New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, commonly known as New Horizons, is a U.S.-based IT training company that operates a franchise network of computer education centers in several countries.[1][2]
New Horizons provides training programs in computer technology, software applications, and related business skills. New Horizons' offerings include vendor-authorized certification programs from organizations such as Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, and VMware. Training is delivered through a combination of classroom instruction, online instructor-led sessions, and self-paced laboratory exercises, with availability varying by location.[1]
Company history
New Horizons was founded in 1982 by Michael Brinda in Laguna Hills. In 1985, the company expanded its curriculum to include Lotus and C++ courses and relocated to Irvine. In 1988, it added Windows programming courses and subsequently moved its headquarters to Santa Ana.
In 1993, New Horizons opened its first international branch in Mexico City. The company was acquired in 1994 by Handex Consulting & Remediation LLC,[3] after which it expanded into South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. During this period, the company also expanded into Europe and established a location in Barcelona.[4]
New Horizons began trading on NASDAQ in 1996 under the ticker symbol NEWH, which was later changed to NWRZ in 2009.[5] By 1997, the company operated 154 training centers, including 100 Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (CTECs). In 2004, it partnered with the EC-Council to offer certified ethical hacking and countermeasures training.[6]. In 2011, its North American centers were designated as VMware Authorized Training Centers. The company subsequently ceased trading on public markets. In October 2023, New Horizons was acquired by the professional training provider Educate 360[7]. Following the acquisition, Educate 360 merged its existing United Training brand into New Horizons, unifying their course offerings under the New Horizons name. As a subsidiary of Educate 360, the company is no longer publicly traded as a standalone entity.
Settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs
In 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the New Horizons center in Spokane, also referred to as New Horizons Spokane, agreed to pay a $120,000 settlement to resolve allegations of submitting false claims related to the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) G.I. Bill program.[8] New Horizons Spokane and Spirit Dorris, the company's general manager, admitted failure to comply with the VA's "85/15" rule between 2015 and 2018, which resulted in payments from the VA that the company was not entitled to.[8] Under the G.I. Bill, veterans and service members of the United States Armed Forces and their families are eligible for tuition and fee assistance associated with higher education.[9] Educational institutions can request reimbursement from the VA for this tuition, but for no more than 85% of any one course's students.
Additionally, New Horizons Spokane and Mr. Dorris admitted that they did not pass discounts or tuition rebates to the VA, violating the "Last Payer Rule". [8] For these acts, New Horizons Spokane paid $100,000 to resolve its liability, while Mr. Dorris paid $20,950. [8]
Awards and recognition
In 2024, New Horizons received the CompTIA Trailblazer Award at the CompTIA Partner Summit for its leadership in technology workforce development.[10] That same year, the company was honored with the EC-Council's Circle of Excellence Award for its contributions to cybersecurity education.[11] New Horizons was also named a Platinum Authorized Training Organization (ATO) by PeopleCert in 2025.[12]
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