Vancouver University Worldwide

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For the public university in Vancouver,British Columbia, see University of British Columbia

Vancouver University Worldwide describes itself as a "secular consortium university of globally-located public and private member colleges," headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It offers to evaluate "external learning." It has been involved in controversy with the national press due to its external/distance education. Vancouver University is not accredited by any recognised accreditation body. As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.

Two of the United States, Oregon and Michigan list the institution among those whose "degrees" are invalid or illegal because they lack accreditation. While its website claims its degrees are "authorized" under "various British Commonwealth Common Law precedents" under many circumstances this may not be treated as the equivalent of an accreditor recognized in North America. [1].

[edit] Controversy and criticism

In 2003, USA Today included the institution in an article on diploma mills. In terms of the degrees being recognized by employers, the institution's FAQ states "we cannot advise you about such details."[2]

Its website also states that it has "registered charity status" in both Canada and the United States. The associated organization "Vancouver University Colleges Society" is registered in the United States Treasury's charity database. [3]

An application by the British Columbia government to enjoin the university's activities was denied by Hon. Justice Maczko on January 9, 2002. [4]

The current Provincial Government in British Columbia is reviewing the status of Vancouver University (Vancouver Sun March 17, 2007)amid allegations that the institution is issuing questional unversity degrees since it is not an accredited university under the University Act

Vancouver University is not included on the online directory that is maintained by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC www.ccic.ca) in consultation with the provincial/territorial ministries and departments responsible for education, as the authoritative list of all postsecondary institutions that are recognized by the competent jurisdictional authorities in Canada. As such, the credentials from this institution are generally not accepted by other accredited post-secondary institutions or employers.