Fortis College is a private for-profit two-year higher learning institution that is owned and operated by Education Affiliates Inc. It focuses on career education and prides itself on its array of degree and diploma programs that are developed to help student boost their career opportunities. It strives to instill the desire to pursue lifelong learning opportunities and continuing education among its students. Its goals are to help every student develop professional and personal growth.
Fortis College offers diploma, certificate, and associate degree programs that are intended to help students improve their problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. Its educational approach is change-oriented and provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in current and new career options. The programs are reviewed on a periodic basis in combination with industry advisory boards to make sure they are meeting the needs and expectations of employers to preparing students to succeed.
Fortis college is committed to employing instructors who are high qualified, experienced, and familiar with current practices in the offered academic field to ensure students are fully prepared for the constantly changing workforce. It also seeks instructors that provide motivation and encouragement to students and promote self-discipline to enable students to enjoy successful careers. Faculty members provide extra assistance to help students reach their career goals. The programs at Fortis College feature small classes with a low student to faculty ratio to enable students to have easy access to educational materials, tools, and equipment. The Career Services Department at Fortis College offers graduate employment assistance to help students find appropriate job opportunities. The department provides information, guidance, and contacts in various industries.
Fortis College Online strives to provide exceptional education to working adults and facilitate professional success. It focuses on providing students with comprehensive education that enables them to gain real world skills. It offers an easy to use online college community and most students only require a few minutes to navigate through all of the features. Students have constant access to the online system 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. The online system features live chats, group forums, messaging, direct instructor feedback, instantly graded assignments and exams. The online college community also provides students with direct access to faculty members through one-on-one interaction through email or in online group discussions. The online courses are designed to provide students with various options to enable flexible programs that fit into busy schedules. The online division offers various fast-growing and popular programs including hospitality management, medical billing and coding, Internet marketing, digital graphic design, criminal justice/homeland security, and business management. All programs are granted at the associate degree level.
Fortis College traces its history back to 1953 when RETS Tech Center, an affiliate of RETS Electronic Schools that were based in Detroit, Michigan opened. The Education Affiliates acquired RETS Tech Center in 2005 and has consistently added additional programs. In 2008, the center changed its name to RETS College and added a distance education division. Also in 2008, Educational Affiliates opened an accredited branch campus. The college’s distance education division was approved to provide various business programs in 2009 including business management with concentration in accounting and human resources and digital graphic design programs. The division was approved to offer online hospitality management and Internet marketing programs in 2010. RETS College became Fortis College in 2010 to align with other campuses of Educational Affiliates Inc. Currently, there are 30 campus locations to meet the needs of students.
Accreditation
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) institutionally accredit Fortis College. Individual campuses are accredited by various accrediting organizations including Accrediting Council for Independent College sand Schools (ACISC), Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), and Accrediting Commission of the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).
Financing Options
Fortis College participates in various federal financial aid programs including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal PLUS Loan for Parents, Federal Work-Study Program, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. It also accepts state grants, Veterans Benefits, and private student loans.
Credit Earning Options
Fortis College grants credit for courses completed at another accredited institution. All courses are evaluated on an individual basis and the grade received must be a C or better, have similar course content to equivalent courses, and have been completed within the last five years. Fortis College accepts transfer credits for up to 25% of the total program credits. Students seeking credit for transfer courses must submit and an official transcript, course descriptions, and other supporting documents.