Since it seems that there's quite a bit of interest, I'm attempting to start a new thread devoted exclusively to the OU on-line RN-BSN program that will hopefully build on the comments on assorted previous threads.
I'd like to ask nevergonnagiveup, mtsteelhorse and babynurse73 - all of whom (I think) are either already in the program or have applied for admission - to post about their experiences. I just sent in my application and plan to post periodically about relevant issues. If we can populate the thread with good material, it could become a very useful resource for both those considering the OU program and students already in it. Once that happens, I'd hope we could prevail upon the forum moderators to make it a sticky thread.
As indicated, I've only recently applied to the program. So far, I'm happy with the support and information I've gotten. I've been contacted by an OU "enrollment specialist" who was somewhat helpful (I suspect that they have dual roles, one being to provide basic information to prospective students and the other to follow-up with the prospects and help to fill the roster for the program). This person e-mailed me, followed up with a phone call and was able to provide some useful, if basic, information about the program. I also sent a lengthy e-mail to OU with quite a number of specific, detailed questions. This too resulted in both an e-mail and telephone response, this time from an academic advisor in the OU School of Nursing. Again I received some useful and quite helpful information. All in all, my early experience has been pretty positive.
As indicated above, I plan to post about relevant issues that come up as I work my way through the admission and evaluation process. I'd very much like to hear from others about their experience with OU and I'm sure that there will be a lot of interest by others in our collective experience with the program.
I have been following your thread and I will say you all are the most patient people I have come across!! I really hope this program turns out to be worth the wait, aggravation, and all. I wonder if you will have similar admin problems when it comes time to graduate. At least the middle part sounds like it is worthwhile, if you ever get there. Best of luck to all of you. Please continue to post once you start classes as I am fascinated.
I really am not surprised that they are backed up in admissions.
As of mid-2011, the OU program is the only one of its kind in the country. I've done lots of research and nobody else offers:
1.) Inexpensive tuition (relative to other programs. Out-of-state is only 2 dollars more per credit hour than in-state).
2.) No clinical (don't have to bother getting a preceptor in your local area)
3.) Scheduling flexibility (courses offered every 5 weeks, don't have to finish prereqs before starting nursing classes)
4.) A variety of ways to meet prereq requirements (online courses, independent study courses, credit by exam)
5.) At a fully accredited university with a solid reputation
Since OU combines all those features into one package, I'd expect them to be swamped.
From what I understand, things sail along relatively smoothly once you're in the program, and if they have to choose between catering to prospective students and giving their full, undivided attention to current students who are actually taking classes, then I would definetely prefer them to err on the side of the later.
My biggest fear at this point is a substantial tuition hike in the middle of the program. There's no way they're going to be able to stay at 155 per credit hour when other schools are charging 250+ minimum. It doesn't make sense to not hike rates from a business perspective.
. . . My biggest fear at this point is a substantial tuition hike in the middle of the program. There's no way they're going to be able to stay at 155 per credit hour when other schools are charging 250+ minimum. It doesn't make sense to not hike rates from a business perspective.
UGADawgs - I wonder if you're on to something here.
While there is indeed a new computing system in place, from what I can determine we are really only talking about several hundred applications, not thousands. The number I heard was in the 300's - a small enough figure that even with some significant computing system teething pains could have been manually processed relatively easily. If a tuition hike is in the offing, deferring large numbers of applicants to the future makes good business sense. In order to at least cover your present costs, you would admit a relatively small number of students, which OU appears to have done in this case. I'm not really one who believes in conspiracy theories (I still believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he shot JFK) but this could simply be a cold, hard business decision on OU's part.
By the way, the UT-A RN-BSN program, which has nearly identical attributes to those you outined for OU (and which I agree wholehartedly with), recently raised their tuition by nearly 40%, from $201 to $275. Pehraps more evidence for your theory?
I really hope I made the right decision choosing OU. My job's tuition reimbursement forms HAVE to be filled out (including class schedule and tuition bill) 30 days prior to starting classes. From the looks of things, that's not going to happen. I contacted someone in the RN-to-BSN dept @ OU and was told they will not start fall applications until they have finished with the summer registrations. Apparently some of you have been told to start @ a later date than what you originally wanted. I REALLY hope that this school gets on the ball soon:eek:
UGADawgs - I wonder if you're on to something here.
By the way, the UT-A RN-BSN program, which has nearly identical attributes to those you outined for OU (and which I agree wholehartedly with), recently raised their tuition by nearly 40%, from $201 to $275. Pehraps more evidence for your theory?
Is UT-A on quarters or semesters? A tuition hike of even a little bit is even more damaging on the quarter system, because the price-per-credit hour has to be multiplied by 4 or 5 instead of 3, and there are more total classes.
Is UT-A on quarters or semesters? A tuition hike of even a little bit is even more damaging on the quarter system, because the price-per-credit hour has to be multiplied by 4 or 5 instead of 3, and there are more total classes.
Not sure. Their on-line program runs basically the same as OU, with most classes 5 weeks long but some stretching to 10 wks. The BSN requirements at UT-A are a total of 32 credits but that is deceiving because they have several non-nursing prereqs that can't be tested out of and that few are likely to have taken (e. g., Texas State History and Government).
If you are lucky enough to need only the BSN courses, you'd be looking at total tuition increase of $2,310 (from $6,490 to $8,800). Add in some of their unique prereqs and other fees (that I believe have also increased) and as the late Senator Everett Dirkson famously said. "Pretty soon you're talking about real money".
Still quite a bit less than UoPhx or even Penn State though.
If you are lucky enough to need only the BSN courses, you'd be looking at total tuition increase of $2,310 (from $6,490 to $8,800). Add in some of their unique prereqs and other fees (that I believe have also increased) and as the late Senator Everett Dirkson famously said. "Pretty soon you're talking about real money".
Still quite a bit less than UoPhx or even Penn State though.
I wonder if OU or UT-A lock you into whatever the tuition was when you started the program or if you're at their mercy every term. Like once you begin the OU degree, is your tuition guaranteed to be the same as when you started for at least a certain number of years, or can they get you started at the 155 price and then jack it up the next quarter?
That's what I don't want to happen to me. Get 1/2 way through the program and then have the rates go up from 155 to 225 per credit hour.
Most nursing schools will not accept transfer credits in the upper division nursing courses, so without a tuition guarantee, whatever program you start with basically has you by the balls. They can raise rates mid-program and you have to just suck it up because you can't transfer and go somewhere else without starting over.
Aspen University is the one that comes to mind where they sell tuition to whole program. I do not know of any that guarantee tuition prices but maybe they just do not advertise that...Good question to ask though.
I wonder if OU or UT-A lock you into whatever the tuition was when you started the program or if you're at their mercy every term. Like once you begin the OU degree, is your tuition guaranteed to be the same as when you started for at least a certain number of years, or can they get you started at the 155 price and then jack it up the next quarter?
That's what I don't want to happen to me. Get 1/2 way through the program and then have the rates go up from 155 to 225 per credit hour.
Most nursing schools will not accept transfer credits in the upper division nursing courses, so without a tuition guarantee, whatever program you start with basically has you by the balls. They can raise rates mid-program and you have to just suck it up because you can't transfer and go somewhere else without starting over.
When I started at OU in Jan 2011, the TOTAL cost for the nursing program was advertised through my hospital as $5850 or $117/credit hr. Within 5 weeks of starting the programs, I received an email stating that they were going to increase the rate to what it is now. So nope, they don't lock you into whatever the tuition was when you first started.
I am needing advice on the Statistics requirement. The list gives 4 stat options to choose from. I am wanting to take the most basic one, anyone know which one that would be? I am assuming it is better to take a class like statistics in class rather than online if you are "statistically illiterate". I would appreciate any feedback from your statistic experience so I know what to expect. Thanks
I am needing advice on the Statistics requirement. The list gives 4 stat options to choose from. I am wanting to take the most basic one, anyone know which one that would be? I am assuming it is better to take a class like statistics in class rather than online if you are "statistically illiterate". I would appreciate any feedback from your statistic experience so I know what to expect. Thanks
I just took Elem Statistics Reasoning Psy 120 10 weeks ago. Teacher was Lassiter and it was a 5wk class. I won't lie and say that the class wasn't INVOLVED, but he gave up the syllabus about 10 days in advance to get AHEAD before the class actually started. I can't tell you how much that helped. Also he offers a lot of supplementary help and there are a TON of online resources that also helps you figure stuff out. There is a message board. Students aren't allowed to give answers, but I found it helpful to discuss problems with others in the class. The mid-term and final are proctored open book/open notes/calculator. So if you organize your notes well, you will do fine.
I've found this thread very interesting! I just passed the state test for my RN and applied to OU. Unfortunately, my "enrollment specialist" failed to tell me about the deadlines. I am doubtful one of my two transcripts will be post marked by June 24 for Fall I enrollment. I was too overwhelmed studying for the NCLEX to delve into their website too much so I didn't catch the date myself. However, if I don't start until October that will be fine with me as I need a mental break!
Re Excelsior/Rue - I was under the impression that these credits are non-transferrable as you are testing out of the classes rather than earning the credit in class. I ran into this problem after taking classes at Bryant & Stratton (for IT) for a year back in my younger days. Four quarters worth of classes, none of them transfer any where.
UGADawgs
64 Posts
I really am not surprised that they are backed up in admissions.
As of mid-2011, the OU program is the only one of its kind in the country. I've done lots of research and nobody else offers:
1.) Inexpensive tuition (relative to other programs. Out-of-state is only 2 dollars more per credit hour than in-state).
2.) No clinical (don't have to bother getting a preceptor in your local area)
3.) Scheduling flexibility (courses offered every 5 weeks, don't have to finish prereqs before starting nursing classes)
4.) A variety of ways to meet prereq requirements (online courses, independent study courses, credit by exam)
5.) At a fully accredited university with a solid reputation
Since OU combines all those features into one package, I'd expect them to be swamped.
From what I understand, things sail along relatively smoothly once you're in the program, and if they have to choose between catering to prospective students and giving their full, undivided attention to current students who are actually taking classes, then I would definetely prefer them to err on the side of the later.
My biggest fear at this point is a substantial tuition hike in the middle of the program. There's no way they're going to be able to stay at 155 per credit hour when other schools are charging 250+ minimum. It doesn't make sense to not hike rates from a business perspective.