Southern New Hampshire University

I have been taking classes online with SNHU for two years. I can only say that I question what I am paying for everyday. I teach myself the material, most of the tests are graded instantly by the system and there is no follow up on anything. You can't look back if you have made a mistake because you are only given an answer with no teaching taking place. One investment class adjunct professor had students invest in a mock portfolio, this adjunct professor invested in Harley Davidson, GM and a bunch of other companies that had been going down the tubes for years, I invested in Chinese solar companies and my stock increased in 5 weeks by 300%, the "professor's" dropped a LOT. I was excited and posted my gains but apparently the posting was in the wrong section of the myriad of areas to post and he struck my work for the week off the system and "reprimanded" me in the online forum. Bottom line is I have nothing to learn from someone who doesn't know their business, if this was an experimental class to give this adjunct Professor Stoner experience it was a failed one. Another class "Humanities" found the professor working hard for females in the class and just put a bad taste in my mouth...what desperation. It is a sad school, at this point I am not sure I want my diploma from this "institution of higher learning".

Wow $2600 to teach a class....my wife made that at the community college level teaching a class for a certification. How sad. SNHU is a money making machine! 

When I get my BS and then my masters and finally my Phd from SNHU I want to work there. It will probably be the only place that would be hiring someone with such a useless bunch of diplomas. I can't wait to be underpaid.

A school rep obviously wrote the great review up. That's how things work there.

In classes at SNHU I was often looking around worrying that the caliber of students and teachers was on the low end of the spectrum....5 courses in my worries turned to a realization that this school will accept anyone as a student and attracts teachers that can't get jobs in the real world not to mention other schools. If you want to learn nothing and buy a diploma this is your school, come with cash or lots of loans you will go far.

This is an excellent university whose reputation is on the upswing.  SNHU is now a Tier 1 school, and they are steadily expanding and improving their programs.  Numerous awards have been bestowed on this university, too.  As an online student, I can confirm that this is not a degree mill.  Many students flunk out because they can't handle a real challenge.  Faculty members are typically very helpful, and they always have solid credentials.  SNHU degrees are exactly the same no matter if they're earned online or on-campus.  If you want a real degree, especially in business, try SNHU!

I know for a fact that you are not allowed to take 3 classes at once without discussing it with an advisor and getting approval from the school.  Once you agree that you have the ability to handle 3 classes at once, you can't turn back.  If you can't keep up, that is your problem, regardless of the issue(s) keeping you from completing your work.  You got yourself into the problem and couldn't get out of it..and then you slander the school like it was their fault.  Nice.

Positive, positive experience! I earned a B.S. there! Currently pursuing a MBA there. I am sorry to hear about the negative comment, but in classes there was also a lot of students who came to WORK, and some who came for the ride! It was all work here! This school is not easy, and it also has a tutoring program! If you failed maybe it is because you just were not ready to be in school. I know at least 8 grads from the online program, and not only did we find great interviews after graduation, we found great jobs and careers!

I came to SNHU to start earning my Bachelors degree after a break from earning my Associates degree at another college.I am going on my fourth class at SNHU and I have not had nearly the same problems as other people, in fact it's been a pretty positive experience. I will say that you may not always know exactly what to expect but a week before the class even starts the instuctors post the syllabus so you have somewhat of an idea of what's to come. My advisor was pretty good, I was taking a math class that wasnt going as well as i thought and i felt i should move to the lower class to refresh my memory I did this on the first week of class and my advisor helped me switch to a new class without any hassle. The classes can be very challenging seeing how they are squeezing 16 weeks worth in to 8 weeks but for the most part I feel they instructors have done a good job. Like anything some people have positive experiences and others have negative. I havent gotten to any point where i need to go outside of the online classes. Maybe that doesnt fall under a business degree but i wish those other people would have shared what class that was for. Otherwise how true can it really be if you cant explain what it was.

This is a very good school. I am a sophomore in the online undergraduate program, you have to work at it, but this grading is fair and the instructors are usually quite supportive.

Oh and one other thing, before I go. I find it strange that the best positive comment on here has a full fledged rating score and everything. How come no else  can provide a score? Hmmmm I wonder if that is a school representative writing the comment. It sure sounds like it is!

Well I am a REAL student, and I don’t work for the school. For the record, most online degree programs at other schools offer math online, as well. The tuition is not at all competitive, and classes are definitely not worth the money. They are far from challenging, and the course descriptions are misleading...something you won't know until you pay for and start the class, because the advisors do not give you that information. Oh be prepared to teach yourself if you do a class online. You will be wondering, "Why am I paying all this money to teach myself?" Again, stay away!!

All the negative comments, particularly the ones from Jennifer and April are true. The faculty are atrocious, and April I couldn't have said it better. They act like they don't care! They make no effort to help the student. My advisor didn't even seem educated or experienced enough to even give me advice. I am not trying mock anyone, but isn't that the whole point of an advisor. My experience is that you don't feel like a valued student there, no matter how well you do. They make you feel like you are expendable, and "well if you don't like it, you can go to another school." Well you know what SNHU, I will, you just wasted a lot of my loan dollars, but you won't get another cent. Word of the wise, stay far away from this school. It is really as bad as they say. When a school can make someone like me cry and feel like there is no where to turn, then you know it is a bad school!!!

I attended SNHU and earned my Master’s Degree.  It was academically challenging, both online and on campus.  It was the best schooling I was ever taught.  I was instructed by all PHD’s and the Dean himself for two classes.  This was a great honor.  At this school I was taught how to think, not just to memorize and regurgitate answers from a book, or research from the library.  The professors are also technicians in the field of study and are on the ground floor of Community Projects locally and around the world(at least the department that I was studying under).  When I graduated, Barak Obama spoke at the graduation (Pre-Presidency) and it was very clear that I made the right choice attending this school.  This college is an old Brick and Mortar school that has been around for along time.

I taught for SNHU and can say that without a doubt this is the absolute worst online school I have seen in my 15 years of teaching.  They pay their faculty $2600 to teach graduate-level course and pay them as CONTRACTORS so that they can get away with not paying FICA.  No other online school does this (and I teach for several). And for those of you that don't know much about faculty pay, $2600 is less than what a COMMUNITY COLLEGE pays for an undergraduate class which runs 8 weeks (and my course was 11!).  At most accredited schools, faculty if paid upwards of $5,000 for a graduate class.  Oh, but they don't tell you this until AFTER they make you attend a 6 week training course on how to use their LMS (Blackboard) - which, of course is also unpaid!!  I taught their twice and that was enough - I was making less than minimum wage with a PhD!   So folks, you get what you pay for - SNHU is a degree-mill with faculty that are the bottom-barrell (after all, the topi tier folks aren't going to put up with these conditions).  Go somewhere else and get a real degree, with faculty that care about your learning and not just going through the motions of passing students.

I'm not sure how much trust I would place in a review from a former faculty member who makes spelling and usage errors in his or her writing.  It sounds as though you were a faculty member who did not care about student learning, but rather what you felt you should have been paid.

I agree with Jennifer. I have the same issues! Huge lack of advising and empathy. They pretty much say well that is the way it is there isn't anything we can do. I too spent alot of money and want to get the most for it. I am looking for somewhere to transfer now in hopes I can finish this degree. I was taking three classes at once. I had a situation come up where I had personal family issues. Two of the classes were almost over and I passed, but the one that continues was a 16 week class. I was terribly behind and was not understanding the information. There was no way to catch up. I tried to drop the class to be met by an email with no name or information just DENIED per policy. See I was a week late in my request to drop the class. I called my advisor, big mistake, she just patranized me saying online school is not for every one. I then asked do you know how many classes I have taken here? I only had 6 left. What an idiot. This left me with little faith. I think it unfair to just put up with this. Yes I can take the class again, but the F I am about to get when this class ends will stay on my transcript forever. Thanks. I am penalized for fally behind and not asking to withdrawal in time. I was not expecting a refund or any sort just the chance to retake the class so that I could fully understand it and get my moneys worth without it negatively effecting my transcript.

I am an SNHU online student who is in the process of transferring elsewhere for my B.A. If you are an online degree seeking student, please wary of the program you choose and the classes that you would need to take (particularly if you are a working student simply looking for the convenience of an online only school), because your advisor will more than likely not be up front and honest with you. In fact, the advisors really don't do much to advise you. I spent a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and money!!) at this school. Upon only having a few classes left in order to graduate, I found out on my own (because my advisor didn't tell me) that I had to take a class that would require me to go outside of the online education environment, even though I was pursuing an online only degree. This wasn't feasible for me in my working situation, and completely defeated the purpose of me attending the school's online degree program in the first place. When I tried to fill out a request to waive the class (using a form that seems to be basically useless, it’s a wonder why the school even has one available for students) and take something in its place, the school immediately denied my request without really hearing my side of the story. In fact they were quite rude about it. As an honor student with only a few classes left at the school, I was basically told I could change my major or find another school. Wow! Thanks for nothing, SNHU!!! I would have been graduating in a few months, but instead I am now stuck trying to find another school to transfer to. Needless to say the school's online program is quite deceiving and is falsely advertised. Had I known this a few years ago, I would have never even enrolled in their program. Yes, the classes are great and I learned a lot from the professors, but their faculty is horrible and do not give a darn about the student. I have had several problems with them from the get go, but was willing to overlook them for my education, but I should have seen the warning signs….this was the last straw. This is not a bash on the school, but the God's honest truth about how this school works. I wish someone would have told me this before. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL!!

I earned my B.A., degree at SNHU through the online program. SNHU is a challenging school, well organized, and I'm really glad I earned my degree there!

I am a retired lawyer back in school to get my degree in English Lit so I can teach. SNHU is my third on-line school.  I tried UMUC and UOP - both disasters.  SNHU is not the worst - but it sure leaves a lot to be desired.  I have had a couple of great teachers who participate and engage with the students - but most are "ghost instructors" - barely available to answer basic questions.  This is definitely a program where you must teach yourself - but aren't they all?  

My real gripe has to do with the exams they use - they apparently purchase these from a third party and the instructors are not required to take the exam themselves to verify validity and accuracy.  I have challenged these exams (true/false and multiple choice) and had questions thrown out or changed.  I am in the middle of another one of these controversies. 

So my question is - does an online program exist that really is what it says it is and provides a quality education?  I am not sure such a program exists.

Sharon

Hello, I have credits from Warren National University, an unaccredited university that is no longer open.  I have been told that SNHU will allow me to transfer in.  Is that correct?

Not sure what all the negative comments are all about. I am currently taking classes for my MS in IT degree and have had nothing but positive experiences. The classes are challenging and are relevant to the real world. So far I've only had one bad professor who had a teaching style I wasn't crazy about. I am also taking these classes on the campus in Manchester, never took an online class with them, could be a totally different experience I guess. One thing I have a problem with is the advising office... they are totally useless and refuse to help with simple problems. Other than that, I believe the actual education I am getting is worth the money I am spending.

So after reading all of these comments I'm noticing a trend: 

1. Students who like the school who have graduated.
2. Students who don't like the school who have not graduated.
3. Teachers with sour grapes.

Newsflash: If you have sour grapes, 90% + of the time it's because you haven't done your due diligence in research about your program or your job prior to jumping in.  At that point, of course advising isn't going to help and you're going to be upset about compensation.  

Gotta love the Internet.  Free speech without responsibility.

2004 Business Graduate!!!! If you are a student planning to transfer to a college, SNHU is the best choice. I completed an associate degree at a school that is on a trimester basis and went on to pursue my bachelors. My senior year i went part time at that school and took time off. When i contacted SNHU in reference to transferring to the school, SNHU accepted 75% yes i said it 75% of my classes. I only had to complete 10 courses in which half we almost electives and they have short summer terms. I enrolled 3/03 and graduated 5/04 on mother's day. My husband and I flew from Gerogia to New New Hampshire for graduation and it was a beautiful ceremony. I could not have asked for anything more

Why are there so many negative comments? The positive ones are so open ended, I wonder if they are legit. 

The instructors they use for online programs are terrible...ive been in a an online program for 2 years now and all but 2 or 3 instructors fail to reply to emails and  queries in a timely manner. Dont expect much help from your instructor. At about $900 a class, its a decent price though. I would advise anyone to avoid this school unless they absolutely have no other option. Not the worse online school, but for the money, choose a better one.

The school is a good school. For any school be it online or at the school, the student has to learn that is study. The reason why you bought the textbook is not only to make your posts but read the textbook.
I know very well about the so called ADJUNCT PROFESSOR STONER who is not only a failure, BUT A FREAK. I once took his class, even if I sneeze he will penalize me. From day one to the end of his class.I felt different, but one thing I KNOW FOR SURE HE CANNOT FAIL ME, BECAUSE HIS INTENTION WAS QUITE OBVIOUS TO ME. If hitting the books will make pass I will pass, I might not get what I am suppose to get.First assignment I got all the answers right he penalized me by a Point for answering one question more. He has done everything to fail, but he could not. He will make the questions tricky, but I will still get all correct, but he will look for something to finalize me for. He likes to call himself a Professor,when he is not. He is a real bluff, nothing more. There is no bad school, SNHU like any other school is good. Try to study as much as you can, not only for the exam. Be knowlegeable about the class, understand the fundamentals on your own, not only for the quiz/test or exam. I do not care which school you go to, if you do not befriend your textbooks you will never know anything about your field of study. It is hard but with or without the professors' help, teach yourself more and will always be fine.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR STONER OF ST.LOUIS IS NOTHING BUT A FREAK, A BLUFF AND A FAILURE TO ALL HIS STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES.

To be fair, SNHU is not a diploma mill. The problem appears to be quality of teachers SNHU is hiring for the online program. The teachers aren't necessarily  well versed in the Blackboard system/used to teaching online. The teachers aren't real staff, and just need the extra money. I've noticed that many of the teachers are working other jobs and pursuing their own higher education (PhD), so they are too busy to actually teach. They don't manage their classes, and try and hold the students responsible for the results of that lack of organization and clarity. 

Teachers should be real staff and better quality. SNHU should slow down the expansion of the online program. It's an ethical issue, I hope SNHU starts doing the right thing.

I find that some students are there to learn and some are there to punch a ticket toward graduating. It is like any other school in that regard. 
However, their grading standards are lower than most community colleges, with a real reluctance to give away "too many C's" or lower. They only pay about 1800 per class. 
Although the school is upgrading facilities is is all from the boom of their inititial online program. Having taken an online class there, it is remedial reading and output with variable grading. not worth the money.

The work is easy and the quality of grading is mostly poor. The school overcharges for most classes as it cant figure out its priorities, other than making money, it fails to invest in teaching quality.

Currently in my first term at SNHU online. So far, not impressed. The teachers are not good at what they do. Their communication is lackadaisical and inconsistent, and the grading is arbitrary.

The reason the classes are writing intensive is because the teachers aren't teaching; they a post a bunch of assignments that tell you which pages in a book to read and then have you write a paper about it. Then they free associate on the grading criteria and you get the results.

The most ridiculous part is when they want you to interject your personal experiences into your writings. Instead of being able to focus on the standardized information that the classes are supposed to impart, everything is some creative writing excersize.

The teachers free associate because they don't teach you anything; it's just what you read out of the book against what they know (or what their opinion is).

The discussion board posts aren't about critical thinking or quality, they're about quantity. Make sure you put in a bunch of irrelevant personal experiences that are disassociated from the DB question, and then go around agreeing with other peoples posts and you'll be fine. Say something to intelligent and they'll pick at you because there is no reference points that you can hold them to.

I wouldn't know the difference except that I took about 20 online courses from a killer community college where most of the teachers were actual staff and the ones that weren't somehow taught their classes anyway.

I had an almost 4.0 GPA that SNHU tossed out when I transferred my credits over and even though I currently have an A in both my classes, I can see the reluctancy to grade over a 94 and keep me in the A- to B+ range, regardless of the quality of the work.

I suspect this is some method of creating a false impression that SNHU is no pushover.

Basically $900.00 per course to self study. I might as well CLEP.

Definately rethinking completing my degree there. What will it be worth in out in the market?

 

hi guys i am frm india i hav finished my be ( computer science engineering )i am planing to do my master's in snhu tell me plus and minus of the univ is master's degree worth doing in snhu .tell me abt the placements 

Let me begin by stating that if you are looking for an easy degree, than SNHU is not for you. This university is, in my opinion, top notch. The online classes are writing intensive, and even though they are only 8 weeks long, the information and learning experience a student receives is equal to or greater than the traditional 16 week classes. I can't say enough about SNHU, but don't take my advice alone. Go out and do your research. What you will find is that SNHU is one of the best.

Great School and 8 week classes are wonderful.  Pretty intensive but the Teachers actually do work with you.  SNHU is a Tier 1 school that gives online classes and I am actually learning despite past experiences at Ellis which was my only online experience.