Joel Thompson - Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI

Professor: Joel Thompson

Department: Accounting

College: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: D+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He teaches backwards, you do the homework the day before on something new then he teaches it the next class period. Overall, 3 tests, homework every night. If it wasnt for his grading scale I wouldnt of passed 85% is a low A, low C is 55% 39% is failing. Course out of 400 points, tests 75%, homework 20% and participation 5%.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ACT301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Teaching style is very old & lazy, he needs to retire. Makes me reconsider my choice of major. Write his notes on the chalk board with his sloppy hand writing. would not recommend taking his class but if you are an ACT major you will have to take many from him. he is the reason i hate school and want to drop out. I have take 3 of his classes now.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Overall, his lectures were fairly engaging and interesting. He uses half the class time for lecturing, and then the rest is left to go over the homework assignment, where students volunteer to have their work scrutinized by the class. There were 3 exams, which were straightforward yet mildly difficult. Participation points were the only nuisance.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ACT302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Intermediate Accounting is the topic I learned the most in concerning the field of accounting. Huge textbook, lots of homework, lots of notes. Can be a real time sink. Sometimes you need to prioritize what topics you need to study, and what ones to neglect. Practice exams are very hard, but it's your chance to make sure you're ready.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ACT230301302
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best accounting professor on campus. You learn the most real-world/CPA type problems in this class. Students that can't handle it make me wonder what they'll do when they actually try for an accounting job or the CPA exam.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ACC301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Awesome Prof! Teaches for real, nothing is left to guesswork.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ACT301AND302
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Extremely difficult. Uses old CPA exam problems, so you are getting the real deal. If you can't handle it--switch to Marketing and spare the rest of us. Uses an inverse method of dealing homework before the lesson, but you get full credit for merely trying, and it is explained after it is due. He takes any questions and makes time for you.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ACT301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Thompson is a wonderful person and is very willing to help you if you have the extra time outside of class. His teaching style is backwards and doesn't work well for everyone. He makes you do the homework before you learn the lesson. If you have hours to do it every night, then you will surely pass. Just expect to put plenty of time in.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Incredibly nice. Knows everything about accounting, but has a very difficult time teaching it to students. Maybe the worst accounting professor at nmu. Lectures consist of watching him write the same notes on the chalkboard that he has used for 20+ years.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ACT301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

worst teacher on campus. he makes you do the graded homework then he will read his notes of the chalkboard talk about the homework and class dismissed. talks much too fast and is hard to understand. He has about 3 tests all year and thats it. Ive been going for this major for 3 years and his teaching made me switch. would not recommend.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

By far the worst professor I have ever had. I was seated in the front row and ambitious to learn, but his teaching style is completely backward. I could take nothing from his lectures and when I began struggling he belittled me and insulted my intelligence. Someone who truly cared about their students advancement would seek to help them.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great professor! He gives a lot of homework, but it prepares you for the exams. All homework is discussed in class and he tells what will be on the exams. I wish he taught all the accounting courses!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Awesome teacher! It's hard work and there's a lot of homework, but he really makes sure you know the material. You do your homework first, then he teaches, then you go over the homework. Absolutely recommend him!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ACT301AND302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor Thompson is probably one of the best Accounting professors on campus. He explains things throughly, he answers questions as best as he can, and he does all that he can to make things easier for you. He does talk a little fast sometimes. The course itself is a little challenging but he does his best to help.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ACC301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Excellent professor! If you are serious about accounting - take him. You will learn a lot! Tests are challenging but not impossible - he tests you based on your knowledge and what you've learned, no tricks.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not recommended. Mandatory attendance and Mandatory Participation. Homework doesn't help the overall grade. Test are all written formula! Find another teacher!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great Professor! In my opinion the only accounting professor worth taking! Be sure to do all of your required assignments and you should do well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ACT230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Has the best way of making people learn. Do the homework before you go over the chapter and learn. Book jumps around a little bit but overall Thompson explains everything in a way you can understand.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ACT302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Joel is by far the best professor for accounting, in the college of business, at Northern, and perhaps in the UP. I honestly think he should teach all accounting courses forever!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ACT230301302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is by far the best accounting professor that NMU has. Definately take him if you are majoring in accounting because you will not learn anything from any other 230 professor. He is always willing to help you out. As long as you do the homework, attend class, and study for his tests -- there is no reason you will not earn an A!