frequently asked questions

• what are the computer requirements for taking courses at aspen?

• You will need a computer, an Internet connection, and the basic Microsoft package that includes word, excel, and PowerPoint. It's that easy.

• how do i receive and hand in my assignments?

• All assignments are available in your online classroom. Each week's activities are clearly organized in the syllabus. You can view all assignments, due dates and grading criteria to help you plan. You can view and print assignments, discuss them with your fellow students, and ask for feedback from your instructor. When you complete an assignment, you will upload it into the classroom, and then click "submit."

• will i miss the interaction of a conventional classroom setting?

• Aspen's online learning experience is dynamic, personal and highly interactive. You will feel very connected with the Aspen community at all times. All students are active participants in the online classroom. You can contact your professors at any time and will receive written feedback on assignments from them. Your student advisor is available by e-mail and phone throughout your Aspen program. Advisors help you plan your program, adjust the plan as needed, and assist with any other academic matters.

• what time are classes held?

• You can participate in course discussions at any time, day or night, wherever you have an Internet connection. However, your writing assignments and project work can be done offline. Most students enter the online classroom several times each week to participate in discussion, but there is no set class schedule so you can "attend class" any time of day, whenever it is convenient for you.

• how will i be graded?

• Your professor for each course reviews all graded assignments and provides feedback. The feedback is a private communication unless it takes place in an online class discussion, where it may benefit all participants. Your grades on all case studies, assignments and discussions are not shared with the rest of the class. You will receive a final course grade within three business days from the course completion.

• how will i know which classes to take?

• You'll find the requirements for your specific program and the courses available within that program in the student catalog on the Aspen website. You can browse the various programs and specializations there or call 303.333.4224 to talk to a student advisor to discuss your options.

• how are the courses structured?

• Aspen has two different course formats, fixed scheduling and flex scheduling. The differences between the fixed scheduling and flex scheduling are the start dates, courses offered and duration of the courses. 

  Fixed scheduling: Five times per year, Aspen offers its most popular courses on a fixed scheduling basis. All students in the online class begin the course at the same time. The courses run for a maximum of eight weeks. There are required weekly discussion/participation questions. All assignments are due on a weekly basis.

  Flex scheduling: This format meets the needs of students who need to work at their own pace and on their own schedule. Students may begin a course on the 1st and the 16th of any month. While there are required discussion/participation questions, there are no pre-assigned, weekly due dates for assignments. However, courses must be completed within 10 weeks. Students may finish earlier than 10 weeks, if they choose.

• how much time should i expect to spend on each course?

• Depending on specific learning style and schedule, students may expect to spend a minimum of five hours per course per week, and a maximum of 15 hours per course per week. This does not apply to all programs as our MSN program does require a larger time commitment.

• what is the duration of the program?

• Most of our students take one or two courses at a time; however, you may take up to three courses at one time. Undergraduate programs are usually completed within four years. Graduate programs are typically completed in 12 to 30 months. Doctorate programs may be completed within two to 10 years. The programs are designed for students to work at their own pace. There is no minimum amount of time students are required to be in the undergraduate or graduate programs. There is a maximum of six years to complete a Bachelors Degree program, and a maximum of five years to complete a Masters Degree program. For the Doctorate programs, there is a minimum requirement of two years, and a maximum of 10 years to complete the program.

• how will i be able to communicate with my instructor if i have a question?

• The instructors are available as a resource if students have any questions regarding the coursework. All of the instructors are available by email, and some provide a contact phone number as well.

• what are the proctored exams?

• Degree-seeking students are required to successfully complete two Proctored Exams prior to graduation. One proctored exam is required at the mid-point of a degree program, and one is required at its conclusion. The four-year Undergraduate degree program includes three Proctored Exams administered after the completion of each third of the program. The MSN Bridge program and both Doctorate programs do require a comprehensive exam, which is comparable to the proctored exam.

  The exams will be open book and essay-based, with a four-hour time limit.

• will i be required to travel at any point during the program?

• You are not required to travel at any time during the program. The proctored exams may be taken in your local area, wherever that may be in the world. In most major areas in the U.S. and Canada, there are official proctor centers. If an official proctor center cannot be located in your area, arrangements may be made for the exams to be taken at a local library or other academic institution. If those facilities are not convenient, anyone may proctor an exam with the exception of a friend, a relative, or a work subordinate.

  Aspen holds an optional graduation ceremony here every other year; however, attendance is optional.

• will i receive an accredited degree from aspen?

• Aspen University is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council or DETC(www.detc.org). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA(www.chea.org).

  Aspen University's Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation/).Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs preparing effective nurses.

• will the credits transfer or be recognized at other institutions?

• We recommend checking with your local and state requirements, your employer, or the institution to which you would transfer the credits, just to make sure they will be recognized. Different institutions and employers uphold different polices and standards. We recommend referring to www.detc.org for more detailed information.

• how much does the program cost?

• Associate Degree Programs

  Tuition is $450 per course ($150 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the Associate Degree at standard tuition is $9,000

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total Associate Degree tuition at the prepay rate is $6,600.

  Degree seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan. This payment plan is only available to Associate Level Degree students.

  Bachelor Degree Programs

  Tuition is $750 per course ($250 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the Bachelor Degree at standard tuition is $30,000.

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total Bachelor Degree tuition at the prepay rate is $19,200.

  Degree seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan. This payment plan is only available to Bachelors Level Degree students.

  All fees are waived except the annual library/technology, graduation, course retake, and administration fees. The annual library/technology fee is due upon your prepayment or enrollment in your first course. Books and materials are in addition to the cost of tuition. No other discounts apply.

  Master Degree Programs

  Master Degree Program tuition is $900 per course ($300 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the Master Degree at standard tuition is $10,800.

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total Master Degree tuition at the prepay rate is $8,100.

  Degree-seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan. This payment plan is only available to Master Level Degree students.

  All fees are waived except the annual library/technology, graduation, course retake, and administration fees. The annual library/technology fee is due upon your prepayment or enrollment in your first course. Books and materials are in addition to the cost of tuition. No other discounts apply.

  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program

  Tuition is $900 per course ($300 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the Master Degree at standard tuition is $10,800.

  Additional tuition costs apply for practicum courses in the MSN program. Students will be charged an additional $250 per course for the following practicum and capstone courses:

  N550 - Nursing Administration Practicum I
  N552 - Nursing Administration Practicum II
  N586 - Nursing Education Practicum
  N599 - Nursing Capstone

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total MSN tuition at the prepay rate is $8,100.

  Degree-seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan.

  All fees are waived except the Nursing Capstone, annual library/technology, graduation, course retake, and administration fees. The annual library/technology fee is due upon your prepayment or enrollment in your first course. Books and materials are in addition to the cost of tuition. No other discounts apply.

  Including RN-to-MSN Bridge

  Tuition is $900 per course ($300 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the RN-to-MSN Bridge is at a standard tuition of $6,300 (7 courses times $900 per course). The tuition for the bridge program is in addition to the tuition for the MSN program.

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: RN-to-MSN bridge tuition at the prepay rate is $5,100.

  Doctorate of Education Program

  Tuition is $900 per course ($300 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the Ed.D. at standard tuition (including dissertation fee) is $19,800.

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total Ed.D tuition at the prepay rate is $12,900 plus internship and dissertation costs of $1,800.

  Degree-seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan. This payment plan is only available to Ed.D. students. All fees are waived except the annual library/technology, graduation, course retake, and administration fees. The annual library/technology fee is due upon your prepayment or enrollment in your first course. Books and materials are in addition to the cost of tuition. No other discounts apply.

  Additional tuition costs apply for the internship course. Students will be charged an additional $200 per credit hour for a total of an additional $600 dollars for that course. The Dissertation course is 12 credits; there is an additional $100 per credit hour cost for a total of $1200 for this course. These additional tuition costs apply to both regular tuition and prepay tuition, and are necessary to cover the additional administrative costs concerning these courses.

  Doctorate of Science in Computer Science Program

  Tuition is $900 per course ($300 per credit hour). Books and materials must be purchased separately. This means total tuition for the DCS at standard tuition (including dissertation fee) is $19,500.

  Multiple Course Pre-Payment Option: Total DCS tuition at the prepay rate is $12,900 plus and dissertation costs of $1,500.

  Degree-seeking students are afforded significant tuition savings by selecting this prepayment plan. This payment plan is only available to DCS students.

  All fees are waived except the annual library/technology, graduation, course retake, and administration fees. The annual library/technology fee is due upon your prepayment or enrollment in your first course. Books and materials are in addition to the cost of tuition. No other discounts apply.

  The Dissertation courses are 15 credits; there is an additional $100 per credit hour cost for a total of $1,500 for this course. These additional tuition costs apply to both regular tuition and prepay tuition, and are necessary to cover the additional administrative costs concerning these courses.

• what other fees am i responsible for?

• Additional fees are as follows:

  • $100 Annual Library/Technology Fee (for every 12 months in the program)
  • $180 Course Re-Take Fee (if applicable)
  • $180 Administration Fee (if applicable)
  • $100 Graduation Fee (NOTE: Waived if you were accepted between July 1, 2010 and September 1, 2010)

  Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks. Textbooks can range from $75 - $100 per course. We encourage our students to save money by purchasing used books through an online vendor, such as Amazon.com or another vendor of your choice.

• are there financial aid options available?

• We do have Federal Financial Aid options available to qualified students. You will find out how much aid you are qualified for after acceptance into the university, and after you have been in contact with our Financial Aid Department.

• do military personnel qualify for any benefits?

• At Aspen University, we appreciate the dedicated efforts of our men and women in the U.S. armed services. To express our gratitude, we are offering tuition discounts and additional savings for Graduate and Undergraduate programs. NOTE: Students must provide a copy of their military ID or DD214 at the time of their application in order to qualify.

  These savings are available to:

  Active Duty United States Military

  • All Veterans of the United States Military
  • Spouses of Active and Veteran military personnel

  The following benefits are provided for military personnel and spouses:

  • Tuition of $250 per credit hour for Undergraduate students, $250 per credit hour for Graduate students, $250 per credit hour for Doctorate students, $150 per credit hour for Associates
  • All Textbooks Included in Cost (if standard payment plan is elected)
  • No application fee, proctored exam fee, graduation fee, library fee or transfer credit evaluation fee

  NOTE: For students receiving military benefits, the cost of textbooks will be deducted from students' refunds upon withdrawal from a course.

• what are the admission requirements?

• Admission requirements for Undergraduate programs:

  • An official high school transcript of the secondary school diploma, its equivalent, or any college transcripts.
  • A resume, curriculum vitae or list of professional accomplishments.
  • A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. The Admissions Committee will evaluate your goals statement as part of the application process. Minimum 250 words.

  Additional Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling (BAPAC):

  • Three reference letters attesting to personal and professional qualifications of the applicant (letters must be less than two years old). References must be from a:
    • Recent employer
    • Health care professional who can attest to your potential as a graduate student
    • Former faculty member or dean

  Additional Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ):

  • Successful completion of 15 credit hours of criminal justice course work prior to acceptance into the BSCJ program

  Admission requirements for Graduate programs:

  • Evidence of a Bachelors Degree in the form of official transcripts from an accredited/approved institution, or an equivalently certified degree from a recognized foreign college or university. Official transcripts of all previous baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate study must be sent directly to Aspen University by the granting institution(s).
  • A resume, curriculum vitae or list of professional accomplishments.
  • A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional and personal goals that you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. Your goals statement will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as part of the application process. Minimum 250 words.

  Additional Requirements for Master of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling (MAPAC):

  • Three reference letters attesting to personal and professional qualifications of the applicant (letters must be less than two years old).
    References must be from a:
    • Recent employer
    • Health care professional who can attest to your potential as a graduate student
    • Former faculty member or dean

  Additional Requirements for RN-to-MSN Bridge Program:

  Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a school accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.

  • Completion of 50 semester of required liberal arts education course work.
  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States (eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state in which clinical assignments will be completed)
  • A minimum of one year of nursing experience completed within the past five years.
  • Three reference letters attesting to personal and professional qualifications of the applicant (letters must be less than two years old). References must be from a:
    • Recent employer
    • Health care professional who can attest to your potential as a graduate student
    • Former faculty member or dean

  Additional Requirements for Master of Science in Nursing Students (MSN):

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a school accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States (eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state in which clinical assignments are completed.)
  • A minimum of one year of post baccalaureate nursing experience completed within the past five years. (Students for whom an exception is made will be advised to take core courses the first year of study while working to meet the experience requirement.)
  • Three reference letters attesting to personal and professional qualifications of the applicant. References must be from a:
    • Recent employer
    • Health care professional who can attest to your potential as a graduate student
    • Former faculty member or dean

  Additional Requirements for Master of Business Administration Finance Degree:

  Applicants must demonstrate one of the following:

  • Substantial professional work experience in the finance industry;
  • Successful completion of an undergraduate finance program at an appropriately accredited university; or
  • Successful completion of two graduate level finance courses at an appropriately accredited university.

  Admission requirements for Doctorate programs:

  • Evidence of a Masters Degree, with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, in the form of official transcripts from an accredited/approved institution, or an equivalently certified degree from a recognized foreign college or university. Official transcripts of all previous post-baccalaureate study must be sent directly to Aspen University by the granting institution(s).
  • A resume, curriculum vitae or list of professional accomplishments.
  • Three reference letters attesting to personal and professional qualifications (letters must be less than two years old). References must be from a:
    • Recent employer
    • Education industry professional who can attest to your potential as a doctorate student
    • Former faculty member or dean

  Additional Requirements for Doctorate of Education (Ed. D) students:

  Applicants must pass a qualifying exam that is intended to demonstrate readiness for doctoral study.

  Additional Requirements for Doctorate of Science in Computer Science (DSCS) students:

  A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional and personal goals that you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. Your goals statement will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as part of the application process. Minimum 500 words.

• can i transfer my previously earned credits?

• Subject to evaluation, we will evaluate a maximum of 90 credits for transfer into our Bachelors Degree programs, 18 credits for transfer into our Master Degree programs, and nine credits for transfer into our Doctorate Degree Programs. NOTE: The Master of Science in Nursing program accepts a maximum of 12 transfer credits. Of the 48 credits required for the Master of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling, up to half (24) may be transferred in from an accredited educational institution. The credits are required to be similar in content, from an accredited/approved institution, and have a grade of 2.0 or higher (undergraduate level) or 3.0 or higher (graduate level) on the 4.0 scale.

• can i get credit for life/work experience?

• Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio Credit) is any learning experience that was not part of a college or university course and does not carry academic degree credit. Up to 25% of a degree program can be applied in this way. We will evaluate a maximum of 30 portfolio credits into our Bachelors Degree programs, and a maximum of nine portfolio credits into our Masters Degree programs. Please note Portfolio Credits may not be awarded into the RN-MSN, MSN, Ed.D, or DSCS programs. Learning can take place in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Military training
  • Continuing education courses
  • Seminars and workshops
  • Training programs or in-service courses
  • On the Job Training (OJT)

  Academic Standards for Award of Prior Experiential Credit are as follows:

  • Credit can be awarded for documented learning
  • Credit must be appropriate to the academic context in which it is accepted
• are there additional requirements for international students?

• Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 500 (Undergraduate Students), 530 (Graduate Students), 550 (Doctorate Students) on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 61 (Undergraduate Students), 71 (Graduate Students), 80 (Doctorate Students) on the iBT, or its equivalent.

  Applicants wishing to transfer in credits or degrees earned at institutions located outside the United States must have their academic transcripts evaluated and certified by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) member organization. (www.naces.org) Applicants will be assessed a fee by the certifying organization and should request that the report be sent directly to Aspen University. Applicants transferring in a degree need to request a General Report. Applicants wishing to transfer in credits toward specific courses in the Aspen curricula must request a Course-by-Course report.

• do you issue student visas?

• Because Aspen University is 100 percent online and does not require our students to travel to or reside in the U.S. at any point during the degree program, we do not issue student visas.