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Overall, I feel as though I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge. However, preparing for graduate school, I feel I may have difficulties in programs outside of Liberty University. While the majority of courses in my major have provided valuable information, the focus has been more theology oriented. I understand this is a Christian university, but I did not expect the program to be more bible oriented than knowledge based. I have had a few courses that provided me the secular side of psychology,... Read More but the majority are books writen by ministers and not psychologist. Again there are a few courses that do not focus as much on religion, but the majority are about scripture and not proffesional information. Test are knowledge based, but all other assignments can be slacked on if you know how to use google, and can find enough scripture to sound like a minister. My biggest concern is when I have to take my LPC (Licensed Proffessional Counselor) exam. I fear I have learnt more scripture than facts and case studies. The main problem arises when attempting to cover psychological issues in research papers, and the case studies found do not support biblical principles; and in return you have to distort the information (politician style) to fit biblical principles, in order to avoid low grades due to opposing the adjunct professor's beliefs. Overall if you are focused and dedicated you can gain a valuable education, but only if you can take in the information while adding a biblical twist to it without losing the integrity of your work. The majority of degrees seem to be more so productive to the individual seeking employment with a biblical based orginization. My wife graduated from LU as well for special education and tells me the same thing. However, she does say her graduate school experience was a different story. It was more along the line of information, and not the bible. So I presumme the expectations are for people seeking licensures to attend graduate school as well, and for undergraduate programs to build a moral character. I will add that you are mandated to take bible, theology, and apologetic courses for any degree. It was unfortunate because I did loose my faith through these courses, which made the next few semesters psychologically difficult to support the bible. However, I was able to structure my thinking around helping people where they are at (religion wise). Overall for an online program it is fairly simple and a great place to earn a degree, but requires a lot of work. Your not sitting in class to ask things as they present their self, so reading is important, and some not all professors are good at responding, whereas others simply copy and paste the same statement you questioned to an email to respond to you, which doesn't help at all. I do however enjoy the 8 week subterms online, it allows me to finish courses faster, which motivates me to keep going. I would suggest if schooling online and working fulltime to never take more than 2 courses at a time, and that can be strenuous at times. Look up the course syllabus and difficulty ratings to match courses accordingly. At the end of the day it depends on your reasons for going to school, and if your going to pursue a graduate degree.

This school on the surface appears to have it all together, but I think it's become so large population wise, particularly in their online courses (upwards of 80,000 alone) that they have lost control of their mission- "Knowledge aflame". My fire has burned out. The quality of education in a select few of the courses are excellent, while most are mediocre at best. It is not difficult content per say, but the amount of coursework given is beyond possible to manage if you have any kind of outside responsibilities... Read More like a life, a job, or anything else for that matter. If you enjoy spending 6 hours a day and still not being able to keep up, go for it. The course loads are so condensed that you feel as though you can hardly catch your breath, and are always grasping to absorb what you'd just learned before moving on to the next thing. I have committed huge amounts of effort to the learning process, I am no slacker, and I still can not really fathom what it is I have truly learned. The pace is just too frantic. If you have no work or children to raise, this is probably a good school for you. Again, realize you will be investing as much time as a 40 hour work week to stay on top of things. I have not once in three years spoken to an academic advisor or received a phone call just to find out how I was coming along. I am reluctant to call them because I know I am no more than a number to them and it is impossible to speak to the same person twice. Financial aid disbursements are taking 25 days now when in the beginning they took 10. I appreciate the Christian slant, I am a believer, but I feel that they use it as a crutch to answer everything by. Critical thinking is in short supply here. Rather, you just look up a relevant Scripture and no thought is needed. After 2.5 years, I'm transferring. I've seen enough.

The ratings I am submitting are estimates of my future experience, which I've based on the research I have performed regarding the university, program, etc., as well as my very positive experience thus far. As a mother of three and grandmother of five, who has been raising children for 25 years (with four years to go), I chose the school for its Christian-based, highly-rated program, as well as for the online format. Liberty University Online offers the program and format that fit my values, my needs... Read More and my calling, and I am excited to be a part of it.