Grand Canyon University Reviews of Bachelor's in Psychology

"The bottom line up front: The school is good, not prestigious. There is a difference. Yes, I would do it again. Is it adequate to get me into a stateside medical school... not sure yet. Having read through a series of angry reviews over GCU's on-line Psychology program, I thought I would take the time to offer my own point of view. In early 2018, with A.A.S. in hand, I came to GCU in an attempt to escape the money grab of repeated coursework. They accepted most of my credits and subsequently I was off to the races. I doubled up on courses throughout the whole program, which has brought me to the end of the road in roughly a year and five months. Throughout this time, I've had a myriad of experiences with instructors. Most were good, very few were questionable, and the rest were masters of their craft. None of them were arrogant, mean, or disrespectful. The student advisers were switched out frequently, but transitions were nearly seamless and administrative processes were fast/accurate. The coursework was practical for the most part. However, there were a few courses that could have been written in finger-paint over someone's lunch break and that is of no fault to the instructor. Mostly everything has a clearly written baseline in terms of acceptability. What is subjective is the interpretation of what is considered "substantive". Some instructors want references for everything. Others harp on word count. Some are just happy if a student can marginally grasp a concept. It is on the student to be able to flex to the instructor's style, not the other way around. There is one major downside to this program... the other students. While this is not the rule and there are many exceptions, the lack of effort on behalf of some students is appalling. When the requirement is to write six posts per question, per week, it means just that. When a student shows up at the eleventh hour on a group assignment while one or two people have done all the work, they've effectively stolen a grade. When a student cannot compose a sentence using proper structure and grammar, they have no business pursuing higher education. These actions devalue the concept of higher education. There are those that are there for a piece of paper (which they will inevitably receive), and there are those that are using GCU as a platform for a career. There really is no median or mean in this group dynamic. Ultimately, it all boils down to selection criteria by the institution and the cut-line is very low with GCU. With regard to the observations mentioned above, I will most likely graduate with a 3.98 GPA if I can continue my track record. The reason I mention this: I am not very intelligent. This means that anyone attempting this program that is willing to put in the work will not only pass, but separate themselves from the rest of the pack if the smallest iota of effort is put in. I will finalize with a few words of conventional wisdom... and you should: ask questions to your instructors. If they do not answer, you have tools available to route a complaint. The coursework is designed to pass, not fail. I say this with trepidation because as a Psychology student, you'll be subjected to the goodness of two statistics-based courses. Do not post if you intend to drop a class because you will be charged every time. Check out your instructors. You'll be shocked at what you can find out about them on Google. Hint: the bad ones have track records associated with their teaching methods. Use spellcheck. Have someone sanity check your papers because you will write hundreds of them. In ending, I wish you the best of luck on your endeavors with GCU should you choose to enroll."

"Do not go to this school. It is one big money making scam. They do not care about their students, they will not help you when you need it, they will run you around in circles, lie to you, and charge you for everything they can think of. The instruction, if you can even call it instruction is horrible. Instructors do not teach, there are no lessons, no lectures, and no explanation of subject material. You teach yourself everything from the textbook. Instructors seem to not understand subject material and many are unable to answer questions about subject material or assignments. There is generally no feedback on assignments or papers. In the many classes i have taken at GCU, I can think of two classes with instructors that actually provided useful feedback. Tests are not worded well and the summary of what is on the tests is not accurate. The cost is exorbitantly high, and is a complete an total waste of money for the "education" you receive. I am very frustrated with every aspect of this school, and would encourage anyone thinking about GCU to reconsider and do your research on other schools."

"Grand Canyon University is a growing community and an exciting place to receive an education. They have a good balance between fun community-building events and serious scholarship. The psychology program does not have many research opportunities; however, the teachers are incredibly supportive and if you are willing to ask they are more than happy to help you find research opportunities in the community."

"Was charged for a class I did not attend, I withdrew from college at the end of my current courses I passed. Had medical issues, stayed in communication the entire time. My financial advisor said there would was zero balance on student account, 3 months later I return to GCU to start back into program and I owe $540 dollars. Its not about the money, its about honesty and integrity, this college lacks both. When asked for verification that I started course or even logged into course, I got the run around for a year. Dont be surprised if you find charges on student account for courses you did not attend. Stear clear from this college, scammers"

"Grand Canyon University is a tremendous school to attend. The professors dedicate their time to students, and ensure that their students are getting the best education. While Grand Canyon is a private Christian school, professors, faculty, RA's, and etc do not push religion onto those who attend, and have welcoming arms at all times. Grand Canyon University also provides many resources to their students to set them up for success whether it be academically, or working."

"Terrible school. Go anywhere else. The teachers are great and the small classrooms are great but that's literally it. Nothing, I repeat, nothing else about this campus is any good. The rules require all of their students to be treated like little kids, the student advisors are constantly being replaced because of how bad they are, the fines for anything as minuscule as smoking in a designated smoking area can be up to 500$ and the food options are horrid. Also, good luck transferring to another school because the credits essentially force one to stay. Unless, of course, you want to ask another 4 classes at your new university."

"Grand Canyon was an awesome school. I always tell people when they ask me about it that I had a great experience with the staff, students and my advisor. The support you get with the staff isn't the average type of support. I could schedule with any advisor if I needed some help or needed to get something done. They call and check on you to make sure things are going well. I wish they had the program for MSW so I could go back but I will always be Lope!"

"Grand Canyon help me achieve my degree within three years. They have helped me make sure I am on track with my classes and the teachers were great. Most of my teachers helped me achieve my goals by guiding me to the right places out of education like different career opportunities and ways to pay back student loans. GCU is a great school to find your purpose and reach your fullest potential."

"My school Grand Canyon University was pretty tough as far as the schoolwork went, but the support that came with my experience was exceptional. There wasn't a time where I felt like the staff wasn't on my side. They encouraged me and did what they could to help me succeed. This is a Christian based school so everyone is helpful and pleasant. I think the fact that it was a faith based school helped throughout my time there because it reminded me that I can accomplish all my goals as long as my faith was strong."

"Grand Canyon University was an overall good school to complete my bachelors at. The teachers were very easily available to answer questions, however some where pretty harsh on grading- which is a good thing.. sometimes! Some of them really tried hard to make you think twice and put in a lot of effort, while some where more laid back and showed more flexibility in their teaching styles. The housing options made it a fun atmosphere especially with so much going on. Concerts and basket ball games are the best! I really advise to try and live on campus because students will make a lot more connections and be more apt to head to the library or favorite food spot to work on homework because it is so close and you can literally walk there! I would advise for future students to take the time to really try hard in classes and make the effort to study because it really will help them in their future whether it be for their career or for another job they might get out of college. I made the mistake of slacking off and just trying to get by in some classes- and now it really shows when I don't know things about skinner or Freud and I'm a Psych major! However, when I really applied myself and challenged myself- it paid off because I now work for a great company working with autistic kids and I'm on my way to obtaining my masters at ASU! All in all, GCU has great teachers, a fun campus life, and the students who go there are passionate, good people who all have the same goals as you- to finish college and get their diploma!"

"This school is a joke.They over charge you even when you are not in the school with other students. I took THREE courses where it was just me and a few other students, i literally had to reply to my own comments for discussions. The teachers i had would change up the rules as they go along and none of them knew anything helpful that the students didn't already know. Aside from the charge being astronomical, 3000 for one class, when I went to the local university and was charged 300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How is this even legal! when they get closed down like Ashford I will be the last one laughing!"

"From the first call all the way up to now, my experience with my student advisor team was absolutely amazing. They checked up on me regularly to see if I needed any help and were always available to answer questions. They were so warm and welcoming and really made me feel like I was part of the family. Even after I graduated they were happy to answer any questions and provide their services. I really felt that was the best first and last impression I could have ever gotten. I also found the curriculum to be at a good pace. You are not overwhelmed with the technology while attending online, but also feel as though you have a lot of online resources to prepare you for success during your degree studies. The first course does just that. It provides you with a hands-on learning experience so that you learn it from actively participating. For someone who learns best from completing the task, this was extremely helpful. The platform is also extremely easy to follow. You are required to participate in class discussions three days a week with two posts per day, two assignment questions twice a week, and larger assignments and/ or quizzes due on Sunday. This worked out really well with my full schedule. I was able to complete most of my assignments and questions ahead of time and focus on my participation. With working online you really are able to work at your own pace. What you put into your education is what you get out. The teachers were a big help as well. They all were extremely friendly and always willing to answer your questions. The class forum, where you can ask questions to your teacher, helps as a reference to alleviate duplicate questions. The teachers also provide their home email or address so that you may ask questions any time of the day, especially in emergencies."

"I think the biggest issue with this school is that they admit students who are not capable of succeeding in an online environment. I have attended UNLV and UNR in the past. I only settled on GCU because I now live 100 miles away from the closest college to me. The only difference from a traditional class is the professors do not lecture very much. They serve a purpose more akin to a moderator, albeit a very knowledgeable one. It isn't for everyone. I can grasp a concept well after reading a textbook and doing my own research. I see some students saying they needed tutors, I do not understand why. I see many students in my class making silly mistakes. For example, in one class, all out posts were required to be 75 words, I would see students posting 10 words posts up until the very last day of class. I saw people saying they couldn't fit it into their schedule. I can finish all the work for the week in a few hours, except for the discussion questions that have to be done on 4 different days; I can accomplish that in less than an hour. I really think that the online degree program is not for everyone. However, I do not think people should be on here trashing a school based on their experience."

"I have had a very excellent experience with this institution. I am a single parent of older teen/young adults and we have particular needs in the family. My instructors have been knowledgeable, available, and supportive all the way through my classes. My counselors have been very good to me and offer me full support and advice. The staff has been more than just doing a day's work. They actually care and offer support and advice. I love that they would pray for me. Previously, I attended a course at a different famous college online (in CA) and I will never go back to that California school; the administrative part at the California college was so hard to navigate that you were pretty much on your own. I was sent from one person to another to another until I found out at the END of my class that the California college decided not to accept my financial aid so I will owe a bucket of money for an evening class that, if you don't want it for a grade, was free and open to the public to come and attend in the evenings. Not so with GCU! My financial counselor from GCU calls me at the end of each course to make sure everything is updated and that I understand where I am in terms of finances and courses. The classes themselves are well structured to be able to break the work into pieces so that a degree is attainable even for full time workers with families. I attended college twice before (not counting the California online class) and this has definitely been the best experience so far!"

"I chose to attend GCU, because my family was facing a PCS and I was almost done. I only had 28 units left. They only tacked on 8 units necessary to graduate as opposed to most other universities that wanted me to do 45+ in house. As my name states, please stay home if you have no idea how to write a college level paper. The only negative thing I have to say about GCU is that they require a foundations class and Christianity class be taken. While that wasn't what bothered me, what did bother me is I had to take it with children that clearly had no business being in college. Once I got out of those two courses it was all upper level courses and not only was the instruction spot on the caliber of students went up dramatically. I ended online at GCU, but started on campus and attended two major universities before making the switch. I had a job offer 1 day before graduation and have no regrets about attending GCU. I am now in my dream career and have no problems paying back my loans and I start my MBA program in the Spring. Hopefully they make the switch back to non-profit so we can distance ourselves from those crappy schools like University of Phoenix and Devry."

"If I could have not giving GCU a 1 star; I would have. For anyone reading this; If your looking to finish college sooner this is not the school for you. If you have more than 50 credits to transfer this is not the school for you. Its a school for someone just starting out with almost no credits. I say this because even if you have taken 3-4 English / Literature classes they will not count towards the 4 pre-requisite course at GCU. Please go back and take a look at the course that you have to take under their course list. There's UNV 103, UNV 104, a Christian course and PHI / Ethics. No matter who you are; you will have to take each one of theses courses and they last 7 weeks each. I will say this one time! You can not take these course together. You have to take them one by one. Before you can double up your classes you have to fulfill 12 credit hours first with GCU before you can double up. If your comfortable with one class every 2 months then go to GCU but its not a school for someone who is looking to graduate sooner. Dont do it! They will be helpful in the beginning to get your money. keep in mind it will take 2 1/2 months before your first disbursement and then after that you have to wait 6 mths for the remainder. Just please just dont go to this! For those that have I know you saw when they added several classes after you were going b/c they will lie and say that most of your credits will transfer. I really hate to say it but I hope someone shuts them down and there is nothing Christian about this school!"

"When looking into college programs I was just about to go with another school but then I spoke to the initial "sales person" adviser. He seemed very compassionate about some issues I was currently taking care of coinciding with enrolling in school. With a lot of encouragement I enrolled in GCU however I asked one question. I said I am Christian but not Evangelical as you appear to be. Will the Christian worldview conflict with my values, will it be worth my time and money? I was assured the worldview class was just about how Christian ideals are in many of the laws and customs we have in the world today even though they are not thought of as being Christian. This couldn't be further from the truth! The instructor who supposedly held a Doctorate in something and told the class he had attended Gustavus Adolphus, the Harvard of the mid-west. Being from the mid-west and knowing the school quite well I would have to say this statement is very subjective because most people I know find the statement funny. Anyway he used websites as curriculum, at first glance they had some good information but look further and they are full of bigotry and negative information towards most other Christian and non-Christians alike that don't hold GCU's view. It seems GCU and their corporation has formed a worldview and implemented it as a prerequisite before starting your degree (clever way to make 1,900.00 per student). I told the instructor I was uncomfortable reading anti any other religion rhetoric and felt it had no place in a college setting, to which I received information on why my religion is wrong. I went to my student adviser and she told me to get screen shots of everything which I did but at that time I knew this was a "private" college and they could teach hate and ignorance all they want hiding under their private status so I left. Later I was contacted by a man that was the salesman to end all salesmen. He asked why I left and he listened seeming to have sympathy for the situation I had gone through. He told me he to was not a Christian and had "heard" of this sort of issue at GCU. He said he knew the head of theology would want to hear what happened and he would make sure he knew. He said he would be there at every turn, he would take care of everything, I didn't have to worry this would be a completely different experience with GCU he would make sure it was.That he did. My family had a change in circumstances that tied up our cash flow so that's of course when the computer goes out. I called about my stipend at the beginning of an eight week class with another one starting days later. I was told my stipend would be dispersed in 14 days. I completed both classes with great difficulty due to technical problems, I called GCU daily no one answered or when I left a message they returned the call when I said I wasn't available. They had me starting another class and I had to refuse because I couldn't depend on my computer. When I finally got a hold of my student adviser about 10 weeks after this whole thing began he said "OK we will have your stipend dispersed in 14 days"' This was the day before I was moving to another state we were going to temporary housing, I didn't even have an address.Finally they did me a big favor and over nighted the stipend that I should have had months ago after all they had the money! We had to delay or move one day even though my husband had a report date to his new post. After all this I decided I have no confidence in this school my last two classes had been paid and I didn't start the next so I let them know I wanted no more to do with GCU. At that point it was strongly "suggested" I keep going or I will owe them 2,000 then over 900 to 700 then 500 back up to 700. At the beginning I was told I had to complete four more credits to get away now they changed their mind on that and they are throwing all sorts of figures that I supposedly owe at me, oh yeah I better pay by the end of the month or they are sending it to a bill collector! I had read things like this before I started GCU but I thought my advisers are so nice and helpful that it must just be bitter students, its not it seems this is becoming the norm at GCU. They are for profit its a corporation working under the guise of a caring Christian University. They care about the bottom line, its all about the money. Fellow reviewers have mentioned that other students papers are barely legible, that's true as well. Our diploma is only as good as the reputation of the school we receive it from, it doesn't matter how much is spent on our education if this is just a corporate venture accepting anyone that's eligible for FAFSA. I hope you look carefully before investing your money it what appears to be just an expensive piece of paper. Good Luck wherever you go to school. All experiences are mine and so are the opinions."

"I greatly appreciate the help and opportunity given to me by Grand Canyon University. They are open minded and willing to go above and beyond to help their students be successful. I would advise anyone, regardless of their religious background, to attend GCU. It is worth the expense and the experience."

"I have just started my online college career at GCU I am almost done with my first class and hold a 4.0 GPA. I was reading some of these reviews and to be honest had I read them before I started class I would have never ever started them! That being said I have to say in my experience it is not true! My admissions adviser is always there when I need her as well as my professor who not only gave us his office phone number but his cell phone number too so we could reach him anytime day or night. (When i speak of"we" I mean the whole class.) I have never encountered one ounce of disrespect from anyone of my classmates, professors or advisers when ever I call them they r there to help. I really think that people need to look at the experience as a whole and not just the negative as well as take responsibility for what you have done and do to yourself! Be an adult! I truly believe this will be a wonderful learning experience I will write another review in 5 years after I Graduate. Please see what thy have to offer I thus far have not been disappointed."

"First and Foremost, the University switched programs to LOUD CLOUD. Every single student is struggling. I mean struggling, because the program will not allow you to submit several assignments throughout the course. I went from a (very hard earned) 3.9, had a tech issue, dropped to a 3.8, but still on the President's list....Then, LOUDCLOUD, the program will not accept my work, you spend 25 hours on a paper, and it does not get graded. And the system gives you an F then another and then another, until your GPA is at a 3.2...I am suppose to be able to appeal the grade, and they will "adjust it" but right now my record looks to horrible to even be able to transfer. The instructor cannot even do it, because--get this-- they do not grade the papers. YOUR INSTRUCTOR reads a computer generated grade, and adds a "nice work here" comment on the side lines...When I found that out I about croaked, because you do put extra effort in, out of respect for the teacher and because you want to sound intelligent to a double-doctorate...most instructors have two and three other jobs. One teacher was a teacher at 4 other online schools...she could have not cared any less about my class-my grades-my words. My last class looks like no assignments have been submitted, and I am scared to death. I worked night and day, a single mom, trying to better me, my kids, and my community, and thought a Christian Environment would enable me to do so.Trust me, I was a high advocate of GCU, I even talked some friends into started this journey, and now I am ashamed, embarrassed, and they too, are doomed because of this new program...and there is no switching it-period.For single moms the federal aid is fairly okay, I have received 2500 - 4000 but dont know heard many get 5500. They are expensive, though, and I have to pay a portion of it back,,,,single moms with no-income they put in utter debt...I just wanted to go to school so bad, that i didnot care-but I sure do now..you better think twice, because LOUD CLOUD will ruin you!"