Grand Canyon University
GCU GCU Will Not Let Allow Me To Graduate... Again

I began classes at GCU the fall of 09', looking to complete a BS in Biology. I transferred with 54 lower division credits from another university.

It was imperative that I finish in Dec. 10' to meet all pre-requisite courses for the medical schools I would be applying to that fall.in reviewing all classes needed to complete my degree, I set out a plan to take classes year-round and finish Dec. Of 10'. Each new semester I met with an Academic Advisor and made sure all scheduled classes were correct and future classes would still allow me to graduate by the end of 2010. Each time I was reassured. I paid out-of-pocket over $5000 for 2010 summer classes just to ensure I would graduate that fall.

As I was scheduling my fall courses for 2010 I was advised I was missing a class... Turns out it was a lower division course. I decided to take the course at a local CC and have the credits transferred instead of paying more money to GCU (I would be over the 20 credit limit if completed at GCU). During the first half of that semester I interviewed and was accepted immediately into the medical school of my choice (yay!!!). Since I was completing my degree the only stipulation the medical school placed on my file was a degree and final transcript.

Near the end of the fall 2010 semester I filled out my graduation application and once reviewed was told I was still missing a course!!! Confused, I went to the Assistant Dean and she reviewed my GCU degree audit and said I was missing TWO courses, both of which were not on my original degree outline (GCU LOVES TO ADD NEW CLASSES TO A DEGREE AND NOT ADVISE ACADEMIC ADVISORS). I told her neither of those courses were needed to fulfill my pre-req's for medical school, could she just waive them? She waived one and told me I would need to take the other because I couldn't graduate without taking an upper-division religious course (WTF!!!). I agreed only on the term that I would not have to pay for the course. I filled out an appeal with Financial Aide and had the fee for the course dropped.

After completing this "religion" class I once again completed my graduation application. It was approved and I walked in May of this year. I waited 8 weeks to receive my diploma and final transcript in the mail... Nothing. I decided to call last week to see what the hold-up was and spoke to a NEW Academic Advisor. She then gave me the shocking news that I was still missing a class! I advised her that the Asst. Dean waived that last class and there should be notations of the event in my file. She said there was no such notation and that I wouldn't receive my diploma until I completed the course. I then spoke with her manager who notified me that while I fullfilled over 120 total credits, I only had 35 upper division credits and needed 36.

This manager is now in talks with the Records Dept, the College of Health Sciences and Academic Advising to hopefully resolve this issue. Regardless of the outcome, I have begun to file with the Commission of the Accreditation Board against criterion one: mission and integrity. I feel this error is in no way on me and they are potentially prohibiting me from furthering my education.

Company: Grand Canyon University
Country: USA
State: Arizona
City: Phoenix
Site: gcu.edu

  <     >