Utica University Reviews

"I wouldn’t wish this school on my worst enemy. They really seem like they do not want you to succeed. They change rules every semester. They do not help you with clinical placement yet they have the audacity to make it extremely hard on the few people that do want to precept by asking for never ending forms, contracts, signatures, they want to pop up to our clincal sites, endless evaluations. The professors are not responsive they have 72hr rule to answer back which is ridiculous considering we are online students, oftentimes assignments depend on the previous feedback to complete the next and the professors take an eternity to grade. This school is honestly the absolute worst and biggest regret in my life. Please take your money elsewhere!Read Less"

"Do not recommend their post professional DPT program (for existing PTs wanting to obtain the DPT). 95% of this program is focused on writing. 5% on obtaining new information and knowledge. Same professor over and over who is NOT a content expert in the actual course, instead, just an instructor assigned to teach a course that someone else created. It should experts in the content of that particular course, not the same instructor over and over who is a just a general PT. I have literally not learned one new thing that I did not know prior to starting this program, except how to use Voice Thread and a good review of APA formatting. They act as if you are in a English writing Ph D program. Not a DPT program. The actual content is so ridiculously basic it is laughable. So instead, they have extremely high writing standards and Voice Thread standards to make up for the lack of rigor with the content. Really? Is this going to make us better PTs? No. It is obvious that the professor (instructor) has never taught real face to face lecture classes and is simple assigned an online class and thinks that the goal is to expect everyone to write and say things the way she would. As if that warrants respect, not! This is a classic sign of an inexperienced teacher. I only consider a teacher, instructor, professor to be legit if they have taught and lectured in a face to face class and know how to live lecture, engage in live dialogue with a class, write assignments and exams, etc. This then translates to online teaching. Not the opposite. Do your research, go elsewhere for your transitional DPT, not Utica University. Go to a program where you will learn new information and be challenged, not just regurgitate online info into your papers to make your professor happy and think you learned something. Writing a ton, learning literally nothing. So pathetic. Thank goodness my work is reimbursing me for the tuition, otherwise it would not be worth it.Read Less"

"The professors, academics, and learning management system are pretty good. However, this school has the worst financial aid department of any school I've ever attended. You never get an actual person on the phone; if you make an appointment for a call, they don't call you. When you do get a person, they never seem to know the answer to your question. If you're using veteran tuition benefits they know even less. The field placement has been terrible, given the online nature of the course, they were only able to provide me four points of contact for agencies actually in my area, one of which had incorrect instructions. If field internships are required for your program, you probably want to consider this upfront; I wish I had. In my experience, aside from the actual professors, everyone else at this school seems to consider you as an interruption of their work instead of trying to help you.Read Less"

"I am truly disappointed and annoyed. It all appears to start out well with all the "support bombing" like example (Love Bombing) and then once you are in and they have you it becomes very nightmarish. The faculty are unresponsive, Financial aid office never answers the phone and if they do they are so so rude as if I should have some nerve calling them and discussing financial aide concerns. They call them success coaches but I am not sure why. They do not support any thing they just refer you to other faculty who never answer the phone any way. The tuition is at $775.00 per credit for the MSW both advanced and traditional but there are fees!!! Be mindful that the tuition goes up every year!! The students who attend have no prior counseling experience so if you are a seasoned counselor it will be frustrating. Also the program is recovery based however students attend class like its happy hour having virtual cocktails. I just couldn't believe it also on the virtual weekly class you are scapegoated if you do not put your camera on. You will be threatened that your grade will be reduced. The professors will state their boundaries for example do not expect a response over the weekend. However where are the boundaries for students who feel and know it is a violation to their privacy to be recorded while on camera. Wow I couldn't believe many of my peers felt the same way but they did not have the courage to stand u and advocate for themselves. Let me remind you that this is supposed to be a MSW program which means being caring and authentic but that is not what you will receive. Many lack the ethics and boundaries that come with that profession. Overall major disappointment!! it has been a waste of financials and time and energy. When you are in the enrollment process no one ever tells you that you are required to keep cameral on and be recorded to boot and.... that even though I am an A student you must not have anything less than a B to stay in the program. It seems like there are many demands on students of all ages and those who are mature adults with families and etc.. It feels a like a narcissistic system. I would suggest considering all this before you make such a big investment with your time energy and financials. All the best to you.Read Less"

"Id like to start by saying this program is the toughest degree i have earned so far. They tell you on day 1 16 months will go by fast…and it really does…I had a rough 1st semester adjusting to the fast pace of the program. However, rather than give up I reached out and took advantage of the resources provided. I realized very fast that as a student you have to reach out the moment you feel that your falling behind or slipping through the cracks… i realized very fast i was responsible for my own success in this program.The professors at the Syracuse site genuinely care about the success of their students so please i advise take advantage of office hours as well as asking questions during labs especially skills… since this is an ABSN also be prepared to making school your first priority (i.e attendance to all labs and clinicals, time management, completing all required coursework. Prepare to make sacrifices in ur personal life. Also check your emails as much as you check your text messages. As far as exams i think the school does a great job preparing students for the NCLEX.Kaplan is part of tuition so please if your not going to use any resources outside of your textbook or whatever your professor provides go to Kaplan and utilize their resources…theres 1000s of practice questions on all topics you will cover throughout… as Far as the most important thing the NCLEX i felt like the level of difficulty of our exams benefited me when I got to the NCLEX i passed my first time. I could go on and on but i will definitely say this program is not easy and can be quite stressful at times no nursing program is perfect especially this time but remember what your goals are, set aside time for self care each week, manage your time wisely, utilize your resources, and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I wish the best for all future students.Read Less"

"I agree with the reviews. I started the FNP program in 2023. Over a year into the program, a bait-and-switch happened. They gave me no explanation for their decision about my clinical rotation. After I found the clinical site and did their onboarding, the management at Utica changed their position on me starting clinical. It was horrible, it had nothing to do with my academic performance. You couldn't see test questions you missed, so the only way to review tests was to set up a meeting with the professor. The mandatory online live sessions were useless, and the professors were often condescending. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I transferred out.Read Less"

"I attended the SYR location for the accelerated BSN from 2022-2023. This program is a hybrid course with clinical in person and in person labs, online sessions of courses and when I went the exams were in person as well. Overall this was a great course, the instructors take into consideration students’ feedback each semester and improve on something every new semester. Yes the program is challenging but the lab instructors and course instructors support you and help you figure out ways to improve study habits or work with you to find ways to help you through whatever troubles you’re expecting. Truthfully there will be some self teaching involved as with any online course, and it is a fast paced environment you need to be prepared for. Nursing school is supposed to be challenging; this program may not be perfect but it sets you up for success and you have opportunities to make life long connections with people who will guide you in the right direction. I am now an ER nurse at a trauma center and truly feel that the program prepares you for the challenges that you face in your nursing career.Read Less"

"Uticas ABSN program was hard but worth all the struggle. You have to go into this program knowing it’s not going to be easy and handed to you, for those 16 months you must be willing to put aside time to study and really learn the material. Something to remember, just because one person struggled does not mean you will as well. The support you receive throughout this program from the faculty is great, more specially from the ones you see on site they’re there to support you the entire way through the program. If I had read those reviews before I started I’m not sure I would’ve went into the program with such a positive attitude so, let me be one example of many positive outcome from this program I’m a registered nurse and I couldn’t be happier with my choice of attending Uticas ABSN program.Read Less"

"I am a recent graduate (12/2023) from the Utica University ABSN Program in Syracuse, NY. This is a 16 month hybrid accelerated program. Yes it is hard (probably one of the hardest things I’ve done so far), but it is doable. You are receiving a degree in 16 months vs 4 years. The first few weeks of semester 1 is a little challenging because you’re throwing out your old studying habits to find better/new ways to study and using a different platform (canva instead of blackboard). The professors provide numerous amounts of resources (office hours, weekly reviews, NCLEX style questions with rationales, weekly tutoring, & additional resources if needed). Aside from the professors there is also the academic success coach who is there to support you during this journey so that you are successful. As well as FREE counseling/therapy if needed offered by the school. Use your resources they are there to help you!!! My biggest take away would be to use your resources, be prepared to tell your non-nursing friends no when they invite you to things, study hard, don’t be afraid to ask questions, find study buddies, and always take time for yourself. This program will challenge you, but it will also help you develop critical thinking skills. Those 16 months will go by fast and you will see that this degree is worth it.Read Less"

"I attended the Utica University ABSN program in Syracuse from 2022-2023. I am now a NYS RN working in Pediatrics. Although the beginning of my experience at Utica’s ABSN site was a bit rocky, adjustments were made throughout the program with the intent to foster a positive and enriching environment for future nurses. Like all other areas of nursing, nurse educators are constantly seeking ways to improve teaching/learning outcomes, student success, and student satisfaction. I believe that the ABSN program at Utica’s Syracuse site not only prepared me to successfully complete the NCLEX-RN, but also allowed me to immerse myself in situations that contributed to my growth as a new grad RN. The improvement of this program from 2022 to 2023 is profound. Although the beginning was rough due to certain components of the program, students’ voices were heard and changes were made to accommodate our needs and allow us to be successful. With that being said, nothing is perfect and nursing programs will always be a work in progress as new information becomes available daily. However, I do not think I would have received a better education anywhere else. Although I have a LOT to learn in the years ahead as a nurse, Utica’s ABSN program taught me valuable concepts and skills to develop my clinical judgment and gave me the confidence to enter the field without doubting myself or my abilities while also knowing my limitations and when to ask for help or address concerns. No nursing program is going to be easy and there are always going to be obstacles along the way but now that I’m on the other side I can confidently say that this program was amazing and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences.Read Less"

"I attended Utica's ABSN program at their satellite location in Syracuse, NY. I graduated December of 2023. My experience in this program was overall great. Even though didactic was fully online, the professors work hard to provide resources that you need in order to succeed. No matter the mode of instruction, there is always bumps in the road or a professor that isn't always the easiest to learn from or work with. In my experience the majority of professors were great and even though we didn't see them in person they offered zoom, real time reviews or office hours to talk through material. This program also offers tutoring that is easily accessible and helpful. No matter the program, there are pros and cons always and you have to be flexible and patient with yourself, professors and clinical instructors. My clinical instructors were amazing and even with up to 8 people in a clinical they made sure everyone was learning and having a good experience. Healthcare is nothing short of chaos, and clinical can feel that way sometimes but that is only how you learn and grow and it prepares you for the real world of nursing where the environment, patient status and research is constantly changing/evolving. The other portion of this program includes in person labs, that connect what you learn in didactic into a simulation or hands on skills. The lab professors are amazing and are a valuable resource to learn from and gain advice from. Lab prepares you with hands on skills that are done in clinical and eventually skills you will use as a new grad. One of the things that I wish was different in my experience was the location of some clinicals. I wish that they were a little more mindful of where people lived in regards to the clinical location. For example, I lived in Syracuse but almost every clinical but 2 were in Utica/Rome which was somewhat irritating to commute there when there is a handful of hospitals in Syracuse, hence the reason why I chose this program. And I knew people in the opposite situation where people living in Utica were coming to Syracuse and vice versa. If you are determined and disciplined to buckle down for the 16 months, be ok to saying no to some plans with family/friends it is worth it. There are sacrifices you will have to make but that is life! It goes by super fast and next thing you know you'll be studying for the NCLEX. I also recommend starting a small study group to get through this program with and lean on eachother. Best of luck to you, future RN!P.S. this program WELL prepares you to sit for the NCLEX if you put in the time and effort!Read Less"

"How I wish I found these reviews before I started the FNP certificate program!! The reviews you see are correct. The professors are not compassionate at all, you wait sometimes 1 week for a response, this is essentially a self taught course. They are so FULL of themselves- notvwhat nursing should be at all. You read the text - sometimes 100+ pages in a week and they make up some stupid test that barely corresponds to the material- the test questions sometimes have very poor grammar even.Save your money and go somewhere else!Read Less"

"I graduated from Utica college in 2015. The nursing program is just like any other program HARD. I missed out on a lot of things in college because I was studying. A lot of reviews are saying there was no support. I was always able to meet with my professors after class or office hours to help for clarification of anything. Cynthia test were extremely hard but looking back she helped me learn to critical think before I even became a nurse . I didn’t love Utica college but I will forever be thankful for this nursing program preparing me and giving me the basics to figure out the nursing world . 8 years strong as a pre/postop nurse in the cath lab . Don’t apply into the nursing program if you are not prepared to do the work.Read Less"

"The degree was supposed to be a generic master of Cybersecurity But this degree was geared towards our critical infrastructure and they were no network classes when I took it. This degree did not help me and cost me $67000. The faculty was non existent most of the help came from your peers and teaching assistance. The school was horrible and very expensive. What a mistake!"

"I wish I would’ve read the reviews before attending! The faculty is not responsive and not there to help the students! They say that they have a one to one review process however when you ask they don’t deliver. I have a faculty member not put in grades for weeks even though the classes are 8 weeks. Exams are made up by the professors and materials not covered in the week’s lectures are on the exams/quizzes. Literally they are setting you up to fail. Please don’t go to this institution!"

"Avoid this school at all costs. The director and team are egomaniacs and do not support the students. The tests are poorly done, the professors offer no help. They do have an appeal process only to say they have one. They will deny any wrongdoing even if you are a point below their 85 test/quiz average."

"Read the reviews for the FNP program. I was drawn here by the promise of a hybrid program and the promise of support. THis was the worst mistake I have made and if I had not invested so much money in this program I would be attending somewhere else. I am just trying to get through. There is no support, you are basically self taught. if you have an issue and email a teacher, most do not get back to you. You are tested on material that you have not studied. Pharmacology, a class that is vitally important, does not even have a Zoom class attached to it, You read chapters and take quizzes. You have to maintain a separate 84% class and quiz average and if you fall below on either, you fail. The "teachers" do not teach any material but set you up to have plenty of petty busy work on top of reading hundreds of pages to have a quiz on Tuesday. Then they talk about having a school/life balance. The main form of communication is email and while maintaining your home and work life, their expectation is that you will be on the school email like it is your job. The thing I have learned is that this school only wants your money and does not care about producing quality FNPs. Find a school who actually does care investing in your career, stay away from here.Read Less"

"Hi everyone, Please read my review (I wish I had read the reviews before taking admission. I am a current student of the ABSN program at Utica college in St. Pete campus in second semester. I will be very honest in my expression. I took admission into ABSN program with big promises of support from Utica admission representatives and it looked very good that I will be able to complete my bachelors degree in short time. But the reality is there is NO support offered at all by the teachers, administration. The Professors are a joke and there is no teaching or guidance of any kind. The exams are made so hard on purpose that most of my classmates failed (Including me) and the teacher who got most failing in her class is the head of the department so no complaints can be done against her. All the complains and requests fall on deaf ears. The success coach guides that follow blueprint, but no exam has ever come out of blueprint. I and all my classmates have bachelors degrees in some department of education, so definitely we are capable of studying anything, but when the motive of the college is to fail and make money, then students lose confidence, time, money and HOPE. The people who come from HR department asking for reviews but nothing gets implemented. Its like different departments working for same goal. The worst part is my family doesnt understands how this college is and works and why suddenly am I failing? As a nurse we are meant to be compassionate and helping, but this college is making all the compassion and caring go out of our souls as the teachers and administration are so ruthless to us, so the future nurses are gonna reflect what they are taught. The teacher who failed most students, as an incentive has been promoted as head of another department. Please Please save yourself. Do Not go to this college. You will end up losing money, time and peace. I have sacrificed everything in my life to become a Nurse and this college has taken my desire away and left me so frustrated, feeling like a loser and worthless. The only teachers who cared for students were Prof. Franze, Prof. Hall who had to leave this college because of their policies. Please save yourself the pain and go to any college ( But do check reviews first).Read Less"

"I read the reviews, believed they weren't real, and continued with the process of enrolling. I urge you to please read my review before making final decisions. First, when I had to pay out of pocket, my expenses were black and white and I paid what I needed to. Whenever I got financial aid, an addition 1-2K were added to my bill. When I disputed my bill, I was told a class was not calculated correctly. Again, this miscalculation and addition to my tuition was added after I received financial aid and not paying out of pocket. It has happened every semester I was fortunate enough to get financial aid, and that seems sketchy at minimum. Second, the reviews on teaching yourself is accurate. What is not said is Utica creates their own test, will not tell you what to focus the majority of your time learning, and has a significantly high fail rate for medsurg. We have repeaters and threepeaters and its become a norm that nobody is questioning why we are all failing. Third, Utica almost lost their accreditation because students went to the board and showed proof that everyone is failing. Those who failed last semester were allowed to take the class for free. Majority of those students are still failing this semester. No lectures, the powerpoints and mini-lecture videos is done by a professor who just could not be more bothered by having to go over the material. Fourth, depending on who your tutor is, you won't get much help. Makayla is amazing, if you decide to move forward with Utica please make sure to attend her tutoring. Other tutors tell you, "This box is probably important, learn it" instead of going over the material and actually helping us understand what the thought process is and how to use it in the real world. Fifth, while I enjoy labs they do not have enough supplies to teach you. You will reuse opened lab kits that are not even the correct kit for the exercise you will be performing. The teachers in labs are very helpful, but that is it. I cannot stress to you enough that this school is not good. This school has made a lot of people fail, fall into debt, give up, etc. Their passing rate is 53%, that is not a good rate. I emailed the dean and was never responded to, I have emailed for help and it's fallen on deaf ears, the prepu questions are outdated to the new text book and does not help prepare you for your exams. Please. Do not go here. Or go here for your prerequisites and then leave.to start somewhere else. I have waisted 8 months here, I have listened to those who have wasted 16 months and are still in semester 2 because of constant failures even after 10 hour study sessions 7 days a week. Do not make our mistake. Avoid Utica at all costs.Read Less"

"This is more like a teach yourself school. When I had an emergency family situation they were very uncaring and did not help me. I had to withdraw due to this family emergency and they still made me pay the bill even though I only attended 1 week of class. They do not want their students to exceed. Just want the money unfortunately. Teachers were lack luster and had no idea about the program when teaching and how it is run. I do not recommend spending all this money for this school. It was quite ridiculous.Read Less"