^[9]

Accreditation status

Bircham is not accredited by any recognized accreditation agency. It claims accreditation by the Academy for the Promotion of International Culture and Scientific Exchange^[10], the American Association of Drugless Practitioners,^[11], the IARC - International Accreditation & Recognition Council ^[12], and the International Association for Distance Learning ^[13], neither of which is a recognized accreditation agency. BIU claims accreditation from Educational Quality Accreditation. Bears' Guide describes Educational Quality Accreditation ^[14] as "the unlocatable and unrecognized accreditor for the nonwonderful Bircham International University."^[15] According to IAU Universities List of accredited schools, Bircham is not accredited in Spain.^[16]^[4] Other sources explicitly listing it as unaccredited include The Maine Department of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which state that Bircham has "No degree-granting authority from Spain (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers [AACRAO] evaluation)".^[17]^[18] Bircham's website acknowledges that the institution is not accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. Council on Higher Education Accreditation, but it states that "as a provider of non formal education ^[19], ... no further authorization from a Ministry of Education is required."^[20]

Because BIU is not accredited by a recognized accreditation body in the countries where it operates, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. ^[21]^[22] The ANCED ^[23] (Spain National Distance Learning Association) certifies that any Spanish and European Union residents may legally use BIU degrees to work in any profession that does not require licensure. ^[24]

Bircham International University is a Continuing Education Unit Authorized Provider of the IACET (International Association of Continuing Education & Training) ^[25]. Continuing Education Unit are accepted by many colleges, universities, companies and State Boards.^[26]

Policies

In January 2008 BIU's website states that tuition is charged on a per-credit basis.^[27]. Tuition fees formerly were charged on a per-degree basis, not on a per-credit or per-course basis.^[28]^[29] Charging tuition on a per-degree basis is a practice that is one of the commonly identified features of a degree mill.^[30]

Spain has a government institution for general consumer affairs not specific to academic institutions.^[31] BIU states that they are a member of the institution.^[32] This means that should a consumer have a complaint, the institute can act as an intermediary for that complaint.

Criticism and controversy

Bircham is listed as a questionable non-accredited school by Quackwatch.^[33] The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization ^[34] alerted the public that this institution had "no connection to legitimate Oxford University in Great Britain." A 2003 article in South Florida's CityLink magazine reported that Oregon education officials had said that Bircham was "totally bogus," and quoted former FBI agent Allen Ezell, who investigated diploma mills as part of the agency's Operation Dipscam, as describing some of Bircham's promotional claims as "pure hokum."^[29]

In July 2007 a Mexican newspaper reported that the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) of Mexico had issued a warning against Bircham International and ten other foreign institutions identified as having committed academic fraud.^[35]

In April 2008 the Nairobi Business Daily reported, "For two years, the locally unaccredited Bircham International University has been illegally operating in Kenya, wooing unsuspecting students to its distance learning classes."^[36]

BIU has established a Forum ^[37] of discussion that provides detailed information bout these and many other issues.

References

^ [1] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [2] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [3] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ ^a ^b "Unaccredited colleges". Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
^ Appears on Michigan's list of unaccredited schools, Michigan
^ Bircham International University website (accessed July 23, 2007)
^ [4] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [5] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ Bear, John (2003-01-01). Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-431-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) page 206, 207
^ [6] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ American Association of Drugless Practitioners website
^ [7] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [8] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [9] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ Educational Quality Accreditation, By John Bear, Mariah P. Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 14th edition, page 54
^ "Accredited Spanish Universities". IAU Universities List. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
^ "Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List". Maine Department of Education. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
^ "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
^ [10] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [11] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ Diploma Mills and Accreditation by US Department of Education
^ Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
^ [12] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [13] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [14] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ [15] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ Degrees, Bircham International University website (accessed January 25, 2008)
^ Bircham International University website (archived April 6, 2007)
^ ^a ^b Schoolhouse crock, City Link, October 15, 2003
^ Is the Internet Becoming a Haven for Diploma Mills?, Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., 2000/7/12.
^ Instituto Nacional del Consumo
^ [16] (accessed March 10, 2009)
^ Barrett, Stephen (2007). "Questionable Organizations: An Overview". Quackwatch. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
^ Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, Unaccredited colleges list, updated 8/23/2006
^ SEP alerta sobre universidades “patito”, Correo, El Diario del Estado de Guanajuato, July 20, 2007 (In Spanish)
^ Queries over credibility of Spanish institution, Mwaura Kimani, Nairobi Business Daily, April 14 2008
^ [17] (accessed March 10, 2009)

External links

Bircham International University Official Site

[1] [1] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[2] [2] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[3] [3] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[ODA-4] "Unaccredited colleges". Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-13.

[5] Appears on Michigan's list of unaccredited schools, Michigan

[6] Bircham International University website (accessed July 23, 2007)

[7] [4] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[8] [5] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[9] Bear, John (2003-01-01). Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-431-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) page 206, 207

[10] [6] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[11] American Association of Drugless Practitioners website

[12] [7] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[13] [8] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[14] [9] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[15] Educational Quality Accreditation, By John Bear, Mariah P. Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 14th edition, page 54

[16] "Accredited Spanish Universities". IAU Universities List. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-13.

[17] "Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List". Maine Department of Education. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-16.

[18] "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-17.

[19] [10] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[20] [11] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[21] Diploma Mills and Accreditation by US Department of Education

[22] Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

[23] [12] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[24] [13] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[25] [14] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[26] [15] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[27] Degrees, Bircham International University website (accessed January 25, 2008)

[28] Bircham International University website (archived April 6, 2007)

[crock-29] Schoolhouse crock, City Link, October 15, 2003

[30] Is the Internet Becoming a Haven for Diploma Mills?, Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., 2000/7/12.

[31] Instituto Nacional del Consumo

[32] [16] (accessed March 10, 2009)

[33] Barrett, Stephen (2007). "Questionable Organizations: An Overview". Quackwatch. Retrieved 2007-03-13.

[34] Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, Unaccredited colleges list, updated 8/23/2006

[35] SEP alerta sobre universidades “patito”, Correo, El Diario del Estado de Guanajuato, July 20, 2007 (In Spanish)

[36] Queries over credibility of Spanish institution, Mwaura Kimani, Nairobi Business Daily, April 14 2008

[37] [17] (accessed March 10, 2009)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Bircham International University''' describes itself as an international [[distance education]] university. It formerly operated from the [[Bahamas]], or the [[United Kingdom]], and is now registered in [[Spain]]. It has no recognized [[educational accreditation]] in any of these places.<ref name="ODA" /> <ref> [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Non-accreditedSchools_78090_7.pdf Appears on Michigan's list of unaccredited schools], [[Michigan]]</ref>
+'''Bircham International University''' describes itself as an international [[distance education]] university. It formerly operated from the [[Bahamas]] <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=208&Itemid=119] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, or the [[United Kingdom]] <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=209&Itemid=120] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, and is now registered in [[Spain]] <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=204&Itemid=115] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>. It has no recognized [[educational accreditation]] in any of these places.<ref name="ODA" /> <ref> [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Non-accreditedSchools_78090_7.pdf Appears on Michigan's list of unaccredited schools], [[Michigan]]</ref>
 ==History and location==
-According to its website<ref>[http://www.bircham.edu/ Bircham International University website] (accessed July 23, 2007)</ref>, Bircham was established in Europe in [[1992]] and is "registered" in [[Delaware]] ([[USA]]), Spain, and the Bahamas.  According to [[John Bear]]'s guide, Bircham was founded in 1992 in the [[United Kingdom]] as '''Oxford International University''', but changed its name in 2000 and has addresses in the Bahamas, Spain, England, Florida, New Zealand, and Taiwan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bear |first=John |authorlink=John Bear |coauthors=Mariah Bear |title=Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning |date=2003-01-01 |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn= 1-58008-431-1}} page 206, 207</ref>
+According to its website<ref>[http://www.bircham.edu/ Bircham International University website] (accessed July 23, 2007)</ref>, Bircham was established in Europe in [[1992]] and is "registered" in [[Delaware]] ([[USA]]) <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=207&Itemid=118] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, Spain, and the Bahamas.  According to [[John Bear]]'s guide, Bircham was founded in 1992 in the [[United Kingdom]] as '''Oxford International University''' <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=209&Itemid=120] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, but changed its name in 2000 and has addresses in the Bahamas, Spain, England, Florida, New Zealand, and Taiwan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bear |first=John |authorlink=John Bear |coauthors=Mariah Bear |title=Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning |date=2003-01-01 |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn= 1-58008-431-1}} page 206, 207</ref>
 ==Accreditation status==
-Bircham is [[educational accreditation|not accredited]] by any recognized accreditation agency.  It claims accreditation by the [[Academy for the Promotion of International Culture and Scientific Exchange]] and the [[American Association of Drugless Practitioners]],<ref>[http://www.apics.com/welcome.htm Academy for the Promotion of International Culture and Scientific Exchange website]</ref><ref>[http://www.aadp.net/ American Association of Drugless Practitioners website]</ref> neither of which is a [[List of recognized accreditation associations of higher learning|recognized accreditation agency]]. At one time BIU apparently claimed accreditation from [[Educational Quality Accreditation]]. Bears' Guide describes Educational Quality Accreditation as "the unlocatable and unrecognized accreditor for the nonwonderful Bircham International University."<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=k67XC_7y5xEC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=+%22Bircham+International+University%22&source=web&ots=PTNYjsUo6q&sig=3ZdaN7MmeEQF65h4qYivP1EDFLU Educational Quality Accreditation], By [[John Bear]], Mariah P. Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 14th edition, page 54</ref> According to [[IAU Universities List]] of accredited schools, Bircham is not accredited in Spain.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/list_data/s-nw.html#Spain | title=Accredited Spanish Universities | publisher=[[IAU Universities List]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref><ref name="ODA">{{cite news | url=http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx | title=Unaccredited colleges | publisher=[[Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> Other sources explicitly listing it as unaccredited include The [[Maine Department of Education]] and the [[Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board]], which state that Bircham has "No degree-granting authority from Spain ([[American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers]] <nowiki>[AACRAO]</nowiki> evaluation)".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.maine.gov/education/highered/Non-Accredited/an-bu.htm#b| title=Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List | publisher=[[Maine Department of Education]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm | title=Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas | publisher=[[Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-07-17}}</ref> Bircham's website acknowledges that the institution is not accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. [[Council on Higher Education Accreditation]], but it states that "as a provider of non formal education, ... no further authorization from a Ministry of Education is required."<ref>[http://www.bircham.net/ Bircham International University website] (accessed August 1, 2007)</ref>
+Bircham is [[educational accreditation|not accredited]] by any recognized accreditation agency.  It claims accreditation by the Academy for the Promotion of International Culture and Scientific Exchange<ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=106] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, the American Association of Drugless Practitioners,<ref>[http://www.aadp.net/ American Association of Drugless Practitioners website]</ref>, the IARC - International Accreditation & Recognition Council <ref>[http://www.iarcedu.com/directory.aspx] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, and the International Association for Distance Learning <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=140] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, neither of which is a [[List of recognized accreditation associations of higher learning|recognized accreditation agency]]. BIU claims accreditation from [[Educational Quality Accreditation]]. Bears' Guide describes Educational Quality Accreditation <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=108] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref> as "the unlocatable and unrecognized accreditor for the nonwonderful Bircham International University."<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=k67XC_7y5xEC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=+%22Bircham+International+University%22&source=web&ots=PTNYjsUo6q&sig=3ZdaN7MmeEQF65h4qYivP1EDFLU Educational Quality Accreditation], By [[John Bear]], Mariah P. Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 14th edition, page 54</ref> According to [[IAU Universities List]] of accredited schools, Bircham is not accredited in Spain.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/list_data/s-nw.html#Spain | title=Accredited Spanish Universities | publisher=[[IAU Universities List]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref><ref name="ODA">{{cite news | url=http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx | title=Unaccredited colleges | publisher=[[Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> Other sources explicitly listing it as unaccredited include The [[Maine Department of Education]] and the [[Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board]], which state that Bircham has "No degree-granting authority from Spain ([[American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers]] <nowiki>[AACRAO]</nowiki> evaluation)".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.maine.gov/education/highered/Non-Accredited/an-bu.htm#b| title=Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List | publisher=[[Maine Department of Education]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm | title=Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas | publisher=[[Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board]] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-07-17}}</ref> Bircham's website acknowledges that the institution is not accredited by any agency recognized by the U.S. [[Council on Higher Education Accreditation]], but it states that "as a provider of non formal education <ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>, ... no further authorization from a Ministry of Education is required."<ref>[http://www.bircham.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=13] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>
-Because BIU is not accredited by a recognized accreditation body in the countries where it operates, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. <ref>[http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html Diploma Mills and Accreditation] by [[US Department of Education]]</ref><ref>[http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas] by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board</ref>
+Because BIU is not accredited by a recognized accreditation body in the countries where it operates, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. <ref>[http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html Diploma Mills and Accreditation] by [[US Department of Education]]</ref><ref>[http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas] by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board</ref> The ANCED <ref>[http://www.anced.es/centro1.asp?elegido=399&b_centro=Bircham&pagina=1&zona=MAD&provincia=28&curso=%3Cfont+size=2+color=000000+face=verdana%3E&centro=&orden=] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref> (Spain National Distance Learning Association) certifies that any Spanish and European Union residents may legally use BIU degrees to work in any profession that does not require licensure. <ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=105] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>
+Bircham International University is a [[Continuing Education Unit]] Authorized Provider of the IACET (International Association of Continuing Education & Training) <ref>[http://www.iacet.org/component,1/action,directory/id,1002896/] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>. [[Continuing Education Unit]] are accepted by many colleges, universities, companies and State Boards.<ref>[http://www.iacet.org/content/accepting-ceus.html] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref>
 ==Policies==
 In January 2008 BIU's website states that [[tuition]] is charged on a per-credit basis.<ref>[http://www.bircham.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=3&Itemid=18 Degrees], Bircham International University website (accessed [[January 25]], [[2008]])</ref>. Tuition fees formerly were charged on a per-degree basis, not on a per-credit or per-course basis.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070406053244/www.bircham.edu/english/titulos.html Bircham International University website] (archived [[April 6]], [[2007]])</ref><ref name=crock/> Charging tuition on a per-degree basis is a practice that is one of the commonly identified features of a [[degree mill]].<ref>[http://www.bbb.com/alerts/article.asp?ID=185 Is the Internet Becoming a Haven for Diploma Mills?], Council of [[Better Business Bureau]]s, Inc., 2000/7/12.</ref>
-Spain has a government institution for general consumer affairs not specific to academic institutions.<ref>[http://consumo-inc.es/arbitraje/interior/adhesion/adhesion.htm Instituto Nacional del Consumo]</ref> BIU states that they are a member of the institution.<ref>[http://www.bircham.edu/INC.pdf Letter from Instituto Nacional del Consumo]</ref> This means that should a consumer have a complaint, the institute can act as an intermediary for that complaint.
+Spain has a government institution for general consumer affairs not specific to academic institutions.<ref>[http://consumo-inc.es/arbitraje/interior/adhesion/adhesion.htm Instituto Nacional del Consumo]</ref> BIU states that they are a member of the institution.<ref>[http://www.bircham.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205&Itemid=116] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref> This means that should a consumer have a complaint, the institute can act as an intermediary for that complaint.
 ==Criticism and controversy==
@@ Line 20: / Line 22: @@
 In April 2008 the [[Nairobi]] Business Daily reported, "For two years, the locally unaccredited Bircham International University has been illegally operating in Kenya, wooing unsuspecting students to its distance learning classes."<ref>[http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6965&Itemid=5822 Queries over credibility of Spanish institution], Mwaura Kimani, Nairobi Business Daily, April 14 2008</ref>
+BIU has established a Forum <ref>[http://www.bircham.us/] (accessed March 10, 2009)</ref> of discussion that provides detailed information bout these and many other issues.
 ==See also==