MIAMI REGIONAL UNIVERSITY HISTORY

Management Resources Inc., doing business as (dba) Miami Regional University, was founded in January 1996. The company was originally a management consulting and training firm that helped individuals and organizations improve their performance through the application of Total Quality Management principles. In 1999, the company embarked on a new endeavor when it started training welfare and dislocated workers.

In 2001, the institution became licensed by the Florida Commission of Independent Education (CIE) and became known as Management Resources Institute (MRI). The initial offerings were vocational programs which evolved into diploma programs in Education and Languages (now part of the School of Arts and Sciences) by 2006. Seeking to evolve as an institution and to broaden students’ accessibility to education, MRI embarked on its journey to achieve its first national accreditation. MRI received the maximum six-year accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE) in 2007. In 2008, MRI was approved by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) to administer Federal Financial Aid. The University continues to be recognized by the USDOE. A COE-reaffirmation visit in 2012 culminated in an additional six years of accreditation, effective February 2013.

Based on the recommendation of MRI’s Advisory Board, in February 2012, the institution launched an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, enabling foreign physicians to become Registered Nurses. The overwhelmingly positive response from the community resulted in MRI’s substantial growth. These newly licensed RNs were now able to fulfill their calling of saving lives through the practice of nursing. In response to student demand for higher educational opportunities, the development and implementation of Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degree programs were incorporated into MRI’s Strategic Plan. In 2013, MRI started offering Associate programs in Business and other Health related fields.

Consistent with this plan, in 2014, MRI received approval from COE and CIE to be recognized as Management Resources College (MRC). Since COE does not accredit institutions for the higher-level degrees MRC was seeking to offer, MRC decided to seek accreditation with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). In December 2014, Management Resources College received accreditation. In August 2016, the school achieved the next milestone in its evolution and became known as Miami Regional University (MRU).

In December 2016, the University’s accrediting agency ACICS lost recognition by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). By statute, all ACICS schools had to obtain accreditation from another agency recognized by the USDOE to maintain the ability to offer financial aidto its students. Although ACICS regained temporary recognition by Court order in April 2018, the Corrective Actions Report submitted by ACICS to the USDOE was reviewed by the Secretary of Education. As a result of these events, the University sought accreditation from a different agency.

Also in 2016, Miami Regional University received the “The Spirit of FAPSC Award” (Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools and Colleges), which recognizes an institution that reaches beyond its immediate interest to help the educational sector at large. Miami Regional University received the award for opening its doors to approximately 300 displaced students in the community from schools that had closed. The University welcomed them, and, despite the devastating situation they were facing, helped them achieve their goals. These students were determined to prevent life from getting in the way of their dreams; Miami Regional University made it possible for them to shape their lives to their aspirations.

In August 2018, the University received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). As a stipulation of accreditation, the University changed its name to Miami Regional College (MRC) until it could fulfill ACCSC’s requirements for using the University name. MRU demonstrated that it satisfied ACCSC’s requirements for a University and regained its University status in August 2019. In December 2022, the University was regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Miami Regional University is committed to continuing to fulfill its Mission by providing quality education in a nurturing and learning environment to prepare students for lifelong learning in an evolving world.