Graduate & Undergrad degrees - TUITION-FREE

[barcotta]

I found this thread on another forum and I thought it was worth posting over here. In a nutshell, Andrew Jackson University is attempting to completely change the cost-of-education paradigm. AJU has been around since 1994 and has been accredited by the DETC for the past nine years. They are about to announce a program that will cover the tuition cost of attending their university by partnering with other businesses. So, you may obtain a Masters degree from AJU for $400 PER SEMESTER (+ a proctoring fee and a few other fees--making the average three-class semester around a $500-$550 proposition). That means your total cost for a Masters or Bachelors degree can be as low as $2,000.

I have not verified this but I have read up on it and it appears to be legit. If you are interested, there is enough information in the links below to verify for yourself.

The details for the tuition-free deal can be found here:

Andrew Jackson University || Accredited Online Degrees

The thread at degreeinfo is here:

Go to college for free? Sort of... - Distance Learning Discussion Forums

Regrettably, it begins by mis-identifying the $400 as a monthly fee--but that's cleared up in the first few posts.

Here's some feedback from a prospective student:

...In order to get this deal go and sign up for one of their partner deals. Then you will receive an email from AJU. Pay your application fee. They can do a credit evaluation for you based on your unofficial transcripts. They took 18 semester credit hours from my business related masters and transferred them into their executive mba program.

Check out the attached thread as it is chock full of information--including messages from an AJU representive. Let us all know what you find.

[bmills072200]

You can get an accredited MBA for a total of $2,160 not including books. That is $60/credit hour and that includes the application fee and enrollment fee and all other fees. My wife is signed up to start the mBA program in September. I will keep you guys posted if there is anything hidden that I have not seen yet...

[skyfall123]

Mike,

The prerequisites for the MBA are a "B" or better in a college level mathematics and microeconomics course or a CLEP equivelant with a score above "50".

The prereqs for the MPA and CJ Masters are familiairity with basic statistics and introductory calculus is required.

It is basically $400 per semester with the ability to take up to three graduate or 4 undergraduate courses.

You can present a portfolio (like a PLA) for up to 25% of your degree. That costs around $225 for an evaluation.

So for $400 a semester you can earn 9 credits x 3 semesters = $1200 for 27 credits and either $400 for the final 9 credits or $225 for the PLA.

If you go the regulular MBA route it is possible to choose core components that consist of an Accounting for Managers and either Managerial Economics or Economic Analysis. You don't have to take all three, if you opt for a MIS, Business Law and other non-math intensive core courses. My point is that if you are a slight mathphobe it is still doable. I downloaded the learning guides for the Managerial Economics course and it is tough but doable. Remember these are graduate level courses using graduate level books.

The tests are proctored via webcam...which they include as part of the program.

The school is NA (DETC accredidation) not RA, so unless you transfer credits to a RA school that accepts NA credits, like NCU or Liberty, this is as far as it goes, unless you go for a NA DBA from a DETC school like CSU. Either way be realistic, this degree will not get you a bunch of teaching gigs at an RA school.

Now I have had a couple days head start on you, so I wondered about getting the MBA from AJU then trying to transfer credits to a RA MBA. The short answer is that AMU will take about 15 credits, but that stll leaves 21 to complete at $275 per credit with no ACCSB or ACBSP.....or WGU which uses competencies, then you take the CMBA (around $400) at the end of your MBA and if you pass, you graduate with an RA MBA. I figured if you do the AJU MBA, then take and pass the CMBA, that should certainly be able to apply to WGU and breeze through their competencies. I haven't talked to WGU...its all speculation.

Remember that the governement and a lot of states recognize the NA accredidation, so for some people in state or local government jobs, this degree could be the ticket.

For others it may be a great way to see if the MBA is what they really want.

I'm leaning heavily for these reasons:

Personal growth and satisfaction.
It is still an MBA...for around $2000. I'm in business, its inexpensive training and deductible and I might learn somethinghilarious
It is an opportunity to participate in a NA (DETC) program.
It could come in handy when doing goverment work.
It is still an MBA....for around $2000.

Any contact I've had with them so far has been very good.

Geezer

[bmills072200]

Mike,

The prerequisites for the MBA are a "B" or better in a college level mathematics and microeconomics course or a CLEP equivelant with a score above "50".

The prereqs for the MPA and CJ Masters are familiairity with basic statistics and introductory calculus is required.

FYI - I asked about these requirements for my wife. Apparently they are NOT requirements they are only recommended. You do not need to complete Micro or Math to get into an MBA program. That is from the advisor that I spoke with at JSU. My wife has a degree in Art and has almost no prereqs for business and she will be able to get into the program...

[skyfall123]

FYI - I asked about these requirements for my wife. Apparently they are NOT requirements they are only recommended. You do not need to complete Micro or Math to get into an MBA program. That is from the advisor that I spoke with at JSU. My wife has a degree in Art and has almost no prereqs for business and she will be able to get into the program...

Great! I hope you are advising her to start with the non math intensive courses first. I'm going to save them for last and go out with a bang.:eek: Oh yea, I almost forgot....if you fail the final, you can retest once, like PF.....and if you fail the course, you can retake.

[jmorgan-at-AJU]

Hello guys!

I am glad I came across this thread! My name is Jarrod, and I am the AJU staffer from the other thread you referenced.

We are so pumped to see everyone finding our about our program through the message boards. Are there any other questions we can answer for you?

Feel free to ask here, or if you would like to speak privately... email me at jmorgan@aju.edu or call our Admissions Director, Tammy Kassner, at 800-429-9300 (ext 107).

Oh, and Bmills... how is your wife liking AJU so far?

[alissaroot]

Hello guys!

I am glad I came across this thread! My name is Jarrod, and I am the AJU staffer from the other thread you referenced.

We are so pumped to see everyone finding our about our program through the message boards. Are there any other questions we can answer for you?

Feel free to ask here, or if you would like to speak privately... email me at jmorgan@aju.edu or call our Admissions Director, Tammy Kassner, at 800-429-9300 (ext 107).

Oh, and Bmills... how is your wife liking AJU so far?

jmorgan,

HOORAY!! Welcome to the board. I am very interested in this program. Unfortunately, I won't be done with my undergrad work until the latter half of 2009. Will this free tuition program still be in effect then? Are there plans to offer any more Master's degrees? It looks like they are offered in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, and Business (with several different concentrations). I'm sure I could find something I would enjoy--for that price, who couldn't! But I always like to see more options. Thanks for joining us!

[Katterina]

I read on one of the "other" boards that Northcentral University (RA) accepts NA masters degrees into their doctorate programs. Food for thought.

[marianc.]

My TESC degree hasn't even been conferred yet, and I'm already restless and missing mystudies. I'm looking for info. on grad schools that are cheap, accredited(NA or RA) and am not interested in a MBA. Liberal studies, history, social sciences, social work, or anything human centered is my interest. Any suggestions?
Marian

[Professor_Adam]

Has anyone on this forum actually enrolled in and taken courses from AJU using the "sponsored" tuition program they have? Did you really only pay for books? What has your experience been?