National University — Attraction in San Diego

I am writing to express my deep frustration with my experience in National University's Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) Program and the multiple administrative failures that have significantly impacted my academic and professional progress.

During the enrollment and application process, my assigned advisor maintained persistent and regular communication, often calling daily to ensure my timely application submission. I expected the same level of support and communication throughout the duration of the program, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.

As I neared the completion of the program, I noticed that my advisement report showed incomplete requirements, marked in red. This was surprising, as I believed I was finishing my final courses. After reviewing my enrollment history, I realized that I was not registered for any alternative or makeup courses.

For context, at the beginning of the program, my advisor registered me for all required courses at once, giving me a full view of my academic path. Upon reaching out multiple times for clarification, I was eventually informed that I was missing a required course — and that the course I was currently taking was not actually necessary for my degree. Referring back to the original course list I had been provided, it became evident that this was a clerical error on the university’s part, not mine. As a result, I not only paid for a course I didn’t need but was also required to pay for and complete an additional course in order to graduate.

No advisor or staff member proactively informed me of this issue. Had I not reviewed my own advisement report and followed up repeatedly, I would not have discovered the error — and likely would not have completed the program on time.

I completed the program at the end of June 2025. According to the university's website, degree conferral occurs on the third Sunday of every month, which should have made my conferral date July 20, 2025. I reached out to the graduation department via email on July 21 and have yet to receive a response. I also left a voicemail at the department's phone number with no reply. On July 23, I spoke with an advisor who merely suggested I contact the graduation department — a step I had already taken.

Today, I spoke with another advisor who informed me that several students are experiencing the same issue and that it has been brought to the graduation department’s attention. However, I was told that conferrals are now being handled on a “case by case basis,” with no estimated timeline provided. If this is a known, widespread issue, I do not understand why there has been no communication from the university to affected students. Furthermore, the advisor I spoke with yesterday made no mention of this, which only added to my confusion and frustration.

I currently have a job offer contingent on proof of degree conferral. I was originally assured that my conferral would occur on July 20, and I communicated that date to my employer. I am now facing a firm deadline this Friday to provide official confirmation, and due to the university’s poor communication and mishandling, I am at risk of losing this opportunity.

National University has failed me — both as a student and as a customer. The lack of proactive communication, administrative oversight, and accountability has had serious consequences for my academic and professional future. I respectfully request immediate assistance and clarification regarding my degree...

I’m writing this review out of deep frustration, hoping to warn others. I’m in the final stretch of my graduate program with only two classes left. One is already scheduled, but the other hasn’t been added because my account is on hold due to a high balance. Since September 2024, I’ve been working with multiple military financial aid advisors, staying in constant communication, submitting every requested form, payment record, and my FAFSA confirmation. I’ve done everything by the book, trying to resolve this issue in time for my final term of Summer of 2025.

The advisor specifically instructed me to go on a Leave of Absence (LOA) to avoid being dropped from the program while financial aid was being processed. I followed that advice; only to find out much later that aid cannot be processed while on LOA. That critical piece of information was never disclosed to me during any of our many conversations. If I had known, I never would have submitted the form or at least would have waited until the aid was finalized.

Now I’m stuck in an impossible situation: I can’t receive financial aid because I’m on LOA, I can’t come off LOA because my account is on hold, I can’t lift the hold because I was relying on aid to cover the balance, and I can’t register for my final course because of the hold. It’s a complete loop with no way out. I’ve been making consistent partial payments and I’m using VA education benefits under CH 35, but those stipends are paid directly to me and don’t automatically clear the balance. And since I’m on LOA, they’re not sending any stipends at the moment either.

I’ve asked multiple times if this could be resolved before my next term and was assured that it could be. Now I’m hearing new information from a different person who reviewed my file with a supervisor. The only “solutions” being offered are setting up a monthly payment plan through a third-party service or making a large lump sum payment. That’s not a realistic or fair option for a military-connected student nearing the end of their degree.

What’s worse is that I have a job offer that depends on me graduating by August. This ongoing situation could cost me that opportunity. I’ve requested to speak directly with a supervisor and made it very clear how urgent and unacceptable this situation is. Still, I’m stuck in limbo. No one is taking ownership or providing a real resolution. Even the supervisor has told me there’s nothing they can do besides a payment plan.

I’ve mentioned the possibility of legal action and public reviews because of how much time, effort, and money this has already cost me. I’m emotionally exhausted and incredibly disappointed. I just want to complete my program, and I expected better accountability and support from a school that claims to advocate for...

The security guard here is unhinged. I’ve been walking around the scenic trails in the back for years, to check out the views. There’s walking trails, and no signs that made it seem like you’re not supposed to be there, and when I’m in the area I often stroll through.

One evening when walking back towards the main road the security guard (Caucasian frumpy looking guy) shines the flashlight on me and asks what I’m doing there.

I just said “I’m just taking a walk, I walked the back way to check out the canyon view”.

He started screaming at me like I had just committed the worst offense; this guy just wanted to take out his aggression or something, he literally was yelling at me at the top of his lungs to leave the premises.

I started walking off the premises and he was screaming “NO! GO THAT WAY!”, trying to make me walk through the grass, to further show his dominance or some weird power trip.

I kept walking the direction I came from, obviously walking off the premises, telling him “ok… I’m leaving… I come here all the time, it’s right next to the street, not sure why you’re so upset”…

The whole time he’s just walking behind me, waving his flashlight at me with some security guard tactic he was taught, trying to assert his dominance or something.

Just a really bizarre and cringe experience.

Dude has some inferiority complexes, and takes it out on people he feels he can take advantage of, that are kind to him.

I was taken aback, so just kinda ignored him after the initial explanation, and walked off… but still pretty pissed about it.

Don’t frequent this school, if this is how they treat people that step foot on...