Liberty University Article

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mattbrent, Feb 23, 2015.

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  1. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    For those who are interested, here's an article on the growth of Liberty University's online campus.

    How Liberty U. Became an Unexpected Model for the Future of Higher Ed - The Chronicle of Higher Education

    -Matt
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's unfortunate for the hoi polloi that it's behind a paywall, because it's actually an informative and fair-minded article. Evangelical Christianity is so polarizing that it's rare to see an article about a school like Liberty be play-it-straight journalism rather than cheerleading (whether for or against).
     
  3. novadar

    novadar Member

    Yes, it's rather difficult to draw any conclusions when all you can read is:

    Maybe Jerry Falwell was right.

    The late evangelist always figured that most people would dismiss anything that started in this
    little city, where he founded Liberty University.

    "They think of my hometown as a rather primitive Blue Ridge Mountain vi...

    This content is available exclusively to Chronicle subscribers
     
  4. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    I don't fall on the "love it" side of Evangelical Christianity.

    But when I spoke to an admissions person at Liberty back in 2003, when I first decided to embark on my DL journey, I was impressed with how professional and friendly they were. I raised concerns over theological differences (even though I was interested in Liberty for secular studies). They put those fears to rest without hesitation. All the while I had an admissions guy from American InterContinental University leaving me six voicemails per hour and wanting to know why I would ever hesitate to "follow my dreams."

    So yeah, to say they were ahead of their time in the distance learning realm would be an understatement.
     
  5. novadar

    novadar Member

    I had a DETC school chasing me like this once. Oh, boy. I wonder just how many of us on this board have had a similar experience. LOL.


    EDIT: To be fair it was DETC, now DEAC, for whatever that's worth.
     
  6. trustbuddy

    trustbuddy New Member

    I would like to read the full article. Anyone willing to post the entirety of it here?
     
  7. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    There are copyright issues with posting an entire article.

    As much as I would like to read it, it will be deleted if posted.
     
  8. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    They keep calling me ever two weeks. It is has been two months now...
     
  9. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I've ran into a number of aggressive schools. Liberty can be annoying at times. The funny thing is when I contact a school and they don't contact me regularly I get turned off. I guess part of me likes be courted like a football/basketball recruit.
     
  10. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    My experience with Liberty was fairly good. Their customer service was excellent. Any issues I had were always quickly resolved.

    There were many emails encouraging students to enrolled early to win prizes. I found that approach to be not in keeping with their image. Coming to the end of my program, I was being encouraged to take on more courses. I was already struggling, so more courses was not in my best interest. I got upset when I was called at my home to take on more courses. Psychologically, I felt Liberty push to enroll as many students as it can make it feel like a for profit university.

    Other than those few minor issues, I had no complaints. In my opinion, the students were the best thing going for Liberty. Students seem genuinely nice. Every discussion was respectful.
     
  11. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's interesting that you point that out specially. I've taken online courses through many schools, and at none have students in discussion forums ever been anything other that nice. In fact sometimes they were too nice, when a desire not to offend inhibited real conversation about sticky issues.
     

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