Paying for Course syllabus?

[QueenAnnissa]

The ADN program that I will be entering as a first year student on August 19th charges for the course syllabus & guide, which also includes the lab manual and clinical manual created by the instructors at the college. It is a highly detailed and specific 216 page document, there is a ton of information and guidance in this packet. It includes schedules, dates, rubrics for assignments, what is covered in each class, lab and clinical, information on tests, assignments, group projects, lab skills and papers. Etc etc etc. Do other schools charge for this? Do other schools create their own lab manual and clinical manual? I mentioned this in another thread and there were a couple of comments questioning this practice.

[QueenAnnissa]

Basically, what they have done is made their own textbook. Instead of buying a textbook from a publisher, you are buying the home0-made "course pack" directly from the school. There is no real difference, when you think about it.

And students always pay for it ... either they pay for textbooks ... or for home-made coursepacks ... or the cost of "free" materials are added into the tuition and other fees paid. The more important thing to pay attention to is the overall cost, not how that cost is presented to you. "How does the overall cost of your education compare to that of similar schools?" and "What is the quality of the education you are receiving for that cost?" and "Is that cost worth it to you?"

This take on it makes a lot more sense. The overall cost is a much better clarification of this part of the program. I would say based on my research and the reviews of this program (from former and current students) and it's reputation in the area (from other students and nurses in local hospitals in my social circle) this cost IS worth it to me.

[Smiley06]

I have never heard of being charged for a syllabus. My school actually considers it the right of a student to be given a copy of the syllabus for each course by the instructor.

[michiganstudent]

I had to purchase about 6 syllabi for my nursing classes this semester alone. They are expensive - the most expensive was almost $40. It just depends on the school. I am just thankful to get into this school, though. It's highly competitive and the students here are very employable after graduation.

[mssjez]

our school charged for the syllabus for our first semester. it included everything for the first semester and reference material for other aspects of the program. not as large as yours and it only cost $20 or something

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

I'll go out on a limb and bet that any school charging for a syllabus is a for-profit.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'll go out on a limb and bet that any school charging for a syllabus is a for-profit.

My school was not for-profit. However, in the nursing program ONLY, copies of the syllabus were for sale. I found that to be very weird. However, all of our teachers posted their syllabus online so we could print them. So I honestly don't know why someone would pay the $20 for one. If someone did not have a personal printer/computer, most of us wouldn't mind printing copies for classmates.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

My school created their own anatomy books as well as books for clinicals and labs. As far as paying for the syllabus, that sounds strange, but the rest of the content may be invaluable. Maybe they just put it in the book to keep it all in one place?

[sealford]

Ours is about $200.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

Still sounds crazy to me. My syllabi each semester are at least 150 pgs and there is never a charge. It does not cost THAT much to print. We get a $20 printing credit each semester and I never use it all, even when I print EVERYTHING

[sjalv]

I'll go out on a limb and bet that any school charging for a syllabus is a for-profit.

My school started as a farming school over 100 years ago. Its main focus is still agriculture, and now nursing. It is the only 2-year program within 50 miles. Am I the only one who doesn't find it strange having to pay for a 100+ pg syllabus? lol

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You know, I know a lot of students who would really benefit from something like that all in one place. It's a textbook, take it for that, and perhaps people will stop thinking it's a big rip-off.

As to why it came about this way, I'd be willing to bet that the faculty got good and damn tired of having to explain things over and over to students who couldn't organize their ways out of damp paper bags, so they put it all together so no one could say they never knew that (..insert class info here...) and so forth.

[michiganstudent]

And the instructor has the copyright to it. You are not allowed to make copies. They must spend weeks writing them - and yes, it's like having another text book.