OVERLAND PARK, Kan. —Wright Career College has decided to close its doors and file for bankruptcy, and the decision has left many students frustrated and wondering if they’ll have to start over to earn a degree.
Students at the Overland Park campus showed up for classes Friday morning thinking they would be taking their final exams. Instead some learned they may not get any credit for the work they’ve put in this semester.
In March rumors started that the school might be closing, but at the time the school’s president would only say that the school was not allowing new students to enroll.
According to an email sent to students Thursday night, the college said they tried to keep their doors open until they had a specific plan for students, but they are unable to continue operations. The email did not say why the college was closing.
“We encourage you to continue your educational journey and to pursue your dream of a career. We regret that you cannot continue at Wright Career College,” the email said.
In a news release Friday, the college said they have filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
“We are saddened by these events,” said John Mucci, President. “From our beginning in 1921 until our closure, we have always operated with the focus of putting the interests of our students first. It is unfortunate our students cannot complete their programs at Wright Career College. I would like to thank our employees for their tireless dedication and commitment in helping our students achieve their educational and career goals.”
According to the news release, the college had been in negotiations with several parties to arrange for teach-out partners to allow its students to continue
their education, but those efforts were not successful.
In March, former and current students told FOX 4 that they were suing Wright Career College. They accused the college of providing a sub-standard education that’s left them with massive debt. 164 students named in the suit claim the college deceived them about their education and offers degrees with no value in the workplace.
Nursing students say they feel abandoned by the college after administrators told them to keep working hard while the school worked through its financial troubles. Some students say they have spent $30,000 or more pursuing health-related associate’s or bachelor’s degrees.
“I’m not even sure about the legality of all of this,” nursing student Jager Clark said. “But I don’t think this is fair for one. A lot of things in life aren’t fair, but I definitely feel we should be compensated in some way. Even the fact that we had no information that this was going to happen there was no communication whatsoever. I don’t feel like this is how you portray a university or any kind of institution that is going to train up the future of our generation. I don’t see how this is fair to us.”
The email sent to students Thursday night went on to say other schools will accept credits and are ready to welcome students.
“When I came I was given this grandiose thing of, ‘Hey you’re going to be a nurse, if you work hard, we’re going to give you everything to succeed,’ and nope, they sure didn’t,” Clark said.
The school has about 3,000 students at campuses in the metro area, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Omaha.
FOX 4 has reached out to an attorney representing the school, but the attorney has not returned our phone calls about the closure.
The college sent the following email to students:
OMAHA, OVERLAND PARK, WICHITA STUDENTS
It is with our deepest regret that we must tell you that, as of today, Wright Career College is closing its doors. We know that this is unexpected. We did everything we could to keep the doors open until we had a specific plan in place for your continued education, but we are unable to maintain operations any longer.MANY OTHER SCHOOLS WILL ACCEPT YOUR CREDITS AND ARE READY TO WELCOME YOU.
We have been in communication with other colleges and universities that may be able to assist you in completing your education. Attached is a list that you may find useful as you research other programs.These are college and universities in your area that have comparable programs and many have indicated they are anxious to assist you in continuing your career education.
One of those schools is National American University (NAU). NAU has campuses in or near Overland Park, Wichita, Tulsa and Omaha. It has many academic programs that are comparable to Wright, both online and on-ground.
NAU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with several academic programs separately accredited or approved by national educational and professional associations. NAU offers the opportunity to earn associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
NAU has indicated it will streamline its admission and enrollment processes for eligible Wright students to transfer into comparable programs, including:
1. Accepting all earned credits, including those credits earned at Wright and those credits awarded by Wright based on its completed evaluation of applicable credit in accordance with its policies.
2. Offering a free, for-credit bridge course designed for Wright students:
• While in the bridge course, students will meet individually with student and financial aid advisors to facilitate their transition into NAU.
• Credits earned in the free, bridge course will apply toward an NAU degree and thus minimize disruption in degree completion.3. Accepting examination credit, dual credit, training credit, and/or prior learning credit awarded by Wright in accordance with its policies.
4. Reducing or waiving NAU’s residency policy as appropriate per program.
5. Waiving any fees associated with transfer.
If you wish to explore this transfer opportunity with NAU, simply email your name, current program, and
preferred method of contact to:
transfermywrightcredits@national.eduAn NAU transition advisor will contact you to answer questions and offer assistance. Information about
NAU’s programs and the availability of programs at individual campuses may be found on NAU’s website
at www.national.edu.We encourage you to continue your educational journey and to pursue your dream of a career. We regret that you cannot continue at Wright Career College.
TRANSCRIPTS
Please advise any institution to which you apply to send transcript requests to transcripts@wirghtcc.edu.