Valerie Agnew

I chose CSU for the flexibility the program allowed me in getting my degree.  The program was highly recommended to me by a coworker that was a recent graduate of the program.  I was unable to commit to extensive on-campus hours - I have two teenagers and a demanding professional position - but I also had a strong desire to continue my education.

The program has changed my life.  CSU Is very demanding, and consequentially, days (and nights!) can get to be very long.  However, the learning is exhilarating and the friendships you establish with people throughout the country are wonderful.  I apply what I learn in my classes every day at the office, and often at home.

I have never taken classes at a distance before, and had a negative image of what a distance class was.  My concern was that I wouldn't get the education I could receive in an on-campus situation.  My opinion was changed even before I began classes.  The degree I will receive from CSU is not designated as a "distance" degree, and I believe that I have learned more as a distance student than I would have in an on-campus situation, largely due to the amount of responsibility a distance student must accept for their own education. 

There are many challenges in being a distance student, but among the largest are being disciplined and self-motivated to understand the material and abide by the schedule.  There is a logistical lag time issue between class due dates and distance due dates.  You must stay aware of all communication and organize your teams to meet the deadlines.

I highly recommend the CSU program for anyone requiring time flexibility, which includes business professionals that must travel, but that isn't the only benefit of the program.  This program provides interpersonal relationships that reach around the globe.  I was recently on a team with members in Japan, Hawaii, Colorado and the East Coast.  Other programs just don't offer that exposure coupled with the quality of education you receive from CSU.