Jones International University (JIU) was a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

online In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" or ...

for-profit university Proprietary colleges are for-profit colleges and universities. They are operated by their owners or investors, rather than a not-for-profit institution, religious organization, or government. Because they are not funded by tax money, their long ...

headquartered in

Centennial, Colorado Centennial is a home rule municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 108,418 at the 2020 United States Census, making Centennial the 11th most populous municipality in Colorado. Centennial is a par ...

. It was accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditor in the United States. It has historically accredited post-secondary education institutions in the central United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa ...

. The university closed after the Class of 2015 graduated.

History

In 1987 Glenn R. Jones launched the cable television network Mind Extension University (ME/U, later Knowledge TV), which enabled 30,000 students to take courses from more than 30 colleges and universities via television. In 1993, Jones started JIU, claiming to be the first university anywhere to exist completely online. In 1999, JIU became the first fully online university in the U.S. to be accredited by the

, and a member of the

North Central Association The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), also known as the North Central Association, was a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states engaged in educational accreditation. It w ...

. This decision caused outrage from the

American Association of University Professors The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is an organization of professors and other academics in the United States. AAUP membership includes over 500 local campus chapters and 39 state organizations. The AAUP's stated mission is ...

on the grounds that the teaching staff had no academic freedom, and that an institution that taught only one subject could not claim to be a university. JIU offered bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs in business and masters and doctoral degree programs in education according to its website. On March 31, 2015 the school announced it would be closing its doors. Students who did not graduate in the Class of 2015 were offered transfer to

Trident University International Trident University International is a private for-profit online university based in Cypress, California. It is a member of the American InterContinental University System, and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Trident off ...

Accreditation

JIU was accredited by the

(HLC), a member of the North Central Association, one of six regional accrediting bodies in the United States. In 2011, the Higher Learning Commission placed the university "On Notice." In 2013, the commission removed the university from this status.

Notable alumni

Marcus Gaither Marcus Gaither (April 26, 1961 – July 16, 2020) was an American-French professional basketball player, who played the guard position. In 1989–90 Gaither led the Israel Basketball Premier League in scoring. He then played in France for 11 year ...

(1961–2020), American-French basketball player

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Former for-profit universities and colleges in the United States Educational institutions established in 1993 Mass media companies of the United States 1993 establishments in Colorado