California National University (CNU)

California National University is listed on the DETC.com website, so I
know it is accredited (Although it does not have regional
accreditation,)

If anyone out there has heard of "CNU" I would like to know...your
opinions
could prove invaluable to me. I would especially like to hear any
success
stories about any of you who have graduated. I would especially like
to hear
from those "in the know" and within the "electronics industry. I would
hate
the thought of graduating for CNU only to have my resume thrown in the
trash...Any Comments, opinions, success stories would be appreciated

www.cnuas.edu

Would like to know what each of you thinks about CNU (not to be
confused with national University).. Please indicate what program you
are in, semester you
are working on, and then indicate what you like/and dislike about any
or all of the courses that you are taking.

I am considering the BSEE Degree. I understand that this is only a
DETC
school! But I would like to hear from both current enrolled students
and graduates about there experience at Californai National
University; as well as discuss likes/dislikes about the curriculum
and course materials.

Thank you in advance for your time.

 

Well I am not a student from student from California National University, however, I have looked at them and compared tro other DL schools.

From what I've seen this is the only DETC accredited DL double E program available. There is another one that is NATIONALLY accredited (its not DETC some other accreditation, forgot what it was called). That school is called Cooks school of Electronics. There is one REGIONALLY accredited school that others an ALMOST completely DL BSEE (ABET accredited) program is the University of North Dakota. The only thing that you have to attend at the school are the lab courses (which each lab can be completed in one week. The advisor explained that you could make a vacation out of it and bring the family while you goto school... riiiiiiight... heh). If you don't mind doing an engineering technology (applied engineering more or less), there are several NA and RA programs out there (this program is less rigorous in the math dept. and engineering theory which makes it harder to qualify for a bonified engineering position).

CNUAS's engineering program SEEMS good. Plenty of math (Calc I to III and and Differential Equations), calculus based physic (I am guessing physic III is calc based), and calculus based engineering course (thermodynamics, mechanics, etc.). Looks like it has everything a traditional program would have (except lab courses).

I was interested in this program my self. The one big factor that puts this program off my list is the price ($235 a credit is a little too much for me). I don't know if the DETC accreditation is really a reason for not take this program. If I were and employer and if I had to pick between a BSET grad from an RA school and a BSEE from an NA school I would choose the EE grad from the NA (although I frequent this forum alot and know the difference between RA and NA.. some employers might not even know the difference between RA and NA).

So in short, CNUAS looks good (just a little expensive). I'm not sure how much UND's program is (probably not cheaper), but if you can dig flying to their campus a few times through out the program to do lab classes then maybe that would be a better choice. Theirs is ABET accredited (which might not even be a factor for your line of work.. it seems ABET accreditation is mainly for getting your PE license a little easier. There are some places that require ABET program grads, more PREFER it I'm sure, but if you can show the employer you have all the fundamentals of engineering in the program it should't be a problem).

OK this message is getting really messy. Good luck!

Best Regards,

Bill

PS - What field of electronics are you working in (medical, semiconductor, aviation, etc.)?

 

You know what? There ARE labs in the curriculum (didn't see it at first).

Bill

 

Sorry for the separate replies. I just noticed that the grad tuition for MSEE is $255 (which is pretty cheap for graduate tuition). Maybe this would be a cheap alternative to going for an ME or MSEE from an RA school..

Anyone else know cheap MS or ME's in engineering that are DL?

Bill

 

TESC

Hello, Why not go for a Bachelor of Applied Science at TESC? Although there are problems with customer service you would end up with a RA degree. Hille

 

He could.... IF he wanted an engineering TECHNOLOGY degree rather than an engineering degree. There is a bit of a difference between the two. BSET is more of an applied science and BSE is more theoretical in nature. BSET (Technologist) = field engineering; hands-on, BSE (Engineer) = theory and design. If he specifically wants an BSE rather than a BSET then I don't think there is a program available at TESC.

There is, however, an option in COSC's BSGS degree called "engineering studies" which looks somewhat close to an engineering curriculum. I don't see this being a problem, as long as he explains it on his resume that he has crap load of engineering and math coursework.

//Bill

 

A BSEE would be preferred

I then intend to go on to my Masters.

 

Reply

So, where did you graduate from?

Yes, Bill, I would hasten to agree with you. This the ONLY DETC program that I could find (of its kind). That is, they offer the BS in EE (not ET). Also, they offer the MS –and I do not know of any other DETC school that offers an MS. Besides, there would not be any problems transferring into the MS program from the BS (Obviously)

I am seeking a degree that is rigorous in mathematics because I both enjoy math and as an engineer I see no reason to skirt around this issue

I would be happy to share with you what I know; as I have the catalog.

I have heard that some employers actually prefer a student who studies at a distance..shows initiative and self determination.

UND's program is about $8,000 per year...but because they have RA you can receive federal funding.

I would like to finish with 3 to 4 years.

I am also looking into the possibility of taking the lab courses at a nearby community college ...and then transferring the credits into the UND program. The verdict is still out on exactly "how" this is to be done.

How do I do that?

(

I am currently in telecommunication myself. With a high appitute for mathematics, and added to the fact that this will be a career switch for me, I am natually curious about "electronics" (alwyas have been) and really want to move into a more exciting and rewarding career.

 

I haven't yet... I have an associates in electro-mechanical technology from Excelsior and I am transferring that into a BSET (electro-mechanical systems option) from Old Dominion University.

I (like you) have always been fascinated with electronics, HOWEVER, I have NOT been fascinated with MATH <g>. I will be struggling through the differential and integral equations coursework I have to take before I can take any of upper level engineering classes in this program. It makes my head hurt just thinking about it and I can not imagine doing EVEN more math in a double E program.

I am a tech rep in the semiconductor industry (until they lay me off that is.. heh) and the BSET seems to match my career pretty good I think.

Transcripts?

Best Regards,

Bill

 

that is what I liked about CNU. They become the liason to you, the student, and an acutally instructor (just like on campus) some of the other DETC schools say they have an "instructor" but really they are only an adjunct faculty member who only has a general idea of the subject matter. with CNU, you actually have regular contact with an instructor...in fact, there is a minumum of 6 contacts.

I only posted that info here becuase you said you where once interested in them.

So tell me, how does Excelier work and what is it like there? RA? NA? DETC?
Do they have actually textbooks or do transfer your credits in as well as do life assestments?

With UND, I'm not sure how they teach there courses yet. With CNU, you actally recieve a textbook, syllabus, and you are in touch with a professor who teaches the same course elsewhere. So, the school become the liason. Pretty cool huh?

My only concern is being snubbed (with employers) becuase its "only" a DETC degree.

 

If CNU either lowered their tuition a little bit or deferred their payments for GIBill or tuition reembursement, then yes I would seriously consider the program. I would definatly have to take the math courses at a local university because I am learning that math is hard to absorb via self study or distance ed.

Excelsior is RA accredition (middles states I believe). They are similar to TESC in the fact that you pay an enrollment fee (several hundred dollars) and dump credits into a degree program. There is NO residency requirement like regular schools (normally around 30-36 credits).

The BSEET program, for example. Lets say, you were an ET(navy nuke) in the navy, had a corporate training program that was evaluated by ACE for electronics credit, and a bunch of CLEPS and DANTES.

You would pay your enrollement fee, submit your Navy credits, corporate credits, and your CLEPS for evaluation. After a few weeks of waiting, Excelsior says you have 114 credits towards your BSEET and you need 6 credit hours in upper level EET credits. So, you either go to your local university, or look for UL EET courses through excelsior's distance learning database. You submit those credits and badda bing badda boom... You now have an ABET accredited BSEET.

I would imagine UNC has online courses and real textbooks (just like CNU). I don't know for sure...

Best Regards,
Bill

 

Capitol College is launching an MSEE program in Spring 2003. It's $99 more ($354) per credit, but it's only 30 credits vs. 36 credits, and it's RA rather than just DETC. That's less than $1500 more for an RA degree, which is a no-brainer IMO. Also, Capitol's BSEE program is ABET accredited, which may lend more credibility to the MSEE program. It seems like a good option to me, though I'm not very familiar with what to look for in an EE program. I'm currently enrolled in their new MSCS program, and so far (9 credits completed, currently taking 12 more) I've been pretty satisfied overall.