I have decided on Grand Canyon University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by beachhoppr, Oct 29, 2004.

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  1. beachhoppr

    beachhoppr New Member

    Well, after toiling over dozens of online MBA programs, I decided on Grand Canyon University after a great webex seminar with them. I think their rejuvenation due to the new owners' committment to rebuilding the campus and the curriculum is visible and Ken Blanchard's attachment to the College of Business and the ACBSP accreditation make it a good choice. Cost is $340 per credit hour. It's not the cheapest nor the most expensive.

    Admissions folks have been great. Everyone I have dealt with has been professional, responsive and seemingly very interested in my educational outcome. I found both Scott Blanchard (Ken's son)and the Business Division Chair, Scott Quatro, extremely helpful.

    Since I have yet to see anyone really post about this program, I will do so, regularly, on the forums. I am due to start in January. I am finally glad to have made a decision.

    Some of the schools I reviewed and considered:
    Nova Southeastern
    Northern Arizona
    Grand Canyon
    Auburn
    Florida State
    Northcentral
    Walden
    Fort Hays State
    City University
    Amberton
    Bellevue
    Baker
    Southern New Hampshire
    Southwest Missouri State
    Cal State - DH
    Union Insitute
    Champlain College
    Taft
    Kaplan
    Emporia State
    AIU
    JIU
    Aspen

    In order of interest, responsiveness and friendliness to my inquiries:
    Grand Canyon
    Northern Arizona
    Fort Hays
    Champlain
    Aspen
    AIU
    Kaplan
    Emporia
    City
    Amberton
    ...everyone else either never responded or was so slow I wrote them off
     
  2. mourningdove

    mourningdove New Member

    Good luck Beachhoper. You can't go wrong with GCU.


     
  3. beachhoppr

    beachhoppr New Member

    Roger that!
     
  4. manjuap

    manjuap New Member

    Good Job.
     
  5. Kit

    Kit New Member

    Congratulations on making a decision! Sometimes that's the hardest part especially with so many options available.

    Also, thank you for including a list of which schools were responsive to your inquiries and which were not. Responsiveness to inquiries from prospective students (from whom the school has yet to receive a dime) can be a pretty good indication of the school's individual commitment to education in general and may indicate what kind of academic services an enrollee can expect. Maybe not always the case but one does have to wonder what their experience might be with a school that never responds at all to prospective students.

    Best wishes for success in your chosen program.

    Kit
     
  6. bubbaba

    bubbaba New Member

    Hey Beachhopper, I have also decided on GCU online, and will be starting in January hopefully. Maybe we will be in some classes together. I currently do not have a business degree,come from a medical background, so I have to take the four bridge classes as well.
    I had one question for you, did you understand the group projects that they have us do, I think one a semester but supposedly if you have deadbeats you only have to deal with them sparingly???

    See you around campus :)
    Scott
     
  7. MikeEvans

    MikeEvans New Member

    Good pick!
     
  8. w_parker

    w_parker New Member

    Congrads beachhopper, I do have to agree with Kit, sometimes just making a choice can be a hard decision. I also looked at numerous schools, and still have not decided--I have applied at quite a few schools, but my focus now is on two, and I will attend one or the other in January to pursue my MBA, Morehead State University (can pursue a specialization, or at least the additional hours in accounting, which is my undergrad major), or UMASS. Regardless, good luck on your educational endeavors.

    Bill
     
  9. beachhoppr

    beachhoppr New Member

    OK just an update on inquiries:

    Today I received a packet from University of Denver and University of Maryland Online. I never received a phone call or an email though.

    So far the only universities that actually called me were:
    Grand Canyon
    AIU
    JIU
    Kaplan
    Emporia State

    The nicest looking materials in my opinion go to:
    City University (I dig their whole presentation including website)
    University of Denver
    Amberton
    Emporia State
    Champlain
    AIU

    In fact Grand Canyon called today to update me on my application, where it is in the process, tips on financial aid and so on. Northern Arizona was almost as informative and polite. These 2 universities stand out to me.
     
  10. EGROD

    EGROD New Member

    I am starting my Masters in Special Ed at Grand Canyon in January. Glad to hear all the positive information. I also found them extremly friendly and helpful.

    Ellen

    BS-University Wisconsin Green Bay Extended Degree 12-04
    Masters in Special Ed Grand Canyon U starting 1-05
     
  11. armywife

    armywife New Member

    I thought that this school was not accredited by anyone. Has something changed? It has been a long time since I've looked into DL schools but I just remember that this one was advertised a lot but not accredited as far as I remember./
     
  12. beachhoppr

    beachhoppr New Member

    They have been regionally accredited for decades. Their MBA program is ACBSP accredited.
     
  13. Kit

    Kit New Member

    Actually they are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (a regional accreditor) as reflected in this link from CHEA: http://www.chea.org/institutions/action.cfm?CheaID=940.0
    Their business programs also have additional accreditation.

    The school you are likely recalling is "Canyon College" of Idaho rather than Grand Canyon University of Arizona. Canyon College is the one that heavily advertises (mostly on the web) yet has no accreditation.

    Canyon College is one of those unaccredited schools that takes advantage of a loophole in some state laws that allow such schools to operate in-state as long as they don't admit any residents of that state. The unaccredited Canyon College indeed operates out of Idaho but is not allowed to admit any students who reside in Idaho. Not to be confused with Grand Canyon University, which operates out of Arizona, has a physical campus as well as a distance program, and is fully accredited.

    Kit
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 4, 2004
  14. armywife

    armywife New Member



    Yes it was Canyon college I was thinking of!!!!!!
     
  15. beachhoppr

    beachhoppr New Member

    Updates:

    GCU's financial aid department has been great getting all my FAFSA stuff together.

    As a whole, GCU continues to be very communicative. MY actual program starts Jan 5th.

    Question: is GCU have any name recognition in the marketplace? It's not a real concern for me but more of something I was just curious about.
     
  16. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member




    The university, no. The canyon, yes. :cool:


    However, if name recognition isn't a real concern, then I wouldn't worry about it.



    Tom Nixon
     
  17. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Beachhopper: good luck.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2004
  18. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Touro University International?

    Dave
     
  19. Hey there! I noticed that you have your BS from the UWGB Extended Degree program. Just thought I'd say "hi" to a fellow Wisconsinite, although I'm no longer a resident of the state as of about a year ago. I'm pursuing finishing my MA with Amberton University, and good luck with your new program with Grand Canyon U.....

    - Carl
     
  20. EGROD

    EGROD New Member

    Carl,
    Thanks! I am excited to graduate and move on with more education. I started with UW-Superior Extended Degree but moved on to UWGB, it was a great experience. I also took a few classes through UW-Madison and also Independent Learning in Madison.

    Good luck to you also.

    Ellen
     

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