I am an online learner since March of 2007.  I went with AIU and started out fine.  Then came an issue with the college algebra class and because of some technical problems and some problems with the lack of support from them, I had to repeat the class.  They wanted to tack on another $2,000 to my tuition.  That mean applying for more loans because I couldn't afford to pay cash.  I thought that this was not fair.  They locked me out of my last class because of this money and now I am looking for another online college. 

A piece of advice for anyone thinking about AIU, keep moving!  Please don't let them burn you too.

Now I'm thinking of a couple of different online schools.  I am pursuing a BA in healthcare management or administration.  I'm thinking about the following:

• Ashford University- They are on top of my list so far
• Grandcanyon University- They seem reasonable
• University of Phoenix

Can anyone who has experience with any of these give their input?  I am so scared of another bad experience.  

 

 

How are you choosing the schools for your list?  What are you specifically looking for in a school?

Here are more to consider:

http://www.elearners.com/online-degrees/bachelor/health-administration.htm 

-=Steve=-

Currently I'm a student at Ashford, (you can read my blog for info on that) and I have not found a more supportive, structured learning enviroment out there.  I have been so impressed. 

As a comparison I have been an online student at:

Ashworth College

Kaplan University

Southwestern College (another great school)

St. Joseph's College of Maine

And of course Ashford.

Is there anything I can answer for you?

 

I am looking for a BA /BS in healthcare management degree.  Currently from AIU I have approx 60 credits.  I am looking for a program that is supportive, not real expensive, and provides a quality curriculum. 

 I work as an adult educator in medical billing, medical administrative assisting.  I am also a curriculum developer and program chair.  I understand the difference between quality and I also know that the instructor can make all the differences.  However, an instructor cannot provide quality unless the school or college supports them with the necessary tools.

I am not looking for a career change, so placement is not a strong need of mine.  I am doing fine in the company where I am at, I only need a degree because I would like to advance in the company I am at; if not the same company, then the same industry.

 Thanks

 Song

 

Thank you, I am really leaning toward Ashford University.  They seem to be offering what I need.  My only fear is that the admissions rep is wonderful and very helpful yet my AIU admissions rep was also very wonderful and full of promises.

Song

Think of the Admissions rep as the face of the business.  A poor attitude in an admissions rep is an indicator of things to come...bad things.

A good Admissions rep can be deceptive or can be exactly how everything else will be.  It really depends.

Hello,

I am new to the board, but I have been reading the posts for sometime. I started attending Ashford University on 01/08/08 and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I also attended three courses at UOP online and wasn't that impressed with their program. My major is Business Organizational Management. The pace of the coursework is manageable as long as you stay current on your assignments and reading. Ashford is considerably cheaper than UOP. Also, Cajun is right in the personal attention that is given by everyone at Ashford. I feel like they really want you to succeed. Every time I need to contact someone there, it is easy. I was very hesitant on returning to school, but now there are no regrets. I can't say enough good things about Ashford and I will be starting my next class in just two weeks! Plus, Ashford is great about accepting credits. I think you found a great school in Ashford.

 

Syryn and Cajun I definitely agree, I love it at ashford!  Cajun, how is Ashford different than those other schools are concerned? 

 Also, I think you're very right about the admissions rep.  I spoke with a couple of other schools and they were very pushy and talked bad about every other program.  I feel comfortable with the guy at Ashford.

I'm curious to know, what classes are you guys taking?  It'd be neat to see you guys in a class sometime. :-) 

Sorry to hear about your bad experience at AIU.  I recently graduated from there and fortunately, I never had any problems.  I have several peers who got both their Bachelors and Masters Degrees there as well, and that was a deciding factor in my decision to attend.  AIU definitely does the hard sell to get you enrolled, but once you are in the vultures seem to leave you alone, and my experience was very pleasant.

I am looking into graduate schools at this time and was debating between AIU and U of P until I came across this board.  Now I am finding out about other possibilities, so I am checking them out as well.   Good luck, I hope you have smooth sailing from here on out.

Felt sad to here about your bad experience.

Thank you.  I'm glad that you had a good experience.  At AIU every thing was fine until that issue with the technical problems.  I'm at Ashford University now working toward my BA.  So far I'm happy with it.  There is a lot of support for the students and my admissions rep keeps in contact with me.

I'm glad it's working out for you.  Go Saints!

Hi Eractma,

I am getting my BAOM, or Bachelors in Organizational Management. I am now in Adult Development. I do hope to see you guys in the courses. ;-) What programs are you studying?

I am really enjoying my experience with Ashford. It is vastly different from my courses with UOP online. The instructors have been hands on and from what I can tell by the average grade scores in my classses, the instructors are actually grading people, not like at UOP, where I questioned how they graded the students.

Overall, it has been a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend Ashford to others for their committed and warm staff, the curriculum, and the online format.

As you probably know, I'm in the MBA program, but I am curious to see how many other Ashford Students are on this forum.

I'm very happy to say that Ashford University is so much better than AIU.  I'm so glad that I transfered.  The cost of obtaining my BA is far less that it would have been at AIU.  I only regret not going with them sooner.  Ashford is accepting many of my credits form AIU so it's not a total waste.

In all fairness, there were many instructors at AIU that I thought were fantastic.  I appreciated what they have contributed to my education and do not hold anything that the school as done against them.