ACLAS: Is this even legal?

[asianphd]

Has anyone had experience with or knowledge about the Atlanta College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ACLAS)? I've found some concerning information I want to share:

Key points about this institution:

• Claims to be based in Atlanta, Georgia
  
• Offers online MBA, MCS, and DBA programs
  
• Only has CPD (Continuing Professional Development) recognition, NO formal academic accreditation
  
• Currently appears on the Georgia Nonpublic Education Commission (GNPEC) consumer alerts page
  

I'm curious about two things:

1. What's the business model here - how do they sustain operations without accreditation?
   
2. Are there any regulatory/legal implications for operating this way in Georgia?
   

If anyone has insights about similar institutions or relevant regulations in Georgia, I'd appreciate learning more.

[armado]

https://aclas.college/page/how-to-verify-my-certificate

They partner with IEE, but I am not sure about the verification results

[Nemfis]

They are definitely partners of IEE and looks like they are evaluating their credentials: https://myiee.org/university/atlanta-col...d-sciences

I am wondering why the US Institution, the way they are positioning themself, needs a US Evaluation. Any ideas?

[DoctorHAK]

Has anyone had experience with or knowledge about the Atlanta College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ACLAS)? I've found some concerning information I want to share:

Key points about this institution:

• Claims to be based in Atlanta, Georgia
  
• Offers online MBA, MCS, and DBA programs
  
• Only has CPD (Continuing Professional Development) recognition, NO formal academic accreditation
  
• Currently appears on the Georgia Nonpublic Education Commission (GNPEC) consumer alerts page
  

I'm curious about two things:

1. What's the business model here - how do they sustain operations without accreditation?
   
2. Are there any regulatory/legal implications for operating this way in Georgia?
   

If anyone has insights about similar institutions or relevant regulations in Georgia, I'd appreciate learning more.

On their website, about us page:

“ We believe that education and justice are powerful tools for empowering communities. To further our mission of providing accessible and impactful education, we have joined the Grassroots Justice Network, a global alliance dedicated to promoting access to justice for all. This step aligns with our mission to empower individuals and communities through accessible education, particularly in legal empowerment and social justice.”

Here is the link to Grassroots Justice Network https://grassrootsjusticenetwork.org/about-us/

Never heard about them before and don’t know if this means the college is legitimate (but so far looks like it has no accreditation status in the US)

[openair]

The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission consumer alert page listing (currently indicating a lack of any authorization to operate as a school) should serve as a warning, but I am sure that it won't stop certain individuals from enrolling and getting their $199 "bargain" DBA degree title.

[armado]

Update about IEE verification result:

"Hi ....

Thank you for reaching out!

Regarding our collaboration with IEE, we will be posting updates on our LinkedIn and Facebook social media platforms later this week. Be sure to follow us to stay informed about the latest news and developments.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help!"

[Ares]

Total scam, the actual address is for an apartment complex but the person running the scam uploaded pictures for the address to Google Maps from a senior assisted living facility.

Same thing with the bogus URL where the domain owner is hiding behind a privacy wall.

LMAO their phone number is registered to a T-Mobile cell phone in Houston, Texas that is using an AI answering service.

Amateurs.

[openair]

Hey, guys. I have been curious about the legality and accreditation of ACLAS for some months now. Below are my observations:
 I found certificate of Good Standing from Georgia Secretary of State hereby attached.
 https://myiee.org/university/atlanta-col...d-sciences
https://cpduk.co.uk/providers/aclas

https://aclas.college/uploads/verificationguide.pdf

They are authorized to "transact business" in Georgia. This partains only to legal existence as an entity, not the legal offering of any degree programs in that state. Notice how the "Certificate of Existence" (as it is called) is dated to: 08/05/2024, while the non-compliance note was still issued on October 22, 2024, so this kind of authorization didn't help them. They need degree-granting authorization. 
 
Notice what the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission requires as part of the "GPEC Minimum Standards Criteria". Here is just a sample: 

"Each individually offered program must be approved by GNPEC."
"Institutional accreditation must be first attained in order to offer graduate degree programs. "

ACLAS isn't listed among "religious exempt" institutions either. IEE is irrelevant in this case. They won't provide them with state authorization to issue degrees. Having certified continuing education (CPD) courses won't resolve anything. Qualification Check only verifies whether the awarded qualification/degree comes from the original issuing institution. That doesn't deal with the issue, so referring to these organizations is potentially misleading.

[Jonathan Whatley]

It is possible to receive Georgia state authorization to offer a graduate degree at a school too new to be institutionally accredited. Ralston College, the recently launched college in Georgia where Jordan Peterson is chancellor, offers an in-person MA in Humanities. Ralston "has been authorized for operation and awarded degree-granting powers by the State of Georgia." Ralston is pursuing regional accreditation (with NECHE, the regional accreditor traditionally for New England. The DOED recently permitted any regional accreditor to accredit schools at any location. NECHE seems to be friendly to small schools.)

No evidence has been shown here that ACLAS holds such authorization from the state of Georgia.

[bjcheung77]

Basically, ACLAS has a license to operate a business in the state, they (or any of their programs) don't hold any accreditation, programmatic or secondary accreditation, yet. I'm not sure why they have a partnership with IEE, let's wait to see what ACLAS or IEE says about their partnership...