National University Reviews 379

This has been, without question, one of the worst academic experiences I have ever encountered.

The program is plagued by systemic issues—chronic delays in feedback, unclear and constantly shifting expectations, and a complete lack of accountability from faculty. I submitted fully completed work and was repeatedly left in limbo, waiting with no guidance on how to move forward. The process feels intentionally inefficient, trapping students in an endless cycle of revisions and resubmissions without clear direction.

What is even more concerning is the culture. When I attempted to ask for clarification or advocate for myself, I was met with responses that were dismissive, unhelpful, and at times belittling. Instead of mentorship, you’re met with resistance. Instead of support, you’re met with silence or deflection.

This is not how a doctoral program—or any institution of higher education—should operate.

The lack of communication, professionalism, and respect for students’ time and investment is unacceptable. For those balancing careers, deployments, or real-world responsibilities, this system is not just frustrating—it is completely unworkable.

At this point, it feels less like an institution focused on student success and more like a process that benefits from keeping students stuck.

If you value your time, money, and professional growth, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. There are far better institutions that actually support their students instead of working against them.

Great experience. I am an NCU original, and the transfer to NU was smooth and great. I am proud to say I am an NU graduate.

National University is not for those who want to be babysat. It’s for the go getters. You have to be a self starter and proactive about your studies. Graduate school is not High school, where the teacher are pretty much your baby sitter.
I’ll give NU a 10 Star if I had the opportunity.
Best school for working adults.

I completed my masters in counseling psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy and had a great experience navigating such a complex program due to the state of California having so many requirements that are needed before and after graduation. Nonetheless, my instructors were able to answer all my questions and once I graduated, they made sure to provide my conferred degree with instructions on how to apply with the state for pre-licensure. I am now licensed and have applied everything I have learned into my current career as a mental health clinician.

My experience with National University’s financial aid office has been extremely frustrating and concerning.

For over 2 months, I have been trying to get my financial aid processed so I can start my program, and instead of moving forward, they have created constant delays and unnecessary obstacles.

I was told that because I am enrolled at multiple institutions, I can only receive funding for direct costs (tuition/fees) and cannot receive additional loan funds or refunds. This directly conflicts with the Federal Student Aid Handbook (Volume 3, Chapter 5), which clearly states that schools cannot impose blanket limits on Direct Loan borrowing and that students can receive loans at multiple schools with proper coordination.

Instead of following federal guidance, they applied an internal policy that restricts borrowing and blocks access to funds I am eligible for.

They also went as far as contacting other institutions, including the University of Phoenix, attempting to gather financial aid information without properly resolving my aid at their own school first. On top of that, they required me to provide full financial aid breakdowns from multiple schools before even processing my aid.

They even told me they could not set up my financial aid and needed to delay my enrollment due to “overlapping loans,” which is not supported by federal regulations.

The result has been over two months of delays, confusion, and unnecessary stress—all because the financial aid office is not applying federal rules correctly.

Students should not have to fight their own school just to access federal financial aid. If you are relying on financial aid, be extremely cautious and verify everything yourself.

Avangelina Cazares

Had awesome professors, it is what you make it

Having an awful experience with an instructor that holds class 10:00-11:00 pm Saturday night and refuses to post recordings next day, likely this will result in my dropping the program. Considering demanding a refund of my entire tuition. Financial aid also precarious, might not even have estimated aid until program nearly over,

I came very close to completing my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at National University, but unfortunately, I had to withdraw due to significant communication and support shortcomings from the MFT team. This experience turned out to be the most frustrating and disappointing aspect of my journey with an online university.

Over the course of five years, I dedicated countless hours to my studies, striving to meet all requirements and gain the knowledge necessary to succeed in this field. As I approached the final stages, specifically focusing on my Capstone course, I encountered a major obstacle. The MFT team rejected my clinical hours and proposed that I undertake a 12-week extension course instead. This suggestion felt like a complete waste of my time and effort, as I had already invested so much into my training and was eager to move forward.

Despite these challenges, I am grateful to have been accepted into a Ph.D. program. I am hopeful that this new academic path will provide a more supportive environment where I can flourish without the setbacks that I faced at National University. I look forward to a fresh start and the opportunity to engage in a constructive and enriching educational experience at another successful University.

If I could give less than 1 star I would. I just wanted to know how many credits from my previous college would transfer over to their school. I was required to enroll and sign up for a million emails and newsletters and text messages before I could even speak to anyone about the transcripts. It took 3 weeks and mass emails with the all the advisors, teachers, and Director of the School before my transcripts were recognized. I spoke to one advisor on the phone stating I needed financial aide options before enrollment now and he said he would get back to me. That night, at 5pm, I got a voicemail stating "congratulations youre enrolled, your classes start tonight". I never agreed to this! I immediately called back the next day, dis-enrolled and told them to NEVER call me again. Im still getting emails from the school!!

Future Students: Please take this as a serious warning. If it takes initiating a formal lawsuit and having a Constable serve a University’s Registered Agent just to get them to do their job, you are looking at the wrong institution.

I spent months pleading with National University for transparency regarding a highly disputed debt that I was forced to settle under financial duress—only because they used my credit report as a weapon while ignoring my communications for over 60 days. In a blatant display of obstruction, the University even refused my certified mail before I was forced to escalate the matter to the University President.

Ironically, it was only after I notified the University that I was moving forward with litigation that Robert Conlin and the financial aid staff 'miraculously' produced a receipt on February 2nd. However, their sudden cooperation was too late—I was already standing in line at the Henderson Justice Court paying my filing and Constable fees to have them served.

Do not be fooled by a school that only acts once they are under the threat of a Judge. Save your peace, your money, and your future. Seek a school with actual morals and integrity. I look forward to my day in court on April 29th.

I was enrolled in MFT program since 2019-2025, completed my clinical hours and Professor gave me C average grades twice. I was dismissed from the program.
The Administration has No integrity.

I was accepted to the doctorate program in September 2025, it’s January 2026, and they still have not enrolled me in class. They keep stating it is financial aid files on hold. Then the so called advisor informs me today that if I am not enrolled by Feb. 15, 2026 that I have to reapply. This school is a fraud and needs to be reported to the department of education. The US government should not fund schools that are this inefficient. There are about 355 complaints on these pages alone. Please help place individuals like me that put the effort to apply and unprofessional and unethical practices break the stride of true students.

Is school is a DISASTER!!! Either they just don’t care or it’s just beyond unorganized.

I was granted the ADT scholarship which is the only reason why I came here. Once I was all signed up and taking classes, all of a sudden I no longer qualified. I made a huge deal but they were able to “fix” it. For a little bit… and then it happened again… not once, not twice but I had to deal with the same issue at least five times.

I never knew who my advisor was. Everyone just brushes you off to the next department and that’s where you keep getting the runaround for days, weeks and even months.

My main advisor, David Le Claire, was so helpful in the beginning and stepped in when the scholarship department hadn’t applied my credits for 4+ months. Then once I got closer to finishing my last few classes… Mr. Le Claire fully abandoned me. I would email him several times each week and the he would apologize for the delay as he had been out of the office. I heard this excuse over 5+ times with him and it got to the point where I thought he was just not doing well in health/personal life. I was very persistent with him and he completely stopped answering my calls, emails, voice messages, etc. The advisors share a single email and it is just so wild to me that no one stepped in to help him out… not even ONCE. Fast forward, I get a message that I had been dropped because I was inactive too long…they didn’t have any classes available for me to take for 2 months… Which is why I was emailing, calling, leaving VM to AVOID being dropped (you’ll be dropped if you’re not in a class for one month - you have 35 days max). I felt like I hit a dead end because they didn’t have any classes I could take but then I get abandoned and dropped when all that time I had been trying to avoid such.

Next, now that I had been ghosted and dropped… no one could help me, once again. Eventually, I was transferred over to re-entry where you had to start the WHOLE enrollment over, like you’re a new student. I ended up with a lady named Connie. Connie was rude and never explained the process to me and then got mad at me for being persistent and trying to understand without being explained to. She would always happen to be “on the line” when I would call to figure out my next steps… to be ahead… and not be abandoned again. I got the whole runaround with that department as well. I called and asked to speak with the supervisor and all of a sudden she was ready to talk (or answer the line but be overly passive aggressive). I continued to get the runaround so I had to email the dean of the school.

I was reassigned a very helpful lady, Yvonne, once upper management got me back on track. She explained that Mr. Le Claire failed to file a “promise to return” for me and that’s ALL I needed to not be dropped (it’s not available for the public or students to fill out or view). That simple little form could have saved me from being dropped after being ghosted. She was empathetic about being abandoned and having to go through the whole admissions process again.

Fast forward, I just finished my degree on 09/27/2025 but now I have an outstanding balance on my account of about $2,500. That $2,500 balance is because the scholarship department ONCE AGAIN hasn’t applied my scholarship credit for over 3 months now!!!

Not one person has responded to my email in the financial or scholarship department. I have been trying to contact SOMEONE for over two months now. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to talk to the right department. I’m getting the runaround and they’re not getting back to my advisor either. NOW I’m getting collection letters in the mail!!! I have been calling the campus all day today and cannot get through to anyone at the front desk. I’ve had it with them! Thank god I didn’t continue my Master’s degree with them. WOW. My only last option is to show up in person at the campus but I’ll probably get the runaround there too…. This is not okay!!! They make you feel like you’re at a dead end and you have NOTHING to save or just assist you.

This is just long story short - just to give anyone a heads up. The only thing GOOD about this school are the professors - they actually have a care and are actually organized.

I’m writing this review to share my deeply disappointing experience with National University’s Ph.D. in Psychology program, leading me to withdraw from the entire institution. There are simply too many better options available elsewhere.

During a difficult time marked by a family emergency and mental health struggles, I found myself unable to engage in the course as required. When I finally reached out for a bit of flexibility, hoping for a reset or an extension to get back on track. I was told my only option was to withdraw, forfeiting the money I had invested.

What’s most frustrating is that in a previous course, a compassionate professor did provide the understanding and flexibility I needed, which allowed me to successfully complete the work. This showed me that support is possible, but National University’s rigid policies and lack of care in this instance made it clear that it was not something they were willing to extend in this case.

In the end, I’ve decided to walk away from the program because I value my well-being and future more than staying at an institution that fails to support students during challenging times. If you’re considering National University, I urge you to look carefully and consider whether this is the type of academic environment where you can thrive.

My honest experience with National University

I normally don’t write reviews but I feel like I have to share what happened to me in hopes that it helps someone else avoid going through the same thing.

I applied and got accepted into a master’s program at National University. I had finished my bachelor’s degree and was waiting on the official conferral date, but I was told by the school, specifically by my advisor Cubris James, that I could start the program on July 7 as long as I provided a letter of completion. Based on this information, I was excited and fully prepared to start school, move forward with my career change, and begin receiving BAH to support myself and my family.

Unfortunately, it turned out that information was completely false. After weeks of unclear communication and getting the runaround, I was finally told that I could not begin the program until the actual conferral date of my bachelor’s degree. By that time, it was too late. I was left in limbo, with no classes, no BAH, and a lot of wasted time and stress.

Trying to get in touch with anyone during this process was incredibly frustrating. I could never reach my enrollment advisor, Amy Shilson. The communication with the registrar’s office, evaluations, and records departments was slow and unclear the entire time. No one took responsibility for the confusion, and no one made an effort to fix it.

This experience was very disappointing and stressful, especially because I had been hopeful and ready to begin a new chapter in my life. I wish they had told me the truth from the beginning instead of building up false expectations.

Thankfully, I ended up leaving and getting approved to start right away at the University of La Verne. The process there was smooth, clear, and respectful. Honestly, the best experience compared to what I had gone through before.

If you are thinking of applying to National University, especially if you are a veteran or someone relying on BAH or a timely transition, I would not recommend it. This was my first review ever, and I really hoped for a better experience. Instead, I was left feeling misled and unsupported.

Applied as a Post 9/11 GI Bill student, was told I have to submit letters of non-attendance for every university that shows up (the transcript request rejections straight from each university stating there is no record for me should be sufficient, but they’re not). And though I was initially offered a waiver for those schools, it was retracted weeks later because “the VA doesn’t allow that” (contacted the VA and that’s not true). Submitted the letters of non attendance by the deadline of 30 June for the 7 July start date and received a text from my “advisor” that my start date has to be pushed back to August because they need a week or two to process all the actual transcripts they’ve HAD for weeks.

I provided this information to my advisor Paul Kensor requesting to speak with someone in the transcript office about this and he ignored my message like he does each time I have questions or concerns about how this is being handled.

The finance office was helpful in confirming my FAFSA & VA funding were good to go as of May.

The initial application process was very simple, and the admissions staff were as helpful as they could be. However, the School of Law admissions criteria are vague, and when you're denied, no reason is cited, and no opportunities to bring yourself up to a standard are provided. Their back office seems behind the times, as I'm still getting emails about financial aid for a school I wasn't accepted to (I'm glad I was accepted to a better school, in the end). I'm sure that the School of Law does what it's meant to do for some, but for me, the experience proved lacking at best.

I was searching for an online law school and National University popped up in the search. Of course, as with most online schools, you can't get past a certain point without giving them your info. Once I did that and I was on their site I could not find anything about a law degree (even though they do apparently have a law school) so I just backed out of the site. Then the texts started. I just ignored them. Today I got a call. The young lady that called me asked me about my interest in their Master's of Education. At no point in time did I ever choose that as what I was interested in seeking so no idea how that ended up on my information. She then asked what kind of degree I was seeking and I stated a law degree. She asked "what level?" Huh? A law degree is a law degree, but officially it is a Juris Doctorate and I stated as much. She asked me IF I would be completing my Master's degree within the next 6 months and I stated that I wasn't seeking a Master's Degree to which she replied (and I kid you not) " you can't get a doctorate without a Master's". Uh, yes you can especially if it is a law degree. She disconnected the call (albeit politely) because NU couldn't help me until I got a Master's Degree. Knowing that not even Harvard requires a Master's Degree to apply to their law school, and figuring this person was just ignorant, I called back and I got a young man. Despite treating the call as if NU was the one who initiated the call and not me calling back after the first lady basically hung up on me. He proceeded to asked me what kind of degree and I stated law. This prompted him to ask me if I was seeking a law degree at the undergraduate level, graduate, or doctoral?? Again, what??? He didn't seem much better versed in what a law degree is but at least he was willing to connect me through to an advisor. I guess because of the whole M.Ed error the call transfered to the "education" pipeline and that advisor had to transfer me to the law school pipeline. That advisor, after asking me a few questions, informed me that in order to enroll in their law school, I first had to obtain a bachelor's degree in pre-law studies. (My current degree is a BBA.) Now, I have no idea if that is actually true (it isn't at any law school I'm familiar with, including Harvard) but at this point I am so frustrated (and also somewhat amused) at the sheer stupidity of the 4 people I dealt with today, that I can safely say that the very last school I will ever consider for any degree let alone a law degree is National University. National University this is your introduction to people, your "first impression" so to speak, and this the caliber of people that you serve up to the public to represent your University?? Really? Based on what I can find online, your school has a pretty good reputation, although it does appear to be most highly rated in Education degrees. After my experience today, I think it is safe to say, that you do not practice what you preach.

National University has extensive Financial Aid delays in processing. I believe the staffing is inadequate and they will not reveal what the manning is. They all work remote. Trying to get finacial aid is really stressful, tiring, and simply exhausted me.

Pro's: The professors are eager to actually teach and they quick to respond if you have any difficulty in the class. The class structure is ideal for someone who is working full time.

Con's: NU's advisors and records department are utterly useless. If you need help in any way, you probably have to escalate it to a supervisor or try to do it yourself. My current issue with them is that for 3 months my advisor said my transcripts are all in their system. Then this week I was told that I've been temporarily withdrawn from all my courses because they are missing 2 of the 4 transcripts I had to submit prior to enrollment. Then when I called my advisor for additional information, she told me that I was missing ALL my transcripts. I had to get in touch with Parchment to verify that my transcripts are sent to records and they assured me that it has been sent to the correct email. I have the confirmation for proof. The only fix action that these "advisors" told me was to re-order the transcripts again, each costing $8-15, and hope that the records department gets it. So now I am screwed financially because I needed the BAH received from the GI Bill to offset some expenses.

Update: After escalating the situation I was able to have my issue resolved, but I still missed an entire course.