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DeVry University
Established	1931
Type	Publicly-held, For-Profit
Students	65,000
Location	Downers Grove, Illinois, United States 41°51′30″N 87°57′15″W / 41.858301°N 87.954059°W / 41.858301; -87.954059Coordinates: 41°51′30″N 87°57′15″W / 41.858301°N 87.954059°W / 41.858301; -87.954059
Campus	Multiple: United States, Canada
Affiliations	The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Website	www.DeVry.edu

DeVry University and DeVry Institute of Technology are divisions of DeVry, Inc.^[1] (NYSE: DV), a publicly held, for-profit higher education organization that is also the parent organization for Ross University, Apollo College, Western Career College, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Becker Professional Review, and Advanced Academics, Inc. The school was founded in 1931 as the DeForest Training School, and officially eventually became DeVry University in 2002. DeVry has an enrollment of 65,000 undergraduate and graduate students.^[1] The university has more than 90 campuses throughout North America and confers degrees in technology, science, business, the arts, and management.

History

DeVry was founded in Chicago and opened in 1931 as the DeForest Training School, named after Lee DeForest, a colleague and friend of founder Dr. Herman A. DeVry. In 1953, Name changed to DeVry Technical Institute in dedication to its founder. In 1966 the school was acquired by the Bell and Howell company, and became part of its Education Group division. In 1985 The Bell & Howell Education Group became known as DeVry Institutes, which was sold to Keller-Taylor Corporation, parent company of the Keller Graduate School of Management in 1987 to become DeVry, Inc. DeVry acquired Ohio Institute of Technology in 1968,^[2] Becker Professional Review in 1996, Ross University in 2003, and the Deaconess College of Nursing in 2005. DeVry did not acquire rights to use the name "Deaconess College of Nursing", so it was renamed "Chamberlain" in 2006.^[1][3][4][5]

Curriculum

DeVry University offers courses in business administration, computer information systems, engineering, network and communications management, and management as well as professional graduate certificates in business, office management and health information technology.^[6][7]

The university operates on a trimester course schedule and, if taken full-time year round, a student can graduate with a Bachelor's degree in about three years (depending on the program). Most degree programs are offered at both the Associate's and four-year Bachelor's level. In addition, the institution offers various certificate programs such as for specific subfields in Information technology.

The Keller Graduate School of Management offers the following Masters Degree Programs:^[8]

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Accounting & Financial Management (MAFM)
• Human Resources Management (MHRM)
• Information Systems Management (MISM)
• Network & Communications Management (MNCM)
• Project Management (MPM)
• Public Administration (MPA)

Courses and programs are also offered online.^[9]

Accreditation

DeVry is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.^[10]

Engineering Technology

Engineering Technology programs are accredited on campus-by-campus. The table in Locations lists accreditation status of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology programs by the US Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ^[11] and the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board ^[12].

Locations

DeVry in Fremont Taylor Hall.

The following table lists major campuses and approximate interior size.^[13]

Former

DeVry had 3 campuses in the Greater Toronto Area. The North York campus at Finch Avenue West and Highway 400 moved to Progress Avenue in Scarborough (closed 2003). Another campus was located in Mississauga on Chedworth Way was opened in 1997. Both locations closed and operations re-located to Calgary in 2003.^{[citation needed]}

Controversies

In 1995, DeVry was suspended from Ontario's student loan program after a large number of its students misreported their income. DeVry was reinstated after paying fines of CAD$1.7 million and putting up a bond of CAD$2 million.^[14]

In 1996, students of DeVry's Toronto campus filed a class-action suit claiming poor educational quality and job preparation; the suit was dismissed on technical grounds.^[15][16][17]

In November 2000, Afshin Zarinebaf, Ali Mousavi and another graduate of one of DeVry University’s Chicago-area campuses filed a class-action lawsuit accusing DeVry of widespread deception, unlawful business practices and false advertising and alleging that students were not being prepared for high tech jobs.^[18] The lawsuit contributed to a 20% slide in the company's stock.^[19] The class was not certified and the case was resolved for less than $25,000 in June 2006.^[20]

In 2001, DeVry obtained permission from the Alberta government to grant degrees, on recommendation by the Private Colleges Accreditation Board.^[21] This decision was opposed by the Alberta New Democratic Party (sitting in opposition), the University of Calgary Faculty Association, the Canadian Federation of Students, and the Canadian Association of University Teachers. (The concerns raised are similar to those about other private institutions).^[22] The NDP claimed conflict of interest as John Ballheim served as both the president of DeVry's Calgary campus and a member of the Premier of Alberta's special advisory council on postsecondary education.^[23]

In January 2002, Royal Gardner, a graduate of one of DeVry University’s Los Angeles-area campuses, filed a class-action complaint against DeVry Inc. and DeVry University, Inc. on behalf of students in the post-baccalaureate degree program in Information Technology. The suit alleged that the nature of the program was misrepresented by the advertising. The lawsuit was dismissed and refiled. During the first quarter of 2004, a new complaint was filed in the same court by Gavino Teanio with the same general allegations. This action was stayed pending the outcome of the Gardner lawsuit. The lawsuits were being settled in late 2006.^[20]

In April 2007 the State of New York settled with three schools that were participating in questionable student loan practices. DeVry, Career Education Corporation, & Washington University in St. Louis were involved with the settlement. DeVry agreed to refund $88,122 back to students.^[24]

See also

• List of American institutions of higher education

References

External links

• DeVry University official website