Eastern Illinois University

Avoid the online psychology program at all costs. Eastern is an outright terrible school to attend online. Maybe this is just the psychology program, because when I took a philosophy elective, there were video lectures and other resources provided, but my experience with psych classes has been unimaginably terrible. In most of my classes, there are no resources provided outside of the textbook. Students are given assignments or worksheets and are expected to figure it out for themselves. There are... Read More seldom video or lecture materials. Professors are far from supportive. When I reach out to professors because I am struggling with material due to lack of instruction, and explain that I struggle with book learning, they will call me lazy, and/or refer me to the department for students with disabilities and tell me it is not their problem. I have learned nothing at Eastern, but by BSing my way through assignments, I have a 4.0 GPA. Or... I HAD... a 4.0 GPA, until I started to try to fulfill the math requirement. Math is not a subject that you can BS your way through and pass without any instruction. The professors will hand out insanely complicated math worksheets that look like hieroglyphics with no video lectures, no explanation, just "You're a college student. Figure it out." I have a math-specific learning disability and a chronic illness that puts me out of commission for weeks at a time. When I spoke with EIU's department for students with disabilities, they told me there is nothing they can do for me, despite that I have had accommodations at my 2-year college as well as in high school. I'm pretty sure it's illegal for an educational institution to refuse to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled students, but that's EIU. Professors often refuse to engage with you in zoom meetings or during office hours. I have had one report me to some sort of office of student conduct or disciplinary office for telling her that I need help. I have been accused of being lazy for struggling with assignments. These professors do not want to do any work at all, and they make that very clear. Let me reiterate that I maintained a 4.0 GPA, despite all of this. I am not lazy, and I am not a bad student. They are terrible teachers. I have spoken with academic advisors at the school and have learned that many online psych majors are stuck in the program because they cannot pass the math requirements. When I asked why they aren't doing anything about it, the response I got was that Eastern has other majors so they don't care. I am technically a senior. If I were to choose a different major, I could graduate in a year. I may actually need to do that, because it will take me at least two more years to complete a psychology degree at EIU.