AIC Classroom circa 1950's
1937–American Institute of Commerce
The University was originally established as the
American Institute of Commerce (AIC) in 1937. AIC subsequently changed its name to Quest College.
2000–Quest College Becomes Kaplan College
In November 2000, Kaplan, Inc. acquires Quest Education Corporation and changes the name of Quest College to Kaplan College. Quest College (formerly American Institute of Commerce) is based out of Davenport, Iowa, with a support center and 77 employees for its online students in
Boca Raton, Florida.
Andy Rosen, CEO Kaplan, Inc
2004–Kaplan College Becomes Kaplan University
August 2004: Andrew S. Rosen, President and COO, Kaplan, Inc., takes the helm as President and CEO of the College.
September 2004: Kaplan College becomes Kaplan University
after it is approved to offer graduate degree programs.
Kaplan University Fort Lauderdale Corporate Offices
2005–New Master's Degree Programs
January 2005: Kaplan
University opens a new
100,000-square-foot building in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida,
to house executive offices and a new online student support center.
August 2005: The University
launches online master’s degree programs in business administration and criminal justice.
December 2005: The Iowa
Department of Education approves the University’s online Master of Education (now called the Master of Arts in Teaching) and Teacher Intern
Certificate.
School of Nursing
2006–School of Nursing Accreditation
February 2006: Kaplan
University breaks ground for a twin building at its Fort Lauderdale
facility on West Cypress Creek Road.
April 2006: Kaplan University’s School of Nursing
is awarded national professional accreditation from the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
September 2006: Kaplan
University launches Bachelor of Science degrees in communication and legal studies,
three new Associate of Applied Science degrees in the health sciences and a certificate
program in corrections—the largest program launch in the University’s
history.
Kaplan University Cedar Rapids
2007–New Campuses
May 2007: Kaplan
University opens its second 100,000-square-foot Fort Lauderdale facility
along West Cypress Creek Road to accommodate its booming growth. The two
100,000-square-foot facilities accommodate 1,500 employees.
June 2007: The Bachelor of
Science in Nursing program is awarded full approval by the Iowa
Board of Nursing.
September 2007: Kaplan University launches more
than a dozen new programs, including three new master’s degrees, in
management, nursing, and higher education.
October 2007: Concord Law School merges with Kaplan University,
becoming the first fully online law school to be part of a regionally
accredited University.
October 2007: Hamilton
College’s seven campuses in Iowa and Nebraska
merge with Kaplan University.
Concord Law School Graduates
2008–Concord Law School 10th Anniversary
January 2008: Kaplan University
launches a Master of Science in Legal Studies.
April 2008: Kaplan
University launches a new master’s degree in information technology, and a
specialization in college administration and leadership as part of its online Master of Science in Higher
Education program.
August 2008: Concord Law School of Kaplan
University celebrates
its 10th anniversary.
November 2008: Kaplan
University opens its third Fort Lauderdale location, a 26,000-square-foot space
at 6600 N. Andrews Avenue, designed to
accommodate its growing employee base and new business initiatives.
November 2008: Kaplan University announces
the launch of its new Military Student Support Center and a suite of new
services for active-duty servicemembers.
November 2008: Kaplan
University announces plans to open a new
online student support center in Orlando,
Florida, bringing hundreds of new jobs to Orange County
over the next 4 years.
November 2008: Andrew S. Rosen, the President
of Kaplan, Inc., CEO of Kaplan Higher Education, and CEO and President of
Kaplan University, is named Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan University Hagerstown
2009–Grand Openings
February 2009: Jeff
Conlon, President of Kaplan Higher Education Campuses, is named President
of Kaplan Higher Education, which includes 70-plus campuses in the United
States and abroad, as well as online programs through Kaplan University.
March 2009: Kaplan
University launches a new Associate of Applied Science in Health Information
Technology.
April 2009: Kaplan
University hosts a grand opening and ribbon cutting to celebrate its new online
student support center in Orlando.
July 2009: Kaplan
College’s Hagerstown
and Frederick campuses in Maryland
merge with Kaplan University.
July 2009: Kaplan University announces the launch of 13 new online
degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management and three degrees in fire science.
October
2009: Kaplan University announces the opening of its new Plantation, Florida,
facility, a 118,743-square-foot building. The new space houses admissions
officers and online student support staff as well as a Kaplan University
Learning Center designed to provide face-to-face support to local online
students.
November 2009: Kaplan University announces
the launch of five new specializations for its master’s and bachelor’s degree
programs, including specializations in project management, human resources, and online college teaching.
2010–Introducing The Kaplan Commitment
March 2010: The Kaplan University
Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Wade Dyke, DPhil, as President
of Kaplan University. Dyke, who served as interim President since August,
succeeds Andrew S. Rosen, who is now the Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc.
April 2010: Kaplan University
announces the launch of its new online Master
of Public Administration and Master
of Science in Education in Instructional Technology degrees, as
well as two new emphasis areas and eight accelerated degree programs.
May 2010: Concord Law School of
Kaplan University announces the debut of its online Small Business Practice LLM
(Master of Laws) program, the first in the country focused solely on legal
issues confronting small businesses.
June 2010: Kaplan University celebrates the grand opening of its new Learning Center in Plantation, Florida.
September 2010:
Kaplan University announces the appointment of Geri H. Malandra, PhD, as provost.
September 2010: Kaplan University launches the Kaplan CommitmentSM, which allows students
to take classes for credit during an introductory period without incurring any
financial obligation beyond the application fee.
October 2010: Kaplan University announces the launch of several
new online
programs, including a Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Services, a Bachelor
of Science in Early Childhood Development, three specializations and seven
certificates.
December 2010: Military
Advanced Education magazine
listed Kaplan University among America’s Top Military Friendly Colleges and
Universities for the third year in a row.
Kaplan University Chicago Graduation 2011
2011–New Programs and Graduations
February 2011: Kaplan University celebrates the graduation
of 5,600 students at its commencement ceremony in Miami.
February 2011: Kaplan
University announces the launch of a new Master of Science in Health Education
degree program as well as seven new specializations, three new certificates, and
two new technology tracks.
April 2011: Kaplan University
announces the launch of a new Master of Science in
Finance degree and an Advanced Medical Coding Certificate.
August 2011: Kaplan University celebrates the graduation of more than 7,200 online students, thousands of whom watch the ceremony via a live webcast from their homes and around the country. The Honorable Alexis M. Herman addresses more than 1,000 Kaplan University online graduates at the live commencement in Chicago.