Ashford University

Zabrina February 23, 2007 at 6:08 a.m.

I am so impressed with the attention I am receiving from my enrollment counselor and academic advisor! I've never felt so secure about going back to school. This is a great place.
-Z.

Rachel March 20, 2007 at 1:31 p.m.

I am thinking about enrolling in their on line BA/ teacher certification program. Does anyone have any comments about that program?

Pamela May 10, 2007 at 11:27 p.m.

Hi Everyone,

I am a Enrollment Advisor with Ashford University and I truly do love my job. I do pre-evaluations and help students through the admissions process. I am a great source of information about financial aid, grants, military benefits, and transfer credits. We award more credits than any other legitimate university. Which can save you years of classes and thousands in tuition! I would be happy to assist anyone interested in finding a great school. Please feel free to email me with any questions, I am happy to help :)

pamela.carmichael@ashford.edu

Sheila Gamble-Holt June 20, 2007 at 11:18 p.m.

Unfortunately my reviews for Ashford University aren't to good. I would encourage any and all students to do their research before settling or committing to any program whether it be for an MBA, PhD, MA, BA etc. I can attest to the breakdown in communication when it comes to the Enrollment Advisors. Be sure to ask all the "right" questions regarding application fees, enrollment fees, any additional charges when it comes to their Online Degree Programs. They promise you in the beginning that the Application Fee is waived yet still require that you enter a credit card while applying for Graduate Studies online. After 1 1/2 months after deciding not to attend Ashford University, I received a $55 charge for my application. How ironic!! Overall, I think this University offers good programs in certain areas but as stated above, be sure to do your homework. They allow or advertise for "99 Transfer Credits" but this doesn’t apply to Graduate Courses, so its important to make sure if you are a Transfer Student to way all the pros and cons.

Richard Rignall June 27, 2007 at 7:55 p.m.

I was enrolled in the MAOM program until last night. I decided that there was no benefit to the program. Not only is their required Bus 600 course a pathetic introduction to grad school but, the particular instructor that I drew had three "the dog ate my homework" excuses for not participating in discussions and not having grading done in the 1st four weeks. The only means of instructor contact was supposed to be his personal aol.com address. I don't know whether he ever checked it because he didn't respond to any of four emails I sent. The instructor managed to somehow delete and lose my 1st research paper from Black Board. I sent off my complaints to their instructor complaint department--that should be a clue that mine is not the 1st-- to my advisor and to the dean of the school. I am in the process of completing a grad program in leadership at Duquesne and that is a great school-I have decided on Northcentral for my post graduate work and that too seems to be a great school. Ashford?--- you'd be further ahead to purchase your degree from a diploma mill on Friday and receive it in the mail on Monday.

michael July 21, 2007 at 5:31 a.m.

im talkin with ashford now. They are very convincing on the phone that they have the best online school. I would save gas and time commuting by using ashford. They also said my FAFSA will pay for it. I dont know because now they are pushing a STAFFORD loan on me. That doesnt sound like what they origionaly said. Anyways the units are $302 a unit. That is way too expensive. community colleges only charge $14 a unit and Im sure cal state universities arent too much more! Im feeling kinda iffy about this already.

Bill July 23, 2007 at 1:58 a.m.

You get out of college what you put into it whether on site or off site and if you are self motivated a strong online program like Ashford can benefit you but if you need to have your hand held through life online is probably not for you. I just chuckle at some of the negative posts on here which sound more like a disgruntled tirade than a well thought out disagreement. I say for those perspective students if you do your due diligence and work hard Ashford will work just fine for you. Best of luck in your college career no matter what you do.

Jeff August 5, 2007 at 1:24 a.m.

Ashford University is not cheap! units are $240 - $320 each? thats about 600 to $1000 a class. Community colleges are offering classes at $20 a unit. Ashford is a FOR PROFIT organization.

Renee August 7, 2007 at 12:40 a.m.

Would you recommend Ashford over University of Phoenix, Strayer or AIU? Why?

confused and upset August 11, 2007 at 1:33 a.m.

Hi,

I had enrolled into Ashford University back in March of 07.
My advisor set me up for everything..I wanted to make sure this class would go to my degree, so I asked him if it would.. and he specifically explained to me:

Thanks for the email. After this class, you will be taking the class that applies to your degree. Remember that this is the FIRST course to get you "acclimated into online environment". We want to make sure you are academically proficient.

So I was under the impression that this course was only to see if you would be prepared for online courses with Ashford University..

After 2 days of realizing that I this was not for me, & would not work with my 2 jobs that I was working at the time.. I decided to notify my advisor and let him know that I no longer wanted to attend the class.. We left the conversation under the assumtion that I was no longer going to further my education with Ashford.

I attended a University in Texas & had taken an online course.. our teachers always advised us to double check & make sure if the class was dropped! So the third week I logged back on to the class to see if I was dropped..\

I received a "phone call" from Ashford a couple days ago & they explained to me that "I was enrolled in a REAL class & that I needed to pay Ashford $900 dollars!!" If I didnt, he would report it to the Collection Agency on 8/14/07!! I couldn't hardly believe what I was hearing! So I explained to him what had happened, and he said it doesn't matter.. i still had to pay! So I asked to speak with a manager above him, and he never would transfer me! He was super rude to me!

oooo it gets better!

So I contacted the School and explained what had happened, and they transfered me to a manager.. I spoke with her, explained to her what the problem was.. and she turned around and emailed me explaining to me that yes, I do have to pay the school 900 dollars!

Today I call the school again to get the dean of Ashford University.. and the Receptionist explained to me that she didn't know who the Dean was or the office number or the address for the school so I could write a letter lol..!! Then to TOP IT.. she told me not to tell her boss.. WOOW!How unprofessional is THIS!? I would NEVER refer anyone to this unproffesional school!

Neuro August 12, 2007 at 4:59 a.m.

I am not sure about Ashford, but I can say that most community colleges in IL run about $200 a class, and state schools charge about $1500 a class. Whoever was saying $20 a unit, which I take is a credit hour, is off.

David August 16, 2007 at 2:59 a.m.

I am currently enrolled and have had very few negative experiences with Ashford. I have been most impressed to date. In comparison, I have also experienced other community and online programs that have had their negatives as well. My advise to someone who is signing up for any program is to read the fine print and ask questions. It is human nature to blame others for our own mistakes. In dealing with people, we are always going to be dissapointed with situational outcomes that are not in our favor. It is how one deals with these dissapointments that defines a person.

Juice September 19, 2007 at 1:57 a.m.

I don't understand how someone could have a bad experience? The process of enrollment, ordering books and taking classes online is quite simple. If you are computer literate, motivated and disciplined with your time you should have no problems. I am currently a student at Ashford with one more class to graduate with a B.A. in Organizational Management. My experience with Asford has been excellent. I was skeptical at first, but I did plenty of research and decided Ashford fit my needs. I originally transferred 75 credits(the maximim allowed at the time)from a traditional campus university I had attended. Ashford eventually raised the maximum number of transferrable credits to 99 which I took adavantage of, and I will graduate sooner than expected. I plan on continuing my education with Ashford, enrolling in their M.A.O.M. program. I highly recommend Ashford University.

Will October 4, 2007 at 11:08 p.m.

"ASHFORD ORGANIZED CRIME?" Get real!!

ShawnInSanFrancisco October 15, 2007 at 9:11 a.m.

I have had a fantastic experience with Ashford University since before I began classes in May 2007. Marcus Hillman was my Enrollment Advisor. I was his first student to enroll, and he was great with me on the phone, answered all of my questions, followed up with me in a timely manner, called periodically to ask me if I had any questions, and even informed me of my new Enrollment Advisor once he was promoted. Erik Piepenbrink is my academic advisor and has also been very helpful and timely in response to my questions. Leo Dulay, my Financial Aid Advisor has been very supportive throughout the entire financial aid process. The instructors have been great and one even made himself available on a Sunday to support me with some questions I had.

The online format is simple to use and I am able to use it at any hour of the day. Most of the time I am up late at night, so this is when I do my assignments.

I am getting a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences degree with a concentration in Education to become a teacher. There are very few online universities who offer a bachelor degree in education.

Organized crime? Hardly. Expensive? Try pricing University of Phoenix or Western Governor's University and you will find Ashford is less expensive.

Additionally, the credits I received from training in massage therapy transferred as elective credits, which cuts half a year off of my graduation time and tuition.

I am sorry for the people who have had bad experiences, but I feel that it takes two to tango in any relationship. For example, I took a three week leave of absence for my grandmother's funeral. I was going to Dallas and knew I wouldn't be doing any assignments. I e-mailed my enrollment advisor and my academic advisor to explain the situation. I also called to make sure that I had been withdrawn from my current class so that I would not be charged for it. To make sure, I specifically asked, "So I am withdrawn from this class and I will not be charged, correct?" There was no confusion about it, and I was perfectly clear what was happening.

I know I am 100% responsible for my own life and my own education and making it "someone else's job" and blaming other people is not productive to my becoming a college education person. It is my job to ask questions until I am sure about the answer and because I am willing to take that action, my experience has been brilliant!

If you need someone to hold your hand throughout the process (although the support team has done this with me without my request), I suggest you reconsider attending an online university. It takes a special kind of student to perform well without the interaction you would have in a formal classroom setting, and online education is not for everyone.

Aaron October 20, 2007 at 4:17 p.m.

There are many words flying about here-- as you will find in every comment venue, but all readers need to understand that there are a great many factors that play in any business transaction situation or whenever two or more parties interact with one another.

Ashford is a business, just as all other schools are-- regardless of whether the institution is private, public, for-profit or not-for-profit. Every business needs to make money to stay in business. No school is 100% free. Nothing in life is 100% free, for that matter. To think that anything should be is rather silly. The facilities, materials that help facilitate teaching/ learning, faculty and staff, etc. all cost money to build, train and maintain. These things do not come free. In order to create and maintain an academic institution for students to learn in, all necessary elements must be in-- and remain-- in place. This costs money-- regardless of how it is obtained, you will pay for it if you expect the institution to give you something (such as a degree).

There are distinct differences between Community Colleges and four-year schools. Community Colleges are two-year degree- (Associates degrees only) awarding institutions, while four-year schools award AA, AS, BA, BS, MA, MS, etc. degrees. The type of education offered at by a Community College is very different that than available through a four-year academic institution. Community College education is, essentially, "prep" work-- and an extension of the education received at the secondary education level. To attempt to compare the two types of schools is akin to comparing dogs and leaves.

With respect to the Advisor you speak with on the phone, representing Ashford University, University of Phoenix, Western Governors, DeVry, etc., s/he may or may not be well trained. Unfortunately, it is hit-or-miss with regard to whether you are greeted by a person who possesses a comprehensive understanding of the procedures, programs and protocol of the institution s/he represents. If you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving, simply request a different Advisor.

Schools like Ashford University would not hold the Education Accreditation they do if they operated their businesses in any illegal or dishonest fashion. This is simple truth.

Go Ashford! November 12, 2007 at 8:55 a.m.

Hello, I'm a student at AU and so far it's been a great choice. I am in enrolled to complete my BAHCA and I am excited to know that Ashford is on my side. Kimberly Wolf is my student advisor and she's great. I did my research and came to the conclusion that Ashford had the most value. They offer a high quality experience to those who are purpose driven. If you are chasing your passion and/or motivated, You and Ashford will work well together. If you do your research, you'll draw the same conclusion. Thanks Ashford and you too Kimberly Wolf, for putting up with us!

Sting November 18, 2007 at 7:52 p.m.

Lets be honest about whats going on here. No matter how many great comments you leave, we will concentrate on the bad. There is a reason for this! You can get great experiences with any institution, but its how badly they treat the students is what counts. Thank you for all who left a bad comment. NO TO ASHFORD!! i dont have time for games.

Serena November 24, 2007 at 3:19 p.m.

For the poster who keeps asking for someone who's currently taking classes, well I am one of those people. So far my experience at Ashford has been great! I've been enrolled since March and started from the very beginning because I didn't have any college credits. My enrollment adviser said she would waive the enrollment fee for me and she did. I also got help applying for financial aid and getting my G.I. Bill. I've been able to buy most of my books used online at amazon.com or abebooks.com, then sold them back when the class was over. Every so often my academic adviser calls me to make sure everything is okay. Personally, I have nothing but good things to say about Ashford.

Don November 27, 2007 at 8:46 p.m.

It works for me!

I am currently in the MBA program at Ashford University and enjoying the experience. I previously received my Bachelor's of Science in Management at Kaplan University; I could have gotten the MBA through them, but I was used to their system I wanted a new challenge. Ashford offers challenging course-work; the professors and university staff are very helpful. I use the online format because of the time restraints I have with work and it serves me in the best possible way. I am sure not everyone will have a good experience, but I have no complaints.

Regards,
Don

Jenny December 10, 2007 at 9:15 p.m.

Hi I'm thinking about attending Ashford to earn my BS in Elementary Education and wanted to know if any one who is currently attending this university has advice for me in regards to the Elementary program? Thanks

Liz Scott December 21, 2007 at 6:04 p.m.

I'm pursuing my bachelors in health care administration. I am enjoying my experience at Ashford. Some professors require more detail than others but I am the type of person who enjoys the challenge. After navigating through blackboard and becoming familiar with assignment procedures, I have officially became a pro. I just had a chance to review my degree audit and I'm so pleased with the layout. My transcripts have been applied towards my future course scheduling. All of the degree requirements are lined in black and white and I have a clear understanding on the courses needed for the completion of my degree. Ashford is very organized and they do all the leg work. The only thing you have to do is have good attendence, two absences lead to no credit for the course.

Here is what you need to know December 24, 2007 at 8:35 p.m.

The online university programs are all a rip off AKA Kaplan, University of Phoenix, Ashford. If you are going to pay a ton of money for a program that does not compare to a land campus, Ashford is cheaper and better than the rest. It is still expensive and has MANY fees.
It also depends on if you get an enrollment advisor that is great or an idiot. There are all types.
See, the advisor's have numbers to make each week. It is an intense sales cubicle environment full of manipulators.
My advice? If you must go online, see if your local community college offers classes online or go to a land campus.

Good Luck

ELF December 27, 2007 at 9:20 p.m.

IS ANYONE TAKING THE B.S. OF SOCIAL SCIENCE PROGRAM? I'M INTERESTED AND WANT TO KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND THE SCHOOL. THANKS!

OH-ME-OH-MY December 31, 2007 at 11:12 p.m.

Ok,

I have read all of the comments,not that I have changed my mind but it has caused me to make sure that I dot all of my I’s and cross all of my T’s. The advisor that I have seems to know what he is talking about so far. I am known to as 100s of question until I get an understanding. I believe that I am making the right choice. The only thing that I am concerned about is the books. I went on black board and it said that you have to use their book. In other words purchased them from the school. Which is not right because you can get them cheaper else where. If there is anyone with books you used for your B A of social science mail me flj@ameritech.net

I still have until next week to change my mind.

un January 11, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.

For those of you whining about the cost of online courses through ANY university compared to a community college - the whole point of a community college is that it's cheaper!! We're talking a university here people!!

Nadia January 15, 2008 at 4:58 a.m.

After reading these comments I'm going to disenroll. I don't mind paying the $55 app. fee.I will consider it a lesson learned.
I'm going to research the college a little more.

SC January 20, 2008 at 11:13 p.m.

I am a current Ashford student just two classes away from graduating with a major in psychology. THE GOOD: Ashford does have some great professors with true real world experience and good academic credentials. The quality of the textbooks is generally outstanding. The content of the courses is excellent and can lead to a high quality education if you apply yourself and do not take shortcuts with assignments (much the same as at any university). THE BAD: Many professors have limited involvement with students. The school is making a LOT of money off online students considering the high tuition and low bottom line that. I think that students deserve (and pay for) a lot more feedback than they receive. The instructions for assignments can be confusing, and obtaining clarification is sometimes challenging. The tuition is not exactly cheap. Cost per undergraduate class ranges from $771 to well over $900 depending on the level of the class. My husband said we spent over $27,000 last year on my tuition. Moreover, in my two years at Ashford, there have been two tuition hikes. THE VERDICT: In terms of quality and ease of education, I would probably give Ashford a low B. It is not a bad experience overall, but there is still quite a bit of room for improvement. My biggest beef (a problem common to online schools) is the lack of instructor involvement with students.

AVOID January 22, 2008 at 8:09 p.m.

Ashford on-line is a joke, as I am sure most on-line degrees are. I spent a bunch of money for nothing. You order overpriced books from their store. Log on and spend one or two nights doing the entire course.This is fine if you do not want to really learn anything and just have some paper to show people. Oh and if they think you owe them money they use Gestopo like tactics. Do yourself a favor and enroll in a REAL school.

confused January 26, 2008 at 5:01 a.m.

i almost chose to to ashford. i was supost to start tuesday. i was so excited to start untill i got another call from another university telling me that i would have to go to ashford's campuse in iowa before i couldgraduate. they showed me were on ashfords online web sight where it says requiremnts. concidering i am a single mom who lives in florida i think they should of mentioned that to me. when i talked to my advisor at ashford and showed him, he had no clue what that ment and never herd of it. but it was on thier sight. i felt very rushed and i was going to start school before all my finacial aid was sighned. i actually didn't sign anything. i was also told that my finacial aid will cover my books and the 900.00 black board cost and use of the library and none of thats covered. and i had to ask about the 900.00 fee and what it was for. so i am happy about changing my mind but now i don't know where to go. i know i will pay out the butt for my education and thats fine with me i just wish they would be honest about it. i would hate to pay 55,000 for my degree and not be able to get it because i can't move to iowa.

Annie February 4, 2008 at 1:17 a.m.

So far so good. I actually feel the textbooks are well-written and very interesting. It makes sense that they are specific to distance learning as you are not attending lectures. As soon as you begin your first course you are given a writing consultant who is ready, willing and able to answer any questions you might have regarding college level writing. The on-line tutorials are great. The on-line writing workshop makes reviewing grammar and punctuation rules easy and almost effortless.
I like the fact that the instructors follow a template for grading and instruction. As long as you organize your time wisely you should be fine.

Suzy February 13, 2008 at 9:18 p.m.

Negative reviews like this devalue the GREAT education I am recieving at Ashford.

To the last poster- I'm confused about how you got NO financial aid at all, when filling out a FAFSA entitles darn near everyone to low interest loans.... did you think financial aid meant they would give you grants or a check or something?! CMON!

Jen February 19, 2008 at 4:15 a.m.

I think it is interesting so many people are talking about how expensive ashford is. Have you people actually done your research? I could not go to a traditional school where I live for the same price. You also must figure in the fact that you are taking classes on your own time. I have not seen any fees or crazy charges that I would not see at a traditional school. I recieved my degree from a community college and am finishing up with ashford. The community college had more fees, I had to pay for the athletic department which I was not part of any many other things I did not use. You can not get an education for free, and if it were not for schools like ashford I would not be able to finish my schooling at all. Sure I think it could be better and the professors could be more involved but hey be an adult and do the work and learn. It will work for you if you are willing to do the work. Yes I agree ashford is not perfect but I am thankful that I am able to get an education and anyone who can get an education at a university for $20 a unit (credit??) let me in on your secret, if that was the case why do we have so many people struggling to get an education?? This is a university! If you do your research you will find ashford is cheaper than most with the same accredidation.

Kim February 19, 2008 at 6:49 a.m.

Another thought. There seems to be this pervasive notion that education should be cheap. Well, news flash to those who have been sleeping all of their lives - it is not cheap! This is why adults pause at having children...they know that some day the cost of college will catch up to them. When it is all said and done, I will have paid about 19k out of pocket for my education (my employer will pay a large portion). That is so worth it to me. I have financed cars and paid them off with more money than 19k. The current job that I do now could pay that off in no time, too. People need to put things in perspective. I am not saying that online education or even Ashford is right for everyone. But, don't taint Ashford's reputation because you have a lack of understanding of how the higher educational process (and financing) works. Get educated about the schools you plan to attend before you sign up. When I was choosing schools, I had four or five to choose from. Ashford stood out as the most bang for the buck university. Plus, it is a real brick and mortar school. I feel quite blessed to have the opportunity to get the same level of education as my traditional school counterparts.

Shannon February 29, 2008 at 6:35 p.m.

HAs any one had a hard time finding a job teaching after finsh Ashford?

Great School March 8, 2008 at 4:34 p.m.

I graduated with a Masters from Ashford University. Great school and great faculty. You have to earn your degree there. They just don't give you a degree for applying. Lazy people or complainers need not apply. My degree is well respected in the workforce.

Joe March 8, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.

Wow... this thread is full of Enrollment Counselors... LOL

Any university that gives credit for "Life Experience" is BS plain and simple.

Joe March 13, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.

Any school that lets you transfer and get "PLA" for 99 credit hours is bogus. In traditional schools you can't transfer past your junior year (60). They do give you credit just for life experience, up to 75 "non-traditional" credit hours. It is BS darlin!

Thanx for playing though!

an AU student March 19, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.

I have been reading some of these posts and some seem a little ridiculous. Sure you can blame the advisor's for not answering your questions throughly, but what did you do to seek the answers? Did you really push and pursue it? Did you try talking with someone else? And as for the those who had bad experiences with their instructor, they are people too with other lives, their main job is not being an online instructor for AU so give them some slack and be compassionate and understanding if they are apparently having a rough go, you would want them to do the same for you (and from personal experience they do!)I also want to point out that this is for people who are truly ready and 100% committed to going back and getting their degree. If you had a bad experience you are entitled to be upset and not satisfied but good god stop whining and find another adviser, counselor and if you don't care for your instructor talk to your adviser about taking the class at a different time with a new instructor. But if you don't care for your instructor because the work is too hard or they demand too much out of you then you should not even be enrolled here.

Many people give online education crap, but due to my work and life and I can not attend school other than online, and there are many schools who offer online programs, sate university's, private college's, community colleges, etc. so just because it's an online program does that lessen the reputation of the school? NO. The online schools you have to be weary about are those who have no physical campus, schools that have not been established for very long or just recently established, and you can do much research on the web these days to find out if your school is legit or not and Ashford is legit!!!

Joe March 20, 2008 at 5:34 a.m.

@amanda

I have read the PLA guide to Ashford located here...

http://www.ashford.edu/online/forms/PLAG...

You can get credit for any BS workshop you slept through and or attend a conference, grab a bunch of brochures and scratch something on your company letterhead and get credit. Or you can write an Experience based Essay with bogus PP to accompany it. Through the Essay route you can BS any credits you want as long as you match it up to the course reqirements.

It's total BS darlin!

I know other online schools do it... I think they are BS too!!

Idiot... March 20, 2008 at 9:21 a.m.

Please be careful: I have recently enrolled with Ashford as a transfer student. I was given the great customer service and was told that financial aid would help pay for tuition. My enrollment advisor ( Bobbijo) placed me in a "reflection" course called EXP 105. After reading the course description and materials, I immediately contacted Bobbijo and stated that there must be some confusion. I don’t need refresher courses and she stated that they are required and that I didn't tell her that I had taken previous college credits. Why would I not? I also sent her an email. Then I called Erin Denner (my archenemy advisor) and asked her what are the procedures for transfer students and she stated that I did not mention that I was transfer student on my application. But she did receive my transcripts from one of my schools and waiting for the others to come in. She also stated that I should contact my enrollment advisor concerning the course and the next course, which is PsY202. (Another reflection course) they are both mandatory courses and will be used as electives. I decided to take the course and give it a try. I shouldn't have. I feel like many of the other angry persons on this blog. I was taken in as an idiot. I now have to pay $771 for the EXP 105 course, which I was almost done with but will never be used as credits. Plus cancel the loans that I had to take out because financial aid did not help with the tuition and fees and not to mention $50 registration fee and $100 book voucher that was waived and most likely have to pay for. And the $9oo web something??? Fee. Like many of the positive postings above, the EXP 105 was a fake and seem like the posting were from the advisors themselves. I could not believe the students postings. "This course change my life" and "I apply all that I have learned to my home and work" When do adult students and parents with jobs feel like time management was ever an issue or by reading a book with help them figure out all their problems in just 3-4 weeks?? I must have been retarded. If you are going through this, please email me jodiaz28@hotmail. By the way, I have tried to contact my advisors but still haven't heard from them after several messages.

Melochma March 21, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.

Attention, readers! Be VERY careful to read through all of these posts to find where the blame/ responsibility for the problems with the Ashford student experience truly lies. The people who complain sate explicitly -- without knowing, apparently -- incorrect information about the school, it's procedures, protocol, prices, programs, etc. This, rather blaringly, states and proves the point that the folks with problems obviously did not pay attention to what they were told and getting themselves into.

I must state that there are entirely too many misinformed Enrollment Advisors at Ashford who do provide incorrect info to prospective students and are truly in it for the sale or to "make the number." If, at any time while talking with an Ashford U. Enrollment Advisor, you feel like you are speaking with a telemarketer, simply demand that the person you are speaking with transfer you to someone who knows what they are talking about and will listen / tend to YOUR needs. There are plenty of sincere (and educated/ informed) Advisors working at Ashford. Avoid the waste of time speaking with those who are simply telemarketers.

amanda March 21, 2008 at 9:03 p.m.

Joe,
I am not saying the AU is necessarily right for allowing that much PLA especially since they don't make people test but I am saying that while I would not submit some class I slept through as PLA I do not blame those who do. The bottom line is that you are going to get what you want to get out of this experience and if you want to get credit for PLA from some class you slept through and gained nothing from so be, your grades are going to reflect your laziness. However many who are going back to get their BA are motivated and wanting to learn.
Just so you know I too am part of a managerial team who is well known and respected and has made the Forbes 500 many many many times and I too am a hiring manager and I do understand your points but why tear down those who are excited about the prospect of moving forward or finally achieving something they started so long ago and were never able to finish due to life circumstances?
As a hiring manager I am sure you can tell the difference of a real go getter and a lazy SOB, also I would like to point out that what they do with their PLA is up to them and if they are just adding stuff they slept through or got no learning from it will show in the end result.

I also understand your concerns for diploma mills, I was extremely weary of continuing my education online but AU was an excellent choice and I was just accepted to the psychology doctoral program at Cornell University so again it's what the person puts into it and it will show in the final result.

And when I said mentally damaging I just meant maybe you should be a little more considerate of people's life challenges and circumstances and give them the benefit of the doubt, perhaps they really did learn something from all the PLA that are getting credit for and if not, again, it will show in the end result.

amanda March 24, 2008 at 1 a.m.

I most certainly can and I do take the time to go through and I try to get as much background information on them as I can. You know, I know on paper I am not an ideal candidate but I have had many struggles in my life and AU was the only option for me, I could not go to a physical campus and I could not find another online program to gear me for what I ultimately want to do in life. If my application were to come across your desk you throw it away and not think twice about it and that is fine if that is how you deal with hiring people because it is time consuming and it is tedious and you want the best but just because someone got a degree from a highly ranked school does not necessarily mean they are the best.

I am damn good at what I do and I am talented and I am intelligent and outgoing and motivated and a very quick learner with a 4.0 GPA currently, I graduated HS with a 3.7 and got a 31 on my ACT's, but on paper I do not look like what you would consider an ideal person because I went to another university for three years got sick had to go home got a fabulous job but then got married and moved and had to quit and then got divorced and bounced from job to job trying to do what I had to do to make ends meet and I struggled the whole way. In fact because of my resume I have been turned down for jobs, I have been turned down for entry level positions and finally someone saw past the papers and the words and saw me for me and gave me a chance and I am quickly climbing to the top, but this is why I look past the marks on the paper and try to see people for who they are.

And AU does have a physical location, an actual campus and it is a good school. It's similar to Tiffin University, a very good school and they now offer online programs and the school is national accredited and highly respected. SO while I say watch out for Phoenix and diploma mills you have to know that there are good schools out there who are getting with the times and offering an online BA that is just as worthy as going to the actual school.

amanda March 24, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.

Okay how I got the job, it's complicated and long and I don't feel I have to answer to you but: it is technically not necessary to have a college degree (although many will not look at you if you do not have one but you should know that), you can have so many years of experience and you must be within a year of graduating. There were many other underlaying factors as well and due to an illness I did not graduate in less then a year from getting the job but by then I was hired in and performing above average and they understood how sick I was so all I had to do was get better and then re-enroll once I was better and here I am today.
My HS GPA was because I was lazy and didn't do the work, this is not a reflection on AU, when I was in college the first time as a traditional student at a upper tier university, I also had a 4.0.
Ashford is: Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
The institutions listed here have been accredited by this accrediting organization as of November 2007.
www.chea.org/search/actionInst.asp

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation and one of two Commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits, and thereby grants membership in the Commission and in the North Central Association, to degree-granting educational institutions in the North Central region: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

HLC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/

and just so you know: What kinds of programs are accredited?
Doctoral graduate programs in
1. clinical,
2. counseling,
3. school psychology,
4. other developed practice areas, and
5. combinations of two or three of those areas

Pre-doctoral internships in the above areas may be accredited.

Postdoctoral residencies in traditional (clinical, counseling, school) or specialty areas of professional psychology are also accredited.
The CoA does not accredit master’s level or undergraduate level programs in psychology.
www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/accrfaq.htm...

and on a final note Joe, Ashford can not be all that bad, after all I am going to be going to Cornell University for my PhD.

Now I am truly aware of the issues with online programs and I am aware of others concerns for it, and there are two sides to ever issue and I think on this we need to agree to disagree on Ashford University. I think it's a wonderful school and I am blessed that I can have this opportunity to get my life back on track.

Joe March 25, 2008 at 12:49 a.m.

I am a hiring manager for a regional office of a Global 500 having an AACSB accredited MBA from The Citadel. The chances I have the same job as college drop outs are none but I digress.

Your GPA is only relative to your experiences. You said you went to school for 2 1/2 years at another school, what school and what GPA was that? I don't see you listing it.

Ashford does hold regional accreditation but so does the University of Phoenix which is the same level of school Ashford online is. UOP actually has CACREP accreditation for it's counseling program which is more than one can say for Ashford.

It is kind of hard for you to be going to Cornell for a PhD when you have to finish your undergrad first. They won't take your application until you have completion of the degree. Do you think we don't know how grad schools work? Your going to have to take a GRE too! You don't have to do that to get into Ashford's grad school. I see why you HOPE to get into Cornell, you may just do it but you really shouldn't put the cart before the horse.

Good luck in your hopes and dreams because you're going to need it with a degree from Ashford ONLINE!

Juice March 25, 2008 at 3:04 a.m.

Hey Joe,

Online education is the wave of the future and within the next few years no one is going to care whether you completed your degree online or on campus. For your information Ashford University is a brick and mortar institution that happens to offer online degrees. Ashford also has athletic teams. Many traditional brick and mortar schools offer online programs and its only going to grow. Look, I understand Ashford is not Harvard, USC or even the Citadel, but for some people it works. Isn't the Citadel a very very poor man's West Point? Its a watered down military school for posers like yourself. You were probably a spineless non-military student. Joe, you are proof that the world is overpopulated and some people need to go.

Joe March 25, 2008 at 7:45 a.m.

to Juice: It isn't about it being online or not. It is about standards, curriculum, assessments, and outcomes. The standards to get into most of these schools including Ashford is none. Online programs at the big schools are the same as getting into the ground school which makes it far more selective. Take an SAT, take a GMAT, only take those who are qualified. Since they are open to inferior candidates they thus water down their curriculum and assessments so they can pass. The outcomes are thus over inflated grades. Just go through this website and see how many claim 4.0 GPAs... applications that flood my desk are full of 4.0s from UOP, Capella, Devry, and even Ashford.

Athletetic teams... you call intramurials teams? OK!
Why doesn't Ashford join the NCAA... because they don't qualify for the NCAA just like they don't qualify for many things regular schools do.

The Citadel is ranked #2 in US World News and Report offering up to a Master's degree and is a nationally ranked engineering school up to a Masters. It also has top professional accreditation for ALL of it's programs. Spineless... I see you have to resort to name calling but I won't because I am the better man.

amanda March 25, 2008 at 10:52 a.m.

JOE,
I am a future Cornell student, I have the acceptance letter and I have taken my GRE's both the general and the adv psych and I was in the 95th percentile for both. Would you like me to post my scores for you too? I know perhaps I can mail you my actual acceptance letter!
I am not an idiot and I do not appreciate being talked to like one. I do not need to answer to you.
I am not a college drop out in the sense of I partied too much or it was too tough for me, I was sick but I have said that, and I have not named the other college I went to because I did not realize I had to detail by detail give you my life story, but I suppose the only way to shut you up is by telling you that upon graduating High School I went to Denison University I then had to leave because of a life threating disease but if you really wish to label me as a college drop out for that fine, it is what it is but how many people are labeled a college drop out because they were dying and to be hospitalized for the better part of a year?
I was simply here defending Ashford and it's online program and you have now gotten down right nasty and I am washing my hands of you.

I suppose to all of those who read this maybe you should take this final word from me:

In the business world some may shoot you down for an online degree, they may shun you for fulfilling your dreams and making your life better but do you want to work for someone like that?

Joe March 25, 2008 at 1:13 p.m.

I'm sorry if I offended you Amanda... what kind of psychology field are you going into, ie clinical, industrial, counseling... etc?

What is up with this school? March 27, 2008 at 6:49 p.m.

Alright with all this "stuff" about this school, I'm off to see finishing my degree with a local University. I know they have a lot of internet classes for adult students. Keep your fingers crossed for me~

This school, Ashford, was put together by UOP guys? Is there a real brick school? How is it accredited? If so, does it have to get reaccredited again soon, and if it doesn't does it just close?

Definitely have to do your research.

Too many scams on the net these days for me~ I'm through! I'm not signing up for this school. Just a couple of hours earlier I was filling out the enrollment application and thought I better take a look at what people are saying about this school.

Be-Aware-of-Amanda March 28, 2008 at 3:36 a.m.

Apparently she feels the need to use differing aliases to fool the readers. She can't even answer the simple question of which Psych field she is in.

amanda March 29, 2008 at 7:03 a.m.

I would also like to say to whomever said be aware of joe, that this is a forum simply to discuss, debate, and review the pro's and con's of this school and of online schooling in general. Your post about Joe was both immature and inappropriate for the type of forum this is. If we can not keep it civil and impersonal then you shouldn't post. All joe is doing is showing the perception of some who have had bad experiences with employees with online degrees who were not really competent but got a degree anyways probably by sliding by and it happens everywhere, even in brick and mortar schools but when it's online, it's gets a bad rep. and we who are getting online degrees need to know this so we can make sure we bust our butts on our work and prove them wrong and also so we know how to handle this as we apply for jobs. Joe is doing us a service by providing his view points on this matter.

Juice March 29, 2008 at 3:36 p.m.

How can someone come to this site and ask if Ashford University is accredited or is a brick and mortar institution? How hard is it to go to Ashford's website or Wiki? Do not be lazy and please do some research before you come to this site. Yes, Ashford is a brick and mortar institution and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools which is recognized by the United States Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Ashford also has athletic teams which compete in the NAIA which serves smaller four year schools and junior colleges. I played football at Stevens Tech which competed in the NAIA. This site is fraudulent because it lets anyone rate a school without having concrete knowledge. What a joke!

USN O-6 (ret) April 3, 2008 at 1:06 a.m.

Like it or not, people like Joe are out there. I have run into many of them myself and you would do well to get the best respected education you can possibly attain. Going to college isn't something you do on a whim. It really matters where you go and what it can do for you to achieve your goals. If you want a top flight job you need to get a top flight education with top experience and the same goes on down the line till you're flipping burgers at Micky Ds. There are always exceptions but society has a rigid social structure that is defined in large part by your schooling. I had to fight tooth and nail to get the respect I deserved and I wouldn't have had to fight so hard if I had gone to a traditional high-ranking grad school. I get tired of having to prove myself but that will never end. I have been doing it my whole life and will until I quit working. I hope the elitist attitudes will fade but that is less likely than racism dying out. People will always have their prejudice so you better just get used to it.

Joe... you went to The Citadel, a fine school, but it is no better than the Naval Academy where I did my undergrad. I agree with what your saying actually, people like you are out there and your opinion is the majority but things are changing my friend. Online is becoming a more accepted median for education. I don't like the open enrollments or the Life Experience garbage just like you so we aren't that different in our views but you need to realize people who finish these programs are not just anybody that got in... they finished! Those schools with open enrollments have the worst graduation rates so you know those who are graduating didn't get a free ride (for the most part). There are some accredited diploma mills out there but I won't name any names.

paabell April 10, 2008 at 2:10 a.m.

Is AU recognized by them State of Florida education system?

Joe April 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m.

Yes, Ashford is recognized by the State of Florida. All schools that are regionally accredited are recognized by every state and nation on earth.

REALLY? April 25, 2008 at 2:52 a.m.

Joe,

What is wrong with you? If you have such a high profile job and are so busy and do such great things what are you doing on this board? I mean I read the whole board trying to figure out if this school is right for me and your post are one after another after another. Some of your post seem to show that you have function over the brain stem but other show that your just a hateful person. Using “BS” to describe anything is really unprofessional Your so negative and most of your post talks about how important you are and what you do for a living. I’m glad that you work for a 500 company but really, so do 1000 other people. Come on now, do you have that low of self a stem to come on to a posting board day after day to poke at other people. What are you trying to prove? That Ashford is a “BS” school. Good, Say it and get out. Don’t hang around the board like it’s MySpace and rebuttal everything. Get a life.

Joe April 25, 2008 at 4:38 a.m.

Really, the only thing I said was BS was passing out Life Experience credit for people who only have to turn in a brochure for an event they never went to or make up a bogus Power Point presentation. Not only that, but Ashford gives up to 99 hours of tranfer and Life Experience credit. That is excessive and bordering on diploma mill tactics. BS may be an unprofessional phrase but I'm not on the clock.

The fact many people work at Fortune Global 500s is exactly why I brought up the experience. It is an example most people will be familiar with and can relate to because we are the largest employers in the nation and world. Giving people a first hand account of what to expect during hiring is exactly what people coming to review boards need. When it comes to online degrees the number one questions is "can I get a job with this degree?" I think people might appreciate getting an insiders view.

P.S. I have a life... thanks anyway!

Judy April 25, 2008 at 3:11 p.m.

I don't understand why some people are dead set on attacking other people for finding a way to actually get their degree that works for them.

Not everybody has the luxury of time or finances to go to school fulltime and try to ear a living.

As a single mom working full time with 3 kids I found Ashford University an excellent source for my education. Not to mention their fees are NOT overinflated like UoP, and I didn't have to work in study groups and let other people affect my grade.

Since I graduated I got a new job and hit a higher payraise like I wanted, plus, added bonus - my new job allows me to spend more time with my kids.

Anyone who knocks on this University has personal issues to sort out.

Joe April 26, 2008 at 6:05 a.m.

I work in the defence industry.