University of Maryland University College

I read on the UMUC thread that UMUC state-side is a "hot mess." I've only had experience with UMUC stateside and I have to agree. I graduated with a BS in accounting in 2009 and started the MS Accounting/Info Systems degree the following semester (still in progress - 2013) BS Accounting: I hate HATE HATE!!! webTycho. I don't know who was smoking crack when they wrote that program but I get better functionality out of My$pace.com!!! Military full time and school full time, I had to attend all night and online classes. They really worked well with my schedule. They have onsite classes throughout the State of Maryland so if you are stationed in Maryland - it is an ideal match. If you plan on taking a lot of online classes - seriously, look elsewhere! The WebTycho online classroom interface is poor enough that your grades will suffer for the first couple of semesters while you try to get accustomed to how the program works. I don't know anyone who can recommend that program to their friends. In fact, everyone I know would do bodily damage to anyone making a favorable review of the online program simply because they hate WebTycho so much. I suggest "Franklin University" in Ohio. The price is the same, they have all of the same help with military benefits, etc - but the online format is flawless compared with WebTycho! (I think they use some version of "Blackboard.") Even so, most of the professors are really good. With very few exceptions, they will try very hard to make accommodations to your particular learning style. For example: I am an auditory learner and I had a 2 hour commute each day (cutting into my study time). I voiced my concern for too much reading to my cost accounting professor and he responded by uploading an MP3 file of his in-person lectures each week from his other class. Just one example, but they will all do similar things to help you out. They are really very good! The military financial aid folks are amazing - usually. You get some idiots in there but most of them are really good. Regular financial aid is an absolute mess. MS Accounting: I still HATE WebTycho and the grad program ensures that you are completely disgusted by it. The teachers are great, but the format of the class prohibits any meaningful gain from it (partly the fault of UMUC, A LOT to do with the poor functionality of WebTycho). I basically see the MS program as a hoop to jump through to get a raise at work... a very expensive hoop. Yeah, I can't say that I've learned much of anything in the master's program. As an "education," it's worthless - a fact they could change by switching away from WebTycho. I mean, seriously, I work with 4 web engineers who have built better programs in a month... and yes, they were scalable to the needs of an organization like WebTycho. I hate that program so much.

The Accounting program with UMUC was one of the most difficult schools in which I participated. I attended two schools prior to UMUC, both were conventional brick and mortar schools. I was challenged and learned much more through UMUC. The course work is not easy, the most difficult requirements I encountered, but worth the learning experience. If you are looking for a challenging environment that will enable you to learn the material, then UMUC has a great program. It is not easy, but rewarding as you have to earn it.

I had an issue and tried to get resolved for over 3 weeks. Every time when I talk with them I got transferred to other person and no one knows what they doing. I contacted them via chat, e-mail, "Helpdesk" and over the phone. Every time I talked, all they ask my information and what is the issue I have. I told them same things over and over and all of them said "Oh, so you need to talk to other section. Because I don't have authority for the issue." I talked with every single section already!! I had been hold over 30 minutes and they just stop answering the transferred call!! When I call back and select the section, which I had to wait 30 minutes, they answered the call within minutes. Yes I know that sometime they just was busy, but when it happened more then 10 times... What should I think about it? And they said, "HOW CAN I HELP YOU TODAY?" Then I do same thing again. Give my info and issue, so they can transfer me the section I originally talked. When I refuse to be transferred, they just HANG UP on the phone!! Because of them, I missed my Financial Support I already got approved of. How could they receive the paychecks if they don't do anything?? My 2 years old son can do just saying, "How can I help you" then just transfer to other. I can’t believe that is the helpdesk of the college offers master degrees in business. Before they offer that, why don’t they give some education to their own employee!!