Abstract
The Problem. The problem addressed in this study is the effect educational brokers have on private institutions of higher learning in the State of California. The definition of an educational broker is, "an organization or individual who serves, for a fee, as an agent of one or more degree granting institutions." The term is synonymous with "educational contractor." These brokers or contractors may provide services in student recruitment, faculty recruitment, program development, records processing, and program and faculty review. The Purpose. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect that educational brokers have on accredited independent colleges and universities in the State of California. Eight categories were selected as the key areas for information gathering. Four of the categories pertained to background information. There were also entrance and exit interviews conducted with the director of continuing education at each institution. The data collected from the documents, interviews with administrators, faculty and students, and observations formed the basis for a matrix analysis chart. This chart cross-referenced each institution with each of the eight categories under study. It also indicated the overall effect of brokers on each of the institutions as graded by the interview team. The Results. The primary findings of the study were: (1) fewer institutions use educational brokers than expected, (2) brokers do not return significant profits to institutions, and (3) institutions with large brokered programs have significant accreditation programs related to the use of brokers. The author concluded that it is best for a small private California institution not to employ brokers, as they generally are the source of more problems than benefits. Those institutions that do use brokers should employ effective quality control procedures, keep the brokered programs small and manageable, and involve the regular faculty in all program decisions.