Liberty University : Masters in Counseling Reviews
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Bleighorr
(In Progress) on October 11, 2010
(email verified)
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Love my school!
I have been a LU Distance Learning student since 2009 - first started in the school counseling (M.Ed.) program, then switched to LPC due to the lack of internships in my county. Keep in mind that I'm almost 50, have several children, and so this is the ONLY alternative for me to return to school...and I must say that I am truly glad I chose Liberty.
In all fairness, the entire Distance Learning thing lacks: Personal instruction. Get ready for it: It's a fact. That's why it's called "Distance Learning." It requires that you 1. Do not procrastinate in financial aid applications, loan documents, or school work; 2. Ask for help IMMEDIATELY if you need it. 3. Use the Distance Learning Library for further clarification.
I'm seeing some differing opinions here, but I LOVE the spiritual emphasis, especially in the counseling field. We are taught as Christians to respect diversity, yet to hold strong to our beliefs because our chosen profession is our testimony in large part. If people feel uncomfortable with this aspect of LU's education, then they should probably consider transferring out...because I sincerely hope that LU will forever hold to their Christian values. I was an on campus LBC student in the early 1980s, so the 2010 LU is tremendously different than the strict LBC I used to go to...but changing with the times doesn't mean dropping standards, so more power to LUs curriculum that emphasizes Christ in every class. I'm ALL about that, even in my unworthy, sinful state! :-)
I also receive regular contact from the LU admissions team (and I used to work in a proprietary school as an admissions rep and let me tell you - this is NOT a normal thing....usually in private schools like the one I worked at, it's all about the money and not at all about building a relationship after the "sale" of admitting someone....) so I've always found that very refreshing.
Even in job-search efforts, prospective employers here in NC have "heard great things" about LUs DLP (including the principal I interviewed with)....so that's always nice to know when seeking employment.
It takes a lot more reading, advance preparation, independence, and discipline to be successful in an online environment. Period. Do yourself a favor and figure out your schedules, order your books a few months in advance of your classes, and leisurely read at your own pace. You'll be surprised at how much easier 8 weeks can become if you prepare yourself.
I Love my School...and the friendships I've forged with so many of my classmates...especially in my Group Process and Counseling Techniques intensive classes...those two weeks with my instructors and classmates at the LU campus were truly life transforming for me!!! Thank you all for what you've added to my life....
Rock on, LU!!!!
P.S.
LUs grad program is no walk in the park...but is it supposed to be?? No class will ever teach you everything you need to know...but I can say that LU has exposed me to areas I need to concentrate on developing. When I went to NSU, though....I wasn't totally ready for the Praxis exams when I graduated; I had to study for 6 months before I took them.
LU has some FABULOUS instructors but some instructors are better than others as in all schools. I have had some issues with being incorrectly graded on tests because some questions can be very subjective; however, I have respectfully emailed instructors and explained why I selected the answer I did (including text page reference) and on every occasion, I have received credit for the answer - so overall, who can complain about that?
One of the biggest issues I have noticed among instructors is lack of consistency in APA grading. Now I ask my instructors during Day One to provide sample APA format they prefer. Finding out instructor preferences at the very beginning can save time and deductions. FYI: They instruct from all over the country, so there will never be "consistency." Do yourself a favor and ask Day One.
I order my books 2-4 weeks early and stay a few chapters ahead. This requires reading beforehand, especially with intensive classes, which can be very fast-paced and hectic. Since the sessions are 8 weeks, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with other project requirements so reading and studying ahead has benefited me immensely.
Another suggestion is to check the difficulty levels of the classes before registering. DO NOT take two 10/10 difficulty rated courses in the same term unless you want to pull your hair out :-) Strategically plan your schedule so you take moderate/hard together and not hard/hard in the same term. There is such a thing as academic burnout.
Yes, I'm more responsible than I was at 18 years old, yes I know the value of filling out loan paperwork as soon as I know I have to so I can be ready in six months....so these habits naturally eliminate me from some of the experiences I'm noting here that may be occurring due to poor planning and last-minute preparation....which is never a good thing in a DLP or a classroom collegiate environment. I laugh because I remember during undergrad, standing in financial aid lines for literally the ENTIRE DAY at NSU....only to find out that they had not processed paperwork, etc. I have NEVER had that experience at LU.
Hope this helps, and best of luck in your collegiate experiences, people...God bless!
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on December 18, 2010
