Search Results matching tag 'Ashford University'

Re: Ashford University / Bachelor in Education

MARTHA1 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:08:49 GMT

IAM CURRENTLY SEEKING TO GET A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND I'VE BEEN IN CONTAC WITH AN ASHFORD REPRESENTATIVE. I'M GLAD TO HAVE READ YOUR POST BECAUSE I AM VERY WEARY AND CONFUSED WITH ALL THE OPTIONS. ASHFORD SOUNDS GREAT BUT IT WORRIES ME WHETHER THEY HAVE A REALLY GOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM AND REPUTATION. PLEASE ADVISE ME YOU SOUND KNOWLEDGEABLE AND NEED TO KNOW WHICH ONLINE SCHOOLS ARE THE BEST.

THANKS

MARTHA

Ashford University Undergaduate Information

JonM — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:11:54 GMT

More About Ashford University

Ashford University was founded in 1918 and whose main campus is located in Clinton, Iowa. Ashford is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For Profit Schools Come Under Fire in the Obama Administration

Cajun — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:13:00 GMT

Are for profit colleges and universities in the gun sights of the Obama administration? Some think so, me for one. The new U.S. Dept. of Education, Deputy Undersecretary Robert Shireman looks like he will be looking into the various compensation and incentives for profit universities provide to their admissions and enrollment people at such schools like the University of Phoenix, Kaplan University and even American Public University AKA American Military University. In fact it seems that this news has reached the ears of investors and has caused some nervous jitters on Wall Street and when Wall Street gets nervous, money starts to get tight.

Mr. Shireman isn’t stopping the boat on just that either, even private for profits which are not publicly traded could have the heat turned up by forcing schools to find gainful employment for a percentage of their graduates in the area that their degrees were earned in. Essentially this would turn your friendly for profit institution into a job placement center as well, something that no state school or non-profit seems to be required to do by the Feds, at least at this time, who knows what they will “fix” next. It will do one thing though; it’ll kill that pesky free market competition so many state schools seem to dread.

All in all there are some serious problems here, first is that the way a college, university, private company, or even a non-profit compensate their people is none of the Federal Governments darn business. Now I understand that some companies, such as GM who use Federal money to save their bacon may be the exception, I’ll hold my opinions on GM to myself suffice to say this is money given to the company to keep them from going under and money that was accepted with preconditions attached.

University of Phoenix on the other hand is doing just fine, better than fine actually they are experiencing steady, sustainable growth and have been for years. They are what I would consider as an investor to be a “safe bet”. If I choose as a student to use my Title IV money to go to University of Phoenix, that’s my choice. It’s a loan, money I have to pay back that the government will gladly garnish my wages to retrieve if necessary. I do not need Uncle Sam narrowing the field of play for me say nothing of fairness to the school itself. If a school uses unethical recruitment practices long enough guess what? Bam, there’s a controversy and soon nobody in their right mind will want to be affiliated with that school. No offense to University of Phoenix, they are a fine school I’m sure, but they were never on my short list at any point in my college career due to past controversies surrounding them. Hey, I’m a reasonable guy, if you pass a policy for one school it should apply to all schools. But to focus in on Ashford University? American Public University? Kaplan? Come on Mr. President, don’t you guys have enough to “fix” already?

Secondly forcing schools to find employment for a percentage of their graduates is ludicrous. Really, if I wanted to borrow $100,000 to attend a state school and major in underwater fish frying I can do it. I’ll sign for the money, get in debt up to my neck and have a degree I couldn’t use anywhere in the world and nobody would bat an eye. Instead I’d be chastised for being so stupid in my major of choice. Don’t believe me? I know of at least 4 people who have spent upwards of $60,000 to $120,000 on a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Liberal arts by definition is not a degree designed for a career field, so why in the heck should it cost that much? Why in the heck should the school then find employment for someone in a liberal arts field after they graduate?

Guess what folks, free market principles apply here too. With rare exception a “for profit” school will not offer an unpopular degree. Why? Because nobody will enroll and they (the school) will lose money. So why do people enroll in certain degrees like MBA programs or more importantly why are there so many MBA programs available? Simple, because of pervasive and perceived market demands. MBAs are in demand in the marketplace, companies snatch them up quickly over their undergrad counterparts, they then pay that grad more and thus that undergrad that was passed over, passed by or simply working just as hard for less money goes back to school and seeks out their own MBA. It’s free market principles at work.

I’m seriously concerned! I rarely if ever write about politics in this blog, but this time politicians seem to be encroaching into an area they should leave as is or at least apply equitable policy changes across the board. The U.S. has the finest post secondary education system in the world, despite our abysmal K-12 public schools, in short the system isn’t broken yet but I’m sure with enough “fixing” this administration can change that.

Hey Mr. President, you have North Korea threatening to nuke us, the war in Iraq is still on, the war in Afghanistan still rages, a nuclear Pakistan is more unstable by the day, Iran is almost in a civil war, there are drugs flowing across our border like it’s free, you’ve got a car company to run, you’re overhauling the entire financial industry, you’re trying to “fix” a broken health care system and I haven’t even mentioned that the economy is in the tank even after TRILLIONS of dollars in “stimulus” that somehow isn’t doing a whole lot of stimulating, and that’s just scratching the surface of the stuff on your plate. How’s about you solve just ONE problem before you go on shoveling more onto the table?

-Readers, write your Representatives,

...One discombobulated Cajun

For more see: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090529-714853.html

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/16/cca

My first disappointment....

VanessaM — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:56:00 GMT

So, I have been at Ashford University and I can not say enough amazing things about this school. Well, yesterday I got my first big disappointment

When I transfered to Ashford University, I knew that since my previous college was on a different format than Ashford (I was taking a semester based curriculum), that not all my credits would transfer. I must say that I was pleased with the amount of credits that did transfer, but it did push my anticipated graduation date that I had already set back a bit. As I continued with my studies, I found out that I had the option of doubling up on my classes. The school does not recommend it because you are already on an accelerated course, but if you have a good GPA and can handle the workload, they allow you to double up for 4 terms( a total of 8 classes) each academic year. After looking at my schedule and talking with my academic adviser, I realized how many credits I had left, and if I could double up my classes the whole way through, I would cut 40 weeks off of my schedule and be able to attend graduation December of 2009, right around the time I had originally set up for myself.

My academic adviser told me to continue with the doubled classes that I had, and if I did good, I could submit a one page petition requesting to allow me to do this. So I worked very hard in my classes, and bumped my GPA up significantly. After submitting my petition, I got an approval. But now, there were different rules for the students that doubled up. I had to get it approved through the financial department, which I didn't need to do before. For my currently doubled classes, my financial aid, military grant, and Pell Grant had helped covered the costs, which was amazing. But because students were racking up huge amounts of debt, now, if you want to double up, if you do not have the credit on your account, you have to pay for the classes up front in order to take your doubled classes.

So, seeing as I rely on my financial aid for school, I am not able to pay the amount for the classes. I spoke with a financial supervisor and explained my situation. Right now, she is going to look at my financial aid disbursements that are set for this year, and see if maybe I can do a payment plan so I can continue with the schedule that I hope for. If not, then I won't be graduating till May 2010. I know it's just a few months after December, but I have had this in my mind for a while and I really want to graduate in December. So everyone, cross your fingers for me and I will update when I have more information.

Reader Question: What is the biggest challenge I face with online education?

VanessaM — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:26:00 GMT

So I got my first reader question and I wanted to make sure I responded quickly!

As anybody that goes to school either online or on campus, we all have something that we struggle with while we are pursuing this goal. For me, I think that my main struggle is time management. It's not good that I struggle with this as I feel that this is one of the most important elements of online education. It's not that I am lazy or anything. It's just that my issue right now is that I have two young children that demand my attention all day long. I do not have the ability to do much work while my girls are up because once I get started and get in my "groove" a diaper needs changing, a sippy cup wanted, coloring to attend to, or to kiss a boo-boo that one has recieved (and thats not including the housework or anything like that!). So for me, my homework time doesn't start till after 8pm when the girls are nice and tucked away in bed. Unfortunalty, most of the time, I am exhausted by the end of the night! Which means that I am usually up way past midnight studying.

One idea that I have gotten and have been implementing is a schedule. Every Tuesday, which is when my school week starts, I look at my classes and calendar to see what I have to do for the week. Then I write down the days and the assignments that I need to do for each day. I try to give myself at least Saturdays off so I can just relax. Lately, it's been a bit hectic for me to stay exactly on schedule but I do try. Even though I have been taking classes online for about 2 1/2 years, I think that things have been easier when I make a schedule and stick with it. I have even made a schedule for my cleaning lists as well!

So for all of you that need some help with time management, try to break it down into a schedule and stick with it! You could really see how much time, or not, that you do have in a day!

Lay off the college grads? Something every grad needs t o know and live by...

Cajun — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:14:00 GMT

Today on my way to work I was listening to AM talk radio, yeah I’m one of those people (sometimes). Anyhow a less than, shall we say “enlightened” caller calls in to the talk show complaining about how every time a major business goes belly up the CEOs walk and the little guy loses his meager paycheck. Fair enough, it’s enough to make us all sick. After all, I can do millions per year and run GM or American Airlines or AIG into the ground just as well as any of those guys and I’d be willing to do it for half the money. Anyhow this guy suggested laying off everyone at the struggling financial firms that were “too big to fail” because everyone that works at them has a degree and can find another job somewhere else. Instead he said that GM should get all the bailouts saying those factory workers mostly only had high school diplomas or GEDs and don’t know anything else. They were less equipped to go into the job market than those who may have more education.

Aside from my personal stance on the whole mess and this guy’s almost unbelievable lack of understanding of how the economy really works let’s examine the logic. First he is right in assuming that those with a college education are much less likely to feel long term or permanent effects of a down turn in the economy. A college education goes a long way, but what he was alluding to that he may not have even been aware of was that diversification is critical to survival in today’s economy. Diversification is kind of like a safety net.

I saw this first hand when a major tech manufacturer laid off a huge percentage of their workforce this last year when working at a job fair. There were so many college grads who had not diversified or kept their skill set sharp and these are people who should have known better.

So is laying off college grads more fair? Of course not, but college grads such as yours truly need to understand the value of learning AFTER the degree and in new areas as well. For example after picking up my MSMIS and PMP (project management credentials) I’m thinking of branching out my skill set into information security and possibly even application development, maybe website design, who knows. Rest assured however I will not sit still, neither should you.

Grass is not always greener on the other side.....

VanessaM — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:06:00 GMT

I just started my current classes last week at Ashford University. On your first day, you are required to post an introduction about yourself. My introduction is much like the one that I have posted here at elearners.com. My introduction in my classes talked about how I am a stay at home mother and also how I am doubling up on classes. Usually, the responses from my classmates are very positive. I had one individual though, that said something that just kind of hit a nerve. Here is a quote that she said in her post which I am referring to:

"Wow Vanessa double classes, that seems like a heavy load! I was thinking about doubling classes, but with me working a full time job and then having to running my family I have my hands quite full. You are lucky you have the luxury to do that."

Now, I know that I am very lucky to be able to stay home with my children right now while they are young, there is no doubt about that. But for anybody that is a stay at home parent, especially to little ones, they know that we also have a full time job as well. My "job" is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I do not get days off. I do not get sick days or paid vacations, and I definitely do not get paid by the hour or salary. I decided for myself to continue on with my education because I wanted to set a good example for my children and be able to help them have the future that I never had.

I think what bugged me about what this lady had wrote was the fact that 1. she didn't think that I have a full time job as well and I do raise my family, and 2. that she didn't think she could do it as well. I am a firm believer that life is about choices. If you want somethig bad enough, you will find a way to do it. Because I want my degree that bad, I stay up way past midnight because that is my quiet time to work on homework, I don't go out much, and I live off coffee. All the while taking care if my children and husband.

So, before you judge somebody for their occupation, or lack thereof, make sure you know all the details. And remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Doubling up on Classes

VanessaM — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:26:00 GMT

So I am currently taking two classes this term at Ashford University: BUS311 Business Law I and ENG 125 Introduction to Literature. I am getting ready to end my 2^ndweek, and so far, things have been really good. Business Law I is definitely a work load. This week I had 7 chapters to read. Luckily, the chapters are not that long and overwhelming. I take lots of notes and there are a lot of definitions,so there is a lot of writing involved. I also have a three page paper that is due today about Contracts and the legality of them. I have decided to use the example of when I first joined the Navy and I bought my first car from a private owner. We had an oral contract stating I would buy the car from this individual, and he was supposed to give me the title to the car so I could transfer anything. Well, after not getting the documents that I needed from him, I threatened legal action and finally got it. I now know that it is always better to have a written contract as it serves as better evidence to a case.

Introduction to Literature is proving to be a very easy class. I like it because this is the first class where I do not have to study what I am reading. I am reading different types of literature, some I like and others I don't, and I get to discuss how I interpret the readings and why. I like to see in the Discussion Boards how others felt about a story compared to how I felt. It makes you look at that piece of literature in a different light. So far, I have had the pleasure to read works from Emily Dickinson, Stephen Crane, William Shakespeare, and Robert Frost. I mean, does a class get any better than that?!

I can say that this term of doubling up has been pretty easy. This is my fourth time doubling my classes, and what a whirlwind that has been! Week 5 is always the hardest week for me because I have two finals to concentrate on instead of one. Usually my stress level is through the roof, and I am usually up past midnight every day that week. My hardest term was my last one. I was taking BUS 308 Statistics for Managers and PHI 445 Personal and Organizational Ethics. Just the workload alone for Statistics was extremely hard, then add the research and all the writing of Ethics made it almost unbearable. If anybody was thinking about doubling up on classes, I would advise against it with Statistics. Definitely put all of your energy to just that class alone. I worked very hard that term and very happy to report that I got an A- in Statistics and B+ in Ethics.

So excited to be here!!

VanessaM — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:14:00 GMT

Hello everyone! I am so excited to be a part of the eLearners team! I am so excited to be writing for Ashford University, even though I am filling Cajun’s shoes, which I do not think is possible! I do have a passion for education and continuing on with my education, despite what obstacles may come in your way, and believe me, I’ve had a few!

So here is a bit about me. I just turned 24 years old. I have two beautiful girls, Jasmine, who is 2 years old, and Tatyana, who just turned 1. I am a veteran of the United States Navy. My husband is still active duty Navy and is stationed as a recruiter in Hartford, Connecticut. Currently, I am a stay at home mother, and even though I love the fact that I get to watch my children grow and see their every move, I am also excited about completing my degree and starting my career so I can help provide for my family and help give my children the life that I never had.

I did not have a great upbringing as a child. Neither of my parents graduated high school nor went to college. My father was an Ironworker his whole life and my mother a stay at home. They had their issues that took precedent over me and my siblings. I always vowed to myself that I would never live that way. The problems that I had growing up pushed me to get my education and make something of myself. And I did just that.

During my junior year of high school, we had a career fair, where there were many colleges in attendance. I was pretty down because I knew that I had no money to go to college. Then I saw a really nice booth set up with some Navy recruiters next to. My first thought was “How cute are those uniforms!” after talking for a while, I found out some great opportunities thatI could use for college, and after assuring me that I did not have to be an Olympic swimmer to join, I decided to set up a meeting with them, and the rest is history. I was given the opportunity to take an extra class after school my senior year and graduate a semester early, so that is what I did. My last day of high school was Jan. 30, 2003, and I was in boot camp Feb. 4, 2003 at the age of 17.

So why did I start online education? Well, it was always the only option for me! Come back tomorrow to find out how I started my education while I was in the Navy and what led me to the best decision I have made, attending Ashford University!

Reader Questions about a Capstone Experience

Cajun — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:54:00 GMT

A reader asked me this week about the value of a capstone experience, its purpose and whether or not it will increase one’s marketability. Well first I’ll share my experience, when I was working on my BS at Southwestern College they had a required capstone experience for all BS students studying online. We kept hearing about this mountainous task before us and how the classes we were taking were simply leading up to it. Sure enough they were right, basically we all were expected to write an extensive original research piece which though not necessarily the equivalent of a graduate capstone or doctoral thesis (not even close there) it was designed to prepare you for one. After the capstone at Southwestern I felt 100% for anything grad school was going to throw at me, whether naively or not.

Truth be told it did prepare me for graduate school much more so than I would otherwise have realized. Which brings me to the purpose for a capstone; the way I see it a capstone requirement prepares the student for progressing into the next level of one’s education and secondly demonstrates a culminating body of knowledge acquired by that student. The first reason I believe is sound, it does prepare you for that next level of education, the second reason however I find somewhat redundant as you’ve already demonstrated that attained knowledge when you passed the class.

The capstone generally does not show up on one’s resume. Mine was in Customer Driven Quality, which was an odd capstone for a Criminal Justice student but I thought it would diversify my resume. All it really did was serve to confuse people and make me look flakey, so I removed it. Plus I had at least one recruiter ask me why I would put a capstone on my resume and I was somewhat embarrassed so I lied and told her it was because it was an honors program. Though I did graduate with honors, that had nothing to do with it. So unless you plan on teaching or published a thesis or something like that, leave it off the resume.

As for the value of a capstone, for some programs such as an MA getting you ready for a doctorate it makes perfect sense. For a terminal degree, such as an MBA, it makes a lot less sense. Generally I only recommend a capstone program if your intention is to publish, and/or teach and/or move on to the next level in your education. Otherwise it tends to be extra effort for little or no measurable gain. Since I’m an MBA you can probably guess how I feel about effort/risk for no gain.