Is Grand Canyon University reputable? (Phoenix: credit, schools, live)

[breakingbad]

I recently moved here from TX, where I was studying to be a LCDC (licensed chemical dependency counselor)....I just had my internship left to complete and then moved. It was a certificate program that would enable me to enter this field quite quickly. Upon moving to AZ, I have learned that I need an actual Associate's degree in substance abuse counseling before I can take the AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners licensure. I have a BSBM already and feel it would wasted time to get an Associate's degree in Applied Science (which is what the program is) instead of getting a Master's....
My question is....a gentleman at the AZ Board of Behavioral Health suggested that I go to an on-line school in AZ called Grand Canyon University and I am interested in it, but would like to know if I can get a job in my chosen area with their Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. I am a divorced mom and what is important to me is getting out in the workforce, I'm not really trying to impress folks with a "flashy" education.
Can I get a job, or will I find that no one will hire someone from that college?
If anyone has any insight I would love to hear about it!

[CodyW]

From what I know, GCU has a fairly good reputation, locally. It's a for-profit, christian university. Outside of Arizona, I think it might be relatively unknown. Most of the people I know who attended GCU either went into nursing or education, and all of them have pretty positive things to say about it.

That being said, their opinions were of the on-campus programs, and not the online programs, so the experience might be a little different.

[breakingbad]

Thanks. Yes, I've heard that the nursing program is pretty good. I just have this fear that at the end of the program and after $30k, someone will notify me that I can't get a job because there is something wrong with GCU's accreditation or similar. I know deep in my mind that ASU/NAU/UA are more reputable because they are traditional educations but GCU seems easier because it is on-line. I had a 4.0 at the traditional state school I attended in TX so I'm not worried about the work - it will probably be easier but that could be because I've been formally educated already and....my own past experiences. I'm too old to worry about the level of sophistication my degree will come from...for my 5 year old boy will be going to Harvard I can live though him LOL! No pressure there at all....
I am a born again Christian so that is fine by me....Christians have to make money too.
Any other recommendations for schools?

[MrPHX]

I wouldn't personally go there, but out of all the online schools in Arizona, GCU is definitely one of the better ones so I wouldn't worry about it.

I would recommend staying away from schools like University of Phoenix and DeVry.

[phoenixmike11]

Grand Canyon University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SubconsciousMe]

Personally, I wouldn't go there either. I have a hard time paying $30k/year for any part of my college education in the first 4 years (I'm a bit more flexible with graduate school but it depends). From what I understand, the market for any degree less than a 4 year is quickly shrinking and even a 4 year degree in a lot of markets isn't much. I don't know your market, so you are the best to judge in that department.

However, my sister-in-law works at GCU and her and my brother both go to their online program for free because she works there. I think she's in counseling in the graduate program.

[Golden_Monkey]

Is this actually cheaper than in-state resident tuition at ASU?

[azdr0710]

$30K for online GCU?....even for four years (?), that sounds incredibly expensive.....am I missing something?....

[pandaundercover]

The best way to know of GCU's accreditation's, is to look them up. Accreditation | Academics | Grand Canyon University
First, I find their "accreditation's" to be not very well mentioned. So honestly, besides what they list on the bottom half that sounds useless accreditation's, i can't tell if they're actually accredited by the 6 institutional agencies they mention. Yet, I'm reading other sources claiming they are nationally accredited.

I don't think you'd have to be too worried about getting a Masters from here. Of course, ASU is the best option in the state of AZ, but GCU isn't doing too bad.

[pandaundercover]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

$30K for online GCU?....even for four years (?), that sounds incredibly expensive.....am I missing something?....

I was thinking the opposite.. that it sounds rather inexpensive for 4 years. I mean, it would total almost 30k for just 2 years at a regular university, like ASU.