I would greatly appreciate hearing about anybodys experience with Grantham College. I am looking at programs in computer science and Grantham is the only DETC school on my list so far. I will be looking at RA schools also but I would like to limit this thread to Grantham or other DETC institutions for now. Thank you for your input. Craig
I was an "adjunct faculty member" at Grantham for a while. Based on this experience, I would not recommend it to anyone. The classes are based on "course guide" documents that outline the reading and assignments. The assignments are not reviewed typically and are only (depending upon your point of view) preparation for exams (at best) or busy-work (at worst). "Instructors" have no involvement in the creation of the course guides, the assignments, the grading of submissions, etc. The student then takes several tests where the questions are largely multiple choice. I found that many times the tests had arbitrary questions and sometimes the correct answer wasn't even on the list of choices. There are graders for the exams who are NOT the "instructor". Instructors only have two purposes: answer questions submitted via email, and grading appeals. I answered the same questions over and over, and since I had no input into the course materials, I was unable to correct the situation leading to the questions. The unclear books, course guides, exam questions, or any combination of all of them caused the questions. When considering grade appeals, from the administration’s perspective the correct response from the instructor was to say “no” the first time and see if the student complained again. I was called on the carpet several times for siding with the student when the exam had a bad question. If a student failed an exam, he was allowed to retake it as many times as necessary until he achieved at least a 70%. All-in-all, this was not a satisfying experience for me, and I doubt that the students could have been satisfied…
Very interesting. Other than a few vague comments on how out-dated their material was, I have never really heard anything about Grantham. I have looked at their curriculum and it seemed like it was pretty good (as far as courses go). Not many engineering technology programs (that I've seen) go beyond Calculus II. Their computer science program actually looks like a computer science program (not an information systems program). You can always find an RA school to get an online CS program. However, I have noticed alot of them have really weak curriculums (more like an IT or CIS degree.. No theory or math just applied subjects). BR, Bill
Except that Grantham doesn't offer bogus Ph.D. degrees, it requires more than 5 exams (open-book) for a bachelor's, it has a defined curriculum, and it has been properly accredited by a recognized agency for more than 20 years.
Grantham Success Story I am a December 1994 graduate of the Grantham BSEET program. It was six years of really hard work. I used what I learned in this program to work my way up the engineering ranks (from Associate Engineer, to Manager, Engineering, to Divison President, to President of an Engineering firm. (Panasonic Wireless Design) I am sure different people from faculty to students had various experiences with Grantham, but my experience was quite good. I also belive Grantham is under new ownership, and is undergoing significant improvement, along with expanded programs. I always had difficulty with the tests and exams, and though I received some support, it was never a cakewalk. Jim Marion Pursuing PhD, Capella University MBA, Heriot-Watt University BSEET, Grantham College of Engineering
Jim, That is great to hear (I am currently working on a BSET from Old Dominion myself). I am glad to hear a success story about an engineering technology degree. I have a question, did you choose an MBA and not an MSEE or ME because your BSEET did not have enough technical background (math, engineering theory, etc.)? It seems an MBA or MSCS is the route ET's take for masters level work. I am trying to find out just how hard it is to be admitted to an MSEE or ME with an engineering technology undergrad degree. Most colleges state that you must finished "bridging" course work, but never get specific on what you would have to complete. If I couldn't enroll in an engineering masters degree I would probably choose the MSCS. Oh well, I have to finish my bachelors first huh? Best Regards, Bill
Grantham Actually, I took the MBA because I was on the management track in my company. In working my way up the management track, within the technical arena, a BS was essential, but I did not have much use for an MS. An MBA was highly desirable however, so I went for it.
