Aspen University

Hi Abner,

Take a deep breath before you read this post, as I'm about to post something negative about Aspen (but don't get too worked up, as this occured before your broheim, David Lady was on board, so perhaps things are different there now).

I enrolled with Aspen back in April 2007. I originally started in the MSIT program. Back then, Aspen had a deal where one could enroll in select masters programs without having completed a bachelors degree, provided that the applicant had the requisite 15+ years of work experience and three letters of recommendation. I met those requirements, so I was admitted to the program.

I chose the independent study option, which back then, did not require one to participate in the Aspen online forums (actually, it wasn't even an option at the time). So, basically it was up to me to complete my eight modules in 8-10 weeks (max). So, I completed one MSIT course and received an A). I decided soon after completing my first class that I would like to switch to Aspen's MEd program. I contacted the registrar and she ok'd the switch. I then took one MEd course and received an A once again. I was in the middle of my second MEd course, when the registrar contacted me and told me that, oops, sorry, you actually cannot be in the MEd program without a bachelors degree! She did allow me to transfer the one MEd course that I had completed into the MSIM program (as an elective).

Okay, so by this point, I'm now in my third masters program with Aspen (MSIT, MEd and now MSIM). I completed my third course with Aspen in mid-2008 (again, like my other two courses, I received an A). Over the course of a year and a half, I missed the deadline for completing three courses and thus I received incompletes. Once I received the incomplete for the third course, I received a nasty gram from the registrar indicating that I was being dropped as a student and that I would never be allowed to enroll with Aspen in the future! So, three A's, three incompletes and I'm out! No mention of the fact that they allowed me to enroll in a program and then told me that I couldn't remain in said program! In addition, the course materials were rediculously easy (I've heard that this has changed a bit over the last couple of years, but this was my experience). One of the courses that I took was called "Emerging Technologies." I took the course in 2008. The textbook was from 2002! How "emerging" is that?!

Perhaps the school has improved since this time. I certainly hope so!

 

That sounds like your fault not Aspen's (other than the wrong program thing)
IN no way is that negative in anyway. I like the way it sounds! You don't do the work and pass they don't keep you around. That is why Aspen sounds like a good school. I would be shocked if they let you stay on while not passing classes.

 

Well, the "wrong program thing" was certainly a big deal! I certainly take responsibility in not completing those classes on time. However, given that the issues that I had with the MEd program (certaintly that was on their end) and the fact that I had completed three courses with an A, you'd think they would have given me some options other than a generic "you're outta here kid" letter. Clearly I'm a capable student, as I ended up graduating with honors from Excelsior and I earned a 3.8 GPA with Bellevue University.

Anyway, in looking back, I suppose everything worked out in the end, as I was wondering how I was going to explain the fact that I had a masters degree and no bachelors! In addition, Excelsior ended up accepting the 9 credits from Aspen toward my AS in Liberal Studies, so my time and effort wasn't completely wasted (the $3,000 in tuition however, will not end up back in my pocket!).

 

Question NOT Aspen University!

 

Yes, but you did get some credits out of it. What happened with the incompletes? Did you just have too much on your plate at the time?