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Grand Canyon University
Nicole Swartwout
Class of 2013, bachelor’s degree in health sciences
Grand Canyon University
After a long and frustrating application process at a state school in Arizona, Nicole Swartwout found out about Grand Canyon University from a friend who had graduated as an education major there a few years prior. Hoping for a better admissions experience and optimistic about the school’s degree offerings, Swartwout decided to visit the campus. “I toured GCU – they were so personable,” she said. “In the recruitment and admissions process, you’re paired up with a person who helps you with financial aid, classes, and everything else.”
Indeed, it was ultimately this personalized assistance that set GCU apart for Swartwout, even after she made it through the initial admissions process. “The way it works at GCU is that you’re paired up with a mentor in your field who helps focus you and encourage you the whole time you’re here,” she explained. “I know that’s unique compared to other schools.” In addition, Swartwout also noted the helpfulness of staff members who assist with academics and financial aid, going to great lengths to ensure all issues are taken care of and even help students in securing grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance.
With a two-year-old at home and a part-time job at an emergency room on the weekends, Swartwout stays busy. However, the hybrid curriculum that Grand Canyon University offers health science students has turned out to be the right fit for her hectic lifestyle. Designed for those already working in the healthcare industry, GCU’s bachelor’s degree in health science takes a comprehensive look at the theory of health science as well as current issues in the field. Students take a variety of courses as part of the degree plan, covering topics such as patient care, healthcare systems, ethics and spirituality in healthcare. Additionally, students are required to complete a professional capstone project at the end of their studies, demonstrating their ability to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.
In her field of study particularly, Swartwout appreciates the wealth of practical knowledge Grand Canyon University professors bring to the classroom. “They choose instructors based on their previous experience in their fields, such as those with a background in health care,” she said. “They’re not just professors – they know the real tests I’ll have to take, and the skills I need to have in the workforce.”
As for her experience with the online courses she has taken during the program, Swartwout found them to be a great way to accelerate her degree path, even with family and work obligations. But more importantly, she was pleasantly surprised to find the same warmth and individualized attention she did on campus. “Our instructors called before class started to introduce themselves, which really surprised me,” she noted. “A few weeks before class, I was a little apprehensive and felt that I would just start class and ‘meet’ my professor then, but the call showed that they really cared about getting to know their students and helping us along the way.” It is this personal support from professors as well as assigned mentors that really keeps Swartwout engaged in her studies and dedicatedto her larger goals, even when it becomes a strain. “If things get really hard, or I’m just too tired, I don’t take the easy way out because they’re there to help me stay focused on what I really want,” she said.
When it comes to why Grand Canyon University is a high-quality university for online education, Swartwout points to the wonderful sense of community, even in the virtual environment. President of the Health Occupation Students of America club at Grand Canyon University, Swartwout noted the opportunities for online students to get involved with on-campus culture. She explained that they are encouraged to participate however they can and many students attend club meetings. “At GCU, we have a lot of opportunities to socialize, but also to network with people who we may work with after school,” she said. “That gives GCU a sense of credibility and helps us stand out from the rest.”
