Kaplan Acquires Becker Professional Education's Healthcare Education Assets to Expand Medical Training Offerings

On August 20, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that Kaplan, an education and training company, announced the acquisition of healthcare education-related assets from Becker Professional Education (Becker), a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education (Adtalem). The specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Upon completion of this acquisition, Kaplan will provide USMLE review courses for Ross University School of Medicine and American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, both under Adtalem. This transaction will further expand Kaplan’s influence in the healthcare education sector.

It is reported that Kaplan acquired i-Human Patients, a leader in the field of virtual interactive medical simulations, on February 28, 2018, thereby enhancing its capabilities in healthcare training.

Adtalem Global Education, founded in 1931 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991 under the ticker symbol GHC, is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals and contributing to communities worldwide. Adtalem’s portfolio includes numerous affiliated institutions and subsidiaries, such as Ross University School of Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Carrington College of Nursing, and Becker Professional Education.

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Illinois, USA, Becker is a global leader in the field of vocational education. The company’s instructors possess extensive professional expertise, and Becker has been providing educational and training services to nearly 500,000 accounting, project management, and healthcare professionals for over 60 years. Becker’s offerings include exam preparation courses for the CPA, ACCA, PMP, and USMLE, as well as various other professional education programs. With a flexible curriculum structure featuring a catalog of 500 courses, Becker accommodates students’ diverse lifestyles and schedules. Additionally, students can engage with instructors through streaming video, audio content, and an online Q&A platform.

Kaplan, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Florida, USA, is a leading provider of educational services. The company serves more than one million students annually, catering to learners of all ages—from kindergarteners acquiring foundational skills to professionals seeking career advancement. Kaplan offers tailored educational solutions for diverse groups, including higher education, test preparation, professional education, English language training, university preparatory courses, and corporate group training. Operating in nearly 30 countries worldwide, the company employs over 12,000 staff members and maintains strong partnerships with more than 1,000 universities and approximately 10,000 corporations.

Kaplan President Steven Marietti stated, “This acquisition will help us expand our educational business in the healthcare sector. With a severe shortage of medical professionals anticipated in the United States in the coming years, specialized training for medical students has become increasingly important. Kaplan is committed to working with partners to provide high-quality training resources to more students, helping them pass medical licensing exams and become licensed physicians and nurses.”

(Compiled by Hu Yifan)