History and Heritage
The history of Warren National University dates back to 1984, when it was founded in California under the name Kennedy-Western University. In January 2007, the institution was officially renamed Warren National University, a name chosen to honor Francis E. Warren, the first governor of Wyoming.
Over its nearly 25-year history, this private distance-learning university has attracted approximately 30,000 students. The university was originally headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, but moved its administrative center to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 2007. However, the university’s journey has been marked by controversy. In 2002, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on the institution’s “history of failing to obtain accreditation” and its practice of awarding students “life experience credits.” On January 30, 2009, after failing to secure accreditation, the university announced it would officially close on March 31 of that year. Changing Attitudes Toward US College Degrees Among Young Americans
Academic Reputation and Accreditation Status
During its operation, Warren National University never received accreditation from any accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This was the most contentious issue at the heart of the institution and the direct cause of its eventual closure.
Under a 2006 Wyoming law, private schools must be accredited or in the process of seeking accreditation to continue operating. To this end, Warren National University applied for accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. However, following an unfavorable evaluation visit in October 2008, the accreditation application was ultimately terminated.
- U.S. federal investigators and numerous news outlets have referred to it as a “diploma mill”
- Although the school contested this label, the value of its degrees has consistently been widely questioned
- Laws in Oregon and other states stipulate that the school’s diplomas cannot be used for government employment or professional license applications
Controversies and Litigation
During its operation, Warren National University was the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits. From 2003 to 2004, the U.S. Government Accountability Office investigated the institution and found that the federal government had employed 463 staff members holding degrees from unaccredited institutions, including Kennedy-Western University. A Coast Guard lieutenant who enrolled undercover testified that the school granted her 43% of her course credits based solely on her application form, and she completed 40% of the remaining credits for her master’s program in just 16 hours.
In June 2009, 67 former students filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging fraudulent practices in its admissions process. Court documents state that the university purchased lists of prospective students—lists that “revealed personal hardships such as recent unemployment, divorce, or illness or death in the family”—and pressured students to enroll through telemarketing. The plaintiffs argued that had they known the university was unaccredited, they would not have enrolled or paid annual tuition ranging from $6,000 to $12,000.
Teaching Model and Faculty
As a distance learning university, Warren National University primarily offers courses online. The school claims on its website that 80% of its academic faculty hold doctoral degrees from accredited institutions, with the remainder holding master’s degrees.
However, a 2002 investigation by The Chronicle of Higher Education revealed a different side of the faculty composition:
- At least 22 faculty members simultaneously held full-time positions at public or private universities
- These part-time instructors were paid on a per-task basis—$25 to grade an assignment and $200 to develop a course
- Some faculty members were reluctant to discuss their work at the university for fear of dissatisfaction from employers or colleagues
The degrees offered by the university include bachelor’s, master’s, and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees in fields such as business administration, computer science, humanities, management information systems, and health management.
The school has claimed that its degrees are “recognized by academia and the business community,” but critics point out that its diplomas are often rejected in the first round of interviews at top-tier companies.
Employment and Career Development
Because the school has never been accredited, its graduates face severe challenges in their career development. After graduation, students discover that their degrees are not recognized by government agencies or many private companies. The state of Oregon explicitly prohibits the use of Warren National University degrees for government employment or professional license applications.
- Graduates often face the dilemma of their credentials not being recognized when seeking employment
- Several former students filed lawsuits after the university closed, claiming that “without accreditation, Warren National University degrees are virtually worthless”
- After the university closed in 2009, it transferred students who had not completed their studies to another controversial institution, Preston University
