Andew Jackson University?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TCord1964, Aug 12, 2006.

Loading...
  1. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Just out of curiosity...does anyone here have any opinion of Andrew Jackson University? I'm especially looking for comments from current or former students, and how a degree from this school is received in the marketplace. I have asked here and other boards in the past, but have only gotten one-sentence answers like "I really like it" or something similar. I'm really looking for an in-depth critique of the school. I am considering enrolling there at some point, but want to know more about it from a source other than the school.

    I'm not looking for another DETC vs. RA debate. I've read enough of those.

    Thanks!
     
  2. geoffs

    geoffs Member

    I looked at them but it was a cost issue for me. On a bigger note, if you are going to use Faculty Photos ensure the staff is ok looking!

    Seinfeld said best only 10% of the population is even remotely attractive!
     
  3. iquagmire

    iquagmire Member

  4. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Does anybody have feedback on the actual programs at AJU, instead of criticisms of the staff photos?
     
  5. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    TCord.........I do.

    I am looking at AJU for my MS in Criminal Justice since I decided on a more expensive MBA from St. Joes.

    As you know, if you know me, I research the living hell out of a school before I commit, I am still researching. But from what I know....

    AJU is going to be fairly accepted as any DETC school; indeed Dr. Douglas used AJU as a test subject for his dissertation and may be able to provide more insight.

    In my discussions with AJU staff, they are very personal, meaning one on one attention at all levels. An extremely small school and very dedicated to what they are doing. For the longest time, they were the only non-profit NA school I knew of.

    They are pretty much research based and tests are not open book. Either mid-terms or finals are closed book and they are very picky about who can proctor the test. In my case they would not allow our training Lt. to do so because he works for my department.

    Also, they are a quantitatively oriented school from what I have seen. They even expect CJ grads to understand calculus and statistics.......threw me for a loop.

    They are committed to their mission statement and values from conversations with them........read the President's statement and you get an idea as to the overall tone of the school.

    They are growing slowly but surely from what I can tell. They have some graduates actively working in LE, teaching, etc. from their own literature.

    They are not slick, like Columbia Southern, but they give the impression that they are no less dedicated and they are substantially cheaper than CSU and other like institutions.

    They are grounded in Judeo-Christian ethics, hopefully that will not be a problem, they are not a religious school, but the "ethics" are remarkably sound.......if you're into that like me.

    On a scale of 1 to 10 I give them a 9.

    1.) They could be more lenient on the testing and proctor selection, but they want to maintain rigor, so I begrudgingly give it to them.

    2.) They could polish up a bit on the image of the web page, but for such inexpensive tuition, it beats a lot of RA schools charging way more.

    3.) They are DETC. Of course I will have a RA BSCJ and a RA MBA, so a NA MSCJ won't hurt me much if at all. I don't think anyone could accuse me of taking the easy way out.

    My .02..........great school. Worth STRONG consideration. And as of now, the cheapest BS going......that I know of.
     
  6. TDA

    TDA New Member

    What do you mean by "slick like Columbia Southern"? Do they have a bad rep or something?

    TDA
     
  7. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    No, but their website and literature is very polished and professionally done. It looks really good. AJU on the other hand will print you a little card stock covered black and white catalog and their website, though improved, could still use some work.

    But AJU is still a very good school.
     
  8. worthingco

    worthingco New Member

    I'm a current MBA student and my overall experience has been very positive.

    The courses are challenging, designed to make you think and apply yourself. There's a great deal of writing involved. In a typical grad course, there are 10 lessons, 1 or 2 midterms and a final exam. The exams are 1.5 hrs in length. For me...I use the entire 1.5 hrs and I write like a madman. Lessons are comprised of questions, case analyses, video and Internet exercises. I usually write about 30 to 75 pages (doubled-spaced) for each lesson. You need to work for good grades - they are not just doled-out. The textbooks are your typical university, grad-level books. The content of what you learn is largely the same as what you'd learn at a traditional B&M school. AJU recently went totally online in terms of course delivery. The university uses Moodle/myclassroom - it's actually quite neat. The administration and instructors are helpful and respond to questions in a timely manner. The tuition, as you know, is very competitive for a nationally-accredited school. A big plus in my book.

    I have had absolutely zero problems with the utility of my degree in the marketplace. My employer and colleagues are very supportive and interested in my program. The type of accreditation has never been an issue. NEVER. In fact, there is a lot of succession planning going on at my firm. And...I'm in line. It's a wonderful experience.

    DISCLOSURE: I'm not American and I do not live or work in the US. I'm giving you the "international perspective" of how US DL degree programs are viewed in other jurisdictions. Remember...it's a big world out there...and there are plenty of opportunities for US NA degree-holders in the United States and around the world. I'm living proof.

    Private-message me if you want my e-mail address...in the event you have any questions. And...no...I'm not a recruiter for AJU.

    Best regards.
     
  9. MGKRILL

    MGKRILL New Member

    Tcord,

    I've been looking at 3 schools to persue my BS degree.

    Andrew Jackson
    Cal Coast
    CSU

    As you know all 3 of them are NA schools so no need to debate NA/RA

    From my research

    Cal Coast is the least expensive but you have to sign a contract / enrollment agreement for all your remaining credits up front No Indivual course or Term enrollments Also CCU has only been accredit by DETC for about a year and there reputaion isn't all that great (If you do a google search on CCU you will come up with ariticals that lump them in with Diploma Mills) I almost pulled the trigger and enrolled in CCU last month but the no term/ indivaul course enrollment turn me off I wasn't ready to be financially obligated for 66 credits

    The only thing I didn't like about AJU was there GI-BILL reimbursement. Instead of being considered an independent study program in which you recieve a monthy rate based on your credit load (up to $1048 a month) AJU programs are considered as correspondence programs which only reimburst %55 of the total cost

    Then theres CSU the the most expensive per credit hour of the 3 and from what I gather books are not included in the tuttion. They "apear" to be the more reputable of 3 but still only hold the same accreditation. They have term and indivaul course enrollments which is a plus for me over CCU
     
  10. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I received an email from AJU's admissions department offering me a 20 percent discount off the tuition price. Price is a big consideration for me, and I really would like to get an RA undergrad degree.

    Than again, I could take the Aspen University MBA program, pay upfront and get the whole thing for $4,000-plus. No undergrad required. Still DETC-accredited, however.

    I'm still leaning toward Charter Oak for my BA, but the prices at the above-mentioned schools make them tempting.
     
  11. Pugman

    Pugman New Member

    If price is a major concern, have you considered FEMA credits?.

    40 college credits for $380 via TESC's credit bank seems like a pretty good deal. Especially considering the open-book, non-proctored, exam material (e.g. retake until you pass). I passed a course ('Are you ready?') in 35 minutes using their study guide and google.

    Greg
     
  12. MGKRILL

    MGKRILL New Member

    FEMA credits are good if you haven't amassed alot of elective credit already.

    TCORD I don't want to start the NA/RA debate. Your the only who knows what your educational and professional goals are.

    Will a AJU or Aspen meet the needs of your educational and professional goals ?

    What will you get for the extra $$ that it will take to you get that BA degree from Charter Oaks ?

    Will the accerdititon of the school you obtain your degree from make that much of difference to your career or is it the degree that will make the difference ?


    If I was in your shoes I think I'd finish my PFC degree then move on to an other DETC school .... AJU
     
  13. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Not to confuse the topic.......but Peru State College is RA and is almost as inexpensive, if not more so, than any NA school I've seen. Like around $150 a credit hour.
     
  14. MGKRILL

    MGKRILL New Member

    True,

    Theres alot of RA school with inexpensive per credit hour tution.
     
  15. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    A member of this forum studied towards an MBA from Aspen University and was able to use that MBA to enroll in, I think, a CPA programme. Search the archives for Aspen + MBA for details.
     
  16. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    I was mistaken......Peru State College is $130 an undergraduate hour.
     
  17. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    That is true, but Peru does not offer a BA in Communications via DL. That is the undergraduate degree I want, if only because I have so many communications credits I can transfer (close to 90).

    I only mentioned Aspen's MBA because I eventually plan to get one, somewhere.
     
  18. MGKRILL

    MGKRILL New Member

    Tcord

    so the only strike agaisnt AJU is its accredition ?

    They have the degree your looking for at an affordable price.
     
  19. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    TCord, then in that case...........AJU should be fine then get a RA MBA. Most people I work with that have an MBA or MSJ, etc. only list their graduate degree.
     
  20. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Yes...BUT,

    Isn't it more difficult to transfer an NA bachelor degree into an RA graduate program than it is an NA associate degree into an RA undergradate program? I've really got my eye on a University of Oklahoma MBA. It is offered on a part-time basis at a satellite campus where I live, and it is AACSB accredited. I'm not sure OU would allow me to enter the program with an AJU degree, or any NA bachelor degree, for that matter.

    It is not the only MBA I'm considering, but I'm in Oklahoma and that would be THE school from which to get an MBA around here.
     

Share This Page