Four Universal Technical Institute Campuses Named Schools of Excellence, Highest Institutional Achievement Award by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, today announced four of its campuses have been awarded the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) School of Excellence Award for the 2014-2015 academic year. UTI campuses in Avondale, Ariz.; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Houston; and Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix, are among only 24 schools in receiving the prestigious award this year and will be recognized as recipients of ACCSC's highest honor at the 2015 Professional Development Conference on September 9 in Arlington, Va.

"Strong student outcomes are ACCSC's key metric of success, and have been UTI's primary objective since we opened our doors 50 years ago," said Kim McWaters, chairman and chief executive officer at Universal Technical Institute. "This recognition reinforces our commitment to producing consistently strong outcomes for our students. Our manufacturer partnerships, expert instructors and state-of-the-industry facilities provide our graduates with the training they need to succeed in today's high-tech transportation industry."

The School of Excellence Award recognizes ACCSC-accredited schools for their commitment to the expectations and rigors of ACCSC accreditation, as well as the efforts made by the institution to maintain strong student outcomes. ACCSC-accredited institutions are eligible for the School of Excellence Award every five years, pending they meet the conditions of renewal of accreditation without any findings of non-compliance, satisfy all requirements necessary to be in good standing with the Commission, and demonstrate that the majority of the school's graduation and employment rates for all programs meet or exceed the average rates among all ACCSC-accredited institutions, which includes 700 institutions across the United States, Puerto Rico and abroad.

"Through the School of Excellence Award, ACCSC recognizes UTI's commitment to delivering quality technical training programs that provide students with the high-tech, industry-specific skills they need to succeed in today's transportation industry," said Christopher Lambert, associate executive director of ACCSC.

Since 1965, UTI has graduated more than 190,000 students for work in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine industries. Offering a variety of technician training programs across 12 ACCSC-accredited campuses, UTI has a consolidated graduate employment track record that consistently exceeds the average rate of employment among all ACCSC-accredited institutions; Four out of five UTI graduates find employment in their fields of study within one year of graduation.¹

UTI campuses that have been honored with the ACCSC School of Excellence Award include NASCAR Technical Institute (2013-2014); UTI Lisle, Ill., (2013-2014); UTI Exton, Pa., (2011-2012); UTI Glendale Heights, Ill., (2009-2010) and UTI Avondale (2008-2009). Additionally, UTI's Sacramento campus was honored as a School of Distinction for the 2007-2008 academic year.

"UTI is thrilled to be acknowledged again with ACCSC's highest institutional achievement award and we congratulate all our students and staff for their commitment to excellence," added McWaters.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.:

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 190,000 graduates in its 50-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree and diploma programs at 12 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech).

For more information visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI.

About ACCSC

Since 1965, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has been committed to establishing and advancing quality education at postsecondary career schools and colleges. ACCSC accredits public, private, non-profit, and for-profit institutions that offer career, technical, and vocational training programs at the postsecondary level.  ACCSC is dedicated to ensuring a quality education for more than 185,000 students who are pursuing a quality career education at approximately 700 ACCSC-accredited institutions across the United States, Puerto Rico, and abroad.  ACCSC has been continuously recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority for quality education since 1967.  In 2011, ACCSC's recognition was renewed for five years, the maximum timeframe allowed under current federal regulations.  More information on ACCSC is available online at www.accsc.org.

¹ Approximately 9,900 of the 10,600 UTI graduates in 2013 were available for employment. At the time of reporting, approximately 8,700 of those available were employed within one year of their graduation dates, for a total of 88%. UTI can guarantee employment or salary.

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.uti.edu