Aspen University

My experience at Aspen University began positively but unfortunately deteriorated over time. Initially, I appreciated the flexibility and student support. However, several key issues ultimately led to my decision to pursue my education elsewhere.

The program suffers from an extremely low student population, with myself and only one other learner. This lack of peers hindered collaborative learning and the exchange of diverse perspectives. Furthermore, the professor's participation was minimal, despite... Read More the clear need for increased engagement to compensate for the absence of other students. This resulted in a less dynamic and enriching learning environment.

The program demonstrated a concerning lack of flexibility, support, and responsiveness. This lack of responsiveness created significant obstacles to my academic progress and overall learning experience.

Due to these cumulative factors, I have decided to transfer to a university with a stronger reputation for standardization, student support, and a more robust learning environment. I believe this decision will provide me with the necessary resources and support to achieve my academic goals effectively.

I urge Aspen University to address these concerns by:

* Actively recruiting and retaining students to foster a more vibrant and collaborative learning community.
* Increasing professor participation and engagement, particularly in scenarios with low student enrollment.
* Prioritizing student support services and offering greater flexibility to accommodate diverse learning needs.

By implementing these improvements, the program can enhance the educational experience for future students.

Integrity matters, but Aspen doesn’t have it.

I spent three semesters wasting my time at Aspen. The instructors don’t seem to be well educated enough to be instructors. One class required use of an app with a paywall with reviews stating your information and payments were not secure. Unfortunately, the instructor told us about this requirement after it was too late to drop. Of course, it really wouldn’t have mattered since it’s a required course. Additionally, the “Nursing Theory” class was pure woo-woo... Read More that would be considered “patronizing” patients in the real world. Avoid this “school” at all costs! Better to pay more in tuition than be taken for a ride.

Aspen was a great online college. They use Canvas for their learning management software that is easy to navigate. I always knew what I had to do each week. The DNP Lounge had everything I needed to move through the program. The topics for the papers and discussion board were often detailed and difficult. I worked over 30 hours each week on the weekly papers (I am a perfectionist and wanted to learn a lot!). The Global Healthcare project made me focus on an issue I never knew existed, but reflect... Read More upon to this day. It changed me!

The doctoral project was a good learning experience and the guidance we received from Aspen faculty helped me learn how to implement a quality improvement project that contributed in a new way to existing research. My faculty advisor was excellent and shared her personal cell phone and was available for zoom calls within a reasonable time frame. I liked how the comprehensive exam at the end made us focus on the DNP Essentials. It was relevant to our journey as newly graduated DNP students. The graduation ceremony in Phoenix, AZ was worth the travel because it was so inspiring and rewarding! They went to great effort to make us feel special and the place was packed with proud graduates, family and friends. It was the best graduation ceremony I've attended. When the head of the nursing department extended her arms for a hug and called me by name I was shocked!

I wasn't sure I wanted to go for the DNP. but now looking back, I am so glad I did. I am now a professor of nursing at a local university and am using the knowledge I gained in my DNP to give back to future nurses. Aspen made this possible. Their 8-week format, and low cost tuition were main factors in my decision to choose Aspen. I'm glad they paired that with a quality education and dedicated faculty. It's a win-win all around!

While the journey through the DNP program has had its challenges, it is understood that such a path is not meant to be easy. The structure of Aspen's program, which is designed to accommodate nurses' schedules alongside their professional responsibilities, made the process seem significantly less daunting. Aspen's reasonable tuition fees further demonstrate their commitment to making advanced nursing education accessible and practical.
I wish to thank Aspen University for their dedication to creating... Read More a program that truly supports nurses in advancing their careers without compromising their ongoing professional commitments. Aspen's program is an excellent choice for any nurse seeking to further their education, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

The instructors at this university are minimal, at best. It is sad to say. There is a severe lack of quality in the teachers: the lack of responses, or one word, one sentence responses for emails inquiries, the lack of phone numbers for the instructors (no office or cell phone numbers). We had to strictly rely on email responses from instructors. For the DNP program, the last 8 weeks I was completely everything, I was done with my manuscript, it was reviewed and approved and signed from all parties,... Read More yet you still have to do the last 8 weeks of the SAME EXACT CLASS. You will submit the SAME exact documents, respond to the SAME exact posts. So, essentially I finished 2 months prior to my graduation date. I just sat around waiting for the class to finish. Waste of my hard earned money and my time. I liked this university, but the lack of teacher responses, and the last 2 months was a waste of my time- that was frustrating. A positive, I liked the set up of this university, the classes are 8 weeks, which is manageable for work-life balance.

Aspen University's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies program is a comprehensive and flexible online program for those passionate about working with young children. The program's curriculum covers essential topics in early childhood education, from child development to curriculum planning, and it provides a strong foundation for a career in the field. One of the program's strengths is its user-friendly online platform, which accommodates students with various life commitments. The faculty... Read More is knowledgeable and readily available to provide guidance and support. Additionally, the emphasis on practical application ensures that students are well-prepared to work effectively in early childhood education settings. Affordability is another advantage of this program, making it a cost-effective choice for quality education in early childhood studies. While the online format may not provide the same level of in-person interaction, the program's flexibility and competitive tuition make it an attractive option for those looking to pursue a career in early childhood education while managing other responsibilities.

I highly recommend Aspen University for the DNP program. Although the program was challenging, the organized curriculum, the advisors, the Doctoral Student Support Webinar series, and the instructors got me through. The DNP project is broken into sections and the student is not left on their own to complete the project. The advisor, The faculty mentor, and the faculty reviewer is there to assist you every step of the way. This help was so encouraging and gave me the confidence and the tools needed... Read More to complete the program. A previous review stated that the DNP at Aspen is useless; however, I disagree, I learned so much and I am still applying what I have learned to ensure continuous quality improvement at the clinic I work for. This university is an excellent school.

This was my first online learning experience and I was surprised at how much I've learned during this program. Instructors are approachable and encouraging. The online availability was the reason I chose Aspen. The flexibility allowed me to work full-time while completing my degree. Another bonus is that they will finance with no interest. This is unheard of in Canada where I live. I am very satisfied with my overall experience and recommend anyone else who is thinking about advancing their education... Read More to enroll with Aspen University.

Aspen University has allowed me to pursue my lifelong journey of education in nursing by enabling me to complete online courses at a time that worked for me to obtain my MSN in administration and leadership. An MSN was a benchmark for excellence and my personal growth, as I can now pursue other jobs that value my competence. My practicum and capstone experience faculty members challenged me to be the change agent, step outside my comfort zone, and use the skills and knowledge acquired to create innovations... Read More for our practice and someday transfer this wisdom by mentoring others. The cost allowed me to obtain my MSN where other schools would not have been an option at my stage in my career; Aspen provided an affordable payment plan! Aspen prepares the grad nurses of the future.

I started this program about 2 months before the Covid 19 pandemic, and I just completed it. I took off quite a bit of time in-between. Everyone was so accommodating. This was such a great program, it got me back to writing papers, something I hadn't done in over 25 years, since that's the last time I was in school. The instructors were great, and a few were a little tough, but it all paid off. My least favourite subject was research and I dropped that class twice before completing it and getting... Read More an A. The instructor was amazing. I was able to use a lot of what was going on in the pandemic during my program as well. I have to say if they offered a FNP program, this would have been my choice in school. However they do not, but my goal is to return and do the DNP program.

I got both my Bachelor's and Master's in Addiction Psychology from Aspen University. Overall, my experience was good with most professors being knowledgeable and kind. Furthermore, Aspen charges substantially less than other colleges allowing a student to get a degree, even a Master's, and not be drowning in debt. My issue with the program was the final proctored exam for my Master's. All other proctored exams were either done at a local college or during Covid they were online with a Word document,... Read More a timer, and questions for essays you couldn't see until you started the timer. My last proctored exam, however, was done online like the others except it was in a simple format like a comment box for an Amazon review. No way to change headings, have correct headers, no font change for size or style, no double space, no options at all in fact, yet they wanted full APA format. Copy pasting from Word didn't work either it would paste but wouldn't keep the correct format and looked all scrambled. I went back and forth with the college leadership on what to do with promises it would be fixed but nothing was changed. I asked why not go back to using a Word document but they claimed with a Word document the time limit could be manipulated or you could have another person write it for you. I argued that was an absurd excuse because you could still type it beforehand or have another write it for you and paste it into the box so what would be the difference besides actually being able to use APA format? No dice, these people were adamant on using the simplest window box for a final proctored test on a darn Master's degree like I was simply leaving a review for an electric pencil sharpener! Eventually, using the spacebar and enter key I got double spacing and indents close and the headers centered enough that I passed on my 3rd try. I also had to pay for the 2nd and 3rd attempt out of pocket. The experience with the higher ups while trying to get this issue resolved was terrible. I was kind and patient for months and it got me nowhere. The people I talked to were rude and not helpful in the least. In one instance they gave me a contact email for help, and it was the email of the instructor that graded my previous test which they then scolded me for because it was unethical to contact the grading instructor! They gave me that email and I had no way of knowing it was for the instructor who graded my test. Absolutely horrific experience at the end of my Master's which is why I do not recommend this school.

Don't bother. The DNP degree is a joke. We do a "project" as though we are third grade science fair entrants (which is not the fault of Aspen, rather, that is the idiocy of the AACN). However, the IRB requires hack "projects." Anything with any type of originality is shot down immediately. Also, unless you are affiliated with a corporation, you don't have a chance to obtain your degree. The DNP through Aspen is solely unpaid quality improvement (and weak, at that!) for your employer. Go the PhD route,... Read More not the DNP route. The DNP degree is useless, actual education or learning is discouraged.

I have been a Registered Nurse for 19.5 years working with an associate's degree. The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an advanced degree. I am so glad I chose Aspen University. The faculty have been there to guide me every step of the way and ensure my success in the program. The RN to BSN program is intense and will impact your professional development. The program is set up for you to succeed. The key to your success in the program is your level of commitment to academics and... Read More the nursing profession. This program helped form that bridge between clinical practice and academics/education. It helped improve my assessment skills (using a holistic approach), communication skills, team dynamics, charge nurse, and leadership skills. I learned how to make a significant difference within a healthcare organization using the Iowa Model. I can list so many more ways that this program can be beneficial to nurses looking to advance their education and profession but I will stop here and simply say that taking this step will only help you and you will not be sorry you did. The only regret you may have is not having made this decision sooner. Good luck to everyone.