Argosy University: Understanding Its Student Population Size

Argosy University was a private for-profit university with campuses across the United States. It was owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC and Education Management Corporation. The university offered degree programs in flexible learning formats, including online, evening, and weekend courses. Argosy University had one of the largest communities of graduate students in the nation and a robust undergraduate student body. However, in February 2019, the US Department of Education cut off federal funding to the university, and all Argosy campuses were officially closed shortly after. The sudden closure left students scrambling to find new education options, with many facing challenges in transferring their credits to other institutions. The exact number of students enrolled at the time of the closure is unclear, but it is estimated that close to 1,000 students were enrolled at the Argosy University Twin Cities campus alone when it shut down.

Argosy University's closure in 2019

Argosy University was a private for-profit university with campuses across the United States. The university was owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC and Education Management Corporation.

In March 2017, Education Management Corporation announced its intention to sell Argosy University to the Dream Center, a Los Angeles-based Pentecostal organisation. The sale was finalised in November 2017.

In 2019, it was reported that Argosy University campuses were under receivership and risked losing their accreditation. The university's court-appointed receiver, Marc Dottore, informed the US Department of Education that Studio Enterprise, a company designated to service former and current DCEH schools, was "taking service fees from the deal without providing any services, draining badly-needed cash from the operation".

On February 7, 2019, Dottore requested $13 million in federal student aid funds from the Department of Education to pay stipends to students at Argosy University in Southern California. However, it was discovered that Argosy University had failed to distribute more than $9 million in financial aid to its students. As a result, the US Department of Education cut off federal student loan and grant funds to the university.

On February 27, 2019, the US Department of Education announced that it was terminating Argosy's participation in federal student financial aid programs. This decision effectively sealed the fate of the university.

On March 8, 2019, all Argosy University campuses officially closed their doors. The closure of Argosy University created significant challenges for its students, many of whom were left with unfinished degree programs. In response, several higher education institutions, including Concordia University Texas, Ashford University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and DeVry University, stepped in to offer support and help Argosy University students complete their degrees.

The closure of Argosy University also impacted the well-being of faculty and staff, many of whom were left without clarity about their employment status and final paychecks.

The American Psychological Association (APA) took an active role in advocating for Argosy University students, faculty, and staff. They facilitated direct communication between the Argosy community and elected officials, contacted congressional offices, and sent letters to the Department of Education urging the establishment of a response centre to address concerns and provide updates. APA also provided resources and support through their Psychology Student Action Center, offering access to webinars, fee waivers, and assistance with transcripts and records.

Argosy's large community of graduate students

Argosy University was a private for-profit university with campuses across the United States. It was known for having one of the largest communities of graduate students in the country, in addition to a robust undergraduate student body.

The university's graduate programs offered a collegial and supportive academic environment, combining teaching and practical training with flexible programs designed for working adults. Argosy's graduate community was active and thriving, with a focus on empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

The university offered degree programs in various formats, including online, evening, and weekend courses, catering to the busy schedules of its graduate students. With 28 campus locations and an interactive online platform, Argosy provided a unique blend of online and on-campus experiences to meet the diverse needs of its graduate population.

Argosy University's closure in 2019 presented significant challenges for its large graduate student body. Many graduate and doctoral students struggled to transfer their credits to new institutions, as universities often have limits on accepting graduate-level credits from other schools. Argosy had agreements with some institutions and maintained a list of universities willing to accept transfers, but the process was not seamless for all students.

The university's closure disrupted the education and future plans of its graduate students, with some, like doctoral student Aretha Barnes, expressing concern about losing their progress and having to "start all over again." Argosy's large community of graduate students faced uncertainty and stress as they navigated the complex process of transferring to new institutions to complete their degrees.

Argosy's accreditation

Argosy University was a private for-profit university with campuses across the United States. It was owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC and Education Management Corporation.

Argosy University was first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1981 and then by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2011. Its most recent review was in 2018, at which time the school was placed on "show cause" status.

In January 2019, WSCUC ordered Argosy University to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn, citing serious concerns related to its financial situation. A Show Cause proceeding was held on February 21, 2019, and another was scheduled for March 15, 2019. Despite these proceedings, Argosy University remained accredited by WSCUC.

However, on February 27, 2019, the U.S. Department of Education terminated Argosy's participation in federal student financial aid programs, cutting off funding to the university. This led to the closure of all Argosy campuses shortly thereafter.

On March 17, 2019, WSCUC officially withdrew Argosy's accreditation, except for limited conditions to facilitate the transfer of credits and program completion for students. Argosy's accreditation was extended until May 12, 2019, to allow students to receive their degrees and access academic transcripts and services to facilitate transfers to other institutions.

The loss of accreditation and subsequent closure of Argosy University created significant challenges for students, many of whom sought to transfer their credits to other accredited colleges and universities. The impact also extended to faculty, staff, and alumni associated with the university.

To assist Argosy students during this transition, WSCUC shared resources and information related to transcripts, student records, transfer credits, and financial aid. Additionally, several other institutions welcomed inquiries from Argosy students regarding transfer options.

The American Psychological Association (APA) also played a role in supporting the Argosy community, facilitating direct communication with elected officials and providing resources and guidance to affected students and faculty.

The closure of Argosy University highlighted the importance of accreditation in maintaining the well-being of students, faculty, and staff, as well as the broader impact on the nation's access to healthcare services, particularly in the field of psychology.

Argosy's financial situation and federal funding

Argosy University was a private for-profit university with campuses across the United States. It was owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), a private non-profit organisation, and Education Management Corporation.

In January 2019, DCEH entered receivership after it was unable to pay its debts. Argosy was in a state of financial disarray, with millions in unpaid debts to various entities. The university was also unable to disburse financial aid money to students, leaving thousands unable to pay for basic living expenses.

In February 2019, the US Department of Education warned that Argosy could lose access to federal financial aid funds. The Department stated that Argosy was in violation of department standards and that its access to Title IV funds was in "serious jeopardy". Title IV funds refer to federal financial aid programs, which are essential to universities as they rely on students' abilities to take out federal grants and loans to pay tuition.

On February 27, 2019, the US Department of Education cut off Argosy's federal funding, stating that the university was no longer eligible for student financial aid (Title IV) programs. This decision ultimately led to the closure of all Argosy campuses on March 8, 2019.

The financial situation at Argosy University and its parent company, DCEH, was the result of several management decisions. These included the use of agreements with spin-off companies and a lack of anticipated funding from investors. The financial mismanagement led to DCEH's insolvency and the closure of Argosy campuses in 2019.

In the aftermath of Argosy's closure, there were efforts to provide relief to students affected by the sudden closure. The US Department of Education forgave loans for the semester and assisted students in enrolling at other institutions to complete their programs. Additionally, the Attorney General of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, secured an agreement to cancel nearly $2.1 million in institutional debt for students at 12 Argosy campuses. This agreement included relief for students who attended Argosy's Eagan campus and its online campuses.

Argosy's students transferring to other institutions

Argosy University's closure in March 2019 created significant challenges for its students, particularly those pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees. Many students struggled to transfer to new universities, as graduate-level course credits are rarely accepted by other institutions.

Argosy had agreements with some universities to accept transfers and maintained a list of institutions willing to take Argosy transfer students. However, transferring credits was not always seamless, and some students had to retake courses at their new schools.

Several universities stepped up to support Argosy students in completing their degrees. These included:

• Alliant International University
• Azusa Pacific University
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• Chaminade University of Honolulu
• Chapman University (for law school students)
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Claremont Lincoln University
• Concordia University Irvine
• Design Institute of San Diego (for Art Institute students)
• FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (for Art Institute students)
• Hawaii Pacific University
• John F. Kennedy University
• Los Angeles Pacific University
• Mount Saint Mary's University
• NewSchool of Architecture and Design (for Art Institute students)
• National Louis University
• Notre Dame de Namur University
• Northcentral University
• Pacific Oaks College
• Pacifica Graduate Institute
• Palo Alto University
• Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law
• The Wright Institute
• Touro University Worldwide
• Trident University International
• University of San Diego
• United States University
• Westcliff University

The above list is not exhaustive, and other institutions may also be open to accepting Argosy transfer students.

The transition process was challenging for Argosy students, who had to navigate the transfer of credits, residency requirements, and other complexities, especially in fields like psychology, law, medicine, nursing, and education.

To assist students, Argosy provided resources and webinars, and organisations like the American Psychological Association (APA) advocated for government support and facilitated connections with elected officials. Despite these efforts, the closure of Argosy University disrupted the educational journeys of its students, and many faced uncertainty and stress as they worked to continue their studies at new institutions.

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