Level with me: how bad is Liberty University?

[Charles Fout]

Wow! You appear to have had a terrible experience.

As a distance - LU Business School student, my experience could not have been better.

I moved to the greater Lynchburg, VA area a couple of years ago. Many people here are (on campus) LU alumni. To a one - they all are very positive about LU.

On several occasions my specialist physicians have asked my permission to include LU Medical School students in My appointments. I agreed each time. The students appeared to be very professional to me, including the time my doctor quizzed the student with a "I was not expecting the Spanish Inquisition" sort of barrage of questions. I and the doctor, I think, were impressed with the student's calm and effortless response to the challenge.

[Heartstrings]

Run away...far away!  Long read...I started with Liberty University for a BA in Psychology in Feb of 2020. My goal was to be a middle or high school counselor.  But once I got my degree, I was hired by a middle school in my district to be an art teacher.  I decided to stick with Liberty to get my masters in secondary education which I was told included the teaching license.  The only thing was, I needed to take art classes for the content area that I was to teach in as if I had of taken a BA in art. I was told by the advisors that I could take the MAT classes along side the art classes. This was true to a point. Because they are not a part of the master’s classes, FAFSA will not pay for them, but they are required for me to get my license and I cannot afford to pay out of pocket Liberty’s prices. I had 7 art classes left that I needed to take as I could not take them all alongside my MAT classes.  I was then advised by their advisory team that I could finish the MAT classes (including student teaching), then come back to school for an Associates degree where I could finish the last 7 classes having then completed the content and get my license. So, based on what I was told, this is the path that I took.
I then went to register for the student teaching as that was the last course, I needed to take to finish this all and was told by student advisors that I could not do the student teaching until all the art classes were taken. A direct opposite what had been told to me before. I had to stop the licensure part of the MAT and finish with a capstone. I was told by advisors that I could still do the associates degree. This last month with a few weeks left for the MAT classes, I went to get registered for the associate’s classes only to be told by the advisors I could not do it that way as I had too many credits that would transfer and would not be able to take the art classes. I was then told by student advisors that I could take another BA in art and it would cover the 7 classes I needed, plus taking two more extra.  This morning I got an email from the content advisory telling me that only 5 of my art content classes would be covered by a BA in art as two of them are graduate level, which I could take with my student teaching, but would have to pay out of pocket.  My only other options according to their advisory team is to start a new MAT and take another 60 credits to be able to get those 7 classes and finish my student teaching.
All of this has cost me close to 80,000 in student loans now, because of their lies or ineptness whichever it is, it is taking me twice as long to get my teaching license which I have already been teaching on a yearly stipulation license for 2 years. I’m about to be fired again as they do each year to those without licenses, because I have not been able to finish this. I was told today that I could be hired back as a building substitute, which is a huge reduction in salary. I cannot live on this as we are barely making it on my teaching salary. (I help support my retired parents and one of my sons who is in school). All of these things are because Liberty has lied over and over again and pushed more classes, most of which are completely unusable. This capstone has us watching a video of a live class each week, but we still have to do student teaching once back in the licensure content. It is a waste of money and my time.  I am heartsick that they are messing up my future because of greed.  My brother also attended Liberty university for his BA and in one class accidentally turned in his notes instead of the essay and got 100 points on it, she never even looked at it, that’s the teachers they have at this school.  

I am not sure if this helps but someone posted this a while back. It is courses for teachers and it looks like it has art classes that come with credit at $55 per credit. 

https://www.isu.edu/onlinepd/#d.en.224873

[bjcheung77]

Even the best of the schools mentioned or not mentioned on this and the sister board, will have their ups and downs... That's why prospective students need to do their own research and due diligence, decipher which degree or institution they want to get, I mainly look at the courses or content within the subject matter that interest me and ladder that up towards a credential. Do things your way and see if the degree or institution fits your needs... Some will like Liberty, some will not, they don't decide for you, you take the advice and decide for yourself...

[SophiaPrincess]

I'm applying to Liberty University's MA in Applied Linguistics. I have avoided Liberty University because I've heard it has a terrible reputation. However, as I look for a US-based master's degree in Applied Linguistics, Liberty keeps coming up. 

I don't personally know anyone who has attended Liberty but I reached out to a couple of alumni on LinkedIn. 

Does anyone here have experience with Liberty's Applied Linguistics grad degree? I know Liberty is regionally accredited but I'm asking about reputation - not accreditation. I don't really have an issue with Liberty being a Christian-affiliated university. I'm not religious but I do enjoy learning about religion and culture. However, do people mostly associate Liberty with being homophobic, tolerant of sexual assault, etc. Because I'm not down with that.

Also, I'd love to know about the experience itself. What was it like to attend Liberty? Does the college require responding to discussion boards? Are there group projects? Are faculty involved?

I've only heard about Liberty online and I'm interested in hearing about people's personal experiences in an online grad program at Liberty. 

Note: Liberty checks a lot of boxes but it isn't the only program I'm considering. Just wanted to get some opinions from folks who are familiar.

Liberty is an excellent university. Unlike other universities with a huge online presence, Liberty invests its profits into improving the university, rather than enriching their leaders. This is why Liberty has one of the prettiest campuses in America. Complaints about Liberty come from atheists who fear contact with Christians will cause nonbelievers to embrace JESUS. Christians are commanded to do their best in all things as if they were serving GOD, Colossians 3:23-24. For this reason, nonbelievers should always expect to be treated well by Christians.

[SteveFoerster]

I'm applying to Liberty University's MA in Applied Linguistics. I have avoided Liberty University because I've heard it has a terrible reputation. However, as I look for a US-based master's degree in Applied Linguistics, Liberty keeps coming up. 

I don't personally know anyone who has attended Liberty but I reached out to a couple of alumni on LinkedIn. 

Does anyone here have experience with Liberty's Applied Linguistics grad degree? I know Liberty is regionally accredited but I'm asking about reputation - not accreditation. I don't really have an issue with Liberty being a Christian-affiliated university. I'm not religious but I do enjoy learning about religion and culture. However, do people mostly associate Liberty with being homophobic, tolerant of sexual assault, etc. Because I'm not down with that.

Also, I'd love to know about the experience itself. What was it like to attend Liberty? Does the college require responding to discussion boards? Are there group projects? Are faculty involved?

I've only heard about Liberty online and I'm interested in hearing about people's personal experiences in an online grad program at Liberty. 

Note: Liberty checks a lot of boxes but it isn't the only program I'm considering. Just wanted to get some opinions from folks who are familiar.

Liberty is an excellent university. Unlike other universities with a huge online presence, Liberty invests its profits into improving the university, rather than enriching their leaders. 

Liberty has a robust distance learning operation and a good reputation for doing it well at a decent price. But you make it sound like no other universities do, and that's so manifestly unfair that one might even call it bearing false witness.

This is why Liberty has one of the prettiest campuses in America. Complaints about Liberty come from atheists who fear contact with Christians will cause nonbelievers to embrace JESUS. Christians are commanded to do their best in all things as if they were serving GOD, Colossians 3:23-24. For this reason, nonbelievers should always expect to be treated well by Christians.

Christians have been commanded to do this, yes, but you make it sound like we never fall short of the mark. I wish that were true, but I've read history, and I read the news, so I know that it's really not.

That said, I remember when Liberty University hosted Bernie Sanders as a speaker, and the auditorium was filled with Liberty students hearing his words respectfully. That does say something good about the institution.

[NotJoeBiden]

I think singling out the Christianity aspect does a disservice to other Christian universities.

I’ll speak for myself, but I have a problem with Liberty, because of their conservative take on Christianity.

[SophiaPrincess]

I'm applying to Liberty University's MA in Applied Linguistics. I have avoided Liberty University because I've heard it has a terrible reputation. However, as I look for a US-based master's degree in Applied Linguistics, Liberty keeps coming up. 

I don't personally know anyone who has attended Liberty but I reached out to a couple of alumni on LinkedIn. 

Does anyone here have experience with Liberty's Applied Linguistics grad degree? I know Liberty is regionally accredited but I'm asking about reputation - not accreditation. I don't really have an issue with Liberty being a Christian-affiliated university. I'm not religious but I do enjoy learning about religion and culture. However, do people mostly associate Liberty with being homophobic, tolerant of sexual assault, etc. Because I'm not down with that.

Also, I'd love to know about the experience itself. What was it like to attend Liberty? Does the college require responding to discussion boards? Are there group projects? Are faculty involved?

I've only heard about Liberty online and I'm interested in hearing about people's personal experiences in an online grad program at Liberty. 

Note: Liberty checks a lot of boxes but it isn't the only program I'm considering. Just wanted to get some opinions from folks who are familiar.

Liberty is an excellent university. Unlike other universities with a huge online presence, Liberty invests its profits into improving the university, rather than enriching their leaders. 

Liberty has a robust distance learning operation and a good reputation for doing it well at a decent price. But you make it sound like no other universities do, and that's so manifestly unfair that one might even call it bearing false witness.

This is why Liberty has one of the prettiest campuses in America. Complaints about Liberty come from atheists who fear contact with Christians will cause nonbelievers to embrace JESUS. Christians are commanded to do their best in all things as if they were serving GOD, Colossians 3:23-24. For this reason, nonbelievers should always expect to be treated well by Christians.

Christians have been commanded to do this, yes, but you make it sound like we never fall short of the mark. I wish that were true, but I've read history, and I read the news, so I know that it's really not.

That said, I remember when Liberty University hosted Bernie Sanders as a speaker, and the auditorium was filled with Liberty students hearing his words respectfully. That does say something good about the institution.

"Make it sound"? The core principle of Christianity is that we are all sinners who fall short of GOD's standards and need forgiveness through JESUS.  My point was rather than fearing Christian institutions, adherents of other religions and atheists will find they are treated with courtesy and respect. The same can not be said when Christians attend non Christian universities.
Believers who feel accountable to GOD are, in general, strongly motivated to behave well. I am not suggesting that misconduct has never occurred by some claiming to be acting for GOD.

---

I think singling out the Christianity aspect does a disservice to other Christian universities.

I’ll speak for myself, but I have a problem with Liberty, because of their conservative take on Christianity.

One of the purposes of college is to expose students to different worldviews.  The "conservative take on Christianity"
is simply believing that the Bible actually means what it says. The consequence of freedom of speech is that some people will find certain ideas offensive. I am offended by institutions that seek to alter Christianity to suit their preferences, but I strongly defend their right to express whatever views they wish.

Unlike many universities, which hide their agenda, Liberty is very forthcoming about their beliefs. I know a handful of non-Christians who graduated from Liberty without incident.  On the other hand, I know many Christians, including myself, who were persecuted at secular colleges for our faith.

[Charles Fout]

Former President Jimmy Carter gave the commencement address when I graduated from LU. Personally it was a huge deal to me. President Carter was beating brain cancer at the time. I had lived with (and still do) brain cancer for a few years. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles (School of Divinity) was in my graduating class.

[SteveFoerster]

One of the purposes of college is to expose students to different worldviews.  The "conservative take on Christianity" is simply believing that the Bible actually means what it says. The consequence of freedom of speech is that some people will find certain ideas offensive. I am offended by institutions that seek to alter Christianity to suit their preferences, but I strongly defend their right to express whatever views they wish.

That it means what it says sounds simple enough, except that it says different things at different times. But that's not surprising. Jesus was the living Word of God, and rather than always speaking literally, He frequently spoke in parables. So too does the written Word of God often use stories as a way of teaching. God gave us reason for a reason.

As for being offended by institutions that seek to alter Christianity to suit their preferences, well, this isn't the political forum, so I'll stop before making the obvious observation.

Unlike many universities, which hide their agenda, Liberty is very forthcoming about their beliefs. I know a handful of non-Christians who graduated from Liberty without incident.  On the other hand, I know many Christians, including myself, who were persecuted at secular colleges for our faith.

Taking courses online through the University of the Cumberlands was similar. Their theology was not my cup of tea, but it didn't really come up. From time to time faculty members or fellow students might offer expressions of faith, but only in a way that someone with an anti-Christian bias could complain about (and I agree with you that such people are not hard to find at many secular universities).