ComplaintsforCalifornia Southern University

• Initial Complaint

  03/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was attending this school to earn my PsyD, I was at the end of Ch.3 of my dissertation process. This is when the issues began was working on Ch.3. It first began with not getting feedback in a timely manner, which is stated in their own policy of 6 days for feedback from chair and 10 days for feedback from the committee and/or academic reviewer. It took a month the first time I took the course for this chapter which resulted in me having to take an extension ($250) and ultimately then having to retake the course ($1485). The second time I took the course for this ch. 3 the cycled repeated, however part of it was also with the academic reviewer giving me different feedback each time I corrected the previous feedback and resubmitted; this continued to delay the process resulting in me having to retake the course both times. After the second time of the same thing happening I took a leave of absence because I was unwilling to pay $1485 for a third time not knowing if the process was just going to to continue. At this point, it was obvious that they were intentionally doing this to get more money. I'm not the only student they were doing this to in the dissertation process, it is happening across the board in all chapters. I made the decision to withdraw from the program because I no longer trusted that they weren't going to continue to siphon money out of me with no end in sight. Currently, they owe me $466.25 since December, 2023. They provided me with the direct deposit form, which I returned to them on 12/22/23 and it was suppose to 45 days for me to get my refund. I have yet to get it. I emailed several times with no response. I threatened to file a complaint and get a lawyer and then I got a response that supposedly they were working on it, this was 3/7/24. It has been well past the 45 days, I asked when I would expect it on 3/12/24; no response. I'm tired of dealing with this school that is clearly ripping students off.

  

  Business response

  04/15/2024

  April 15, 2024
  
  SENT VIA EMAIL
  
  *******************************
  Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest
  ****************************************************************-4585
  

   

  Re: **************************************************

  Complaint ID Number: ********

   

  
  Dear ********************:
  
  California Southern University, a member of the ************************* University System, received the BBB notice of this complaint on March 23, 2024.  We have completed a thorough review of the concerns and responded to *********************************** on April 15, 2024. 
  
  Since the response contains information subject to protection from privacy laws, we informed the learner that they may share the response with the BBB at their election.  Please let us know if anything additional is required so that we may respond accordingly.  Thank you for allowing us to respond to ****************-Ankerstars complaint.
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  
  
  *************************, MBA
  Director of Operations

• Initial Complaint

  09/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been trying to get my password reset as I cannot get into my email for school. No one has answered my emails and no one answers phone calls.

  

  Business response

  10/04/2023

  October 4, 2023
  
  SENT VIA EMAIL
  
  *******************************
  Better Business Bureau *****************************
  ****************************************************************-4585
  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Re: ******************************;                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Complaint ID Number: ********
  
  Dear ********************:
  
  California Southern University (CalSouthern), a member of the ************************* University System, received the BBB notice of this complaint on September 26, 2023.  We have completed a thorough review of the concerns and responded to **************** on October 4, 2023.  It is our understanding that Ms. ******* complaint has been resolved.
  
  Since the response contains information subject to protection from privacy laws, we informed the learner that they may share the response with the BBB at their election.  Please let us know if anything additional is required so that we may respond accordingly.  Thank you for allowing us to respond to Ms. ******* complaint.
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  *************************, MBA
  Director of Operations

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a Psy.D. candidate at this university. When I originally began this degree program, I signed a contract that stated how much it would cost me. I dutifully paid a monthly amount that would bring my balance to zero before I retired (I officially retired on 3/31/23). I was fortunate enough to pay the remaining balance in November 2022, bringing my account to a zero balance I was recently told there was a 'miscalculation' on my account and that I owed an additional $8228 or I could not continue my program. I finished all of my required and elective classes and am ready to begin the doctoral project (DP), but my account has been flagged and I cannot even register for my DP.I have reached out to the ********************** Learner Accounts, a Senior Vice President, and the institution's ********* and asked for help to rectify this situation. There has been no action taken and I have heard nothing from the institution since 3/31/23 when I got an email saying, "We are still working on a fair and equitable resolution to your account issues and will get back to you as soon as possible." ********** of the ********* never even acknowledged that I reached out to them (twice).I am 66-years old, a recently retired federal executive, a father, a grandfather, and a service-connected disabled veteran. I started this educational journey to fulfill a lifelong goal of getting a doctoral degree but have been blocked from achieving this goal due to a 'miscalculation' and through no fault of my own.I can provide the documentation to show that my account has a zero-balance based on the original contract I signed. I am hopeful that the University will write-off this 'miscalculation' amount of $8228, unlock my account so I can complete my degree requirements, and complete both of these things in a timely manner.I appreciate your help in this matter. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information.Thank you,-*********************

  

  Business response

  06/01/2023

  BBB Customer Relations Representative
  ********************** of ******* & Northern ********, Inc.
  ************************************************************************************** 60611
  
  Re: ********************* Complaint ID Number: ********
  
  Dear BBB Customer Relations Representative:
  
  **************************************************, a member of the ************************* University System, received the BBB notice of this complaint on March 29, 2023. We have completed a thorough review of the concerns and provided a resolution to **************** on May 2, 2023. It is our understanding that **************** has accepted CalSoutherns resolution and he is continuing in his program.
  
  Please let ** know if anything additional is required so that we may respond accordingly. Thank you for allowing ** to respond to Mr. ******* complaint.
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  
  
  *************************, MBA
  Director of Operations

• Initial Complaint

  02/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I graduated from California Southern University with a DBA in Business on 8/22/22. Before they would allow me to receive my diploma, they required my accounts to be audited and pay the Graduation Audit Fee ($100.00), where all of my accounts would be audited to ensure that I had passed all of my classes and paid all applicable fees. After this audit, I was required to pay my balance in full which was $306.00. At that point, I was declared to have a $0 balance and my degree was mailed out to me following standard protocols. Six months later, (2/7/2023), I received a notice that I owed the school $891.00 for the final class in September 2022 which was my final dissertation class. I will attach the statement that they have. The payment on accounts were transcripts that I have paid for with the *** service that was required. After speaking multiple times with accounting, they stated it was there error, and it was only recently found on an internal audit. Based on their mistake, I would like for them to waive the $891.00. It was deemed that I had a $0 balance, and six months later, the school came back to me requesting payment. I have had no further services with the school other than processing transcripts which are with an outside vendor. I think it is an unfair practice to try and come after students for payments once declared clear and especially six months after the services have been rendered. I have also uploaded the email conversation from this week when I found out. I have the emails from before graduation and am happy to forward then, but coping and pasting in a word document distorts it a little bit.

  

  Business response

  02/16/2023

  We have resolved this issue directly with the learner and the learner has stated he is satisfied with the outcome.

  Customer response

  02/16/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is my third time filing against this school. I do not remember the name of the lady I talked to before, so I will just post this. I am having an issue with the setup of my class and the way the school operates. Number one. I cannot seem to get ahold of anyone on the phone. It always goes to voicemail. Number two and the reason I am complaining... I recently started my class...this class is a mess...they changed the platform and class design, which is a huge issue. The class says after every discussion that my committee could or could not review, depending on my mentor's discretion. This means it would be 6 times before the class ends that they would review it. That makes it impossible to get the class done in time even if I do it perfectly every time. Why would I not have it reviewed at the end? That is the whole point of the mentor. My mentor does not even understand the way the class operates. I just received this email from her:"For the discussion, yes. But I cant submit your draft to the committee until it is complete, which may be the 2nd assignment. So just check the rubric and submit as you meet the requirements. " The class does not state that I am to have it reviewed each time, rather it is up to her. Number three: There is absolutely no help in this class. The "lessons" do not tell you how far you should be in each part of the class for review. It is almost like I am supposed to have the entire draft done at the very start. I can explain this on the phone better. I am extremely distressed and honestly despise this school, but I need to finish my Doctorate. I am thinking of filing with the board of education and whomever else because I cannot take this anymore. I called my mentor and she literally offers no help really and was extremely rude on the phone. I do not feel welcome at this school and I need a resolution asap. I do not feel I am getting my money as the school wants money and people to extend their semesters. That is super clear.

  

  Business response

  06/07/2022

  The **** of the school that this learner is enrolled in made contact with the learner over the phone and was able to discuss the issues with the learner to find a resolution. The learner's concerns were addressed and the process for this particular class was explained. The **** and administrative support staff at the University will remain available should the learner need any further assistance as they work to complete their degree program.

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