Looking for any feedback on Colorado Technical University. I'm interested in their online MSM-Project Management program www.ctuonline.edu. I see they are a GAC Accreditation Candidate Institution as well. Thanks. SMALLS
This is a for-profit school, owned by Career Education Corporation, which has run into several problems A quick Google search reveled the following (some of which may be dated): * The U.S. Department of Education has refused to approve CECO's applications for new locations until it completes its review of the company's "restated" financial reports. * The Chicago office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating charges that women were subjected to sexual harassment at AIU Online. * The SEC's "enforcement division" is still looking at CECO's 10-K filings for 2003 and 2004. * In a 60 Minutes expose that aired on Jan. 30, 2005, former admissions representatives admitted that they "were really salespeople," expected to enroll three high school graduates a week, "regardless of their ability to complete the coursework." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/31/60minutes/main670479.shtml * Finally, the Department of Justice has been analyzing a slew of lawsuits by former students, investors, and employees -- including Vinod Kapoor, a former faculty member at AIU in Los Angeles. Kapoor filed a wrongful termination suit against CECO after he was fired in March 2004 for complaining that he was pressured to keep failing students on his class list so that the school could continue to receive federal funds, and that many students in his classes did not have high school degrees, had no intention of attending classes, and were sometimes simply fictitious names on the roster. Some of these things may be “resolved”, while other new issues may have popped up since. For example, it is my understanding that AIU, also owned by CEC, is on probation from its accreditor. So, my opinion, look elsewhere.
I can't speak to any difficulties with CTU's parent company, but as to the specific program you asked about, I've known two individuals who completed the CTU MSM - Project Management, and they were very pleased with the program. What they said specifically was: - The school is RA - The work was rigorous - The curriculum is modeled after PMI (Project Management Institute) guidelines (i.e. the PMBOK and PMP testing criteria) - It helped both of these folks advance in their jobs (one Government, the other private industry) - The one downside was the cost Hope this helps, and best of luck on your decision. Dave
I am not very impressed with the parent company, but I know a Dr. Wayne Applewhite, who recieved his DM from CTU and is currently a full professor at Boston University and the head of the outreach division in Washington DC. Of course he also published a book or 2, but I think he goes to show that the utility of a CTU degree can be very fulfilling.
Dr. Applewhite works for the Metropolitan College of BU along with other faculty without any doctoral degree. Why endorse an awful corporation like CEC through one of their campuses, especially when there are other more ethical options, like Boston University! http://www.bu.edu/online/online_programs/graduate_degree/master_management/ I know, kinda expensive. There are many other options, just do a search.
Smalls, I'm currently attending CTU Online (Executive MBA), and have had no issues with the program. The coursework is demanding, and structured very well. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to drop me a mail. Jason
I am not endorsing CTU or its parent company. I am simply using Dr. Applewhite as an example that a degree from CTU is usefull.
That is correct; AIU Online is currently on probation. They were placed on probation which was reviewed last year, but deemed to warrant another year of probation. AIU and CTU while being owned by the same company are not the same school. CTU Online is not on probation. Also, it should be noted that the U.S. Department of Education lifted the ban on CEC http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070122/career_education_regulatory.html?.v=1 Anyway, I hope that you find a school which meets your needs. Jason
Try a google search for CTU fraud, scam or rip off you will find many interesting posts by current and former students.
Yes, American Intercontinental University is still listed as on probation by its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=12550 However, its sister school, Colorado Technical University, is not listed as on probation by its accreditor, the North Central Association. www.ncahlc.org/index.php?option=com_directory&Itemid=192&Action=ShowBasic&instid=1922
There are some review of this school here: http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/colorado-technical-university-online/ So far all positive but very few to be significant. Another place to look for feedback is the bad business bureau site that keeps a log of complaints about a school. Although a lot complaints look more like revange you should also consider them before making a decision. http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=colorado+technical Here there are 12 complaints against this school with a lot of negative points but at the end you are the judge.
Opinion Howdy all, It’s been a while since I’ve written. As a graduate of both schools I've found both programs to be credible and career enhancing. While no school is perfect CTU has been prospering very well, even grown.. Their prices aren’t cheap but they have many satisfied students that would disagree with your assessment. There are irrefutable facts that have been stated about the accreditation status of AIU. They have also made great efforts to fix those problems. There is a high probability that AIU will be getting off of the probation list on their next assessment. After all they are a for profit entity and would be fools not to fix the issues to continue making those profits. There is still an unrealistic view that some people take when they attend college. Many think it should be free, it’s bloody expensive no matter what school you attend. S/
Curiosity got the better of me, so I did a search on CTU (which I completed in 2004) just to see what kind of threads are out there. Gotta say I'm disappointed after reading the posts from the ripoff site (several very recently). I was already attending the school in 2003 when the partnership with CEC began...I remember telling other folks in the program that I hoped this wouldn't make the degree worthless in 10 years. I did the MSM-IT (PM) program on-campus, and was happy with it. Learned alot, felt it was challenging, and never felt ripped off or pressured by "advisors". It's a shame if this is the direction the school has taken. While holding the degree hasn't hurt me in Air Force career progression, I'm wondering if it'll be worth putting on my resume if/when I apply for jobs in the civilian world again.
My brother had a great experience at CTU and the degree has helped him professionally as well. That being said, they are very expensive. As for the accreditation probation, just off the top of my head, Texas Tech and Collin County Community College, both very legitimate schools had their accreditation placed on probationary status for various reasons. Texas Tech "forgot" to submit curriculum information or something equally stupid. So having problems with an accrediting agency is not always a reflection of the quality of education provided for by that school. That said AIU has had an inordinate amount of attention placed upon them but AIU and CTU are very different schools.
