Norwich University

So I started March of 2016. First professor was James Broom- he was great! The second class was easier (it's supposed to be harder), but professor Kautt was nice. Class three was HELL! The professor is an expert (retired colonel) no doubt, but he doesn't know how to clarify exactly "what" a student is doing wrong. He just wrote "this is not at the graduate level" on all of our papers! There were 8 kids in my section- there were 2 sections. 5 out of 8 kids dropped my class, including me, and eventually the program. The man was ridiculous, a little pompous, and from what I heard a little rude to other students. I'm switching to Arizona State and so far my experience has been great. My best advice is, if you're an expert and have time to read, this is for you, but there's little interaction between students and teachers, even for a distance program. One of the students wrote to the director (who has been demoted, apparently) about the ridiculousness of the man and he basically said "tough crap." Yeah. I'm not going back there. And I would recommend not until they change things a bit. Their sign on is confusing because there's a separate link for online versus on campus students.I used to have to save the link to my computer to even find it again. Admitting advisors and financial aid folks were nice, but they said the higher ups blamed our dropping the program on the "ever declining ability of students' writing." Are you kidding me? Then get with the times and help us learn!And, Like, no. I had some great teachers teach me how to write. Some of these teachers don't know how to teach! Now I'm with ASU and everyone actually Skypes! go there instead!

I see that someone will be reading this first.I just hope that my writing this saves someone's Life someday.So,I have a half brother Gregory that attended this school in the 90's.His Dad(My step Dad)didn't want to press charges.This fact has bothered me for quite sometime as I have seen Gregory try to over compensate for being Blanketed in a closet by a Head Masters Son that he refused to do Homework for at the time.A short time after this took place he started lifting weights.Now,he still does but to such extremes he could get hurt.It is ashamed that this did not get brought forward to the News as it could of Opened up the EYES of many to what can happen at this type of school.It is sad.And probably even sadder that it still doesn't get brought to anyone's attention.Yes,it has been years.But Gregory suffered greatly.And maybe this school isn't all it's cracked up to be.They owe him a Life.I just finally am trying to figure out how to get this out.So I started here with you.Thanks,Beth Baker Pretty sure it was Business Administration he was in.

Until you see the name "Oliviero" removed from this college, don't go. Unless you are already an expert in military history. We are learning, obviously, and he was nothing short of insulting. The first professor was great, the second as well, but 5 out of 8 people dropped this class (myself included) while I was in it. He offered no actual criticisms to our essay other than saying "this isn't at the graduate level." His instruction was too implicit and it was hard to gauge what he wanted from the students. He spent too much time fussing about grammar and syntax (although I had a former professor in English review some essays and she said it was fine). Completely unapproachable, never initially reached out to his students although it's required, and never sent the materials he promised to send, in a timely manner. Letters were sent to the Director and he ignored them. I am thoroughly disappointed in this program, and saddened that no one reached out to ask what happened as it appears they DON'T care if we graduate. Obviously 5 people dropping is a problem. AND I had to pay a $1800 bill to the University for dropping. Nice.

If you are thinking about a Master's in Civil Engineering, this is an excellent option. I lived in California when I started. By the end, I lived in Eastern Europe. That is part of the power of the online learning environment. A second benefit is the staff at Norwich. One of the instructors was in the field overseeing the construction of a cell tower in Kyrgyzstan. Another was a full-time engineering professor at a major university in California. All the others were working professionals. Ph.D.'s, PE's, and SE's. All had substantial engineering experience. The next advantage is the mixture of professionals you will interact with in your class's cohort. You will start with a group and go through all your courses together. This creates some camaraderie and makes the process more enjoyable. Among my fellow students were structural engineers designing bridges, undersea platforms, water systems in Africa. Some ran businesses. One was a PMP professional for a large international firm. Experienced, working professors matter when the conversation is covering the latest design theory and calculations. In the classroom, the diversity of input from a wide range of engineers was more than edifying, it was exciting. Of course, the important things undergrad engineering leaves out are covered. Using code books to determine design loads is one such skill. Connections in reinforced concrete, complex wood splices, and the several failure methods of steel connections in tension are a few of the other skills required in structural engineering. Part way through the program, Norwich leveled up on the online platform. They moved from "angel" to Moodle. Angel was a good platform. But, Moodle was worth the extra work. I think you'll like it. Something Norwich did which made life a little easier was this: They shipped textbooks to us students. Do not worry if you have the correct edition, or all the software attached, Norwich works directly with Fawcett books. Fawcett mails the books to your door. Yes, I received mine in Eastern Europe, no problems. Having the books early helped me get a jump start on each course. Between each class, there is a two-week break. I used that break to work through the early chapters. That way, I had a basis on which to build the new knowledge. The workload is respectable. I set some goals for each class, and the instructors helped me reach them. So, be prepared to earn your degree. If you have never done online classes, also called "asynchronous learning," it is easy to see the advantages. If you have a mandatory meeting, it doesn't matter. Take the meeting. When you arrive back home, you can upload your assignment then. The hours are variable, just not optional. One of the previous reviewers noted that Norwich should utilize video to provide some of the lecture material. One thing you will notice during your coursework: NU proactively mines the student body for information on industry trends. That is one reason why the course content is so relevant to today's engineers. And, there are both video and downloadable PDF lecture materials. Watch all the videos at least twice. Print out the PDF lecture notes or load them onto an iPad. Go to a cafe and do your reading. One caveat of online learning is that social portals are just one click away. Another aspect NU seems to have responded to is the Capstone process. Yes, it was a lot of work. I respected it and all their warnings, "It is more work than you think. Be sure to investigate the available data before you choose a project." The process forced each of us in the program to perform parts of the Capstone project during the last courses. Personally, I chose something that really challenged me to learn dynamics and building serviceability to an entirely new echelon... a few levels higher than I functioned before the program. The best part for me was receiving my degree. The second best part was graduation week. Meeting your classmates, presenting your capstone project, attending lectures you'd normally pay to hear, and some really delicious chow (food, for you civilians) were all part of it. Oh, and do NOT skip the Dog River Run. It was an experience that still makes me smile.

I completed my MPA in August of 2015. I learned so much during this time. If you are thinking of Norwich for your master's program, be prepared to wok-alot. The assignments are tough and a bit unforgiving in my opinion. However, the professors I had were all understanding when those life things happen and you are late with an assignment-as long as it is not a regular occurrence. I found all of the professors to be knowledgable. I have read some who have said they received little direction during their program. At first I was somewhat confused until I realized the intent is for you figure it out on your own. Rarely was there a problem. The first class will be tough-plan on spending 40 hours a week; and I am not kidding about this. Lots of research and lots of writing. You and your APA manual will become very good friends. The capstone was interesting to say the least, but like many, I was just glad to be done--18 months down. Was it worth it? Yes. The residency requirement is very cool--really good time. Would I do it again? Yes (but I have no intent to!!) Recommend it-yes, if you are willing to commit the time and effort you will be successful. The degree has changed the way I look at problems and develop pragmatic solutions. At residency, we were given a tee shirt that said 'Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction." True

The MA in Military History program lost their best professor when Dr Grenier left. He was the glue that held together any kind of academic and intellectual standards the program had, and now in his place, Norwich is stuck with a program director who knows nothing about being a historian. Publications are the coin of the realm in history, and Dr Ehrman has none. The assistant program director is an unprofessional buffoon, and he even has a fake PhD from a mail-in college that no longer exists. He's more interested in being liked (and I do not especially like him anyway, because I see through his b.s.) than in teaching us how to be historians. I was really saddened when I heard Dr G was leaving. I was one of his capstone students several years back; he called to tell me that he was moving on to "a real school" because the whiners drove him out. He wanted to let me know that if I ever needed anything for my academic or military career that he could help with, to call him. Sure, he was the hardest and most demanding professor I've ever had. Unlike several other professors I had in this program, he actually took the time and effort to read every word I wrote and gave me dozens of pages of written feedback. I took it as a sign that if I could meet his high standards, I would arrive as a MA-level historian. The best students in the program wanted to study under his direction. The guy has written several prize-winning books, and a couple of my classmates had him as an undergrad prof when they were cadets at the Air Force Academy. They specifically came to Norwich for their MA because he was teaching there. When I started Norwich, I was an E-7: I thought, "Wow! Here's a chance for me as a NCO to study under a professor who taught at the Air Force Academy and whose students felt so highly of him that they followed him to Norwich." So, yeah, he will tell you directly and with no sugar coating if you're not making the grade. Who fills that role at Norwich now that he’s gone? He also told us dozens of times that it was better to hear criticism and critiques from him, in the safe confines of graduate school, than from a scholar or employer on the outside. He was right: the capstone is the only thing that will differentiate one student from the other, and because the rest of the world thinks on-line education is a joke and nothing more than a scam to make universities money education, we had to go the extra mile in our capstones. That’s what he made me do; those with really fragile egos who were hurt when he told them for the first time in their lives that they needed to work harder took issue with that. I'm thankful that I got my degree from Norwich while Dr Grenier was teaching there, and serving as the "capstone Czar." By the way, he never called himself that--that was the nickname the other faculty gave him, you know, like the ”Drug Czar" who runs a sprawling and complicated operation. The MA in history from Norwich is worth a whole lot less now that he's no longer teaching there. Norwich is good for filling a block, but without Dr Grenier, it's not half the experience it once was.

I desperately wanted to believe in the ideals Norwich promised to uphold from the start of the MDY program, but unfortunately they just aren't there. First and foremost, this is a private military academy. As such expectations are high, and they should be. In fact, not only should the be high, they should be very high. With that, the expectation is also high from my end, the student, that Norwich will be (to borrow from my military slang) squared away. If I'm going to allow you to lead me and expect me to meet a very high standard, you (Norwich) too should at the very least meet or exceed said standard. Again, I wish I could give Norwich a A+ here, but reality is their past level of performance is a C+ at best. The 'positive' here is that they've been consistent with their lack of consistency. Requesting and sharing of information from staff and professors with me and my peers throughout my time at Norwich has been inconsistent and vague at best. From issues with the course design, to contact with the on campus bookstore, I've had to check and recheck with the respective individuals just to get resolution. That is unacceptable. In Moodle, the online posting platform, I've literally found three different expectations for one assignment and not one is the same. This has been addressed with the program director but little if any resolution has been had. I certainly have not received resolution after a week plus. Second, the consistency between professors is laughable at best. I put value on a professors 'usefulness' by their ability to use their pedigree to thoroughly express and expand on ideas being taught and shared. Many if not all professors are accomplished in their concentration. But with that only two of the many professors I've had so far have understood this premise. Others merely serve as placeholders. Shame as I truly wanted to believe Norwich's promise. Finally, the work should be hard, the assignments challenging -- I expect this, but don't believe for a minute this program is for the working professional. Yes, people have finished their degree while holding a career at the same time, but I question their level of work and personal commitments while doing this. Simply put, if you have a tremendous professional workload and family commitments, think VERY long and hard (repeat--VERY) as to whether or not you wish to take on this level of commitment. I can say without a doubt that had I known then what I know now I would not have chosen this degree. Also, as sad as this is for me to admit, I would not recommend the MDY program to my peers, and that really frustrates me. Why? Because there is still a small piece of me that believes Norwich can fix this, but when and how? Norwich, are you listening? Until then, the unknown ROI is simply not worth the amount of energy, frustration and very real concern for lack of yield put into this degree. In the end, life is what you make of it -- this I know. However, putting very large amounts of time and energy into a system that is marginally 'ok' at best; among many other problems addressed with the Norwich Staff that are easily correctable, is not worth my time, or seemingly that of others. Your mileage may vary, however my experience seems to be in line with that of others. http://www.studentsreview.com/VT/NU_g.html

I recently completed the Masters in Diplomacy program and waiting to attend the residency component. I found the program to be great and it met my expectations. I think the pace at which the program develops is adequate and it is certainly doable if you have a full-time job. With that being said, it also takes a significant commitment and you will develop a top notched time-management strategy. The program itself is structured to give the student a comprehensive but general understanding of the subject matter. If I had to offer one critique, I wish the program would have afforded more practical application. There were many times where it was too theoretical. The overall online experience was what I expected and for the most part the student population came to work which made the process enjoyable. There seemed to be a significant level of diversity which led to thoughtful and robust online discussion forums. The online school platform (Moodle) changed in the middle of the program which was a little distracting but the new platform operates miles ahead of the old Angel based platform. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience in the Diplomacy Program and would recommend it to those who are seriously thinking about online school because a traditional setting is not an option.

I am hearing an awful lot of negative feedback about Dr. John Grenier and I feel inclined to disagree. I went through the MMH program from 2009-2011. Professor Grenier taught both my seminar 5 and my capstone seminar. I am actually glad I had seminar 5 with him as it prepared me for exactly what he would expect from a capstone. He holds your papers to an extremely high standard. He is a tough professor. He will not sugarcoat anything. When you get your first graded assignment back you will wonder how you have managed to be successful in graduate school up to that point. As I write this I can find a dozen mistakes in my writing he would criticize me for. After saying all that I am glad I had him. He made me a better writer and historian. I analyzed things more in depth than I ever have and was able to communicate my thoughts better in writing. If it seems like he grades too much on grammar and not enough on content maybe you are right but the two are linked. It is through writing that you express your arguments and analysis. After achieving success in both classes I felt like I had actually accomplished something monumental. I felt like the “capstone” was a true capstone, or, crowning achievement. If you are sensitive to criticism and have your feelings hurt easily, this may not be the professor for you. If you want someone who is going to challenge you at every step and mold you into a better writer and analytical thinker, Grenier is your man.

I'd first like to say that this is a rigorous program with little room for a personal life, so strap yourself in...it's going to be a bumpy ride! Expect to work Mon-Sat every week to keep up with assignments. Sundays are your little reprieve so make the most of it. On average expect to write about 10,000 words per week between discussions and individual or team assignments. It won't always be that way, but expect that the majority of writing to be marathon in nature, albeit substantive. At first, it comes as a bit of a shock...but after a week or two of engagement, you get used to the extensive workload really quickly. Expect team assignments every other week for a year and a half! Moreover, expect to read 4-6 chapters between two books weekly to absorb the material throughout the week. One GIANT PLUS is that NU provides your courseware and books. You will receive new books two-three weeks prior to the previous course ending. The professors are VERY knowledgeable, but remember, we are ALL different--so are they, just like in life there are various extremes of people you will need to work with. You will do well to keep an open mind. Some professors are fluid and work with you...others...well you get my point. The worst thing you could do is alienate yourself by being argumentative right off the bat. Develop relationships with them for better or worst, it will help you traverse the rough waters. IF you happen to want to participate in the project management concentration, know that the learning curve is STEEP the first course, with a TON of information. You will be overwhelmed and out of your depth in the first course. To add insult to injury, there is a graded exam after each week--if you're not ready for them, they can singlehandedly undo you! My suggestion, ORDER Rita Mulcahy project management prep book from Amazon (it is the most popular--for good reason). Be sure it's for the current PMBOK edition. Rita breaks it down to the layman (that's what you will be until you get a handle on the subject). The PMBOK is dry and a VERY tough first exposure to the body of knowledge. Do yourself a favor and have a commercial study guide in your possession BEFORE you start...or, project management will eat you alive...you're welcome. Don't get me wrong, project management is where I want to be! I am now halfway done with my second project management class with one more to go. Having Rita on the side has allowed me to absorb PMBOK a heck of a lot faster with GREAT real-life examples that the PMBOK does not provide. Last, YouTube is your friend throughout the entire program. Get to know it. You can view lectures and subject matter experts to get the gist of EVERYTHING this program throws at you. The only problem with YouTube is the labeling--people don't label their videos appropriately so much is lost because of it. After a class or two, you'll be a whiz at searching YouTube for the not so obvious! Another problem is brevity...expect concepts you're looking for to be BURIED in a two hour video. Or a video that's explaining a two hour concept in 2 minutes--it's simply not enough. Despite its setbacks, it's a GODSEND...hope it helps! Update: Norwich no longer uses the Angel online platform. They now use Moodle with is web based. Look up Moodle in YouTube. You'll get an idea what I'm talking about. You get a student email through google, and it's accessible through your smart devices--something Angel did not do! I love it. I view course materials and discussions on the go!

I'm writing this a second time as I'm not sure why the first one was not posted. Norwich is a great school, and the MMH is a wonderful program. I enjoyed each and every class, and the instructors were, on the whole, very competent and helpful. The Capstone self-annointed "Czar", however, is a huge and continuing problem. [He] has, through his mean-spiritedness, egotism, and poor organizational and people skills made the ending of the program an absolutely miserable experience. He let us all "hang" on our Capstone topic for week after week, until finally telling us our topics were unacceptable and to start again. Even with an approved topic, getting anything approved by him is a daunting task. A critical and demanding professor is a good thing. One who approaches academia via insults, snide comments, and bullying is not. Most of his assigned students have requested a new advisor, and I have done the same. I simply can no longer abide by his consistent inability to have a rational discourse with his students. When and until he is removed from this position of authority, I cannot recommend this otherwise fine program to fellow students.

Simply outstanding. I was a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo undergrad. I entered the MCE program as a licensed structural engineer. The program exceeded my expectations. The professors were industry recognized Ph.d structural engineers. The students had solid academic and military backgrounds including a M.I.T. MS in Nuclear Engineering. This is not the university for those looking to "pay the fees and get the degree". Bring your "A" game because you will be challenged and upon completion you will achieve distinction. I am proud to have "MCE" after my name. I recommend this program to anyone looking to earn a degree that has value and respect.

Up until the Capstone process I had an excellent experience during my in the MMH program. Professors such as Dr. Broom, Dr. House, Dr. Erdman, and Dr. Jennings were nothing but professional, helpful, motivating, and encouraging. Additionally people like Ben Sipe and Lars Nielson were incredibly helpfully with every question or concern I had. However, this was all ruined due to my experience with Dr. John Grenier. We were supposed to have our Capstone subject summited and approved during week 2 of seminar 4. The purpose of this was so the Capstone Czar Dr. Grenier could view and approve our topics. After months of silence and several requests, not a single member of my cohort received approval or feedback. By week 2 of seminar 5 we were suppose to have our topics approved and be assigned advisors. At the beginning of seminar 6, the time specifically dedicated to completing the Capstone, we were finally assigned advisors a week prior to the first assignment but still did not have our topics approved. Dr. Grenier then denied my topic proposal 3 times until we finally settled on a topic. Since we had never heard any feedback since seminar 4, I had purchased books, texts, and sources for my paper and researched a significant amount of my Capstone, only to be told the first week of seminar 6 that my topic did not suffice. Though Dr. Grenier is an accomplished professor I doubt his expertise on insurgency/irregular warfare (which was the topic of my capstone) as there were far more suitable professors with the required specialty. Throughout the seminar Dr. Grenier would take several days to reply to phone calls and emails. Though he was fairly polite on the phone, his comments on papers and emails were downright pompous, condescending, unprofessional, and rude. During my career have dealt with countless arrogant individuals on a frequent basis but I have never dealt with someone so patronizing in my life. His critiques and grammar style requests were nothing that I had seen during the entire time in the program. He would return entire assignments for the first minuscule grammar mistake he could find and would never focus on the actual content of the paper. I often questioned if he even read the whole paper. After I had paid $240 dollars for another PhD from an editing service to proofread and edit my paper, he still chastised me and made irrelevant content comments. I was finally reassigned to Dr. Broom after refusing to put up with the behavior of Dr. Grenier. Dr. Broom was everything I expected from a capstone advisor, we would talk weekly for at least an hour on ideas, he replied to emails or phone calls within hours, provided excellent constructive criticism, supplied and suggested sources to read, and had his colleagues review/edit my paper. Together, we made sure my paper was approved prior to residency. On a side note the residency conference was very impressive, worthwhile, and educational. I was amazed at how organized and well run it was and I had a great time. But my involvement with Dr. Grenier has tarnished my memory of my Norwich experience. I can’t in good faith promote the MMH program, encourage potential students to attend Norwich, or provide donations to the University when I know that Dr. Grenier is still alienating students.

With the exception of one seminar professor, I thoroughly enjoyed the program. The material was well-organized, the whole flow helped students get into the groove and the progression from one course/seminar to the next was very-well-executed. The highlights of the program included several professors who were utterly at the top of their game and/or destined for great things. Four of the five seminar professors were/are outstanding military historians with a great publishing track record and, more importantly, an understanding of the "Art of the Historian" to steal a phrase. The downside of the program came in the Capstone process, which was a miserable ordeal... with the misery coming from the self-described "Capstone Czar." This former USAF O-5 (who, IMHO, failed to make O-6 due to his lack of interpersonal skills) not only made an otherwise valuable process into a nightmare, he utterly disgraces every precept that makes Norwich University an excellent institution. He is obsessed with his own brilliance, apparently reinforced by some half-baked, minor and forgettable book prizes. But in reality he is a worthless professor and a third-rate historian -- at least based on his books. He bills himself as "The toughest professor we will ever have..." which is bunk. He is the most vexing, annoying, worthless and under-performing. But tough? Not even close. A tough professor should challenge a student's ideas and intellectual capacities. This twerp merely whined about grammar and passive voice and as long as his students kept feeding grammar bananas to the monkey... they would probably pass. Ultimately, he was relieved as adviser to most of the students in the program for his utter inability to advise and assist... and his utterly bankrupt social skills. For those considering the Norwich Masters in Military History program, I would recommend that until there are significant changes to the Capstone process, find another option. The program is so close to being world class but in the end the NU Capstone Czar utterly destroys everything good that NU has attempted to build. To paraphrase an old Navy Saw "The program was designed by geniuses, but run by idiots."

Very enriching experience. Caters to military audience allowing flexibility where appropriate, especially during increased OPTEMPO plus positive feedback when writing is clear, concise, and direct in nature.

I'm completing my first MBA course at Norwich and it will be my last course (Strategic Management). Unfortunately I have had very poor experiences from the Admissions Office, Program Lead, and Bursar Office. All of these contacts are very slow to respond to concerns or questions. They generally do not answer their phones, call you back, or respond to e-mail inquiries. In addition, the Bursar's Office made a significant oversight, which almost removed me from the course. I never received an apology or any response from them on it. I can only review the first course, but I'm unimpressed with the content so far. The topics covered are incredibly general and the text books provided have little to do with the subjects being reviewed. In addition, the essays and reports are not aligned with the reading and topics for the week; which makes it very difficult to complete the assigned essays. In addition, the program setup is nearly all self taught, there is little substantive interaction from the professor. The online class system is also very difficult to navigate and is somewhat unintuitive. The first course is also a complete repeat of what I learned in my Business Undergrad 10 years ago. I would have hoped to learn some new practical information to help me as a manager. You will not find that here (could be an MBA thing in general). In addition, no one has heard of Norwich on the West Coast. It has a good reputation within some circles (military), however, it does not carry any weight if you do not live in the NE.

My friend, a Master's in Diplomacy Norwich grad, introduced me to this school and told me that there was a bachelors degree completion program. I was disenfranchised with American Military University and I was wasting away in community college trying to decide my next move since I work full time. Luckily, I applied to this program and was accepted. For an online degree program, I was highly impressed with the faculty and staff. There was never a time that I was not answered within a couple hours of asking questions of the staff and the instructors appeared to have extremely diverse backgrounds that enriched the learning environment. Interactions with the instructors was the rule rather than the exception and we even got phone calls from them the first week to ensure that we had real contact with our instructors. Currently I am in my last course and will be graduating in December with my bachelors of science. Care is taken to account for ACE credits that were earned through military training and/or college credits that we have taken. I was even enrolled in studies that were similar to courses I had taken at my local community college and I was given credit for them and auto withdrawn without any charges to me personally. Lastly, although I was unable to attend, those of us enrolled in the BSSSDA were invited to Norwich's Residency Week. It seemed like an exciting cap to the program, but work got in the way. As a side note, this program is geared towards SOF types, both active and veterans, or current or former service members that have served in a capacity that supported SOF. An application has to be submitted with an essay and resume. This school is great and I love the place. I am glad my friend recommended me. Not only do I get to be part of a school that has a rich tradition and history, but they allowed me to complete my bachelors online giving me the most flexibility.

I completed this program in 2011. For the most part, the professors and students are highly motivated individuals who are a pleasure to work with. I do believe the students are high-caliber types and rarely did I feel anyone in my class was just doing the bare minimum to get by. Because of this, the online structure works quite well. There are 5 courses and the final capstone course focused on writing a thesis. I was quite happy with the courses and the material. This has very little to do with names, dates, and places. It has everything to do with the larger theories and trends in historical study. I learned a great deal. There is, however, one bad professor. Anyone with this degree knows exactly who that is. Sadly, he is in a position of authority and treats his students like a tyrannical dictator would abuse the lowly peasants. He uses personal insults, offensive stereotypes, political rants, and subtle threats to keep his grip on things. In no way is his personality conducive to learning. He does teach some classes and if you are the unlucky ones to go through his class, you will spend 3 months keeping your mouth shut and trying to survive. Most troubling was my experience at residency where an entire class almost revolted and the MMH faculty did nothing to resolve the obvious problem. You may or may not deal with this particular professor in a class, but he is the final authority on captstone subjects, so you'll have to get through him at least once. He puts forth minimal effort and often gives nothing more than a scathing sentence in response to any submitted material. I learned the hard way that no one, not even his superiors, will do anything to stop him. I believe this shows a serious lack of leadership on the part of Norwich and the MMH program. It may sound odd, but I've steered several coworkers and friends away from this program because of this. The MMH program is challenging and rewarding, but Norwich really needs to take a look at the value added of an underperforming professor having so much authority despite year after year of complaints from the students.

I am an information security professional with 20 years military and civilian experience who needed a Master's degree to lengthen and broaden my career-path. I considered several other programs including James Madison University, Northeastern University (my Alma Mater), and Carnegie Mellon University (former employer). All great programs but Norwich fit me best with a strong business management-focused information assurance program that is tailored to someone in the senior management ranks, or someone who wants to get there. Be forewarned, however, that the amount of work can be overwhelming. Norwich is a military academy and a strong work ethic and self-discipline are expected traits. Expect to spend 20-25 hours per week on this program over six eleven week seminars. This is a case-study based course where you are conducting and writing the studies using your employer as the subject. Expect to analyze real problems. Expect to write a 2500 word paper every two weeks, a 2000 word exam every three weeks and a 12,000-15,000 word end-of-seminar paper every eleven weeks. Excellent writing skills are necessary for success. A strong support structure at home is necessary if you have a family and a full-time job. I am self-employed and my work requires 40 weeks of travel annually. Seriously, 40 weeks. This program was flexible enough to fit into and around my obviously demanding schedule. Also expect excellent support from the university staff. The professors are top-notch and are recognized leading expert in their various fields. The MSIA support staff were always available, always helpful.

My experience with this program has been mixed. All professors marked too easily until the final professor who has no business teaching a class of civilians. He seemed to make it his mission to destroy the self esteem and motivation of his students and bordered on bullying with his comments. For the cost of tuition I would not recommend this course based on the inconsistency of the professors. I honestly have to say that this professor single handedly diminished my esteem for the entire program so if you are lucky enough to avoid him you might be fine. There is truth to the fact that some professors indoctrinated into the military life style cannot interact appropriate with civilians lacking the same indoctrination. In terms of workload, it was rather excessive considering it was supposed to be compatible with people working full time jobs. It would have been ideal if I had a part-time job. If you have a full time job look forward to dropping friends and social engagements for most of the next year and a half.

I had never taken an online course before attending Norwich. So I was a little skeptical, even after researching all the various online graduate programs available. My career required an online curriculum and I now know I made an excellent choice. Some of the professors were more engaging than others and some of the reading material, especially in studying the international political economy, were slightly outdated. Overall, however, the quality was exceptional. There were also a few instances that perhaps the grading of papers seemed a little lax. For example, I feel that if you earn an A on a paper, it should be nearly publishable, with perhaps only minor technical / grammatical errors; I received some As I'm not sure I deserved, with substantive drawbacks to my arguments.. I could not find data on the average and median grade for each class I attended. The online interface was easy and accessible, even for a Mac user like me. I learned much, much more than I expected to going into the experience. I would recommend this university to anyone who is seeking an online M.A. and I actually may go back if I decide for an MBA.

Just completed the MPA program (waiting for residency) and am proud to be on the verge of a degree from Norwich. Outstanding program. Well structured, logical, excellent faculty. You need to be organized and self-motivated - they will offer all the support you need but will not hold your hand. Challenging but worth it. No problems from admission to completion. Worth your consideration.

Granted, no person ever writes a review before entering a school, however, my experience with the university comes not from attending the classes, but from applying to the school. I started contacting the school last year and I was given the admissions list that I was to complete before I was to be admitted into the school. I completed every aspect of that list and submitted it to the admissions counselor for review. At that time, I was told that my admissions packet looked good and that I was a shoe-in for admittance. However, a day before the admissions decision was to be made, the counselor contacted me, saying they lost my letter of intent. I thought; how could you lose a letter emailed to you? I asked them about it and it became a heated argument between me and the counselor. Anyway, I gave myself a few days to calm down after this exchange and contacted the admissions counselor again. I thought we were back on track when they returned my admissions essay. They said it needed more work. Anyway, a year later, I talked to the same admissions counselor about possibly re-applying to the program again and I even re-submitted the admissions essay for review. It was returned to me and I continued to make changes to it as they prescribed. After I made the changes I thought they were looking for, it was returned. I am an Army veteran and I know from my experience with the military that when a person has a conflict with a person of 'authority', the person would make excuses to keep the person from doing something. I find that kind of attitude and conduct unbecoming of a school that boasts a long tradition. I find it sad that I have to give up on applying for a program that I want to study because someone has a personal conflict with me, but that says something about the school and the people who represent it.

Teahers are vastly experienced. Some appear disinterested and seeking reinforcement of theories they endorse, in one case arguing for their position when shown a picture specificly refuting that position they had taken. Institution is hard but excellent. Library usage weekly required, library staff rarely responds to queries, thus support weaker than expected considering quality of work required. Search engines obtuse relative to specific study area with Google providing more data than Norwich Google. Drop out rate seems to be well over the 50% they advertise.

Norwich is a not for profit University that employs professors who are professionals in the industry of study. The work load is intense. Don't even bother if you can't write graduate level essays each and every week for 11 weeks, several exams, a 10,000 word final project, and 1000's of words in discussions, and sometimes live participation conference calls. I've got an MBA before the internet even existed, and this MS was much more work intensive.

I am writing this for the Masters in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). The MSOL was not an option on the pull-down menu. Overall, I love this degree. My writing and research abilities have improved tremendously! The readings are fantastic and have opened me up to a whole new world of books. My classmates, even though it is virtual, are supportive and offer more ideas. I chose this program because I wanted something more then a "check in the box" MBA, did not have time to go to class 2-3 times a week, wanted a quality online program from instructors who cared and the program is affordable, compared to most. There is some room for improvement (needs to update their online interface, the angel program seems to be a generation behind, and just a bit more interaction between instructor and student would help. For instance, utilize voice lectures more). I would also modify a few of the seminars. Instead of focusing strictly on Emotional Intelligence in the second seminar, have multi-topic seminar focusing on EQ, Social Intelligence and the other intelligences that have come into being. This could fall under a "Talent Management" seminar. Overall....highly recommend.

I started by MBA at Norwich when the program was in its infancy. Overall the program was great and the materials were appropriately challenging. I never completed the residency due to the fact that the administration, particularly one individual, would not work with me. I had a doctor's note indicating that I should not attend. That individual felt the need to forward my personal, protected health information to a variety of administrative employees at Norwich. I expressed that I would no longer communicate with them via email so that I did not have to have my personal information strewn about the internet. I proceed to write letters to arrange for attendance at future residency. I never heard from them and now am about to send a certified letter to the Dean and see if I get a response. This school is great if you have no unfortunate issues going on in your life -- if you do, they won't help. Also beware that if you complete the program at the beginning of the year and take out loans, you will start paying on those loans immediately regardless of whether you attend residency and actually get the degree that you are paying for. Truly, I am interested in their MSIA program and would consider going back if they could assure me that they have figured out how to support the exception situations.

Coursework applicable both immediately and for the future of one's career. Project Management coursework prepared by Mike Puddicombe are world class. Structural analysis and steel coursework is robust. Use of technology in learning is highly effective, outclassing traditional brick and mortar education in many areas. Experience of learning with and meeting such a diverse group is truly unique and eye opening, especially through the residency and through weekly discussions. This program is truly what you make of it. If you spend 20 hours per week you can make it through. If you spend 30 or more, you really get a worldclass education. This program is on the rise, and quickly. Look for considerable improvements to an already superb program. Highly recommended.

I spent quite a bit of time researching online masters programs prior to my commitment to Norwich University. As a business professional, I travel a great deal. Enrolling in a land-based university graduate program just wasn’t feasible. What caught my attention about Norwich was their promise for individual attention and support throughout the program. They really do follow through on that promise. I was also impressed in how relative the coursework was in today’s workplace. I was amazed at how quickly I was applying what I learned in the classroom to my day-to-day tasks at work. My program really did balance classroom learning and real world experience. I believe the program at Norwich is one of the best online programs in existence, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a challenging educational experience. It is a fine university with a proud tradition and heritage, and that tradition and heritage stays with you during your entire educational journey and after graduation. Finally, I was also impressed by the fact that before graduation, graduates must attend a residency program at the university. This requirement provides graduates with a true sense of what it means to be a Norwich graduate and really ties you into the university and its history. QM - MPA - 2009

The Norwich MSIA program is a fantastic program. I entered the program with a technical background and lacked the security management skills. After completing the program I have accelerated my career. Currently, I am a Security director leading an entire organization's security program. Without the Norwich program I would still be the technical expert at my old company without the potential to advance into senior management.

The MPA program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of public sector topics such as public management, policy development and analysis, legal and ethical issues, research, and statistical analysis. The professors consistently engage the students and are very accessible by phone, email or other methods. I actually found that my professors at Norwich were much more accessible than the professors at the university I attended for my undergraduate degree (I attended a major public university in New England with an excellent academic reputation). My experience with the virtual classroom setting proved to me that distance learning programs do in fact offer significant challenge, requiring a certain type of individual to actually complete the program. Distance learning is probably not for everyone, but I would highly recommend this program in particular to individuals who are highly self-motivated, enjoy reading and researching topics, and are especially adept at writing. The amount of work required is sometimes overwhelming, but the satisfaction you will gain upon completion is not likely to be easily matched in a traditional classroom setting. This is mainly due to the fact that the rigor of the program combined with the dedication it requires of the individual helps build the level of accomplishment. The culmination of the degree experience is the required residency at the university, which I can say from my personal experience was absolutely the best part of this program. It provides you with an opportunity to get to know a great school, become friends with your classmates, and become part of a great tradition at the school. I would not recommend a distance learning program without a residency requirement, even a short one such as is required by Norwich University. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in truly earning their MPA.

I've just completed the 2010 Residency program for the Diplomacy degree after having finished the course work in November 2009 (I started in June 2008). The degree is incredibly challenging and requires a lot of reading and critical thinking. From weekly discussions in the online classroom to the 20-25 page term papers, you are given every opportunity to learn from engaging with classmates and to develop writing skills. While many students do have a military background I was pleased by the range of public service, private sector, and foreign diplomacy perspectives I encountered throughout the program. One professor had worked as a diplomat for the Czech government in the Balkans. At the one-week Residency each student presented one of the six term papers he/she wrote. One paper presentation was on conflict management in Somalia from a student from Ethiopia and another was on recovering from the effects of Apartheid presented by a South African student who had trained new police recruits after desegregation in the 1990s. There were literally over 100 papers presented in three days and each person could choose which presentations to attend based on their interests. I completed the degree while working full-time in the Air Force. It was an amazing experience and a perfect fit for professionals with an interest in international relations who cannot attend school in residence for 12-18 months but are still looking for a challenge.

I decided on Norwich because I wanted to be proud of the school name on my MBA Certificate and I was seeking a solid education. Both demands were met. In hindsight, the program was rigorous but you had the entire semester's deliverables scheduled out so you could manage your time accordingly. The professors were very knowledgeable and flexible. As long as you are proactive, self disciplined and serious about learning, Norwich University is for you. It will make you proud walking accross the stage receiving your diploma.

NU's MBA was a very rigorous program, but well worth the work. Professors interact with students more than just grading papers; they encourage learning and growth in discussions, over the phone, and so on. Sundays become very valuable family days because you'll be working evenings and Saturdays, but the education received is worth it.

This was a tough program! I had to complete the prereq seminar because my undergrad was not in business, but I think it was a great help throughout the course. My prof took whatever time was needed to counsel me and help me where I needed it. The people in my cohort were super and I learned a great deal from them, a real force-multiplier. From people working in finance currently, to CEOs and business owners, we had a great connection and supported each other throughout. The system setup by NU gave us the capability to communicate efficiently. The support I received was first-class, from instructors to program administrators they were always available and worked hard to make sure everyone had what they needed. The school puts 100% into making this a program that challenges you, teaches you and makes you grow into someone you might not have known you could be. I'm proud to be a garduate of Norwich University!

The Norwich MSIA degree is a top-notch information assurance program from a management perspective. After conducting extensive research into graduate programs providing curricula in information assurance, security engineering and network security, I concluded the Norwich program was best suited for my particular interests and career development goals. Prior to beginning this degree I had more than 27-years of federal IT experience, with 12-years supporting various government information security programs. Therefore it was a prerequisite that the school I selected be recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE). Norwich meets this requirement. During the evaluation period I considered graduate degree programs Capitol College (MSIA), Capella University (MSIT), Norwich University (MSIA), and Southern Methodist University (MS in Security Engineering). Of course, this is after having quickly disqualified nine (9) other programs. I found the format of the MSIA program at Norwich University to be outstanding; it was well-structured and highly-flexible for the working Information Assurance professional (much appreciated), yet extremely demanding given the amount of weekly reading assignments, discussion topic postings, written essays, exams (from the C-level perspective), and seminar term paper. To be honest, the Norwich MSIA was the only program I found to have no disqualifiers: Capitol College – their program (completed two courses) was also in-tune with my education and career development objectives. However, there were too many synchronous online lectures that interfered with my job as an systems security engineer and program manager. While the program was somewhat more technical in nature, their courses adding little to my existing technical acumen and only lightly addressed security program management. Capella University – decent course content using asynchronous delivery; however the program focused too much on IT and not enough on security. I did not feel the program would add substantially to my IA acumen. Southern Methodist University - offers a solid graduate degree in Security Engineering through an “on site” partnership with my company. Unfortunately, their program focused way too much on Systems Engineering and not enough on Systems Security Engineering - and almost nothing on the security program management I am industry certified (CISM, CISSP-ISSEP, CAP) and have served in a variety of security management, security administration, and security engineering billets over the years. However, I have always preferred leading teams of security analysts, engineers, and IA professionals in order to meet specific business goals and objections. Clearly, the Norwich MSIA will help me achieve my professional goals by developing my information assurance knowledge, skills, and abilities.

This is a great program with expert faculty members and a staff that stays very involved with the students all throughout the program. I have 15 years experience in the industry and I learned a LOT from the professors and my fellow students. Every seminar was directly applicable to my work and I find that I am still constantly referencing my MSIA work when doing my job. Everything is included in the tuition so there are no hidden costs and residency week was not only educational, but a lot of fun.

Norwich is the best univesity to attend. The whole staff are excellent and do help you through the program. The lecturere are helpful and do response to you questions as soon as possible. You do get help from your classmates by them answering the questions aor explaining what you do ask whether the lecturer or the class. I do recommend Norwich University for those you want to earn their master degree with a relax atmosphere. Norwich University is great.

I finished my diplomacy masters in 2008 and must say that the program was much more challenging than I expected. Having tried other online courses I was pleasantly surprised at its structure. Excellent program and solidly backed up by a stellar "bricks and mortar" school. There was one issue that arose about an instructor that was a very poor example of educator. I discovered after a simple google search that this person was a disbarred lawyer and ex-felon! The class was atrocious but to Norwich's credit that person is no longer a member of their faculty. At the time it was disheartening that such a person was allowed to "teach". Do yourself a favor with online courses, really read the instructor's bio and if it looks a little sparse google their name but most importantly, don't do like I did and just hope for it to get better - call someone!

I completed my Diplomacy Degree in 2005 and am just about done with the coursework for my PhD. This is a real program, not a give away by any means, it's challenging but worth every minute. You will never find professors of this caliber on any one campus; they come from a number of institutions and are world class. Highly recommend

I'm almost half way through this program, and I could not be happier I chose Norwich for my graduate studies. The school is definately focused, demanding, and productive. I really feel I'm getting the best education out there in this field. The instructors are of the highest caliber, and the other students are from such diverse backgrounds--all of them working in some field related to public administration, and all of them dedicated to the quality education we're receiving. If you're looking to work toward a graduate degree that will give you the tools you need to become a great leader, this is the program for you.

This is my second on-line masters program and it is TOP notch. It exceeded my expections. It is wonderful to be able to apply the information learned in the weekly classwork to my daily position as a Town Administrator.

I searched for 3 years to find an MPA program as rigorous and challenging as my undergrad program had been. I reviewed close to 30 various schools offering distance learning programs and just happened upon Norwich. I am about to begin the first half of my second seminar and have found the program so far to be everything that I was looking for in furthering my education for my career. The instructors are leaders and not just teachers. They are tops in their fields with extensive and active backgrounds in various aspects of the field of Public Administration. The school stays in contact with you at all times and even has alumni groups across the nation with which you become involved. The academic programs are tough and the sacrifices to meet the study requirements are many and well worth the effort. They say Expect Challenge: Achieve Distinction and they mean it. This program is not for the unfocused or the weak willed, and for that I am glad. Norwich is an excellent choice to gain the attributes of and to become a leader in your field.

The program keeps you very involved and the seminars are up to date with current events and related materials.

I am about half way through the Masters of Public Administration degree at Norwich. I have found the course to be challenging and more importantly, thought provoking. The students come from a diverse background. All have experience that they use enhance the discussions and exchange of ideas. I have learned much from the course, but even more from the other students. What a great mix! The resources that Norwich provides are absolutely top shelf. From the personnal assistance that I received during my initial entry into the program, to the guidance and mentoring I received from a well-credentialed staff, to a research/resource library, I rate the whole experience as excellant. Don't expect an easy ride. The pace is quick and the course requirements are challenging. But I can already tell that the education will be well worth the price paid. Norwich has a very distinguished lineage. It has made history both as a military institution as well as a traditional school of higher learning. The program motto fits it well;"Expect Challenge-Achieve Distinction".

The Masters in Public Administration has been a great experience, with fantastic teachers. The on-line pace of the coursework is great, the professors have great credentials and know the world of public administration. Real world examples are tracked and studied throughout the courses. I would highly recommend having experience working in public offices prior to attempting this degree however. Many people comment on the requirements for writing, but in this field, writing is real-world. The classes emphasize and strengthen your ability to communicate concisely in a public administration setting. If you want a degree you can be proud of, Norwich University is the place for you.

Solid education. The pace is fast and fairly demanding. The school is a bit pricey but perhaps this helps to weed out those looking for something easier. Certainly the professors vary by subject (like every other school in the world) but this isn't a limiting factor. Each one has a very rich work experience background as well as loads of education. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time writing and analyzing the case studies and assignments. Each week expect to write a paper avg'g 7 pages. The breaks between the classes is typically 1 week, so have the honey-do list cocked and ready. Upon graduation, one will look back at the different subject areas and realize that the amount covered during the 18 month program is crazy. There isn't an area that is really left uncovered as far as standard discussion within the business community. I was concerned starting out that the lack of time spent with other students would impede my networking as this is a major reason for the MBA program in general. This isn't the case as one will work extensivly with the other students (sometimes nightly over the phone) and will develop strong bonds. This is cemented all the more upon graduation at the final week while at the school. Some of the case studies are a bit dated but the application still rings true. Heard that the administration has been working to rewrite the program and make it even more robust. The program works closely with a local publicaly-traded company to provide real business scenerios that are not uncommon in the every day work place. Once you start, don't stop. just keep plugging and watch the amount of students fall out as the rigors are high. One a weird level this is almost satisfying to see as you get closer and closer to graduation. Norwich seems disinterested and trying to lighten the load in an effort to bring in more business. I think this will eventually work in their favor as the credibility continues to rise.

I had started and not compelted 2 masters programs before Norwich because of not being able to attend classing. Norwich made it possible. It wasn't an easy program but a true stretch the brain and get value for your time and money.

This is a superb and rigorous course. History is a written and read discipline, and you will definitely read and write in this course. That said, the instructors are excellent, the learning is nonstop, and the Residency (something I thought would be disappointing) was the best of all. Take this course! Bob Bailey, MMH 2009

My current career field is Information Assurance, specifically an engineer in the profession with a vast technical background. I researched Norwich extensively based on quality, reputation, and the program's professor. This program is recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency, the professor's material is widely published and recognized across the industry, and the school's reputation is impeccable. In fact, alumni of other prestigious institutions recognize the reputation of Norwich: every West Point alumni I have spoken with has a very high opinion of Norwich. The real value in the MSIA program is the material it provides: concepts, principles and framework associated with Information Assurance. It is most assuredly big picture stuff, and for those who expect it to be a technical exercise in hacking will be woefully disappointed. This program is designed for the overall science of Information Assurance, to include its foundations, laws, policy making, risk analysis, and organizational concepts. It provides methodologies and strategic value vital to a Chief Information Security Officer, a strategic planner, or anyone otherwise responsible for subject matter expertise in IA. Technical skills are important to know, but they are only part of the picture when it comes to the total IA experience. I highly recommend the Norwich MSIA program for anyone who wishes to pursue IA as a profession. You will be writing (a LOT), and you will be challenged and forced to defend your research, but what you learn here will well prepare you for the real world, whether it be the boardroom, a government program, or consultancy.

I recently completed my last seminar in the Diplomacy program. After a year and a half it is hard to believe that I am finally done. The workload was intense and almost crippling through Seminars 4-5, but the rest were pretty balanced. You are registered as a Full-Time student, and make no mistake, you need every hour of the week you can spare. I averaged 20-25 hours most weeks and even more through the tough Seminars. I took it very seriously and prioritized the program ahead of anything else in my free time, which resulted in a 4.0 GPA. I am proud of the accomplishment and look forward to residency. There are only a handful of International Affairs degress online at the Masters level. Based on my research of the others, and Norwich's reputation as a Brick and Mortar school, this was the best program I could have taken. It is not cheap, but you will have it for the rest of your life, so why skimp on a cheap online degree from somewhere else.

This program requires one to stay very focused and disciplined to stay in. It isn't well known outside of some specific channels but the degree packs the punch necessary for gaining a jump in the market place. You will find that the required discussions are very time consuming. The papers that are required to write (apprx 10 pgs/wk) are also pretty time consuming. One must manage their time with incredibly tight windows with the job and family. I entered the program looking for a solid, mutually respected MBA program and feel that I am getting my money's worth. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable (PhD/CEO/VPs/COO/CFO) with regard to today's business practices and strategies. I researched my options for well over a year with regard to online MBA programs and UoP and DeVry were too lite of degrees for me. This program is a good choice if you have the considerable extra time to put into studying and writing. If not, I encourage you to look into Kaplan or DeVry. The experience at Norwich can be summed-up perfectly by it's motto, Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction.

I am about 1/3 of the way through my program, and I have to say I am pleased with the program. With any online program, there will be things to be desired, but overall I have been impressed with the University. The materials are always delivered ontime, the online classroom setting is very easy to navigate. The material is challenging, yet reasonable to manage class, personal life and my professional life at the same time. My instructors have been a pleasure to work with, and have been responsive to all my questions or concerns. Compared to my undergraduate program at a different "unnamed" online University, Norwich is way above in quality than that school.

In summary, the program worth the money I paid for. The program not only provides interesting reading materials, it uses up-to-date real-life case studies to solidify concepts learn from reading materials. Team projects and online discussions make the learning both challenging and fun. Team projects allow students to learn about group dynamics and how to resolve conflict as well as promote team work. Instructors are knowledgeable, supportive and helpful, and they are pretty good at responding to questions in timely manner. On the other hand, the course works are very demanding but it is definitely worth the time and effort to do well in them. I learned a great deal after each course and able to put what I learned into use at work right away. I will definitely recommend the program to others.

I haven't taken an online degree program before, so I can't draw any comparisons. Overall, I'm fairly satisfied but I have a few complaints: while the core curriculum--the first three seminars--are well structured, the three concentration seminars (in my case, Conflict Management) are a little more fractured. By the time I made it to Seminar 6, I actually had to go back and write down the title of each week's lecture just to make sense of where the seminar was going. At that point, everyone is pretty burnt out and not likely to complain but ultimately, when an education comes with a price tag of 25k, I want my money's worth. Three seminars seemed redundant for the concentration, and I honestly wish I'd picked Commerce. The curriculum could have done a much better job at making each of Seminars 4, 5 and 6 more distinct. My advice to new students is to network and make use of contacts. If you have an opportunity to publish or do something outside of class, take it. If a faculty member is willing to act as a mentor, accept their guidance even if you didn't care for them as an instructor. That's really where you'll get your tuition's worth.

Having graduated in 2007 I have many good things to say about the program: -They take work experience over the ability to pass a entrance exam (GMAT or GRE) which quickens the application process and ensures you have the proper knowledge to hit the ground running. -It can be completed in as little as 18 months (if you start in December). -Your writing skills will improve drastically during the first session (or at least mine did). Yes, this is not a technical degree. You won't learn how to create buffer overflows or configure a firewall, rather it deals with Information Assurance principals and learning how to protect data from more of a management level. The program is divided up into six semesters and each class is 11 weeks long. Weekly participation is mandatory along with weekly papers. At the end of each class, a final paper is required, using your company (in most situations) as a case study. You will make recommendations to your boss on how the company may improve their security, based on what you learned in the class. This can be a bear as most of my papers were in the 20-25 page range. Overall I am very happy that I decided to obtain the degree. It opened my eyes and allowed me to see more of the "big picture" in regards to security. Going into the program I was not sure about how I would like the online experience. However starting in December (when it is cold and snowy where I live) allowed me to get into a routine and figure out what needed to be done and when. That way when the weather became warmer I knew what I had to do and how many days (not many) I could get away from the computer and have fun. Plus, you didn't have to spend an hour or more commuting to class and back. When you log off, you're already home. The instructors and staff are always willing to help out with any questions/problems and you will enjoy residency week and the campus for graduation. Just hope you enjoy climbing steps. There are a LOT of them.

I am thrilled that I received my MSIA from Norwich. After receiving the degree, I went to work for a government contracting company and almost doubled my previous salary by having the MSIA. After leaving that company, I recently started work with a State agency and was able to get a high-level job and a much greater salary than I would have without the MSIA and the previous experience I gained because of it. I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to better their career and education.

I finished the MSIA course work in November '07. Completed the week long residency capstone last week. This was an important piece in solidifying my relationship with Norwich. Residency week is truely an experience in and of itself. The Norwich MSIA program has been an exceptional experience. As a health care IT professional, it is important to maintain infosec knowledge and skills to be able implement and sustain a sound information security program to protect the privacy of patient and employee records. The Norwich MSIA program provided solid resources and instructors to help me with this endeavor. Working a flexible schedule, the online aspect of the Norwich MSIA program allowed me to coordinate studies and assignments and still make submission deadlines on time, even while traveling. The instructors were amazing. As experienced and well known professionals in the field of IA, I couldn't ask for more. Some of my instructors included Dr. Peter Stephenson, Sanford Sherizen, Rebecca Herold, and Padgett Peterson. Certainly some well known experts in the field. All interacted with my cohort and provided excellent feedback throughout each seminar. Any skepticism I had early on was removed through a little research on NU. Of course, living close by, I was very familiar with the university. As a very prestigious institute, well known throughout the world, and an NSA center of academic excellence in IA, it just made sense for me. The case study approach allowed a smooth implementation of much needed security programs at my organization. The program and support staff were always responsive, helpful, and understanding throughout. I would highly recommend this program.

I was already a sitting CSO/CISO of a financial services firm when I sisgned up for this program; unlike other, I took this program for long-term personal development versus professional development. That being said, I was extremely impressed with the course content, format, material, and foci. Everything taught during the course was both relevant to the practicalities of daily CSO life and provided practical perspectives on major security issues facing us today. If you wish to understand what it means to be a CISO and prepare for it in advance -- you NEED to go through this program

As the very first class in the very first cohort (class 1 of '04) and now an Adjunct professor for this very course, I can say without question that there is no finer program. The information gleaned from the MSIA premitted me to identify areas of concern within the Department of Energy, which caused across the Department changes to ensure our information. Having taught at other colleges I can also say that they all pale in comparison to Norwich. The instruction was then and continues to be now some of the most challenging of any institute of higher learning I have ever been associated with. Ask the University what their rate of success is with students who take the CISSP after completing the program. I Dare You!!!

My feelings are mixed about the program. Understand this is not a technically challenging program. Academically speaking it is a little more challenging but falls short of a typical graduate level degree in terms of any rigorous academics. The instructors did not adhere to the same writing standards or in some cases were not critical enough. Overall the program is just ok but could use some improvement. It is a well balanced introduction to information assurance issues at best.

I am a student in the MCE Online Program. This program has taught me more in the last 8 months than I could have ever imagined. It is great that Norwich incorporates project and business management into its curriculum, as opposed to most undergraduate degrees. Most professors and staff are very prompt with their responses and are all down to earth. You must keep up with your school work though, and if you can't devote at least 3 hours a night to it, it will be hard to keep up. You must be self discplined,too and develop your own time scheduling to stay abreast on your work. Words of caution: Be prepared to be challenged.. This degree will be well worth it when you are done.

I notice some students point to negative aspects of the SGS programs at Norwich; I can’t echo those comments and personally had a near perfect experience while a student. Sure, some processes could be improved (i.e. being able to use mobile technology with the site...which may be possible now), but overall Norwich is a sure bet. Norwich is a strong option when considering an MBA. I completed their MBA program in 2007 and couldn’t be happier. I am 110% satisfied; I would recommend Norwich to anyone that has the discipline to complete a rigorous 18 months (24 if you don’t have a Business degree), and wants a quality education that you can actually use. Granted it is hard work but well worth it and a great value in my opinion for the quality of instruction you receive. From day one you are made to feel a part of the “Norwich family” and the staff, faculty, and administrators are all working exhaustively toward your success. Without a doubt Norwich and their staff genuinely care about you, your education, and your experience with them; despite being an online student I felt well informed and the customer service is hands down better than anything I have experienced by any organization, particularly a university. I also would give a thumbs-up to my fellow students. They are all very well educated, professional, and great friends that helped make the experience that much more rewarding. In terms of ROI, I have more than reaped my investment, my income has increased over 40% since enrolling in and completing my MBA.

It is because of Norwich University that I am a Chief Information Security Officer for a bank. The program prepares you from a business perspective, which is where security belongs. In addition, the course work is very challenging. Expect to be challenged. I can't say enough about the program, the quality of the teachers and the institution's rich heritage.

I completed the MSIA program at Norwich in June of 2007. When choosing a program I had several criteria that were important to me. They were that the program be a NSA Center of Excellence, that the program be flexible enough to fit my schedule of working full time and raising a family, and that each student be graded individually (no group assignments/grades). I looked at many different Universities and Colleges. I interviewed many different people and spoke with the heads of each program. I was very impressed with Dr Michel Kabay and the vision he had for Norwich’s program. This vision coupled with well respected and knowledgeable facility such as Peter Stephenson, Gary Bridges, and Michael Miora sealed it for me. While I was accepted at several institutions I chose Norwich. While there are many laudable aspects of Norwich’s program, the one that was most valuable to me was the cohort system. This system combines the best aspects of working in groups while grading people as individuals. The members of my cohort became very close friends. We challenged and pushed each other through the program. This isn’t an easy program. While I entered the program with a decent amount of experience and industry certifications, I still found myself working 15 to 20 hours a week on the material. The course work challenged me to consider multiple points of view and operate outside my comfort zone. I learned so much and in the process not only did I become more knowledgeable in my chosen field but I became a better person. If you are seriously considering a graduate degree in Information Assurance I would strongly urge you to explore the opportunities at Norwich University.

I am half way through this degree and so far it has been a great experience. Professors are hit or miss but they are always good. My economics professor, however was great and showed the level the school provides. Each prof has had a Ph.D so far and has been engaged. The material is doable but not easy. The reading, especially for international law, is mind boggling. If you can write well you will definitely have an easier time in this program as all assignments are papers. If you are not a good writer now, you will be when you leave. Even half way through I am looking at the world in a more educated light and feel good about it. I look forward to a new career once completed.

I was in the first class of MMH rraduates at Norwich in June 2007. Let me say Battles, leaders and the more popular history that you find on a Barnes and Noble shelf will be found at AMU not Norwich. I have attended both, and I like them both. One is an apple and the other a hand grenade. Different schools with different missions. The first class had its issues I can tell you. The program was not fully "baked" when it was rolled out. But within a few modules we saw improvement. There are top notch instructors, outstanding instructors at Norwich, and there are a few frauds and bozos who like to hear the sound of their voice. If we had one complaint it would be that Norwich hires too many uniformed military officers at the field grade level that have all the personality of a cardboard box and cannot and never will interact well with students. They are an arrogant lot in and out of a class. When you are at the MA level, with civilian students, my-way or the highway and "I don't need to explain myself" doesn't really work. Eventually they get found out..But the great ones sure made up for the bozos. Dennis Showalter and John Votaw are legendary MH professors and authors. What state university could have offered me two giants like that? They helped me become a better writer and researcher...most of all the program itself helped me to think critically of MH matters I had never considered. But..big BUT here..the BEST part of Norwich was at the end of the program, when I went to the campus for the residency. It was something special, I must tell you. Nothing fancy.., by now my tution has helped build the new dining facility, but the opportunity to meet my classmates from all over the world was unforgettable. We debated, discussed, presented our Capstone papers and had not just a great time, a meaningful time. I know we drove Dr. Jim Ehrman crazy. We were new the program was new...lots of changes here and there.. But at Residency, he sat with us and took in our criticism..met it head on..apologized for what didn't work, explained what should and thanked us for our patience and hard work. That is what a Department Chair should do. We applauded him for the work he does to make everything work. The computer platform is very user friendly...and you actually get into some great interaction. My AMU experience, I am receiving a Post-Grad certificate in Land Warfare from them, was very different. Absolutely no discussion board interaction...and that's where the action is at Norwich.. Would I recommend Norwich? All I can say is I believe I received the finest MH education that money could buy. I am proud to call Norwich my alma mater...(well one of them anyway...) Russ Stayanoff MMH Class of'07

I am enjoying this program. The reading requirements are many and the instructors are very thorough in reviewing and providing feedback for your work. You are responsible for the readings and using the online library (which I have grown very familiar with) by providing at least five discussion submissions each week. Since everyone has a life outside of the program, I am finding that everyone in the cohort pretty much does their own thing. I feel it is going well and am looking forward to the next five seminars.

I'm beginning my third seminar (out of 6). The program has signicant writing requirements, and weekely participation requirements. You will find yourself challenged and wanting to put in the effort. Norwich's teachers seem to be tuned in to online learning and so far have been helpful. You will interact with them a great deal in discussions and by email. They call you at the beginning of the seminar to say hello and get to know you. Frankly, although the school makes them do this, it is a nice touch to have the professor's actually show an interest in getting to know their students. This is a structured program, and there are no real electives as each seminar is provided to you in full. The long paper that we've had for each of the first two seminars has been student's choice, and I expect that to continue. This isn't just about battles and leaders. It is a broader course discussing the use of history, the study of history, and critical thought. The support people at the school have been very responsive and friendly.

I am currently in the middle of this program, and it is excellent thus far. Very challenging work level - make sure you are dedicated to finishing the program, as it requires discipline to keep up with the schedule. This program places a premium on your ability to digest and interpret information. If you don't like to think, its not for you.

Amazing experience. True professionals that care teach for NU. With an exception here or there, professors are true practitioners or simply amazingly knowledgable academics with real value to offer students. Thousand times better experience than my undergrad work in the classroom. Earned every bit of my 4.0 with some real sweat but well worth it. If you can afford the tuition at all (get aid if you have to) don't go anywhere else.

I rate this program good overall because I have talked to some dedicated people, but I have suffered through 2 of 3 classes with abysmal instructors. I have one (currently) who is an executive from tech and she does not seem interested in returning calls, emails or IM’s. Previous posts are correct – a lot of reading and not all of it necessary. I think this would be an ideal program if I did not have a job or maybe worked part-time. The lecture delivery is via streaming power point and accompanying lecture text (or voice overlay). The monotone nature of the voice lends no emphasis or understanding of the text. Tuition is going up – beware of that. I have talked to several prof’s and administrators who don’t think the teacher should provide anything above the book and course materials – this is a tough way to learn. The groups try to help one another in discussion, but it becomes the blind leading the blind absent commentary from a knowledgeable professor. Discussions are graded as harsh or more than the papers we write. No warning about that – it also takes too much time to figure out the professor for each class – they are very different. As far as the name Norwich goes, the online program is a distant cousin to the actual school. I don’t have much of a sense of connectedness to the school itself. Like most colleges, please pay ontime! I think I will be leaving this school for something I can attend locally. It just isn’t worth it to teach myself this subject.

I enrolled in this degree after a great deal of contemplation (time, expense and value). It was by far one of the best experiences I have ever had. The quality of the cohorts, the professors and the admin team is second to none. Within 6 months of graduating and applying to the UN, I have been offered a contract in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) in Sudan. The degree certainly placed me very competitively. If you want a challenge, a reward at the end and a quality education. Norwich MDY is the way to go.

The Norwich University Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) is an outstanding IA advanced degree program. My big selling point on the university itself was that Norwich was a well established "brick and mortar" school first, then added an Internet degree program. They already had a well established and respected reputation and, knowing that reputation was on the line, created an outstanding online degree program. Contrast this with "no name" start-up universities that have no real campus or tradition. The degree program is designed to teach students with an IT background a wide range of IA principles. Those that are looking for a technical program - this one is not for you (though I believe Norwich has added a technical track elective seminar) - this is for those that want to manage the technical people, which is what most advanced degrees are all about. A technical background is helpful, though. This program was a great value for my money and the graduation week really brought it all together and makes you feel more of a part of something special - unlike the no-name Internet-based programs that simply mail you your diploma. I highly recommend Norwich to anyone who wants to advance their IA career and broaden their IA knowledge!

Separate yourself from the crowd -- get a degree from a University that will mean something. Not that others won’t but there sure seem to be some diploma mills out there. I have been approached (more than once) by someone saying, "You're a Norwich graduate?" It's a good feeling -- the school is thought of highly within the military (I don't know about the civilian side). Anyway, the cost is high, the quality is high, and the time you'll have to put in is about 10-20 hrs per week. I loved the graduation! Except they need AC on campus in the dorm and in the graduation hall -- it was sweltering and I was told this wasn't the first time a heat wave hit at the wrong time in Vermont. I learned a lot and the staff was EXCELLENT. The teachers were good but each had their own style so you would have to readjust from term-to-term-to-term. It was hard getting used to each teacher’s likes, dislikes, and points of emphasis. There is a LOT of writing. Don't worry if you are a poor writer because by the end of the program, if you put in the work and get your papers in early, you will not be a poor writer any longer. They REALLY work with you on your writing. The work is not too tough...there is just a lot of it. Lots of reading and writing and analyzing. I just think it is a perfect Master's degree. Try to prepare for the CISSP at the same time you are doing your school work. Easy for me to say (I didn't/couldn't) but I wish I had. With the MSIA coursework and one of the CISSP self-study books, you should be ready for the CISSP by course end (or so I'm told). I am preparing for the exam now and the MSIA sure gives you a big leg-up. Anyway, I have ZERO regrets about going to Norwich to attain a Master of Science in Information Assurance. The degree and school actually mean something. Remember the old adage; you get out what you put in...time, money, and reputation. Good luck!

NU's MBA online degree program is very challenging and promotes "real world" learning with the ROA case studies. I have been able to apply what I have learned in my company (something I found that I was unable to do with my undergrad). I have not been disappointed.

It is remarkable how different teachers are in this program. I have had 2 great teachers, 1 good, 1 poor, and 1 teacher who attempted to ruin the entire program. My latest (a final) teacher has provided no feedback to any discussions. That is disappointing. However, the material taught is very applicable to the business world in my opinion. I have learned a lot and enjoy the concept of the case study based around the same company at the end of each class. It helps drive home what you have learned.

For just about $20K, I feel I am receiving a top notch education from highly qualified instructors. Further, if you are in the military, the school is very accomodating to students overseas. Norwich lives up to its 200 year old tradition.

The assignments started off a little difficult, but once you get the hang of it or them they seem to flow freely. The amount of reading is crazy and some is repetitive, but overall not bad!

Interesting program. Many top notch instructors. Since this Master of Military History program is very new, there are some growing pains, but the university is bending over backwards to address them.

I like the program and the classes. I wish that they would use videos to present some of the learning material.

I took a very long look at this program before I began, but I never expected to be as pleased as I was. The classes were exceptional, the work was extensive, and I learned more in these two years than I ever imagined possible on a range of topics I thought I knew fairly well. This isn't a program for the faint of heart. It's more work than other graduate programs, and I can speak from experience since I hold a MA in education. The entire program is first-rate and very well managed. The professors were always willing to help and the support was always more than adequate. The workload is extensive and can easily fill far more time than 15-20 hours per week spread across reading, research, and writing activities. I wish I could have spent more time than that just because the questions and research, along with the discussions were THAT good. Going on campus for residency week was one of the best professional experiences I have had in a very long time, and one that really impressed me right from the start. This is one program that is an undiscovered gem.

Norwich is a school with a compelling history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwich_University) and a solid degree program. I and my cohort peers are quite satisfied with the university.

The emphasis on Diplomacy provides the twist to this intensive but highly rewarding program. Topics and texts are current and the online discussion threads provide for some excellent, dynamic, debates on current issues. Great support to - from Prof's, support staff, IT etc. The only warning - watch out...if you think going 'online' is going to be easy, forget it! This program is all about reading and writing and you will do a lot of both. Overall a great program for anybody looking to begin or enhance a career in the international arena.

I am half way through the Diplomacy program at Norwich University, and it has been the best choice I have made in a very long time. The instructors are simply awesome; the work load is heavy, but manageable. The school goes above and beyond to accommodate the Graduate Students. Highly recommended.

I have found Norwich's Diplomacy MA program to be quite well structured. It certainly lives up to the Norwich motto "Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction". I have completed 3 of the 6 seminars and have felt challenged in each one. The mix of broad student background and professor practical field knowledge/experience makes this program a perfect fit for any international relations focused professional. This is an outstanding program.

The Norwich University Masters of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) program is an excellent graduate degree program. The program itself has been awarded the National Security Agency's coverted Center of Excellence status as a provider of quality Information Assurance (Information System Security) education. It is an 18 month program that has both online as well as a Residency component. The curriculum is designed to map somewhat to the CISSP requirements however many found that this was not enough to allow them to pass the exam solely on the school's training. However, any student of this program will be able to claim: 1. graduation from a recognized brick-and-mortar university with an established historical background, 2. a very good understanding of modern (but not current) information system security methodologies (some areas were lacking), 3. an EXTREMELY supportive faculty and staff from the Dean on down to the Program Director to most of the adjuncts, 4. the greatest benefit is the very strong bonds a student develops with their fellow students who come a a wide variety of fields within the industry. I cannot stress enough the quality of the education and more importantly the attention you will receive from the faculty and staff. Although there are program changes in materials and structuring on the horizon, almost everyone in my graudating class felt that this decision was the right one. Despite what you may balk at (many felt the cost of the program being the biggest problem), consider the amount of seat-time in regular attendance brick-and-mortar university, the speed the program moves you through and the quality of the education you are getting. There are strict demands; it is a regimented military university where honor and respect is demanded if not expected so standards and conduct is expected as well as inspected.

In general Norwich has put a lot of effort in to all of it's online degrees. The SGS staff is highly motivated and responsive to students. I agree with comments regarding porofessor consistency and quality. A general concern MIGHT be name recognition, a lot of people do not recognize the name Norwich and assume its some kind of online storefront school. There are still prejudices in the workplace in some places against online degrees. Not true with Norwich, this school is a real brick and mortar institution thats been around since the early 1800's. When you finally earn your degree, trust me you have worked for it and you know exactly what the degree implies you are supposed to know. The instructional delivery technique really works, based mostly on lectures, readings, weeekly discussions, weekly papers, and end of seminar papers. Three personal criticisms with program: 1. Criteria for requirement to perform MBA pre-req semester is too arbitrary. Regardless of experience or knowledge, if you have no undergrad business you must take pre-req. I found the pre-req generally to be boring and in my case a waste of time (and money $7,900+). 2. Exam questions, too many are not written correctly or have wrong answers. They need to review exams for quality and accuracy. 3. Some of the technology discussed in the MBA is way out of date. That needs to be updated. Course of instruction is based on 10 week seminars, two seminars per semester and three semesters for the entire program (4 with pre-req). You get about a two week break between seminars. At the end, you are required to attend a one week residency on campus. Norwich is in North Central Vermont. Campus is beautiful and the residency is a lot of fun with various debates, lectures, and group social events. Graduation is on a Friday. Families are welcome, although encouraged to arrive later in the week since focus earlier in the week is on academic activities.

I am extremely proud to be a Norwich Alum! My educational experience with the school was top notch and matched my very high expectations. Not only was I educated in my field of study but the process of assilimating into the online program was also enlightening, most importantly the power of words and communication. I feel the staff and support staff are highly committed to the students and are sincere and excel in their work. The residency cemented the experience and I have made lifelong connections with students and faculty. I definitely recommend NU as it will challenge and enrich you in many ways beyond purely academic investment. NU has an excellent reputation and that reputation will translate in your field of work. The online program is easy enough to navigate but I have seen some programs that seem to be a little more advanced. Not that it really matters, because the window dressings are irrelevant because of the quality of the education.

Graduated in June and already have dream position teaching. The value beyond the education is the network of friends and colleagues that I have made through NU School of Graduate Studies.

This was an outstanding program. The course load was rigorous and challenging but applicable. You will come out of this program a better writer, able to conduct research and look at issues from a much broader perspective, no matter if you're in law enforcement, corrections, public or court administration. The instructors were excellent as were the majority of the books and assigned readings. Projects were very interesting. Most importantly, the student group (cohort) system literally made the program. Although it's an online program, you became very friendly and intimate w/the other members of your cohort group. Although I was initially concerned about the price, I discovered Norwich provided a superior product at a competitive price. My concerns were allayed quickly & I have no regrets about completing my master's in 18 mos. @ NU. NU was very supportive of the students and you truly felt like you were part of the long traditions and heritage that has lived in that school for the last 190 years. This is truly a high quality program w/high quality, students, instructors, & materials.

Norwich University is a proud school steeped in tradition and value. The Master of Arts in Diplomacy is a very challenging program designed to train student in the cause and effect of international relationships. NU Staff is world class and will put every effort into satisfying a students request and to resolve any issues that may arise. The cohort style class binds students to their peers to enhance the learning experience. You will be satisfied with Norwich University.

The Norwich School of Graduate Study staff in general is incredible. Topics are primarily management in nature, if your looking for a HIGHLY technical security program you will probably be disappointed. The intent is to train cyber-security managers and teach people to think deductively. Emphasis is on writing and thoughtful expression. If you do not want to venture out of the server room, you should probably consider another program. They will not let you slide by. They do not tolerate plagerism, more than one student in my cohort was expelled when caught using other's work as their own. One criticism, more than one or two exam questions during the program prove to be wrong. Students end up challenging incorrect exam questions on every exam; however, they will likely not grant your challenge and you can still pass with honors in spite of this. Program should do a much better job of doing quality assurance on the tests since some of these wrong questions are blatently wrong and contradict the assigned study materials. Once completed, you are considered a fully equal graduate with any other Norwich grad, whether civilian undergrad or Corps of Cadets. Excellent alumni. Legitmate IA program, worth the $30,000+