In 2009 I enrolled and was accepted into GVSU's masters TESOL program in the education department. I was informed that at the end of the program I would be prepared to student teach and would have to take a criminal background check. As I have never been discrminated against in employment for misdemeanors of a nonsexual and nonfelonious nature (from 20 years ago; drinking, shoplifiting and a fight), I did not foresee any issues.
However, upon completing all of my classes, maintaining a high GPA, and paying all of my tuition for 2 years, I took the criminal background check. Then I was denied the opportunity to finish my masters by Dean Collins.
Dean Collins first said that I could not finish the program because of these ancient and trivial misdemeanors. But later she changed her reason and denied me because I'd said, "No" I do not have a criminal record. (I'd been informed that so long as there were no felonies, nothing against children, and nothing in the last 10 years, I could lawfully say "no.")
I appealed this, but the board told me that Dean Collins had already told them there was no way she would allow me to finish my masters with GVSU. Since this time I have applied for many many jobs overseas. The schools I have applied to have liked my credentials, my GPA, and not complained of my past misdemeanors. However, they have not hired me because I do not have my masters diploma.
This is to say that Dean Collins's malicious and ill-thought out decisions have hurt my family. I am currently unemployed, and the competition is tough. Not having my masters has worked against me.
I have talked to many other schools, including Wayne State, Eastern, and Antioch. These schools all check criminal history prior to accepting you into their program, taking your money and wasting 2 years of your time. They also checked my criminal background and said they would accept me into their programs because my criminal record is old and harmless.
In closing, Dean Collins would love to cheat you of your money and your future. Stay away from GVSU. Aside from being a low-quality school with very little recognition, their professors and deans are malicious and limited in scope.in the TESOL program itself they have a reputation for going after minority students from other countries, who've invested their lives in a program far from home and away from their families.
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