Merit University (MU) is organized as a private nonprofit public benefit corporation, chartered in the State of California, located in Los Angeles. In 2013, the institution started offering a degree program, the Master of Business Administration and English as a Second Language course of study by obtaining approval from the State of California, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. In 2014, the institution established its private corporation with the State of California and applied for nonprofit status in 2022.
Dr. Jae D. Kim, has been in higher education for more than thirty years and has a vision to educate students to become professionals in their interested field of studies. He wanted to create a learning environment for international students that was intimate, inclusive and offered state of the art programs at an affordable rate. With his experience and his vision, Dr. Kim formed a team of administrators, who also had higher educational backgrounds equaling more than fifteen years, to continue his vision in higher education.
In 2014, MU applied for accreditation with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) in order to educate students with a higher education standard. After three (3) visits by the Vice-President, staff, and team members of ACICS, the institution received its initial accreditation on August 22, 2016.
MU was established in the heart of Koreatown where students have the opportunity to experience Korean culture via K-entertainment, Kpop, K-drama, K-movie, etc. Also, the Korean Cultural Center is nearby which offers cultural programming in the performing arts as well as community events to further spread the wealth that Korean culture has to offer.
In order to fulfill its mission, Merit University strives to provide excellence in education by hiring well-prepared and experienced faculty and staff; by maintaining an updated facility that fosters educational growth in a pleasant and safe environment with modern classroom equipment and library facilities; and by providing excellent academic advising services to help students successfully complete their programs of study.