Ashford University : Social Science/Education Reviews
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on May 18, 2011
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Some Great, some not so great moments
I turned to Ashford for the convenience and the value. I have received a Bachelor of Science with Education Concentration from them, and am now working to complete my Masters in Education with a Specialization in Reading Literacy. The convenience is great! Many of the support staff are wonderful people. Most of the teachers are top-notch! The problems: You do not know what book you need (truly) until you gain access to your classroom, because the books they list in the library are not correct. The reason is to keep you from renting or buying elsewhere. My fantastic Academic Advisor gave me the sneak attack key to finding out ahead of time what the books will be, so I now know and rent to save $100's. Not everyone is privey to that info, with the exception of anyone in my classes. ;) As I said, the support people are great people, but uninformed people. If you are going for the BS with Concentration in Education, DO NOT do the Rio Salado sister school addition!! I REPEAT, DO NOT DO THE RIO SALADO ADDITION! Instead, see what your state has to offer in the way of an Alternative Certification Program. I saved 2 more years, and over $7,000. You can, too! The tuition at Ashford is fantastic, and I think you will find no other school that charges this little. Because the support staff is not informed like they should be at times, you might find them frustrating, but the school is really worthy of your time. Good luck!!
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Dadezgrl72
(In Progress) on April 30, 2011
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Ashford experience
Ashford while it is not perfect, it has grown on me. I think that how much you are committed to the program will determine how satisfied you will be. When I first began Ashford, I thought this was going to be hard, but after a few classes I got the hang of it, and for the most part everything is the same, in each class except maybe the subject. The format is easy to understand. I have been attending Ashford since august of 2009, while it has not been perfect, it has been a great learning process. I have had only two instructors that were lazy and did absolutely nothing to help in the class, however if you follow the guidelines that are set for you to handle those situations, and they did it in a timely manner. The cost has gone up, but the money I save when I get books is tremendous. I found that I can get book that are a few editions older, however they work for the 5 weeks I am in class and only cost about 5 buck so far. This has been an overall great experience, it all depends on how bad you want your degree as to whether or not you do well in any online setting.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on June 7, 2010
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Good school if you're willing to do the work
When I first began at Ashford a year ago, I was excited to be back in college, but was very disappointed with the slow way their financial aid refund process worked (They have since revamped the process and it's a lot more efficient now). Based on my intro class, I also thought the classes were going to be too easy to be much of a challenge. However, I soon found out that not to be the case.
Now a year in, I find the coursework has become more challenging, both because of the amount and content of the reading materials we have to complete each week. Just as with any university, the quality of the instructors vary, but thus far, the majority of my teachers hold doctorate degrees, and the rest hold master's--sometimes more than one. Some are more lenient, some are sticklers for the expectations they articulate through the new Classroom format. (BTW, Classroom is way better than the old Blackboard format.)
Anyway, anyone who comes to Ashford thinking this school is another diploma mill will be sorry they enrolled. Ashford can kick your tail with the amount and quality of work you're expected to do within the brief 5 week period each class lasts.
Still, if you're looking for the Harvard of online colleges, you may want to try Western Governors University, University of Maryland UC, or Regents. For me, a busy wife and mom of 3, Ashford coursework is challenging enough for me to have to put forth a lot of time and effort, but not so challenging that I am completely overwhelmed. After all, I working to earn my B.A., not a bunch of b.s.!
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on May 25, 2010
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9 - Outstanding and exceeded your expectations
I have attended Ashford for about 2 1/2 years. I transferred in credits, I wrote two Experiential Essays to earn credit on two classes, I doubled up, and did a Minor in Psychology. I was determined to get the degree done and as an older student, I felt I needed to hurry and catch up, educationally speaking. Ashford provided me with this opportunity with excellent guidance. I am considering getting a Master's with Ashford because the school is reputable and REGIONALLY ACCREDITED meaning I can go to a top tier school for my doctorate. The Master's program will allow me to get done in 15 months, much faster than other colleges (I have checked a ton of online schools) and I can double up if I feel I can handle it. I give Ashford a double thumbs up!
The students who are bad mouthing Ashford on this string of comments may have legitimately had bad experiences, but my feeling is that these people are such a tiny voice of Ashford's online populous. Last time I asked, Ashford has at least 45,000 online students!! That is equivalent to a decent sized town. Another example of size is Ohio State has roughly 52,000 just on the Columbus campus.
Do your homework and find out if Ashford will help you achieve what you want. I graduate soon and am so happy that I finally can say I earned this Bachelor's. I have learned so much new knowledge that I probably would not have taken the time to research any of it had I not decided to return to school.
Something else to think about - a four-year degree is nothing these days so why not accelerate your degree with Ashford majoring in something that you are interested in and go to a top tier school for a Master's or a Doctorate? As long as you have a great GPA, write a great entrance essay, have great references, you have a great chance of getting accepted. Ashford is nationally recognized.
FYI: There are a range of ages and educational levels that attend so you may read posts from a few students who do not write well or express themselves very well. That can be frustrating, but you do not know what their grades are so don't compare your grades to what you think they are getting. You should only concentrate on your grades, not theirs. You do not have to respond to people who are off the mark in their posts or that you know are plagiarizing. Another thing to remember is sometimes students have learning or physical disabilities and online education works in their lives so do not be judgmental - hats off to them for going to college!! Concentrate on YOU and be the best YOU can be! Your efforts will pay off.
Good-luck and much success.
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Anonymous
(Graduate) on May 1, 2010
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Financial Aid Advisor lack Customer Service Skills
Whomever had previously stated that the Financial Aid staff 'sucks' couldn't have said it better!
Numerous times, I have emailed my "financial advisor",(male), and he didn't even have the decentsy to email me back, and returning calls, forget it! Do they realize that these things are important to us students? If we had all the answers to our own questions, we would have no use for them, yet they are getting paid to "do a job". Maybe student needs are not part of their 'job'?? Yes, it seems that financial aid dept. has a problem releasing the funds that we are going to have to pay back now that we have completed our degrees. They are a total mess! Someone from FASFA needs to send someone to check on these people, and quick before none of us are able to get our funds!
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on April 10, 2010
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Mixed Emotions
I'm not an impulsive person so my research prior to enrollment was intense and I generally don't allow myself to be victimized. Ashford is no different than any other University in requiring tuition and fees. One must pay for an education, yes this is true, you can't get something for nothing. My professors were enlightening, engaging and informative. It's work but life requires work. So now, here's my complaint. Their Financial Aid Dept. leaves a lot to the imagination. Every time a refund was due to be issued it never made it to my home. Always, lost in the mail and getting it re-issued well now that was another month or so. So if your intention is to apply for Student Loans to cover expenses just know that you will repay you Student Loan and interest long before you ever receive your refund from the school. Quality everywhere else but the Financial Aid Department. It's not surprising that someone could mistaken them for Organized Crime because if you ever attended the school and had the experience than you could understand. I will not leave the school because I believe in making companies/institutions accountable and responsible. I want be degree from Ashford which I why I enrolled their and to think that I would leave because they hold on to funds that don't belong to them is cowardly of me. Once again, the staff is great. The Advisors are as informative as the questions you ask them. The professors I think are of high quality and my Enrollment Advisor was neither rude nor pushy. He gave me the space I needed to make my decision and as a result a really good friend of mines has also enrolled. Regardless of the issues that I've experienced I will always recommend them because they have a great program, however, their administration should be just a little more concerned and alarmed over the Accounting/Financial Aid Department. Who doesn't know that you can't handle peoples funds inappropriately without consequence. I'm pleased, I just would like to receive my refund.
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Kychickadee
(In Progress) on July 28, 2009
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Ashford University--3 years, about to graduate.
I enrolled at Ashford in mid-2006. The bottom dropped out of my home life less than a year in, but my academic advisor was very helpful, and after having to take one of my allowed leaves of absence I got back on track rather quickly. I have only purchased ONE text through the campus bookstore--cheaper alternatives are not hard to find if you look,and in all of the courses I've had I have never encountered a problem with the off-"campus" textbooks. I have no serious complaints about any of the courses in my degree program save one (a Phonics course for which I had to purchase a set of commercially available phonics CDs and workbooks). It's important to remember that the difference between this type of classroom and traditional, brick & mortar types is that everyone sees everyone else's work & the class average grade. The quality of YOUR education is what YOU put into it, not how what you do compares against someone else, and just because YOU think someone shouldn't pass a course doesn't mean that student hasn't met the required standards for a C-. As far as financial aid goes, I haven't had any issues but I had experience with it from my previous stint on a traditional campus. If you don't know what you're signing DON'T SIGN ANY FORM until you sit down with someone who does understand! Or...reject the aid package (you do have that right) and withdraw. In order to become federal Title IV financial aid eligible, Ashford had to comply with the same standards as any other traditional institution of higher education. And, AU is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. These things I learned from my own research before officially enrolling.
Know what you're getting into BEFORE you get into it. I've enjoyed AU, and will probably pursue an MA online--though most likely not with Ashford, as they don't offer my program of choice.
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Icityrei
(In Progress) on July 20, 2009
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My Experince with Ashford
I enrolled into Ashford in March 2009. I love this school! Anytime I have emailed or called, about a question with my homework, finical aide. or the blackboard; I receive a phone call or email within 24 hours. They are very supportive, understanding & helpful! Going to any school is stressful. But, my advisors have ALWAYS been there to help me, always! I would highly recommend this school to anyone who has a busy life & does want to go back to school. I do wish they had more variety on the degrees but who knows they might later on. I am really excited to get my bachelors degree. I don't know about any of the other advisors but I have already helped enroll 3 friends and they love it as much as I do. I also have other friends & family who are trying to get enrolled. So all the bad reviews IDK why or how you got to where you are but I know how I got to where I am. I checked my emails did all the info my advisor told me fill out. I made sure I got things done on time for class. You walk through the blackboard with your advisor or you have an option of a 24.7 800# that will help you if you get stuck.
I love this school & I know you will too, if you are willing to do the work & by the rules, not what is best for you. It's the same rules for everyone! Tuesdays you start your week first day of the class your have your INTRO due, next 4 weeks you wont have anything due on Tuesdays for that class. Thursdays is day 3 where you have to do the blackboard discussion assignment, then depending on the teacher & assignment you will have a written paper due Sunday day 6, then on Monday you have to make sure you respond to 2-3 people in your class about the discussion you wrote on Thursday & agree or dissagree with what they wrote. It's all about communication! They say you only have to sign in 2x out the week but honestly to keep above a 3.0 it's going to take you *tues, thurs, sun & mon* these are just my feelings & how I have been able to keep my grades so high. 3 to 4 days to get those A's =0} good luck to whatever you choose.
I just now started my 3rd week of my 4th class & have completed 3 classes giving me a total of 9 credits so far, and my gpa is 3.33. Out of my four teachers so far only one was hard to understand. But they all are so helpful in the end I would never want to go to any of the previous colleges like ENMUR online or AIU.
I love the Ashford staff they rock! If you want to go back & speak to I did get where I am call my advisor because I can speak that he is 100% dedicated to helping you come back to school. Also, I like that if you don't want to come back or go with Ashford my Advisor is very understanding & not a jerk like some of the other schools that pressure you or put you down or harass you.
Thanks & I hope this helps,
Felicity
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Dominicanfrenchie
(In Progress) on June 29, 2009
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My recent experience
I thought I was one of the few exceptions to the rule when I enrolled in this school and things went so smoothly, my academic advisor couldnt call me enough, then the sh*t hit the fan, I was failed from a class after being promised to be given time to hand in assignments (while 2 other students were given full credit for handing it in after I did), Financial aid people are a joke, they dont call back, and whenthey do they have an attitude, i requested to be withdrawn from this school and here i am 3 months later still having issues. Do your homework, plus my first and second class were passed without purchasing a single book (they averge 100+, per class) not to mention that if you think your getting excess funds to buy books, NOT happening, they hit you with the Technology fee as soon as your account reflects excess funds, they have your go thru a huge rigamorole to request special permission to have your own money released to you then when you are approved, they charge you the technology fee so that there are no funds left over, plus the fact that they tell you that you can only get approval once, so any excess funds from consecutive disbursements are in limbo?? these people are full of malarchy, they are out to get whatever they can and in the process give you a "mediocre" education that no one values.... too much money for so little return.
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