Keiser University is a private non-profit university based in Florida. Keiser provides educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in traditional and online delivery formats. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is also a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. The main campus is in Fort Lauderdale, with additional branches located in other parts of Florida and internationally.
History
In 1977, Arthur Keiser and his mother, Evelyn, created a career college, the Keiser School, in Fort Lauderdale to prepare students for jobs in Florida’s growing business and healthcare communities. In 1982, with the addition of paralegal and computer programs, the school changed its name to the Keiser Institute of Technology. In 1986 the school began to award associate degrees and became Keiser College. In 2001 the company created its first bachelor's degree programs. Five years later, in 2006, the for-profit school again changed its name and became Keiser University.
In 2010, the Florida Attorney General began to investigate Keiser University and several other for-profit schools based in the state. In 2011 the University switched from a profit to a not-for-profit model when Arthur Keiser sold the institution for an undisclosed sum to Everglades College Inc., a non-profit entity founded by Keiser that also operates Everglades University.
Keiser University launched a new College of Chiropractic in West Palm Beach in September 2016 with Dr. Michael Wiles serving as the Dean. This is the first program of its kind started in southern Florida.
Licensure and accreditation
Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. Keiser University is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education in Florida.
Rankings
Community College Week ranked Keiser 2nd nationally for colleges with associate degree programs in "health professions and related programs," 5th nationally for colleges with associate degree programs in "nursing: registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing;" and 11th nationally for colleges with associate degree programs in "computer and information sciences and support services."
Athletics
In 2016 Keiser graduate Steven Bruce signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers. Also in 2016, the Keiser University Women's Golf team won 2016 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship Title. This marked the second-straight year and the third time in school history (2003 and 2015) that the Seahawks claimed top honors. Keiser University won the Sun Conference Commissioners Cup for the 2015-16 athletic season. In 2016 Keiser announced it planned to add football to its slate of varsity athletic programs, beginning during the 2018-19 academic year. Per ESPN, on December 14, 2016, Rollie Massimino, Keiser University’s Men’s Basketball Coach, became the third active coach to achieve 800 career wins and the ninth coach overall. Rollie Massimino was 82 years old at the time.
References
External links
- Official website
- Athletics website