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Grand Canyon University [GCU]

Grand Canyon University [GCU] review: doctoral program 6

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6:05 pm EST
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With one class left to finish my doctorate in education GCU university has changed two members of my committee. One left the University and the other was reassigned for no reason. I have an approved Prospectus and Proposal from my previous committee that the new Chair is not honoring. The new Chair is wanting me to revise my entire Proposal. Their program design is not viable. The time lines and required steps do not match. The average student has to take and pay four extra classes to complete the program (whoever gets to finish). That's about $8000 of extra tuition. Help is not even considered unless you provide with an extensive account of the situation as well as supporting documentation. After that, a committee reviews whether your concerns are substantiated. On the mean time you continue to pay for classes that have just recently increased in value.

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DC Swede Larson
, US
Oct 27, 2016 10:29 am EDT

I am on my third committee!
I have experienced substantial problems as well... there is currently a New York Time reporter doing a story on GCU's unethical behavior towards its students. I would love to get a class action lawsuit against them for damages (both financially and emotionally) incurred as a result of the so called education they provide. If you are interested email me at swedehart@msn.com

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americanbluediamonds
, US
May 08, 2016 5:52 pm EDT
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I am in the second course of DBA program and I feel the same. I did not see my Financial Check for 2 months. When I received it, it is less than the original number for thousand! Teachers are not good. The first course with Dr. Bridge is OK. The second is worst. I am quit to go to USF. I agreed, the school is very good in advertising and trapping students. When you are in and realize there is no value, you already lost 4-5K for the first semester!

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Rosa, Dallas Texas
, US
Mar 14, 2016 6:59 pm EDT

Hi All, I can understand the frustrations with this school. I have not had all of the personal trials that the previous student complained about but I certainly would consider myself a responsible mature student. I have been committed since June 2012. My original expected graduation date would have been June 2015, not to exceed October 2015. I have submitted four separate appeals for a new chair, to have my first three DIS courses reimbursed or covered, I won one of the four appeals. I did receive a new chair, however, my previous work was totally thrown out so therefore I really started all over. Four classes later two submits to the second methodolgist, and yes I received a new one in mid stream. There is no way to really complain, the counselors are always changing. The last one that I received, immediately went out of maternity leave. Yes, others team members stepped in to help but where is the connection. Know I did something a little different I filed for two D90 (form in place to hold you and your committee to certain agreed upon measures) in my case I needed to file D20 to keep up the momentum. I have not reached my goal and I am scheduled to take the very last course (DIS 970) the very last class that you can take that financial aid will cover. What is wrong with this picture? What happened to the three year program? Why can numerous students move beyond the Prospectus stage? Why would any decent program not outlast program completion? Why does GCU have so many students who can not move through the pipeline? Here is something else to consider, their pass rate was 26% when I started in 2012. It is now 28%. I know you are asking yourself why continue if the pass rate was so low. The program was fairly new (so they explained to me) so they were still gathering data on upcoming glass graduates. I flew there, attend my residencies, never took off in three years etc., and still no end product. Here is another something to consider within the dc.gcu.edu network notice how when they post December 2015 graduates they only list the student names (10-12 students). They never post disciplines or programs that they are graduating from. I believe personally that the 2% jump in pass rate is due to their psychology, nursing, or MBA programs NOT Organizational Leadership EdD program. It is a scam. Stay away. I am left to file with the BBB, get a attorney, and Higher Education Coordinating Board. I have did and put forward everything that was taught to me and still no movement.

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UshaTara
, US
Feb 19, 2016 1:58 pm EST
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I can ditto exactly what the above comment has portrayed. I have written two different prospectus's and was approved to go to the proposal stage, then was switched in midstream, and even had to change my problem statement, and entire study. I have not be able to move forward due to the incredible amount of changes, not revisions, changes one professor to other professors. The program is not a viable program to complete in the 3 years they brag about. Since I started my program I have had two torn tendons one in a knee just three weeks after I started, I never took a break, then was DX with breast cancer, had a bi-lateral mastectomy, never took a break, then reconstruction on my body and I did not take a break, three hand surgeries, not one school break, and in 12/15 I had another surgery on a torn achilles tendon, I still did not take a break. I have not taken any breaks in my program at all. It is unlikely I will finish in the next 8 week class which will be my last of my program, and two additional DIS continuing classes. I have an enormous amount of debt and the only thing I can show for what I have incurred in the last three years is knowledge, not an EdD that was portrayed to me I could achieve in three years. I am heart broken. Not because I have to have that doctorate, but because I have preserved so much with so many surgeries and cancer, and I will probably not finish because I have run out of money.

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mraley
, US
Jan 27, 2016 9:42 pm EST

Have you filed a law suit against them?

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Jeanne Larson
, US
Nov 20, 2015 8:11 pm EST

Please consider contacting me as I'm hiring an attorney. Thank you!