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| Program: Psychology |
| Posted on May 7, 2010 by Deena Craycraft |
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I am currently in my 3rd year at Ashford and am earning a B.A. in
psychology. I completed my first year at Central Florida Community College.
Between the two schools, the academic standards and curriculum levels have
been equivalent. Ashford's course load is heavier since the module-like
format requires more writing and research. That’s one of the trade offs
when you do not commute.
Alleging that Ashford’s accredited classes are below college level
standards is an underhanded accusation. Since each class is rigidly
structured, this college’s learning style proves to be too monotonous for
some. Most students quickly recognize that what they are experiencing are
the demands of a college education without any of the fluff that some need
in order to stay motivated (another trade off). Ashford requires a level of
self-sufficiency that some people are simply not prepared for or cut out
for. Social interaction is not really included and some fall flat on their
faces-- especially if they are less than 20 years old. It is easier to
blame Ashford than to admit otherwise. After all, mistakes are expensive
and a real let down.
Personally, I appreciate the efficiency that Ashford offers since it allows
me total control over my schedule. I am getting the same if not a better
education than other schools provide. Toward the end of each course, we
also have to research and write an 8 page thesis. They do enforce
plagiarism rules, and will bust you cold. I have witnessed this on
blackboard assignments. Also, if your English skills are weak you should
rethink enrolling until after you have brushed up your grammar skills. You
may squeak by at first, but below average writing skills will quickly
affect your GPA. They do show more leniency if English is your second
language and even offer tutoring. Also, if your computer should break down,
you have less than a week to repair it and get caught up before you are
booted from the course for non-attendance. They are not sympathetic to
lingering technical issues. I have a laptop and an older desktop which
serves as a backup.
I do have one gripe-- Ashford is suspiciously enticing students into
buying the new e-text books for 74.00 or more. I dislike that format but
who wants to pay 150.00 or more for a hardcover each month? I think their
strategy might involve pushing these so-called “discounted” e-texts as a
measure that they hope will eventually lead to phasing out all hardcover
text books. After that, it is likely that they will steadily jack up the
prices of the e-texts to hardcover prices. What is worse is that you won’t
be able to legally re-sell your book or find a used one for sale. Right
now, you actually own a hardcover after the purchase, and can later recover
a portion of your investment if you chose to sell it. After doing some
cumulative math, it’s clear that more big money will probably be finagled
out of students’ meager pockets. In many respects, it is lucrative for
Ashford to pursue e-texts the prospective profit margin has them
drooling.
Other than that trinkie-dink, Ashford is a credible learning institution.
It bothers me when people unfairly undermine Ashford’s on-line program. We
invest the same amount of effort and money into our educations that the
brick and mortar students invest. It seems that schools such as the
University of Phoenix as well as Kaplan’s ridiculous reputations are
inhibiting the progression of on-line education for everyone. Sadly,
because of this perception issue I am seriously considering attending
graduate school at a brick and mortar institution. I can’t prevent
drop-outs and a worthless wave of on-line schools from spawning a
stereotype that could ruin an otherwise judicious movement in education.
This is a form of discrimination but what can you do.
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(23 reviews) 
