Providence University College Theological Seminary — University in Otterburne

Reviews of Providence University College Theological Seminary

• Steven

  Added 2016.07.28

  That original Michelle Eves post was pretty accurate. Worst college I've ever attended. I've been to 7 colleges. National Deans List of 2007 (under previous name), I have a 3.6 at the Ph.D level. I'm a teacher as well. What I saw here was ridiculous. I'd avoid the place. Academics are a complete mystery there and you're left guessing at what the teachers want. They don't really teach at all. My best class was a counseling class (that ONE class actually graded and I learned a lot), BUT I'd be embarrassed to write a case conception because they really didn't teach me HOW. They gave me an article to read and I went online for examples. After a couple of assignments I was given a short example of an assessment. It wasn't in-depth enough and I don't feel confident in my learning to think that I can actually do one. THAT was the best class. The worst class. I had papers due and on the first one I was told things that could not be substantiated with the text. Not to say NONE of it was true, it very well may have been. However, you don't grade people on info you have not taught. My 2nd paper the man was all in left field, every comment/complaint he made had some long drawn out nonsense that had nothing to do with what I said. I made a statement about people moving to a more liberal approach and he started talking about Post-Liberalism. He graded my entire paper that way. I spoke plain english but he always wanted to read more into it. A major issue with that is that he didn't care that he was doing that and actually tried to blame me. He paid no attention to the context and he tried to call my academics in question. 7 colleges, national deans list, 3.6 at Ph.D - i don't think so. I've been tried and tested many times. I've never met a professor that thinks in left field; where u have to talk so crazy that he can't misunderstand you. And you can't. You'd have to know enuff to cut him off AND speak SO plain. that takes an incredible amount of effort. I dont mean it in an ugly way. It's how his brain is working. What took the cake on the paper, was him talking about how much people cared about how the bible was interpreted, saying "people don't do that" that, meaning interpreting the bible in ways that suit them. I actually repeated what they had already done. It's not theory, it's fact. I also had the professors correcting me and they were actually incorrect. After reading the original Michelle Eves post and looking at my experience, this is a pattern. It's not the individual professors; it's the school. Academically they are way below standard, it's lazy teaching. They need a rubric. They make it a guessing game. I've done that to my own students before. I'd tell them what to DO, but when they've done it with great effort and it's not to my expectations. It's not the childs fault. it's mine for not setting the expectations. MY expectations ie my opinion of what is good and what is not. That's what I experienced at Providence. They told me what to do, but when I wrote it like I wanted to, keeping to all their elements,It wasn't good according to this mystical crystal ball. Bottom line is,"if u wanted it like that, you shoulda just told me cause I can do it like that". C wat I'm sayin. It not being like that is YOUR fault. It's not a measure of my ability. So I'm running around in circles and don't know what the freak these people want. Not only that I have a zillion writing styles at my finger tip. The grading is nearly non-existent so you'll never know where you are or if you need to drop a class. It's been about 6wks since I requested my refund and I don't have it. Not only that i got charged 1500 for them to write it (likely the bankfee). I got an email I mistook as spam. It had no real title. After all the mess they've been doin, no grades, no examples, no care, poor attitude, can't teach not even as professors, don't know what you're talkin about, and this guy emailed me inferring blame for thinking it's spam. Providence - u gotta do better than that. Amen!
• William

  Added 2015.04.08

  Great university/college. Small size is an asset. Caring and connected profs.
• Antonio

  Added 2014.10.24

  they work hard to tailor your education to your needs and have gone above and beyond every time!!
• Austin

  Added 2014.09.16

  I attended Providence twice, once from 2004-2007 where I earned my BA in Business Administration, and the second from 2010-2013 when I earned my MDiv. The professors in both the College and the Seminary are top notch and care deeply for their subject matter and students. The student life is vibrant, and the strong focus on academics, athletics and spirituality create a wonderful community. The Otterburne campus is in the country, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, but is still close enough that any comfort you could want is only a couple of minutes drive away. I learned a lot from my time at Providence, and in turn highly recommend it.
• Richard

  Added 2014.01.22

  I guess the previous reviewer had a bad experience. That can happen at any institution anywhere in world. I was a student at Providence College from 2005-2009 and took a 4 year B.A in Aviation with two minors (one in Biblical Studies and one in Business). I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. The Professors were all highly educated and qualified for the courses that they taught. Most of them were also very helpful and cared about their students. A great place to learn, be challenged in your faith, and to make life long relationships with other people.