Southwest University?

Does anyone have any experience with Southwest University (www.southwest.edu) in LA? I'm looking particularly at their MBA program. It looks good as far as price, structure and content. I just would like more details.

 

They are DETC accredited, and there are certainly cheaper options for a DETC accredited MBA. Ashworth College would be one option, with an MBA which runs about $5,000 for the whole program, and that includes books. I couldn't speak to the rigor or employer/academic acceptability of either program.

I've always liked the look of Columbia Southern's program. They are also DETC-accredited, but cost a bit more. They also have agreements with two RA schools. I'm not sure exactly how that works, but it looks like Columbia Southern handles admissions, and you take your courses from one of the RA schools.

 

I also have been considering this school. They have been in business for a while but are brand new to DETC. Another school that may be worth your consideration is CCU "California Coast University" or even Andrew Jackson University which is less expensive than both, but very structured.

I have a friend who is about to take the AS in CJ from Southwest though...I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

If cost is a major consideration why not Amberton University in Texas
(http://www.amberton.edu/index.htm). They are RA,offer an online MBA and cost about $5000. It might cost a little more with books but I'd pay the extra for RA.

 

I ruled out Amberton because it would take longer than a year to a year and a half full time, plus the courses are offered on a "take them or leave them" basis. I want the courses to be available when I want to take them.

Due to cost and the above, I have narrowed my choices to Ashworth and Southwest. I've gotten plenty of info on Ashworth, but I'm trying to find out more about Southwest.

 

Tom,

Being a native of Louisiana--and actually having attended the University of Phoenix when it was located in Kenner--I was a little confused as to where "Southwest University" might be located. For a second I thought Herzog College, which is located in the Xerox Centre ( the old location for the University of Phoenix - Kenner ) was operating under a different name.

Turns out I was wrong: "Southwest University" is located at 2200 Veterans Memorial Boulevard Suite 108, two blocks away from the Xerox Centre. There are a number of private universities in that area. Tom, I cannot honestly say I have ever heard of Southwest University.

 

Tom,

Is the Southwest University Administrator Reg Sheldrick, the hypnotherapist referred to in forum archive. Unfortunately, the discussion thread itself is is cyber gone. However Google returned the following:

Distance Learning Discussion Forums - Sherif with "degree" from ... (Sorry Guys cuts off here, then starts again)"...Southwest, Reg Sheldrick's operation (co-founder), has been around since 1982...Ol' Reg, a hypnotist or hypnotherapist (I'm never sure), earned his doctorate from..." The link is a dead end beyond that.



Yet another fragmented Google search returns the following fragment: "While seemingly always earnest, it has never properly been accredited..."

www.degreeinfo.com/static/forum_archive/ 8/8172/thread_8172_page_1.html - 42k - Supplemental Result


Any of this sound vaguely familiar to our senior members?

 

Whats the point of your post? Southwest is now accredited. Providing links to old articles about Southwest when it was unaccredited wont help the poster.

 

I think I know what you were talking about...wasn't the sherrif a graduate of St. Johns of Springfield La.? I could be wrong.

According to John Bear I believe that Southwest University is just outside of New Orleans in a 10 room Office Suite at the time of his visit.

Since then they have been accredited by DETC are are a viable school.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them if they fit your needs. Within the same price area is California Coast and you can rent books from them for about $20.00 making them slightly cheaper.

You also have Andrew Jackson which is about as inexpensive as Ashworth College except you pay for your books.

Personally I believe you will recieve more personalized attention at Andrew Jackson U then you will at Ashworth, at least from my experience.

 

friendorfoe said:

"I think I know what you were talking about...wasn't the sherrif a graduate of St. Johns of Springfield La.? I could be wrong."

Thanks for clarifying this, friendorfoe. I was unable to find any thing in our database to clarify the Google results. I was sure a senior member could clarify this. For the record, its present location is the suite Bear was referring to. [Kenner is just outside New Orleans, for the non-Louisianians.]

FC2008, my "point" was simply that our group member should conside other options. I would hope this would encourage Tom to dig further. Also, if you wil recall I ended my post with a question: "Any of this sound vaguely familiar to our senior members?" friendorfoe at least attempted to clarify this information. I am not entirely what the purpose of your post was, FC2008.

 

Southwest University was founded by hypnotherapist Reg Sheldrick, who had a doctorate from Newport University, IIRC.

 

I believe John Bear noted that Mr. Shedrick is now deceased. I also remember Mr. Bear referring to Southwest as one of the best "mom and pop shops" (His words) in education. He also mentioned that they have never tried to falsely deceive anyone relative to their accreditation.

I have found their staff to be very courteous, knowledgable, and helpful.

I'm just looking for folks who've actually done some work in the trenches.

 

Rich,

Thanks for the information. Once again senior members provide valuable information!

 

Working in Kenner, Louisiana (where the university was located for some time) I had the chance to meet Mr. Shedrick on a few occasions. In my conversations with him he was very concerned that his students get the best possible education from his programs. Since then I have met a few of the faculty that teach at his school. Based on my conversations with them, the philosophy that Mr. Shedrick had lives on in his school.

 

After speaking with them on the phone twice, I will support the opinion that they are very nice folks.

"Mom and Pop" school could probably some up a lot of private schools and I wouldn't consider Dr. Bear's comments to be derogatory.

It’s probably a small school, with a small student body with small overhead. That would explain a lot about their website, which like Andrew Jackson U….isn’t all that slick though informative.

 

I did not consider Mr. Bear's words to be a slam at Southwest at all. In fact, it may have been a compliment. I believe he is fond of the school. I'd love to hear him comment on it again.

I hope they survived Katrina.

 

I too would be interested in Dr. Bear's thoughts on Southwest.

They were pretty close to New Orleans...according to this web link...their elevation is 3ft. I assume that means 3ft. above sea level. Southwest may be underwater right now.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Kenner-Louisiana.html

 

That would be interesting info to know.

 

Does anyone have info regarding the operation of Southwest after the hurricane? I just enrolled with them last month. I returned from vacation today and have no idea if they have suffered damage or flooding which would suspend business. I tried contacting them via phone and e-mail, no reply. Dosen't look to promising.

 

I don't know who owns Southwest now, since founder Reg Sheldrick's death last year . . . but no one is going to walk away from a business with a seven-figure revenue.

I would hope that their accreditor, DETC, would have (or be trying to get) information. www.detc.org.