INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill, by Segment) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 851,282	$ 588,007	$ 854,188
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(4,481)	895
Acquisitions		274,672
Foreign exchange rate changes	9,583	(4,010)	(3,801)
Goodwill ending balance	860,865	854,188	851,282
Medical And Healthcare [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	310,210	310,210	310,210
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		0	0
Acquisitions		0
Foreign exchange rate changes	0	0	0
Goodwill ending balance	310,210	310,210	310,210
Professional Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	306,653	32,043	306,642
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		0	17
Acquisitions		274,672
Foreign exchange rate changes	123	(73)	(6)
Goodwill ending balance	306,776	306,642	306,653
Technology And Business [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	212,223	223,558	215,140
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(4,481)	878
Acquisitions		0
Foreign exchange rate changes	9,460	(3,937)	(3,795)
Goodwill ending balance	221,683	215,140	212,223
U.S. Traditional Postsecondary [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	207,913	207,913	207,913
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		0	0
Acquisitions		0
Foreign exchange rate changes	0	0	0
Goodwill ending balance	207,913	207,913	207,913
Accumulated Impairment Losses beginning balance	(185,717)	(185,717)	(185,717)
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		0	0
Acquisitions		0
Foreign exchange rate changes	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment Losses ending balance	$ (185,717)	$ (185,717)	$ (185,717)