John F. Kennedy University

This is regarding the San Jose campus, Counseling Psychology program.
Wow, where do I begin? I only attended for one quarter for the MA in Counseling Psychology. I had to leave about 3 weeks into my 2^nd quarter due to a major death in my family. That was handled so badly (by staff and others in my cohort) that I decided that I couldn’t go back after taking a leave of absence.
Regarding the Instructors:
I had one instructor that went off topic and went off on tangents during EVERY single class. I learned NOTHING, yet I was told that class was really important for the MFT licensing exam. He was an extremely easy grader (I got an A+) but again, I learned nothing. Nice guy, horrible teacher.
One of the adjust instructors is not even licensed! She didn’t even take the exam. And now too much time has passed and she’s not eligible to take the exam. Yet she teaches students trying to go for their MFT. What a great role model! She shouldn’t be allowed to teach there. She also handled my personal situation horribly. She didn’t assist the others in the cohort that were mistreating me (due to a death in my family). This is a COUNSELING program and others in the program shunned me over my personal life. But she told me that that was my issue to deal with and not hers and then just tried to pressure me to continue taking her quizzes and keeping up. Said she couldn’t accommodate me in any way and basically that I needed to shut up and deal.
Then you have the crazy instructor that asks for a million re-​writes of the same paper, as if you’re trying to publish your paper. You will get him in your 2^nd quarter at the San Jose campus. The workload is hard enough on its own, and this guy just expects you to bend over backwards to re-​write a paper a dozen times while still trying to work on everything else. He’s completely bizarre.
Regarding the students? They let in EVERYONE that applies, because all they care about is money. They let people in that should have never been in a grad program (at that time). Several were fresh out of college and not motivated enough for a grad school program. They simply weren’t ready. A few can’t even do their practicum «on schedule» because they’re doing so poorly in the program, yet JFKU keeps them because they keep getting paid. These people are being strung along and I’m afraid a few will never even be able to pass the exam and they will have wasted so much time and money. But again, all they care about his money. And they aren’t cheap! Some of the students are so screwed up in their personal lives and have NO business trying to help people in need. Honestly I worry about the people that might end up seeing these people as therapists. Some won’t discuss certain topics that are uncomfortable to them for whatever reason (usually they claim religion or trauma) — but what if a client comes to them with these types of issues? Are they just going to refer everyone out?
In summary, JFKU only cares about personal financial gain, employ inexperienced/​unlicensed/​poor instructors. They will let ANYONE in. Then you have to work with these people on group projects, even though they have absolutely no business being in a grad school program. Some instructors have very unrealistic expectations. They won’t help you if you’re in a personal crisis. If you have any sort of need for accommodations — GOOD LUCK. They don’t want to do anything to help you. There are maybe three people out of my whole cohort that I think will actually be able to make it and be good as therapists, and that’s really sad. DO NOT GO THERE. Bad school, bad program.

My attendance at JFKU was an absolute disappointment. I was so discouraged and disillusioned that I will not be returning to JFKU. Instead, I will be searching for another program and school to attend. I was struggling from the beginning with such a rushed acceptance into the program. The disability services were even worse. I started applying and working with the disability department in October of 2015, and to this day (May 3, 2016) I’ve never heard back about accommodations. Yes, I called every week for several months. They began asking for more and more paperwork that was starting to seem like a HIPPA violation (my doctor agrees).
I was told I was working too hard and that most students skate on by and still pass. What type of education was I paying for? To be perfectly honest and frank, I feel scammed out of my money. Granted, I used financial aid to pay for my single term, that same financial aid could have been spent better elsewhere. I feel I did not get any sort of an education, and I cannot tell you what I learned in any of the classes. Despite my illness keeping me away, the classes I did attend had no structure and were nothing more than our professor’s rants and opinions. I felt I could not speak my mind or opinion. When I had, I was told, «No, that’s not right.» Instead, I wish we had a dialogue and delve deeper into topics than we did.
I was lost and confused. I was told there was a student advocate, so I reached out to her to see what steps I needed to take in regards to having those classes removed from my transcript or withdrawn due to medical reasons as well as a refund for that term. To my surprise, I was told that me going through the student advocate was out of compliance with the program policy and out of line. Pardon me, but is it not the job of the student advocate to simply help a student navigate and find the correct way? So, I was being told I was in the wrong for seeking help? Again, this was disappointing to find out. Unfortunately, I do not have time to make an appointment to meet with the dean of the program to discuss or sign an exception to policy form any more. My health is not well and I’m booked with doctor appointments.
This was my experience specifically with the holistic master’s program in transpersonal counseling. It is a very disorganized and unstructured program that felt like brainwashing.

Beware! JFKU does NOT support its graduates. After spending a considerable amount of money for a Masters degree I was told on several occasions that none of my requests could be accommodated. In some cases my requests were simply ignored. E.g., while still enrolled there I applied for jobs listed on its web site. I never received a response. Or the fact that other graduate students were summarily offered (adjunct) teaching jobs EVEN BEFORE they finished the MA program. When I applied for adjunct work I had an earned doctorate in hand. Nevertheless I was told that I could not be accommodated even though I offered to teach the course for free. But probably the most egregious example was when I simply asked for the SAME discount on a quantity order of official transcripts that the Psy. D graduates get. The response was that the discount is ONLY available to Pys. D students. For any kind of adjunct work official transcripts are de rigueur. For this reason one needs to have several copies on hand. It just seems like common sense, out of fairness and loyalty, to offer every graduate the same quantity discount. At this point I do not recommend this school to my own students and I have told JFKU not to send letters asking for donations. JFKU is truly a dine and ditch institution.

I graduated from the MBA program in 2010. The assignments were challenging. I had to regularly produce 10-​page papers and the grading was fair and challenging. The quality of my education was about 3.5 stars. The ongoing alumni support I’ve been given through community services and use of facilities raises them to 4 – 5 stars, however. I didn’t have the time or money to jump through all of the hoops to get into a state school. JFKU was a convenient and accessible option for a working adult who simply wanted to learn more.
I’m not sure how things have been with the National University takeover. I was in my last year when the acquisition happened, but I hope the school continues to provide high-​quality education and support to the community. I really appreciated getting access to higher education and training, allowing me to pursue more valuable careers and life endeavors. Thank you JFKU!

If you are looking for programs in either somatic or transpersonal psychology, I recommend applying to JFK. You will find the instructors to be qualified, insightful, and approachable. The learning process will facilitate great changes in your life, spiritually and academically, which will help you help your clients in the future.
However, this is an expensive institution, so if you are looking for a quick, two year MFT program, and your main goal is to pass the licensing exam, I’d recommend going to a state school to get your degree.
I didn’t give this 5 stars only because JFKU, (which had an excellent reputation for psychology and law), has been bought by National University, who apparently didn’t realize what a goldmine they had bought – from superb instructors to friendly and efficient administrative staff – and made poor bureaucratic decisions, which caused a high employee turnover. Many longtime educators quit or retired because of this. You’ll mostly have to navigate the «system» on your own.
I am in my last year of graduate classes and practicum at JFKU in transpersonal psychology and so grateful I made the choice to go here.

I have learned so much from JFK University. There are so many good professors in the BSBA program. It is a great school. I highly recommend it!

This is a very challenging school, and it takes a lot of effort to earn a degree, but if you are looking for a school that prepares you for future opportunities, then this is a great school. If you are looking for a Degree to just be handed to you if you show up, then keep looking because at JFKU, you will have to earn your degree. I am very happy that I joined JFKU, and I would recommend it to anyone that is willing to work hard from their degree.

BEWARE! The financial aid and accounting will take your money. It is a nightmare experience for me. I dropped out because of the financial aid and accounting claimed to mail me the $ 7500 check when I never received. Finally, they found the check in their office which they never mails it. Then I requested to cancel the student loan several times from Jan to March 2015, they still have not done it. Finally I contacted the President office. Then Mindy, the financial aide director was upset with me. Keep you money and invest in the Community College or other State school. Don’t waste your time or money here. They are to take your money.

My friend and I, had a very disturbing experience with JFK. We both attended the school for 2 quarters, during that time experiencing profiling, stereotyping and outright disregard for us as human beings. We were extremely alarmed to find out that it was not just students but staff as well, who communicated difficulties we endured were not rare occurrences. For this reason we both departed from JFK and I hope that one day the school is exposed and change can occur!

I recently completed the Masters in Counseling program at JFKU and if I could go back I would have never given JFK a second of my time or a dime of my money! While many of the individual instructors were GREAT, others were unqualified and spent the classtime stroking their own egos or offering low-​quality information. It certainly did not meet my expectations for a graduate level education.
Additionally, there is exceptionally high turnover in the administration and teachers, providing nearly no continuity. I received practically no advising, which is part of what I thought I was paying for at an EXPENSIVE private institution. When I went to the administrative offices looking for help or assistance I was often met with blank stares, lack of answers, and left without resolution.
I experienced practically no oversight or guidance during my final year internship, despite paying tuition costs for this «class». When JFK finally hired someone halfway through the year, she was great, but they laid her off right before graduation — when we students desperately needed assistance and support in many logistical ways. Now the students suffer the consequences of JFK being understaffed when it comes to student services.
The tuition increased every single year I was there, as the school made construction improvements. As a student who both worked and took out loans for the entire time I was in school, it was infuriating to see the institution frittering away money, when I was scraping by to pay the costs. This school is a business and they’re out to turn a profit. Actual student support is non-​existent.

Certain faculty and staff should all receive services from private licensed psychotherapists and or psychologists independent of JFKU… ongoing. There is a need for you to vent and release the pinned up frustration and overwhelming demand of university meetings, class preparation, extracurricular activities, and student needs.
Clearly, it is obvious that there is critical need for balancing your personal life private family issues, and the very public classroom environment amid superficial relationships with your students. We do not want to evaluate your personal issues and expect topnotch professors not imposters or disorganized wannabees.
Overworked, money hungry faculty is not beneficial to students… rather only to themselves by monetary gain. The first rule of thumb in clinical skills is that of «self-​care» which matters most to endurance in the clinic and classroom in education and you do not have time because you are too busy taking new assignments as a greedy appeaser too tired to accurately help students. Certain faculty is blind to reality ignoring their problems and attempting to psychoanalyze students that they do not interview. Something is amiss at JFKU, Pleasant Hill campus.
Beware of Clinical Skills B and C? You are susceptible to salient exposure to a damaged angry professor who has attachment issues with misplaced hostility. Professors need to take personal psychological conflicts to a professional who can help. Stop harming unsuspecting students and subordinates. You cause students to waste borrowed money with high interest rates while obtaining substandard education because of your incompetence due to your attachment issues, early childhood shame of abandonment and false pride. How can you transform lives when you need healing transformation to avoid creating a hostile educational milieu?

I have been attending JFKU for the past 3 years and thoroughly enjoyed every quarter at this school. I received my BA in legal studies, a degree that more than prepares you to take the next step and succeed in law school. I have 4 more classes to receive my MBA. I have learned more about business and more importantly myself in this business program than I ever thought I would.
To those reviewers that suggest that JFK is merely a psychology school, please recheck what you are saying. I have networked with a myriad of people in this school only to learn that their experiences in many different programs have been fantastic.
Congrats to JFK on its 50 year anniversary and continue to transform lives.
I recommend the business and law programs as I have gone through them. They have a practical and holistic approach here at JFK.

I can’t speak of the quality of the education at the school, only the administration. I made the decision about a year ago to leave the military to pursue a career in physical therapy. In order to get into PT school I needed a handful of science classes, as well as several hours of observation/​volunteer ours at a PT clinic. It looked like it would be challenging to do both at the same time but then I found JFKU’s weekend science program. By taking one class a month during the weekend I would be able to focus on my volunteer hours during the week. As a vet I planned on using my GI Bill at the school and I was ensured by the veterans’ rep that I would be able to do so last summer. I was pretty excited to take the first step towards a new career. I found an internship at a brain injury clinic in San Jose to get my hours, my fiancée started looking for jobs in the area, and we started looking for a place to live. Everything was going fine until a little over the month ago when I made contact with the financial office to finalize my GI Bill paperwork. Despite what I was told before (I still have the email) I was informed that I would NOT, in fact, be able to use my GI Bill. The Weekend Science Program was not approved by the VA. This is something that the veterans’ rep at the school obviously should have known. The school is expensive and I could not afford it without the GI Bill. With the help of some friends I was able to scramble and find another school that would work, as well as a new internship. This was not the first time I had problems with the administration. It would often take weeks and several emails to get a response back from pretty much every office at the school. My «adviser» changed several times and they never really seemed to know their job. I get the feeling that there is a lot of turnover at the school. This interaction, of lack thereof, was always unsettling but I was able to overlook it because the program really fit my needs to a T. The GI Bill fiasco was merely the last straw. As a soldier I moved around a lot and I went to several different schools of varying size, both private and public, and this is by far the worst experience I ever had. The quality of education may be fine (although the fact that the VA didn’t approve the program leads me to believe that the quality is indeed lacking), but the administration is incompetent. There are plenty of school in the South Bay area, I would look elsewhere if I were you.

I can’t speak to the merits of the other programs, but as a student in my 3^rd of the PsyD program I can say that the program is rigorous and fulfills all criteria necessary to sit for licensure and do well in the field. I personally know a number of graduates who are highly successful and respected in the clinical arena, working at organizations such as the VA, medical clinics, schools, and on multidisciplinary teams at comprehensive health centers. The school meets APA requirements and has a strong program in neuropsychology for those inclined. The faculty is highly skilled and respected in the field, and they put in impressive amounts of work toward supporting the students in achieving at a high level. The person who said that this school is like another Phoenix is incorrect; as a matter of fact the PsyD program allows absolutely NO online courses, and in alignment with APA standards requires fulltime residency for at least one complete year. In addition, I am finding at my 2^nd practicum that my JFKU colleagues are more knowledgeable and capable than students at other schools in some areas that are vital to current social needs, such as using the biopsychosocial model from a standpoint of multicultural competence to address real problems of today’s real clinical populations.

I just want to comment on the reviews saying JFK is «just a psychology school». My mother went back to school at JFK for the law school. She got a great education, became alumni of the year around the time she graduated (’85) and within 5 years became an Administrative Law Judge. She’s an amazing woman, however, she wouldn’t have done that without a decent education at JFK. I also know 2 other people in her graduating class who are prominent lawyers in the area and partners in their firms. Pretty good for a «psychology school»:-)

So, I was finding the weekend science programs offered at Patten University to be within my budget. They were around forever and many students who went through the courses were well prepared for medical school and got in. Patten University was recently sold and their science courses were «taken over» by JFKU. What does JFKU do right away being they are a complete take all they can type of university? Raise the fee…
I strongly suggest that if you’re looking for pre-​med or pre-​health occupation type courses that you check out UC Berkeley’s extension campus. Their health science courses are now more affordable and lead to an actual certificate with the «UC Berkeley» name attached to it. JFKU is a part of the National University system. It’s not a recognized name really… More like a «Phoenix». I would look at other more reputable schools if you’re looking for classes that count towards medical school etc.

Health Science Department sucks! Don’t let the head of the department teach a class. They have no skills not educational background to organize a class. One of the worst, expensive mistakes I have made. Everyone is friendly as hell till you get those loan papers. I applied to this school based on the past JFK a lot of the old GOOD teachers are Gone and they are also sharing a name with National University. I learned life lessons… here BEware this Program sucks!

I got my bachelor’s in psychology (as a 30-​year old re-​entry student) at JFK in 2006. I chose JFK for a number of reasons. 1.) My options were limited: I did not like CSUEB, and did not want to go to St. Mary’s with a bunch of 20-​year olds. I did not have the grades for Berkeley or Davis. 2.) Location; 3.) My units were mostly transferable; 4.) They had program (s) that all seemed interesting to me; 5.) schedule convenience with afternoon and evening classes.
The quality of education and personal enrichment I got from my program was way beyond my expectations. There were so many classes to choose from, and I wanted to take them all! I did run into one or two required classes I felt were a total waste of time and money, but that is to be expected in any program. Probably the best things about JFK were 1.) the quality of writing instruction, which was intended to prep undergrads for the intensive writing requirements of typical graduate programs; 2.) the school’s commitment to community service; and 3.) their ability to work «critical thinking» into every single class. Critical thinking is my favorite «life» skill.
I did not have the same problems with the administration that the other reviewer had. BUT, after several years of dealing with idiot junior college administrators I learned that you can’t really trust anyone with your education but yourself. So, I met with my academic advisor every single quarter — confirming and double confirming and triple confirming that I was on track. I did have one class that had some unit-​conversion problems but I was able to do an independent study program to cover the half-​unit issue.
My only complaint is that the location has a view of the freeway. Otherwise its great, complete with a great library, a café, a student center, and an «information» desk in case you forget where your class is.
I now go to St. Mary’s for my MBA. I do wish that JFK had a better reputation in the business department, but its really just a psychology school.
Additional note added 6÷13÷2010: After re-​reading this, I realize now that I did not put enough emphasis on the best thing this school has to offer: JFK is made for older re-​entry students. Nearly all the students there are over 30 and have full time jobs, and many also are juggling the responsibilities of family as well. Going to school in such a supportive environment with others who have common life circumstances makes going back to get your degree (or just to finish it up) very enriching.