The Southwestern Assemblies of God University

The Administration cares only for numbers. As long as the numbers look good to the Board of Regents it doesn't matter what else goes on at this University. I personally wouldn't reccomend it to the youth of the Assemblies of God. Go to another University who cares about the students and staff.

5th Year Male -- Class 2001

Surrounding City: A-, Education Quality: F

Although in general Southwestern is a good school, there are some things that Southwestern needs to improve on. My main complaint, is regarding the distance education program.

As a Distance Education student, I have encountered issues with getting responses from professors. I NEVER get initiated contact from my professors at all during the semester (and I've been a distance education for 4 years now). It's standard practice that DE students register, open their classes with the professors (1hr, 15 min long), go home and basically teach ourselves. There is NO interaction at all, unless the student has a question and initiates the contact...and then you hope that you are responded to, which there have been many times I have not been acknowledged at all. ADVICE: Southwestern needs to look into making ALL DE classes web based using the Blackboard program. Check out Regent University - they have an EXCELLENT DE program (and that is where I am planning to pursue my Master's degree...simply because their DE program is so solid). Also, we are forced to pay a media fee every semester (along with huge tuition increases) - but what am I really getting in addition to paying that fee? An email address and a couple of videos...and that's IF the class has a video made for it...you never know exactly what you're going to get. I mean, come on! I'm paying $3,000 per semester already (for only 6 hrs) - why can't the media fee come from the tuition costs or the "General fee". As a DE student I am basically teaching myself, only step on the campus for two days out of each semester, and my professors don't even give me the time of day - they only respond with whatever grade I made on an assignment (and most times don't even comment on the grade or suggest areas of improvement). If Southwestern keeps pushing the idea that the Distance Education program is NOT a correspondance course, then they need to prove it. Because at this point, it is.

My third issue with the school is that it takes several weeks to recieve an overpayment check after registration. According to law, the school only has 10 days to send out overpayment checks that involve government money/loans, etc. from the point of when a student registers. Then when you contact the school about your overpayment, it's like they are so put out that you even called to ask about it.

In general, I really do like SAGU, and they are friendly and helpful most times; however, they really need to work on their person-to-person contact and show more concern and care for every student as an individual and not just a number (the professors) or an annoyance (the staff). On a more positive note, it is really good to see the strides that the Administration is taking in improving the campus looks. I applaud them for the attentiveness to this area. But now that the outside is looking nice, it's time to work on the inside faults and improve things - I really think it's what is holding SAGU back from busting at the seams.

4th Year Female -- Class 2003

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Innovation: C

The course work is not very challenging at the time because I am at the Freshman level. I do know that as the class level goes up so does the level of challenge.

The professors are caring and approachable as well as willing to spend time with you, either just talking or in prayer. Classes are small and are more personal because of this. Many teachers will adapt their teaching methods to fit the needs of the individual class.The best part of Southwestern is the fellowship with other Christians.

1st Year Female -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A, Social Life: B-