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Bircham International University

Today, Bircham International University is a topic that fascinates people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether due to its historical relevance, its current influence or simply its ability to surprise and entertain, Bircham International University has become a point of interest for a wide audience. In this article, we will explore in depth different aspects related to Bircham International University, from its impact on society to its evolution over time. We will be addressing different perspectives and opinions to offer a complete and enriching vision of this fascinating topic.

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Bircham International University
MottoA good education should teach HOW to think, not WHAT to think
TypeDistance learning for adults.
Established1992
PresidentDeric Bircham
Vice-presidentLaurence Cheng Wen
CEOWilliam Martin
Location
Madrid
,
Spain
Websitewww.bircham.edu www.bircham.edu.es www.bircham.edu.pt
Bircham International University office in Madrid

Bircham International University is a non-profit,[1] unaccredited[2] institution of distance-learning higher education for adults and professionals.[3][4]

History and location

BIU was founded by Deric Bircham, William Martin, and Bircham's adopted son, Laurence Cheng Wen.[5][6] According to its website,[7] Bircham was established in Europe in 1992. It is registered in Delaware (United States),[8] Spain,[9] and formerly operated from the Bahamas.[10]

John Bear, authority on distance education, wrote in the 2003 edition of Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning: 'Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorates Degrees by correspondence at all levels in business, arts, health, psychology, engineering, computers and science. Bircham's listed "delegation addresses in Spain, England, United States (a Mail Boxes Etc. in Miami, Florida), Bahamas, Taiwan, China, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, and New Zealand." Bear's Guide states that "the offices in England and the Bahamas were strictly administrative and did not serve students."[11]

Bircham acquired Oxford International College in 2000.[12][13][14]

Accreditation status

BIU's website presents a list of accreditations and memberships,[15] but none of them are from an educational accreditation body recognized by the countries where it operates.[16]

BIU describes itself as a practitioner of non-formal education.[17] While it operates legally under Spanish law, it is not formally recognized by the Ministry of Education of Spain.[12][18][19] Because BIU is unaccredited, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions. Use of its degree titles may be illegal in some jurisdictions, such Texas.[20]

Sources explicitly listing Bircham as "unaccredited" include the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which state that Bircham has "No degree-granting authority from Spain (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers evaluation)."[21][20] and the former Oregon Office of Degree Authorization which considered BIU a unaccredited foreign degree supplier.[16]

In 2018 Bircham obtained a charter from the Ministry of Education in Curaçao,[22][23] and the Education Quality Certification from the United States Distance Learning Association.

Reception

In July 2007, the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) of Mexico issued a notice[24] stating that degrees lacking RVOE (Official Recognition from the Mexican Government) will not be validated by the SEP. Degrees via online or distance learning issued by foreign institutions like Bircham University will not be recognized by the SEP.

In April 2008, the Nairobi Business Daily reported that Bircham International University was operating in Kenya without authorization.[24] In March 2010, the same newspaper published a correction, stating that BIU "is a Spanish institution of distance learning and is in good standing with Spanish authorities that offer alternatives to formal adult higher education specifically aimed at adult working professionals" and that its programs "can be legalized and validated by the Embassy of Kenya in the USA or Spain despite the institution not being registered by the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya".[25] An official of Kenya's Commission for Higher Education was quoted as warning that BIU degree certificates would not be recognized.[26] In 2013, BIU directors state that BIU does not have any presence in Kenya nor any collaboration with other any college or educational institution in Kenya.[19]

In 2013, health fraud activist Stephen Barrett conducted a review concluding: "BIU offers what amounts to supervised textbook reading plus credentials that suggest bearers have considerably more formal education and expertise than they actually have. The requirements for its degrees are much less than those of universities accredited by CHEA-recognized agencies. Most of BIU's teachings are straightforward, but some promote pseudoscientific concepts and practices. None of its health-related programs—by themselves—provide an adequate basis for clinical practice."[27][5] John Bear stated: "For many years, we have written that in the process of choosing any school, the prospective student should determine, as best he or she can, that their credential will meet both their current and predictable future needs. Based on the testimonials offered by Bircham, it seems clear that there are many satisfied people with the their credential."[28]

In 2023, William Martin was included in the 10 Influential Education Leaders by Mirror Review Magazine. That same year, Fortune Times Magazine published a report with the foundational history of BIU, considering Deric Bircham one of the visionary leaders transforming education.[29][30]

References

  1. ^ "BIRCHAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY INC - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  2. ^ "Office of Degree Authorization". 27 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Students - Institutions". TNE Curacao. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Deric Bircham". magazines.fortunestime.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b Barrett, Stephen (7 January 2013). "A Skeptical Look at Bircham International University". Credential Watch. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Bircham International University Foundation". www.bircham.net. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Bircham International University Legal History". www.bircham.net. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Division of Corporations - Filing". icis.corp.delaware.gov. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Spain Business USA >> Search". 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  10. ^ Seneca, Kristofer (2009). Guide to Earning Law and Law-Related Degrees Nontraditionally. Lulu. ISBN 978-0-557-10593-9.
  11. ^ Bear, John (2003). Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-431-1.
  12. ^ a b Bear, John. "Bircham International University revisited". Degree Info. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  13. ^ "Oxford International College in the UK". BIU Human Network. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Oxford College Dissolved". UK Companies House. 3656298. Retrieved 2 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  15. ^ "Bircham International University References, Recognition & Accreditation". www.bircham.net. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Unauthorized Schools and Invalid Degrees". Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Recognition & Accreditation - Bircham International University". www.bircham.edu. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  18. ^ "DegreeDiscussion.com • View topic - Bircham International University revisited". 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Bircham International University in Kenya". Zegabi East Africa News. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  21. ^ "List of Non-Accredited Post-Secondary Schools – B". Maine Department of Education. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  22. ^ "EU Curaçao Ministry of Education (Netherlands)". www.bircham.net. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  23. ^ "Students | TNE". tnecuracao.gobiernu.cw. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Alerta de Publicidad". Subsecretaria de Educacion Superior. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  25. ^ Nairobi, Mwaura Kimani (13 April 2008). "Kenya: Queries Over Quality of Degrees Awarded By Spanish College". Business Daily. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  26. ^ "Bircham International University – Correction and Clarification". Business Daily. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  27. ^ Barrett, Stephen. "Questionable Organizations: An Overview". Quackwatch. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  28. ^ "DegreeDiscussion.com • View topic - Bircham International University revisited". 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  29. ^ "The 10 Influential Educatio Leaders 2023. Vol 2". magazine.mirrorreview.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  30. ^ "Deric Bircham". magazines.fortunestime.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
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