Now there's no excuse not to finish a degree.
Written: Jun 26 '08 (Updated Jun 26 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extremely convenient, professional and helpful staff, often requires only a computer to attend classes.
Cons: More expensive than "traditional" higher education.
The Bottom Line: Strayer's slogan is "We Fit Your Life." If you can't make a traditional college fit your life, consider Strayer instead.
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| jsc1973's Full Review: Strayer University |
I noticed there hadn't been a review of Strayer in the last two years, and since I have started going to school there since then and Strayer continues to grow, maybe it's time to share another point of view on it.
A little about myself. I am 35 years old, and when I was 20, I had to go to work full-time when I was just a few credits short of an associate's degree at a community college. My chosen profession, for all of the past 15 years, has been in the newspaper business, with all of the erratic work schedules and demands for time it entails. I was never really in a position where I felt I could complete my education without it interfering with work. At the same time, my lack of a college degree has often held me back professionally. A classic Catch-22 situation...I needed the degree to advance at work, but I couldn't get the degree and continue to work.
That's where Strayer University comes in. Strayer is a non-traditional school--it does offer courses in a traditional classroom setting, albeit usually after hours, but its main course offerings are done over the Internet. Strayer started its online division in 1998, when the 'Net really started to take off, and today it's possible to earn a Strayer degree without ever leaving home. Strayer was ideal for me for two reasons--one, I could attend it and keep working; and two, it is on a quarter system, which is the same system I earned my college credits 15 years ago. Other schools I inquired about attending were on a semester system, and I would have lost some of what I already had earned in the "translation."
Attending Strayer couldn't be easier. I filled out an application a few days after Christmas, during a period in which they were waiving the application fee. They approved me, and I walked into their campus on New Year's Eve, filled out a few financial aid documents and was signed up for my first college classes in 15 years. It was easier to sign up for classes at Strayer than it was at a community college in 1991. They even helped me order my books; course books at Strayer are ordered over the phone or online and delivered right to your door.
The process of attending classes is just as simple. The first time you "go to class", you log into Strayer's eCollege system and take a 15-minute tutorial on how to use it, and then you can log into your classes. Most classes are 'asychronous', which means you can log in at any time (even at 4 a.m., which I have done before!) to complete your assignments and interact with the instructor and classmates via a bulletin-board system. Course lectures and notes are provided for download and there is a weekly quiz in most courses. You can click on the "gradebook" at any time to track your progress, and all of the instructors I have had provided several ways of making contact if you had a problem.
A few notes if you're considering attending. First, Strayer assumes a level of maturity in its students; it is designed for working adults who want to earn a degree and are serious about it. One of the other reviewers complained about the school not having organizations, clubs or a football team. If you're looking for a "campus life," then Strayer is not the place for you. Second, attending Strayer requires that you be at least a little techno-savvy. If you're intimidated by computers, it's not the best place for you. And third, if face-to-face interaction is important to you, then Strayer's numerous online offerings won't be helpful.
The school's convenience does come at a price. A typical quarter at Strayer costs about $3,000 when you factor in the cost of books. On the other hand, Strayer is very much non-traditional, and it allows students to take "challenge exams" at a low fee to earn credit in a course by proving their proficiency via a test. It also accepts nearly all CLEP and DANTES exams for credit. A student with a high level of acquired knowledge in a field can actually earn a Strayer degree very quickly, and yes, the degree will be accredited. Strayer is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This is important because many non-traditional colleges and universities are not accredited, or have a bogus accreditation from a group not recognized by the USDofE.
I think that covers the questions most people might have about Strayer. I wish there had been a school like this 15 years ago, but of course, only the advent of the Internet made it possible. If you're a working adult who can't drop everything for a few years to attend a traditional school, Strayer University is a good option to take a look at.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jsc1973
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Member: John
Location: Raleigh NC
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 6 members
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