The "Parsons Plan" academic model employed at Artesia was the brainchild of Millard Roberts, who was the president of Parsons College from 1955 to 1967; the multi-faceted plan featured innovative teaching and administrative techniques, and emphasized the recruitment of a geographically and academically diverse student body.

Among other characteristics, the "Parsons Plan" schools welcomed unconventional students who had not seen success at other colleges.

In the 1960s, the schools were also attended by a substantial number of young men seeking draft deferments that would allow them to avoid military service during the Vietnam War.

Although the satellite schools ended their relationships with Parsons, they suffered from a lack of funding, high student turnover, and accreditation issues.

On Sept. 22, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, House Resolution 4775, to grant the purchase, renovation, and adaptation of a former college campus in Artesia, New Mexico, as a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center facility.