Greenwich University
Encyclopedia
Greenwich University is a controversial distance learning institution, originally founded in 1972 in Missouri
(at this time, it was known as the International Institute for Advanced Studies), trading from 1990 to 2003 in Hawaii
--1998 to 2003 under separate ownership--and from 1998 to 2002 in Norfolk Island
. It has never been recognized by an accrediting body in either the United States
or Australia
. In 2000, the Norfolk Island school was labelled a degree mill by the Sydney Morning Herald, and in 2002, legislation was passed by then Education Minister Brendan Nelson
to prevent further trade.
. In response, the Australian government
set up a review committee to investigate the suitability of Greenwich University for accreditation.
The committee returned recommendations that Greenwich University:
and University of Colorado
. For example, some psychology doctorate candidates were mentored by eminent American psychologists, including Stanley Krippner and Robert Sardello. All students for graduate degrees had to submit proof of baccalaureate degrees from accredited universities. They also submitted a prospective study program for their thesis and, once that program was approved by a three person faculty panel, they were assigned a faculty member in the U.S. as their faculty advisor. The students then took selective courses in the U.S. in their speciality, consulted with their faculty advisors, designed and completed an independent research project and wrote a thesis which had to be approved by their faculty advisor and the university advisory panel. However, some external academics later withdrew all association with Greenwich University and criticized its operation.
Before relocating to Norfolk Island in 1998, Greenwich University was based in Missouri
, California
and Hawaii
, initially operating under the title International Institute for Advanced Studies in California. Neither institution was recognized by an official accrediting body or by the United States Department of Education. In 1990 John Bear, who was previously affiliated with the International Institute for Advanced Studies in California, became president of Greenwich University then located in Hilo, Hawaii.
In 2009 Greenwich University's non-residential program was re-established in Pakistan. Greenwich claims that it is recognized by the Higher Education Commission as an autonomous degree-awarding university. http://greenwichuniversity.edu.pk/
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
(at this time, it was known as the International Institute for Advanced Studies), trading from 1990 to 2003 in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
--1998 to 2003 under separate ownership--and from 1998 to 2002 in Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
. It has never been recognized by an accrediting body in either the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 2000, the Norfolk Island school was labelled a degree mill by the Sydney Morning Herald, and in 2002, legislation was passed by then Education Minister Brendan Nelson
Brendan Nelson
Dr Brendan John Nelson is a former Australian politician and former federal Opposition leader. He served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from the 1996 federal election until 19 October 2009 as the Liberal member for Bradfield, a northern Sydney seat...
to prevent further trade.
Accreditation status
According to the then Australian Federal Government Department of Education, Science and Training, "Between 30 June 1998 and 2 December 2002, Greenwich University (Norfolk Island) degrees were lawfully awarded under legislation approved by the Norfolk Island Government, using its powers of self-government. While the Commonwealth Minister for Territories assented to legislation, this does not mean that Greenwich University awards were ever recognized by the Federal Government of Australia." In January 1999, the university requested accreditation under the Australian Qualifications FrameworkAustralian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework provides the hierarchy of educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Few qualifications outside the system are accepted by employers or for...
. In response, the Australian government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
set up a review committee to investigate the suitability of Greenwich University for accreditation.
The committee returned recommendations that Greenwich University:
"not be listed on the registers of the Australian Qualifications Framework because the standard of its courses, quality assurance mechanisms and its academic leadership fail to meet the standards expected of Australian universities."
Operation
The Greenwich distance learning program relied on a core group of U.S. based academics who were members of the faculties of well known U.S. universities such as University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
and University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. For example, some psychology doctorate candidates were mentored by eminent American psychologists, including Stanley Krippner and Robert Sardello. All students for graduate degrees had to submit proof of baccalaureate degrees from accredited universities. They also submitted a prospective study program for their thesis and, once that program was approved by a three person faculty panel, they were assigned a faculty member in the U.S. as their faculty advisor. The students then took selective courses in the U.S. in their speciality, consulted with their faculty advisors, designed and completed an independent research project and wrote a thesis which had to be approved by their faculty advisor and the university advisory panel. However, some external academics later withdrew all association with Greenwich University and criticized its operation.
Before relocating to Norfolk Island in 1998, Greenwich University was based in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, initially operating under the title International Institute for Advanced Studies in California. Neither institution was recognized by an official accrediting body or by the United States Department of Education. In 1990 John Bear, who was previously affiliated with the International Institute for Advanced Studies in California, became president of Greenwich University then located in Hilo, Hawaii.
In 2009 Greenwich University's non-residential program was re-established in Pakistan. Greenwich claims that it is recognized by the Higher Education Commission as an autonomous degree-awarding university. http://greenwichuniversity.edu.pk/