Michael Heffren - Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

Professor: Michael Heffren

Department: Social Science

College: Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: POLI200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Heffren is fantastic. He is one of the best professors at HCC, he is well regarded as you can see from the reviews. He makes education interesting & informative as it should be. I took three classes with him and do not regret it at all. Save yourself time and pick his classes before they fill up because they will fill up fast trust me.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SOCI202
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I came in expecting the worst. Older gentleman, bespeckled, and dull tone. However, you cannot judge a book by its cover. Professors Heffren's Urban sociology lectures were fun and thought provoking. He encouraged me to go the extra mile with my assignments, and if I had any questions he'd help make terms easier for me. I'd give him 10 rating.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Michael, is by far, my favorite professor I have ever had! He's super chill and he's hilarious. While it is pretty clear he leans to the left politically, he tries to be as unbiased/reasonable as possible when discussing ideas that he does not agree with. Make sure to engage in class discussions! I would highly recommend him!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: POLI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Heffren is amazing! Lectures were funny and he tells a lot of interesting stories from his many years in academia and other fields. He makes everyone feel comfortable in sharing opinions too. Honestly, class just felt like friends getting together and discussing different ideas in political science. Tests were straightforward so no surprises!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: SOCI201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I have taken two sociology courses with Dr. Heffren. His lectures are informative and he encourages students to ask questions, make comments, and explore ideas. If an interesting topic arises in class, he let's us explore it without immediately refocusing the class onto the lecture. Papers are important. Tests are not very difficult.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: SOCIO101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

AMAZING. I dread college but I would never want to miss his classes. He made it so chill, had very interesting lectures, funny, and made his lessons super simple. He helps everyone pass. He doesnt grade too harshly. I wish I could take him again for another class. I passed easily.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: WMST111
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

One of the nicest professors' I've had at Howard Community College. Works with you, actually talks to you like a person instead of holding a "superiority complex" above anyone. Super nice guy, engages people and always respects their opinions, works with the students.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SOCI101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Has a lot of life experience applicable to the class, and is very understanding of missed classes. Little to no work, but exams are difficult, and papers require a little more effort than the average paper. Beware of his AWFUL handwriting.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POLI101
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Mehh his class was extremely boring. His tests are hard so study for sure.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: POL101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Heffren loves to talk. He will tell you the class is discussion based, but he talks the whole time and asks a few questions here and there. At least this was my experience in a 5 week course I took with him. The work is not hard and tests only require a little bit of studying. I would skip class but missing more than 2 loses a letter grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Heffren is a really nice guy. I only took Sociology for the credit but I heard good things about him so I made sure I took it with Heffren. The only annoying thing about this class is how he grades. He grades using a GPA-like system which is really annoying and in my opinion is not really fair. Anyway, no getting around that...

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've always loved the social sciences so I had no worries when I signed up for this class, but I had no idea how enjoyable it was going to be. I always look forward to his lectures, and the workload is very small (always a plus!). Dr. Heffren is amazing and maybe the best professor at HCC.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POLI201
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

All of his classes basically have the same platform so he doesn't do anything outrageous . He also teaches Sociology and Urban Sociology, which is a very fun class

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Such a nice guy. his lectures are interesting, keeps the class engaged! he is very relateable and doesn't rely solely on his power points. awesome guy

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POLI202
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ask questions! He is able to explain in lame-mans terms bit also gets side tracked easily. Understanding the homework designs as well as assignment directions is important and listening to directions are key (he doesn't put directions online at times). Midterms and finals are a bit difficult. Study, show up, take notes and you'll be fine.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SOCI201
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I. Love. This. Man. I have taken three of his courses and am heartbroken there are no more left for me to take. He is such a sweetheart and truly cares about his students. He's also laid back and understanding when it comes to late work, missed classes, cell phones, etc. He's wise, knowledgeable, and very funny. Literally love him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Awesome professor. Do the readings and show up to class and you will pass with no problem. 10/10 recommend.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SOC101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he is a great teacher, with he's own particular grading technique, just read and you'll pass, he always makes the class fun.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SOCI101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Heffren is a really good professor. I loved his lectures just because he was very funny. He did alot of discussions with the class, which was always fun. I would def take him again

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: POLI103
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Heffren is one of my favorite professors because he was so easy going and down to earth. He is always making you laugh. Although some of his lectures get boring at times, he always finds a way to make it interesting again. He loves discussions, which may lead him off topic but I would definitely take him again