Ashford University : Social and Criminal Justice Reviews
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on July 6, 2011
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Great school if you're willing to do the work.
I enrolled at Ashford last September and I'm just about to finish up my first year. I can say that this school definitely exceeded my expectations on so many levels.
I had an awesome enrollment adviser. He helped me through my FAFSA application, the application for the school, the application to request my Army transcripts, and my first class. We talked just about everyday leading up to my first day of class. If i sent him an email or called I usually got an answer by the end of the day or first thing in the morning. I definitely felt like I was a priority. The only reason he stopped talking to me everyday throughout my first class is that I felt confident in what I was doing and did not request his help as much. I got an email every week for the first class and if I didn't answer right away he would call just to check up on me.
I have to admit, I was worried about financial aid a little bit because of reading so many negative reviews about it, but I haven't had one issue with it. Any question I've had has been answered with 24 hours. My AA and my FA have been sincerely honest and know what they are talking about. I also took a short 2 week break for vacation last April and I expected some hiccups but everything went smoothly.
My first couple of classes were exceptionally easy as I figured they would be. It can be frustrating to sit through them but you have to remember that they are meant to introduce you to the online learning environment. Some of your classmates may not have the same level of computer competency as you and may have been out of school for DECADES. They classes do get harder as you go and normally your classmates will either learn and improve from other classes or drop out because they can not meet the standards Ashford holds everyone accountable for.
That being said, Ashford is not a diploma mill and you should not expect to receive easy grades. I've worked very hard to keep my GPA as high as it is (3.96). I've also been selected for the Dean's List and I was invited to join an honor society. If you aren't an independent learner or willing to be then Ashford is not for you and you are probably better off going to a brick and mortar school. Also, you should not expect unrealistic things from your instructors. Many of them have second jobs and a family on top of instructing your class. My current TA is also TA for 3 or 4 other classes. That's a lot of papers to grade and questions to answer. You have to be patient.
The quality of the classes blew my mind. After the initial "starter" classes, they quality of the materials and of the instructors were exceptional. I haven't had one serious gripe about my instructors or the TA's. The only class I really had an issue with was my Anthropology class. The quizzes seem like they are based off a different textbook and it was really hard to answer some of the questions correctly. However, I still received an A- in the class so no worries. When I was in high school I was very bored with the classes I was taking because I didn't feel like I was learning anything I didn't already know. High school was more of a "memorize and repeat" type of environment, where Ashford seems to be more "learn and apply".
The instructors I've had have all been awesome! I had one that gave me extra credit for pointing out a mistake on a quiz. Many of my instructors have read and replied to my discussion posts and have asked me really thought provoking questions. My current TA even wrote a recommendation for my LinkedIn profile without me even asking.
All in all I have to say that Ashford has provided me with an education I am proud of. I recognize that this type of learning is not for everyone, but I have no serious complaints and I can not wait to walk across that stage and receive my diploma in 2014.
On a side note, my boyfriend has also just started his BA with Ashford and though he has had some issues with FA, it has not been with the school, it has been with getting the right paperwork from the IRS regarding his taxes last year. He's really enjoying the school so far and is about to start his second class.
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Nlshawley
(In Progress) on December 9, 2010
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Excellent school at a FAIR price!
First off Ashford University is a physical college based out of Clinton, Iowa. Just like any other college you have to pay for your books, and you may be qualified for Student Loans and/or grants. If not, your Financial Advisor will discuss this with you. If you are approved for a student loan you will not be required to pay back this loan until 6 months post grad. If you receive grants, you are not required to pay those back. Some students may received an overpayment check which can be used towards your electric bill, books, and/or internet fees. No college, University, or business school comes without fees; if they do then they are not a true school. I am a third year Social and Criminal Justice student at Ashford along with my husband. We have had a wonderful experience with our school, and it hurts me to hear people say negative things about it. Penn State University Online Courses cost around $80,000...and that is just for an Associates Degree; a Bachelors Degree at Ashford is only $46,000; I will let you do the math. If you have a problem with the school, the only fault lies in your belligerence in handling the situation.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on June 2, 2009
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Good, becareful, as you would anywhere
As long as you don't fall into the trap of believing everything you are told upfront, then I don't think you will be disappointed. The blackboard (BB) is no different here, than anywhere that uses it or a similar software. One post here says they don't credit you if the BB is down. I imagine that it is up to the instructor, but I have yet to have one not credit me if the BB was down. I have noticed many people who post things late in the BB. An assignment due date is there for a reason, so if you are going to be late, don't complain. I have 5 classes under my belt here and I won't complaint about the education I am rec'g, compared to the standard on campus education I have rec'd.
The financial aid issues are the same everywhere. I do think the advisors and enrollment people are less than qualified sometimes. They also acted as though my associates degree would full transfer, but only about 70% did. That was disappointing. Ashford is worth it though. They are accredited and I have found the instructors are serious about their topics. The Admin and books are what I question....
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Clickfold2004
(In Progress) on March 2, 2009
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I like this school!
I have been at Ashford for almost one year and I love it there. I like their online format, no group projects, no 'scheduled' times to be online...it's been a wonderful experience for me.
The classes are great, most of the instructors are great, but it can be hit-or-miss. Sometimes you get instructors who are more 'hands-on' which is what I prefer.
I've worked my butt off to maintain a GPA, and these classes aren't 'cake' by any means. You do have to work, you write two papers for each class, you have discussion prompts that really make you think...
I've not had a problem with my financial aid (knock on wood) but it has only been a year. I've never had a hard time getting in touch with anyone at the university, be it financial aid people, my academic advisor, or even my enrollment advisor.
I do look elsewhere for books, mainly Amazon or half.com, but there is also a blog put together by a lovely lady where people post what they want or need for VERY good prices.
Blackboard is neat, also. There was a period where it was out for an unexpectedly long time and extra time was given after Blackboard was fixed to turn in assignments. I've never had a problem with Blackboard going out that hasn't either been quickly fixed or that I haven't been given additional time to turn in my assignments.
So far, I have not had a problem at all with Ashford. The classes have been tough, but not to the point where they are impossible to pass, just enough to challenge you. I would recommend Ashford and I have. I've never been bothered for referrals, either.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on February 3, 2009
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Give me a break!!!
Overall, the classes and instructors have been good. I enjoy my classes at AU. I have worked my tail off and have a 3.93 GPA, so I have no complaints on that part of the Institution. I am not sure I would recommend people to Ashford simply because of the problems I have encountered in other areas.
My main complaint about this school is the process of receiving financial aid. Frankly I don't care what some other students have done, I have four kids to feed and put a roof over their heads. I waited my 14 weeks and I did receive a portion of my financial aid, but they are still holding $1600(about a 1/3) of my money. My tuition is paid for through the military...so why? By the way, my 14 weeks was up in November....still nothing. I was told they will hold 2 classes worth, and then as the military pays they will issue me a check. Military has paid and I still have nothing.
They do not send invoices out in a timely manner, and when they do finally get them out, they loose the paperwork that was returned and say it was the military's delay. Not true, because they are furious over this, constantly resending vouchers to Ashford, and sending immediate payment as the invoices come in. I work, along with going to school and do not feel that I should have to hold Ashford's hand through-out this process, that is supposed to be their job.
I have attended other brick and mortar schools, taking their online classes and have never had this amount of problem with payments and receiving financial aid. I did notice that even though they only update my account activity once every 2 or so weeks (including attendance) tuition is immediately updated the day class starts. At least someone is on the ball in the billing department!
I have called numerous times and have gotten the run-around. Every single time I have asked to speak with a supervisor they are "in a meeting". I have left several messages on the supervisor's voicemail to return my call, if they ever give her a break from all those "meetings" (are they holding her hostage..should I call 911?)and she has not once called back. Policy is supposed to be 24 hours for a return call.
For those of you that are having similar problems, you can contact the College Student Aid Commission for Iowa, the number is fairly easy to locate. That will be my next phone call as I am growing tired of having to deal with this issue.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on January 5, 2009
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Ashford University
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I would strongly discourage anyone considering Ashford University from doing so. I am receiving my BA in psychology from Ashford and have completed all required hours, however after being told by my academic advisor and the registrars office that my degree completion transcript should be on its way, I am now informed that I have to complete 3 more hours of upper division credits. I have no problems in doing this if I did not believe I had already graduated. I have 30 hours in electives from another campus, and they will not substitute. I was hired at a mental health clinic pending my transcript (which I was told was in the mail), and now I am without employment due to turning in my two weeks notice to my previous job. I would have never made such a move, but was congratulated on my graduation, or the lie of such. I have been a champ with Ashford, My house was demolished in May 2008, due to an EF-4 tornado. I contacted my instructors and told them what happened and was given an "I" for incomplete. I contacted Ashford and informed them that I could not login to my classes, and one week later I was dropped and the "I"'s became "F". So yes I had to pay again and retake those classes. Ashford has been a headache and it is on you if you decide to go with Ashford. I would find a State University and pick an online format with them. I can not speak for Clintons campus, but the Online experience is horrible.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on October 20, 2008
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Ashford University
An Ashford education is a joke. The classes are designed so that anyone with a junior high education can pass. Their so-called "Enrollment Advisors" are actually telemarketers, many of whom are NOT college grads. Their job is to get you in school at all costs. If they don't enroll a specific number of students per week, they get fired. So as you can imagine, Ashford's bottom line is more important than your education; they are a for-profit school.
The quality of your education there is questionable. If they are condensing an entire semester into five weeks, how much are you really learning? Or better yet, how much are you NOT learning? They make the classes easy so you won't drop out and take your student loan dollars with you.
Once you are in, expect to be treated like royalty...during your first class. The Enrollment Advisor doesn't get credit for enrolling you until you finish your first class, so they check in with you constantly to see how you are, help you with problems, etc. After you finish your first class, don't expect to hear from her again. Now you're on your own.
Their support system sucks. It takes weeks to get an answer to any questions. And they will bug you to DEATH for referrals. They don't want to spend any money on marketing or advertising, so they ask you constantly for names and numbers for your friends so they can be put on the call list.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on September 26, 2008
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So far, so good
So far, my experience at Ashford University has been a pleasant one. My enrollment advisor scheduled "call times" so that we could discuss how I was doing and if I had any questions. He checked in on me quite often throughout my first two classes. Kudos to John Basso. Then I was given an academic advisor who has been nothing but helpful. Anytime I have had a question, she has been there to help me, or to direct me to the person who has the answers, so thanks Brianna.
Financial aid was a hassle in the beginning. They didn't receive my faxes, or needed more information, or something, but once everything was straightened out, it was fine. I have already received my aid for my academic year, and am awaiting my award letter for my next academic year. My financial aid advisor was changed during the first go-around, which I am sure contributed to the mishaps, however, I have had no problems since being assigned my new advisor, Carly.
Also, the first few classes, I was shocked to see some of the students responses, however, now that I am in my sixth class, there are very few, if any, people with those previous communication skills. Anyone who has a HS diploma or GED can attend college (and attaining those are quite easy). I noticed students dropping out of classes, or the teachers writing announements regarding poor communication skills.
The books are quite expensive, in my opinion. I just received my book for my next class, SOC-120 (I believe), and it was quite expensive. $55 for a 119 page book. But so far, I have learned a lot and have attained knowledge I would have otherwise not known.
Trying to keep my 4.0 GPA has really been a challenge, so I would NOT say they are a Degree Mill by any means.
All in all, I find Ashford University to be a very good school. And I've checked out the Accredidations, they are legit.
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