SNHU - Anyone?

[greencouch]

They only accept 5 classes worth of credit by examination.

FYI - This has changed SIGNIFICANTLY over the last five years and the school has greatly improved their alternative credit policy. I've used CLEP and DSST to earn 72 credits with SNHU. I began last July and am scheduled to graduate in March.

OP - here's my honest experience. Full disclosure, my company is paying for a large chunk of my educational expenses, so I've only had limited (though positive) experience with their financial department. I don't think I can provide a reliable opinion on that front. But here's my experience with the rest...

SNHU is definitely not the cheapest option when it comes to earning a degree online. But they've invested a tremendous amount of resources into their online program, and it shows. Before I first started, someone told me that SNHU is like the "Amazon of Online Education." I think that's a fair analogy, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. With a few minor exceptions, my experience at the school has been like a well-oiled machine. My advisor is constantly in touch, and if I ever have an issue, I hear back in less than 24 hours. There's well-working, well-staffed, and automated systems for accessing almost everything, from a really impressive digital library, to course registration, transcripts, IT, registrar ticketing systems, free software, etc. So far, things have run like clockwork. For someone like me, the customer service is worth the added expense. But that's something every individual has to determine for themselves.

Like other online schools, the course quality can be hit or miss, and you get out what you put into it. I've only had one instructor so far that seemed like they were "phoning it in". The rest have been really engaging and personal. Required discussion posts are, unsurprisingly, a drag. There is a LOT of writing involved -- it's the primary way they determine readiness, particularly for business/communications classes. I typically commit 10-15 hours per week, per course. That said, I've come away from every class feeling like I learned something, which says a lot considering I returned to school in my 30s.

As the school continues to grow, they're definitely facing a perception issue. Their national ads have increased visibility, but because this type of advertising is traditionally used by for-profit institutions, a lot of folks automatically lump SNHU in with them. But this is something that many online schools grapple with -- it's not unique to SNHU. My hope is that as online education becomes more mainstream, perceptions will soften.

TDLR: If you're looking for the absolute fastest and most economical way to earn your degree, SNHU probably isn't it. If customer service, resources, staffing, and networking are important to you, SNHU is worth considering. I can only speak for my own experience, and I've had a tremendous one so far.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Not sure if it'll help, but I detailed my CLEP experience at SNHU here: https://clepstep.com