Grand Canyon University Reviews of Bachelor's in Secondary Education

I am in the process of applying to this academic institution and I am very alarmed. My admissions rep entered my name incorrectly (hyphenated as I was married). My FAFSA has my legal name and she tried to backstep and has asked me to text her (on a private cell that does not come up at GCU at all...this is a private number) a photo of my Drivers License, my marriage license, my passport and my Social Security card...(the last 4 digits were acceptable). All of this to just apply (not financial aid,... Read More nothing more than the application)...I am surprised they did not ask me for my children's personal information or my bank accounts to apply! I told my rep (and her "manager") that I was uncomfortable doing this and would like to resubmit my information....they both said this is not possible and they kept pushing to get my personal information. The last thing I heard was that I could send information on a secure fax...after the conversation, I am not comfortable with that either. Why are they asking for this information?? I am told, this is the "only way" to get me in their database and work with my FAFSA. This of course is 100% incorrect as my previous college attended had me at my maiden name from when I was 18 years old (I was a returning student after 19 years) and they were able to use my FAFSA funds with my legal name as is now. I called Tech support there and was told that the admissions rep should be able to alter my application and fix what she did incorrectly, or at the very least, merge my original application with another to allow it to be correct. This school has questionable reviews and this experience is making me feel as though this institution is scamming in some way. Be WEARY people....this is seeming very shady.

What I loved most about this university, especially being an online student, is how dedicated those at GCU were to making sure I succeeded. Of course, it was up to me to pass the courses. My advisor, counselor, and professors made sure I was on the track and was challenged. With a lot of hard work, I was able to obtain a 4.0 GPA. Being an online out-of-state student, I had to make sure I was meeting my state's requirements for certification. While GCU provided an excellent education, I simply needed... Read More to complete one extra course within my state to ensure I met my certificate requirements. Being an online student requires a bit more of foot work because you need to be responsible for what your state requirements are; which can easily be found on your state department's website. With the guidance and encouragement from GCU, and a lot of hard work in completing all the necessary requirements I was able to be successful in my endeavors through GCU!

I would like to say that my experience so far has been great. This is my second year and as promised the professors have been knowledgeable, the courses are also what I expected. The only thing that I did not like was my past counselor, she didn't help me the way she should of, other than that my ride has been wonderful. I highly recommend this university to anyone. Some people may complain per their experience and it is understandable, but the university has a good reputation. Do your research before... Read More committing!!!

The couselors are lazy and are more like cheerleaders then couselors. They are not much help but they charge a lot for tuition. Sarah Divers andBecky Goesman are horrible couselors. The school wont let you havetime off they disenroll you after 2 weeks of taking a break. They will not place you practicums like every other university. They always say dont you wand your choice where you learn? I would rather have them place me then not getting placement and making a 100 in a class then fail because... Read More you could not find a practicum. They set up practicum classes up in the summer like an idiot and tell you to go earn you practicum teaching boy scouts. They are just a nightmare to deal with and I had a couselor that did a good job but quit. I would not do it again period! For my masters im going to Northern Arizona university. They have online too!

Ok..... so I keep seeing all of these negative reviews and its driving me crazy. I have attended GCU since 2011 and there have been some ups and downs, but that is with any school in the country. I have started my last class before student teaching, and being on the down hill part of my degree, it is not a walk in the park. You have to sacrifice alot, your personal time, family, and alot of sleep but its worth it. I may have to retake a class to get my GPA up, but that is my fault not the schools,... Read More and the same goes for my student loans, they told me how much it would cost, it is not suprise. GCU has given me the opportunity to follow my dreams while working a full time job to take care of my family. I have had a few different advisors but each one is very knowledgeable and understanding, while being brutally honest, which I find great in a college. But these review can be great when deciding what school to attend, but do not think that all of these negative reviews reflect on what GCU is about. I would rather have a school that is honest with me even when its bad news than a school that sugar coats things and surprises you at the end, which is the way every school I attended prior has been. Do your research outside of these reviews, but I do recommend GCU

GCU was the first offer degree's other than IT, Business or Public management. Their course offerings are broad. This is what attracted me to them as I am a mid-forties non-traditional student with credit hours spread from Egypt to Tennessee. Their evaluation process is next to none I have experienced and the courses are good if you understand that online course work is self-motivational. The negatives are price and structure. Where they are extremely accommodating they are plagued by their format,... Read More right from the start you will be required to take two introductory courses that will put a dent in you pocket book, they will also hinder you from doubling up to finish earlier. This also has to do with price as financial aide will not cover extra courses. I found the course work to be paced well but with exception to Mathematics. If you are very good with Math and right out of honors Math in High School you might be OK for the first few classes. After that the accelerated format will eat your lunch. I will be transferring to WGU for this reason, simply to finish Math and cut my costs.

I researched a number of online schools before starting at Grand Canyon University. I needed to attend school online because I knew I would be moving before I finished my degree and I did not want to have to start over with transferring credit again. I was concerned during my first few classes because of the poor communication skills displayed by some of my fellow students and because of the profession I had for my Christian Woldview Class but, as I progressed to more degree specific classes, I found... Read More these improved quite a bit and almost all of my professors were wonderful. I would not recommend online math classes to anyone who does not typically do well in that subject, but I found that the program gave me everything that I needed to pass my Praxis exams and to do well in my student teaching. I had a bit of trouble with communication with my Teacher Education Specialist, but I stayed on top of everything and it all worked out.

I am a GCU student and this school has changed my life for the good. GCU has great teachers, caring academic teams, and I will be getting my masters from this great school, also. I feel like I have my own personal cheerleading team helping and encouraging me along my journey.

Any student has to take responsibility for their own academics and work hard to achieve those goals. if the student is not ready to work then don't enroll. i look forward to hanging my GCU diploma in my classroom. Go 'Lopes.... Read More