I'm interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Harrison Middleton University. The Great Books curriculum, from what I've read of it, is appealing. It's been a decade since I've received my Associates and am looking for an "open" university. The college seems right for me as I live in Arizona and work full time.

There isn't much information on this college online besides that on its website. I'm concerned with how finacially stable the university is given the recession. Does anyone here have information on the size of the current student body or the finances of the institution?

Also, any impressions students or alumni of this university care to contribute would be appreciated.

Go raibh maith agat

-Aristoi

I think that HMU's programs look very interesting as well.  The one question I'd have for you is whether you think you might want to go on for a Master's degree later.  If not, then HMU should be fine for you.  If so, however, then your options may be more limited, as HMU is nationally accredited, not regionally accredited, and often major universities will only recognize the latter, even though both kinds are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

Steve is correct on all counts.  There are universities which will accept an NA undergrad, and their numbers are growing every year, but you'll have many more options available to you for future study at RA universities with an RA undergrad...and I say this as someone who is currently in a NA undergrad program. 

Still, if the Great Books thing appeals to you, and you want the degree strictly for self-enrichment, it looks like a very interesting program.

Thanks for the responses, especially in regards to the differences between national accreditation and regional accreditation. I was unaware of the distinction.

I'm pursuing a Bachelors for self-improvement; I want to polish myself as a person and think a humanities degree is what can best do that. I already have an established career in information technology that I'm thankful for, but so much of what I read and learn in relation to my employment is dated a year or so after I learn it. I believe a Great Books program will introduce me to the best of what mankind has produced and help me become a better person (rather than a temporarily better programmer).

A masters is not important to me now, however, if I do decide to pursue one at a later date, it will also be for self-enrichment.

My main reason for posting here it to make sure HMU is not a fly-by-night organization. I honestly had never heard of them before researching classical education these last weeks. I do not want to start a four-year degree and have the university dissolve before completion.

I've sent my transcripts to the University to see how many of my associate's credits will transfer. If the admissions office and I come to an understanding, I'll look further into HMU.

Thanks for the responses.

-Aristoi

HMU has been around for about 11 years.  If you wanted to go on and earn a graduate degree from them, you could certainly do so.  The degree could also be used for entry into colleges which are both nationally and regionally accredited, such as Western Governor's University or American Public/American Military University. 

 There are a couple of other colleges which offer curriculum based upon the Great Books...St. John's and Thomas Acquinas College.  However, I don't believe they offer their programs via distance learning.

I agree with Steve and Terry however I think the distinction in NA to RA is more important from the AS to the BS level than from the BS to the MA,MS level but that's just my convoluted opinion.  That being said there are plenty of fine RA schools who would gladly accept a NA BS.  HMU is my favorite NA school out there.  In fact if I ever do decide to get a doctorate, rest assured it will be through HMU.  I love their approach and as far as I can tell they are the only DL doctorate using the great books method out there.

Aristoi:

A masters is not important to me now, however, if I do decide to pursue one at a later date, it will also be for self-enrichment.  My main reason for posting here it to make sure HMU is not a fly-by-night organization. I honestly had never heard of them before researching classical education these last weeks. I do not want to start a four-year degree and have the university dissolve before completion.

In that case I say go for it!

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

It's funny on the timing of this thread, I just spent the last 3 hours on a plane with a manager over multiple engineers who is a musician and avid reader (we had something in common) who complained about the lack of creativity in his engineers, some of which had PhDs and was lamenting the lack of available liberal arts education the way it used to be, heavy in literary works.  HMU may have a target market, there certainly is demand out there however understated.

HMU looks very good and their people are professional and very polite. Consider that English departments have turned into public forums for heated debates on racial identity. Most Philosophy departments are "analytic" departments which basically means you're going to be overburdened with Logic work. Want to study Classics? Greek and Latin before you even enroll. What happened to studying the great books in english? This is precisely what HMU is offerering. Did I mention that their people are professional, polite, speak clearly and have PhD's???

this school looks like a winner. anyone that has attended a u.s. college or university can attest to having had to sit through a F2F class in which the PhD could not teach. I have had a few PhD profs that could not even lecture clearly or, get this, spent time talking about their marital problems, pets, talk shows, and comedians - instead of teaching class. I have a masters degree with almost one hundred graduate hours; after wasting precious money and time on extra pre-requisite courses for a PhD program in classes that were taught by disinterested PhD's that would rather write books instead of teach class, I finally came to the conclusion that online makes sense for me. No crappy PhD attitute, no incoherent lectures, no traffic, no wasting time finding a place to park, no sweating my @$$ off running to class in 105F degree heat. There needs to be a mass exodus out of the brick and mortar universities and towards online learning. When it comes down to it, it comes to the student sitting down and reading assigned material regardless of whether you wasted  half the day commuting to get the assignment in person or had it delivered to you via Blackboard or WebCT.

I was fascinated to recently find HMU online. I am considering enrolling within the next year. I'm not sure I understand the whole accredidation thing. Does this mean that if I had a Bachelor or MA from HMU that I would be unable to teach using it?

Not necassarily, in Texas you can still teach with a DETC degree as far as I know, at least in public schools and certainly in many private schools.  You need to be sure of the requirements in your state.  HMU is has a truly wonderful looking program and as far as I know are the ONLY Great Books program 100% online.  I would love to earn their doctor of arts one day.