Freed Hardeman University

I attended Freed as a Graduate student. I came to campus not knowing a head of time the majority of their classes are held both on-line and on-campus which is an added disadvantage for people who want to learn. The graduate program uses a meeting software called web-ex for their classes. 99% of students in the graduate bible department are online and watch a video in real time. No matter where you live you have to be in class in real time which can be 0200 am if you live overseas. Since all classes are recorded to view later this does not make sense to me. Also there is no student interaction since the majority of students are online, there is no interaction or exchange with students in the class. The professors do not help the situation, as they mostly preach rather than lecture and do not ask for student participation. I believe the online classroom limits learning and is not good education. There is no fellowship or relationship with any of the graduate students everyone does their own thing. All the professors are real nice and go out of there way to help as best they can. But don't wait by the phone waiting for a return call from someone, they do not return phone calls ever. I have left message and messages and no one has ever returned any phone calls. I have to keep calling and calling. Also off campus housing for graduate students is non-existent and the person in charge to help with off campus housing is basically no help at all and does not return calls. They are good with returning emails, but if you would like to talk to someone you have to keep calling and hope you catch them in. Regarding finances: the majority of their scholarships go to the Undergraduates with nothing left over for graduates so be prepared to pay a min of $1,100 per class.

There is no social life whatsoever for graduate students, graduate students can not even get a campus tour or request prayers at chapel as this school caters exclusively to the undergraduates.

If you are looking for a place to fellowship with other like-minded people, to grow spiritually in your walk with God this is not the place to come as there is no fellowship and no other graduate students will take the time to help or socialize with you. they are stuck in their own little world.

Good way to learn more about ministry, but classes are limited - no student interaction and professors preach more than lecture. Lots of reading, and this is the only graduate school program I know of which has mid-term and final exams. It is a good school if you are a full time minister or preacher, as certain classes they will not allow females in and none of the professors in the graduate school are females only males. Also they will not allow any females to say a prayer in class only males say prayers. This is odd to me as certain things they follow the bible and certain times they do not follow the bible.

The town only has 5,000 people in it and it is off the beaten path, not much happening in town and even the Library closes early on weekends. Very Small town atmosphere and no fellowship, professors and even local ministers do not invite you to their homes like others colleges. Overall good school but take things into consideration - no on-campus graduate classes per se and limited learning using web conferencing software. Pretty much male dominated school, where you get a sense females are not always welcomed.

Most of the professors are preachers at local congregations and are not able to communicate effectively and explain things well to people who are different then they are. Small town frame of mind. If you are a visual learner who learns from other students and loves exchanging ideas with other students, Freed-Hardeman University is not the school for you, as this is non-existence. Also if you are a female be prepared to be the only female in your class, as 99.9999% of the grad students are males, working ministers, elders, preachers and evangelists.