Non-Traditional Education
June 21st 2011 19:18
I have heard numerous complaints and attacks against non-traditional for-profit post-secondary schools in the media; to include a recent Frontline documentary. First, let me affirm that I have certainly noticed that several of these schools have come under fire for pushy sales tactics and questionable enrollment procedures. Subsequently, many of them were disbanded and those remaining have been forced to comply. Critics argue that non-traditional and online schools represent a “fast food-ization” of higher education. Personally, I feel that traditional universities have been placed on a pedestal in this debate as if they embody some benevolent infallible institution.
Many have complained that non-traditional schools are essentially funded by tax dollars by way of Federal Grants and Student Loans. Indeed, many of these institutions generate a substantial portion of their revenue stream from the Federal Government. Moreover, it has been argued that these schools enroll students who are not financially ready for post-secondary education. Are we naïve enough to believe that traditional universities are not profit-driven? My wife has attended a traditional public university since graduating high school. I currently attend a non-traditional private university. The tuition at her school has increased anywhere from 5-10% every year for the past decade. She now pays more per credit hour than I. Moreover, I have been able to complete three years of my education thus far without the aid of student loans. My wife owes nearly $20,000 in student loans to date. Did her traditional university care whether or not she was financially ready? Additionally, my school doesn’t pay a $750,000 salary to a sub-standard football coach or waste millions of tuition dollars on renovating its sports arenas only to raise rates the following year. I postulate that the traditional schools with their archaic pedagogical instructional methods are simply envious that private institutions have cut into their market share. Rather than compete, they complain.
Others have stated that (specific to online courses) there is very little interaction between instructor and student when compared to a traditional university. Firstly, let’s agree that traditional lectures are decidedly one-sided conversations. Moreover, I urge any student at a traditional school to send an e-mail or attempt to call (assuming you have a contact number) their professor and see how long it takes to get a response. In my three years at a private institution, I have never had to wait longer than 48 hours for a telephonic or e-mail response from an instructor.
Obviously, I am biased in this argument as I am a non-traditional student. With the above said, I urge everyone to research any private university that they wish to attend. National and Regional accreditation are paramount. Moreover, remember that certain majors require specialized State and/or Federal accreditations (particularly nursing, law, and psychology). My biggest concern is that students rack up thousands in student loans at sub-standard institutions, such as ITT Tech, and then complain that their degree is useless; and I assure you that it is. Do your research and make a decision based on what your individual needs are. Like anything else, don’t put all of your faith in recruiters and advisors. Remember where they get their paychecks; this goes for ALL universities.
Many have complained that non-traditional schools are essentially funded by tax dollars by way of Federal Grants and Student Loans. Indeed, many of these institutions generate a substantial portion of their revenue stream from the Federal Government. Moreover, it has been argued that these schools enroll students who are not financially ready for post-secondary education. Are we naïve enough to believe that traditional universities are not profit-driven? My wife has attended a traditional public university since graduating high school. I currently attend a non-traditional private university. The tuition at her school has increased anywhere from 5-10% every year for the past decade. She now pays more per credit hour than I. Moreover, I have been able to complete three years of my education thus far without the aid of student loans. My wife owes nearly $20,000 in student loans to date. Did her traditional university care whether or not she was financially ready? Additionally, my school doesn’t pay a $750,000 salary to a sub-standard football coach or waste millions of tuition dollars on renovating its sports arenas only to raise rates the following year. I postulate that the traditional schools with their archaic pedagogical instructional methods are simply envious that private institutions have cut into their market share. Rather than compete, they complain.
Others have stated that (specific to online courses) there is very little interaction between instructor and student when compared to a traditional university. Firstly, let’s agree that traditional lectures are decidedly one-sided conversations. Moreover, I urge any student at a traditional school to send an e-mail or attempt to call (assuming you have a contact number) their professor and see how long it takes to get a response. In my three years at a private institution, I have never had to wait longer than 48 hours for a telephonic or e-mail response from an instructor.
Obviously, I am biased in this argument as I am a non-traditional student. With the above said, I urge everyone to research any private university that they wish to attend. National and Regional accreditation are paramount. Moreover, remember that certain majors require specialized State and/or Federal accreditations (particularly nursing, law, and psychology). My biggest concern is that students rack up thousands in student loans at sub-standard institutions, such as ITT Tech, and then complain that their degree is useless; and I assure you that it is. Do your research and make a decision based on what your individual needs are. Like anything else, don’t put all of your faith in recruiters and advisors. Remember where they get their paychecks; this goes for ALL universities.
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