ATLANTA (CN) - A class action claims the Atlanta-based Institute of Allied Medical Professions lured 100 students into its program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with false promises of accreditation. Students say classes were delayed for so long that some had to start paying off their student loans before the classes even started, and when they graduated they found that the program was unaccredited.
The complaint in Fulton County Superior Court claims the institute has accepted about 100 students into its diagnostic sonography program since 2003. For their $25,000 tuition, students were promised 851 classroom hours and 1,000 hours of clinical internships, the class claims.
The institute promised that the program would be accredited by the time the students graduated, according to the complaint. The class claims that while they attended classes the school showed them materials that allegedly showed the accreditation process was under way. And they claim that the institute falsely promised that if they graduated before the accreditation was complete, the accreditation would retroactively apply to them.
But that's not what happened, the students say. They say they didn't get what they were promised even while they were in school: classes began six to 12 months late; more than 851 hours were required to complete the courses; and they didn't get their promised 1,000 hours of clinical internship, either.
Some students say they had to start paying off their student loans before the courses began. And when they graduated, they found that the program had not been accredited.
The class claims that despite its promises, the institute knew its students "would not be able to sit for the state certification examination" without a four-year degree and without working for at least a year as a sonographer. Most of the 11 named plaintiffs do not have a four-year degree.
The class demands punitive damages for breach of contract, bad faith, negligence and unjust enrichment. They are represented by Peter D. Copeland of Clarkston, Ga.
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