UIU CEP Hybrid or Online

rachaelofcourse · Jan 4, 2017

I currently am doing the online UIU option. I chose the online option because I don't live close to the UIU campus - it's in Mesa, I'm in Litchfield Park. I also attend GWCC in the evening cohort, so the hybrid classes conflicted with that schedule. When I started, they didn't limit the hybrid option to certain school. It's probably a good thing that they did. I also know that I do just fine in online classes - with the exception of stats. Fortunately, UIU let me take stats at their campus. I needed to take it with them or I'd lose my financial aid for the whole summer term. You could ask the UIU advisor if they'd be willing to let you take it on ground with them like they did with me. I struggle with math so taking it online wasn't an option. The other thing I want to add is that if you are interested in pursuing a Master's degree, most colleges prefer the MAT220 over the psych option. Regardless of if you take it through UIU or one of the CC's, try and take the math version.

AZBlueBell · Jan 6, 2017

I am at EMCC and I chose to do hybrid UIU after my first online class with them. I am very good at online courses (I did almost all my pre-req's online) and was ready to do all online with UIU. However, my first online course with them was incredibly time-consuming. When I tell you that I spent no less than 40 hours a week on that course, I am serious. Now after having talked with others that took the same course with UIU and a different instructor, they did not have that same experience. However, I decided there was no way I'd be able to take that chance again AND juggle my regular nursing blocks at the same time and so I switched to the hybrid courses and I make the drive to Mesa. It really isn't that bad, it's only 4 times per 8 weeks. I can tell you that the hybrid courses, when we meet in person, are less work than the online courses because you typically just get whatever needs to get done that week in class. Versus online, you have discussion questions to do and reply to (sometimes many). So for the ease of that, it's worth the drive to me. I drive to class for a couple hours and then I don't have to worry about anything else for that class that week.

The other thing I like about the hybrid is the instructors I've had. One of the instructors is the Block 4 instructor at Mesa. My other instructor was the Block 1 instructor at SCC.

As for the Stats, I took that over the summer on ground with UIU and they offer it either full online or in person (meets every week). The instructor was amazing and I felt like I really understood the concepts. Other students in my cohort who took stats with maricopa (both in person and online) said it was the hardest class and they didn't understand it. My instructor was great. Also, I was required to take stats through UIU because my advisor said I needed it from the university and not from CC. I don't understand the reasoning behind that as the UIU one was still considered lower-division but nonetheless, it's done and I'm glad I did it through UIU.

Although I sometimes dread the drive, the hybrid choice has worked out for me. Hope this helps answer your questions :)

KittenEars · Jan 6, 2017

Rachaelofcourse, you are always an informative source of information. Thank you so much! I called the advisor at UIU and we got it all figured out.

KittenEars · Jan 6, 2017

AZBlueBell, thank you for sharing your experience.

I might choose the hybrid, it just depends on what MCCCD school I am placed at. My first choice is Mes Day (UIU Hybrid compatible), then Mesa Afternoon (mostly UIU Hybrid compatible), and Gateway Day (not Hybrid compatible). Plus I know of students who were offered last minute placements at MCCCD schools that weren't on their list initially. I live in Ahwatukee, so the drive isn't an issue for me. It really comes down to placement, because I really do prefer some in-person class time, plus I'd love to bond with my cohort while there. I KNOW I am going to need buddies!

-Can you explain further how your first online class was so challenging?

-What else did you get out of the in-person class time besides being able to complete assignments?

-Was it lecture heavy? Or more of a time to work on those assignments?

-Are the online discussion questions and responses only for the online students? As a hybrid student did you not have to complete these?

How awesome is it to have MCCCD instructors at UIU!

Thank you for your input. I truly appreciate your perspective!

rachaelofcourse · Jan 7, 2017

I am at EMCC and I chose to do hybrid UIU after my first online class with them. I am very good at online courses (I did almost all my pre-req's online) and was ready to do all online with UIU. However, my first online course with them was incredibly time-consuming. When I tell you that I spent no less than 40 hours a week on that course, I am serious. Now after having talked with others that took the same course with UIU and a different instructor, they did not have that same experience. However, I decided there was no way I'd be able to take that chance again AND juggle my regular nursing blocks at the same time and so I switched to the hybrid courses and I make the drive to Mesa. It really isn't that bad, it's only 4 times per 8 weeks. I can tell you that the hybrid courses, when we meet in person, are less work than the online courses because you typically just get whatever needs to get done that week in class. Versus online, you have discussion questions to do and reply to (sometimes many). So for the ease of that, it's worth the drive to me. I drive to class for a couple hours and then I don't have to worry about anything else for that class that week.
The other thing I like about the hybrid is the instructors I've had. One of the instructors is the Block 4 instructor at Mesa. My other instructor was the Block 1 instructor at SCC.
As for the Stats, I took that over the summer on ground with UIU and they offer it either full online or in person (meets every week). The instructor was amazing and I felt like I really understood the concepts. Other students in my cohort who took stats with maricopa (both in person and online) said it was the hardest class and they didn't understand it. My instructor was great. Also, I was required to take stats through UIU because my advisor said I needed it from the university and not from CC. I don't understand the reasoning behind that as the UIU one was still considered lower-division but nonetheless, it's done and I'm glad I did it through UIU.
Although I sometimes dread the drive, the hybrid choice has worked out for me. Hope this helps answer your questions :)

If you're talking about ID-301 as the first online class, that one was a BEAR. I hated it!

All the other online courses have been a cakewalk compared to ID-301 lol

Did we take Stats together this summer?

AZBlueBell · Jan 8, 2017

The first online class was difficult only because of the time it required. The actual material wasn't difficult but it was heavily time-consuming. In the course I took we had to do 6 discussion questions per week, replying to at least 4 people's posts in each discussion, as well as replying to those who posted on our own post. So it was a minimum of 30 posts (all with minimum word counts) per week plus responding to whoever posted on our own on top of group projects. I also felt like the class and class topics itself was not relevant to our career choice so it was difficult for me to find value in the amount of time it took for me to work on that course.

The hybrid courses still require discussion posts but only on the weeks we don't meet in person. And I believe the most I've had in a week is two discussions and the requirement to reply to 3 people in each. So the rest of my UIU courses have been much less intense. I even took an online elective this last semester (substance abuse) and it only required two discussions per week. So that was nothing like my first online experience with them.

The in-person class time is mostly discussions within the group, lecture, or going over what the big project/paper is for that class. Sometimes you work on things in class, sometimes you don't need to. Its usually scheduled as 3 hours long but I don't think we've ever stayed that long in any of my class times. You get points for participating in class discussions so it's easier than the online portion where you may lose a few points here and there for not having a source, not doing correct APA etc. It's more flexible in the hybrid class than the online part.

Hope this is helpful :)

AZBlueBell, thank you for sharing your experience.
I might choose the hybrid, it just depends on what MCCCD school I am placed at. My first choice is Mes Day (UIU Hybrid compatible), then Mesa Afternoon (mostly UIU Hybrid compatible), and Gateway Day (not Hybrid compatible). Plus I know of students who were offered last minute placements at MCCCD schools that weren't on their list initially. I live in Ahwatukee, so the drive isn't an issue for me. It really comes down to placement, because I really do prefer some in-person class time, plus I'd love to bond with my cohort while there. I KNOW I am going to need buddies!
-Can you explain further how your first online class was so challenging?
-What else did you get out of the in-person class time besides being able to complete assignments?
-Was it lecture heavy? Or more of a time to work on those assignments?
-Are the online discussion questions and responses only for the online students? As a hybrid student did you not have to complete these?
How awesome is it to have MCCCD instructors at UIU!
Thank you for your input. I truly appreciate your perspective!

AZBlueBell · Jan 8, 2017

Yes, the critical thinking course! Ugh

We did take Stats together :) We talked about maybe carpooling but I had to drive from my parents house instead of mine because they watched my kiddos for me!

If you're talking about ID-301 as the first online class, that one was a BEAR. I hated it!
All the other online courses have been a cakewalk compared to ID-301 lol
Did we take Stats together this summer?

rachaelofcourse · Jan 8, 2017

Yes, the critical thinking course! Ugh
We did take Stats together :) We talked about maybe carpooling but I had to drive from my parents house instead of mine because they watched my kiddos for me!

That's right! :)

Yeah, all the online courses since ID-301 have been 2-3 post per week with responding to 3. There's no minimum word count, it just needs to be meaningful (not just "I agree.") I'm glad you're having success in the hybrid classes! :)

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2017

HI - I am new here, and currently wrapping up the last few pre-reqs before I apply to the CEP program. I am undecided about applying at EMCC or GCC. EMCC is closer for me, but has a much smaller intake (about 1/4 of GCC), so I can only assume the competition is tighter to get a place?

Also - UIU is in my shortlist of Universities to go with (I am also considering NAU and Ottawa) - what made you guys go with UIU? DId you prefer their program?

Thanks!

rachaelofcourse · Jan 13, 2017

HI - I am new here, and currently wrapping up the last few pre-reqs before I apply to the CEP program. I am undecided about applying at EMCC or GCC. EMCC is closer for me, but has a much smaller intake (about 1/4 of GCC), so I can only assume the competition is tighter to get a place?
Also - UIU is in my shortlist of Universities to go with (I am also considering NAU and Ottawa) - what made you guys go with UIU? DId you prefer their program?
Thanks!

Just by word of mouth, I would not choose EMCC. I haven't heard anything good about their program.

I chose UIU for a couple reasons. They took all my credits from GCU, which was nice; they're on the cheaper side, but not as cheap as NAU; the advisor is very responsive to questions and emails; they have the hybrid option, which is good if you need in-person classes; and the classes are only 8 weeks, so you move quicker through them. Those were my reasons :)

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2017

Just by word of mouth, I would not choose EMCC. I haven't heard anything good about their program.
I chose UIU for a couple reasons. They took all my credits from GCU, which was nice; they're on the cheaper side, but not as cheap as NAU; the advisor is very responsive to questions and emails; they have the hybrid option, which is good if you need in-person classes; and the classes are only 8 weeks, so you move quicker through them. Those were my reasons :)

Thanks for the response! Very helpful!