Education Corporation of America, headquartered in Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...

, Alabama

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

, is a privately held company that operates private accredited colleges across the United States. Included are four schools, plus one online school and four affiliated businesses.

History

ECA was formed in 1999 with the acquisition of Virginia College

Virginia College

Virginia College is a non Regionally Accredited chain of private for-profit post-secondary institutions located primarily in the Southeastern United States. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions...

. In 2000, Culinard, a culinary school was opened. They went on to purchase two Medical Career Centers in Alabama in 2001 and rolled them into the Virginia College

Virginia College

Virginia College is a non Regionally Accredited chain of private for-profit post-secondary institutions located primarily in the Southeastern United States. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions...

 curriculum in 2004. Also in 2004, ECA was purchased in December by Chicago-based private equity investment firm Willis Stein & Partners

Willis Stein & Partners

Willis Stein & Partners is a private equity firm focused on leveraged buyout transactions for middle-market companies.The firm's most notable investments have included Ziff Davis, Roundy's, Jays Foods, Lincoln Snacks Company and Petersen Publishing Company .The firm is headquartered in Chicago and...

. In 2006, ECA purchased San Diego Golf Academy and renamed it to Golf Academy of America in 2008.

Schools

The schools are: Virginia College

Virginia College

Virginia College is a non Regionally Accredited chain of private for-profit post-secondary institutions located primarily in the Southeastern United States. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions...

 (including Virginia College Online), Culinard

Culinard

Culinard is a culinary school owned by Education Corporation of America. It was opened in 2000 as part of the Birmingham, Alabama branch of Virginia College. The second campus was opened with the establishment of the Jacksonville, Florida branch of Virginia College in 2009...

, Ecotech Institute

Ecotech Institute

Ecotech Institute is a private for-profit post-secondary institution located in Aurora, Colorado. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions.-Ownership:...

 and Golf Academy of America

Golf Academy of America

Golf Academy of America is a two-year golf college offering a curriculum of golf instruction and golf business management. Associate's Degrees and Advanced Associate's Degrees are offered plus a Bachelors Degree via a partnership with Virginia College....

. Virginia College has campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile, Alabama; Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi; Austin, Texas; Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida; Augusta, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Greenville, Charleston, Spartanburg, and Columbia, South Carolina. On the business side, Virginia College offers student cosmetology

Cosmetology

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....

 services and massage

Massage

Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...

services and Culinard offers catering and a café. Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, has schools in Birmingham, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida. Ecotech Institute is located in Aurora, Colorado. Golf Academy of America has campuses in San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Orlando, Florida.

Controversy

In 2011, former students of ECA's Virginia College in Jackson, Mississippi sued the school when they discovered that it was not accredited. The students learned the day after graduation that because the school lacked accreditation, they could not take the nursing exam required to become licensed.