Refers to the practice of a higher education institution merging with another higher education institution facing closure typically due to severe financial problems. The institution being “bought” is often a private accredited institution. The new arrangements enable students from the closing institution to transfer their credits to the new institution and continue their pathway toward credential completion. An example is Northeastern University (Boston) entering into merger arrangements with 14 private, accredited schools as part of a trend of “chain buying” in the private school ecosystem.

See: Mergers & Acquisitions / Consolidations in Higher Education