Sandy Alspach - Ferris State University

Professor: Sandy Alspach

Department: TBD

College: Ferris State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COM299
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. A is one of the sassiest people you'll meet. If you don't do the assignments to her VERY specific standards you will not get a good grade. Grades assignments with very harsh points system, she also makes you take the final exam the third day of class to make you "work for your grade". If you don't have to take this, then pick a different class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COMM365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took COMM365 online in the summer. It was very time consuming compared to my other two summer classes. Do all the assigned work and try to do the ECO as much as possible. The exams are open book but they are not easy, and are not multiple choice. She's a tough grader and will take off points if she doesn't agree with you.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I can understand the negative feedback for Dr. A. She's going to make you work for your grade. She is often unorganized and assigns too much work. She can be very moody at times. But at the end of the day, she deeply cares about students if they're willing to put in the work. She will do anything under the sun to help students achieve their goals.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The most confusing and unorganized person I have encountered. She wrote the course material and the syllabus hasn't changed in years and still manages to be confused and is unclear. She grades based on the direction of the wind and you really cannot count on any consistency. If you try to participate in discussions, it will positively impact you.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMM365
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She blamed the class for issues with blackboard and told us that we had to fix it, even though it ended up being on her end. She assigns much more than she can grade at a time, so you won't know a grade until months later. Her tests are never easy and require a lot of work. She does have extra credit, but you'll need it. Do not take her classes!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMM365
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you can avoid taking this class with this professor, you should. While she is very enthusiastic about the content, she doesn't really enjoy being a teacher. She's a very unfair grader, simply because she grades based on her opinions and personal beliefs. She is also very unorganized and yells at the class for her mistakes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMM299
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Literally the worst teacher I've ever had. She lectures about nothing every single class. Her exams are the most difficult that I've ever taken. She grades like it is a 400 level class, although only a 200. Attendance is mandatory. DO NOT take her unless you have to. Her class is a joke.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMH121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

You definitely want to stay on her good side. She's alright, but she can be pretty snippy at times. Some of the assignments aren't very clear, and she's not exactly the most approachable teacher in the world. She can be too blunt sometimes, and that's hurtful. Definitely wouldn't take again. Nice as an adviser, not so much as a teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Im really disappointed with some of these negative reviews. Dr. A is an absolute class act with a heart of gold for her students. The comments about "having to rely on the syllabus" or being assigned "a lot of work" are ridiculous. This is college. Work hard, figure it out or just go see her if you're confused. She will help for sure.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMM299
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is very unclear on what she wants from you, assigns a lot of work, and cannot keep up with what she assigns you.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. A is very knowledgeable and knows her stuff, but her teaching methods are atrocious. We spend over half of the class period figuring out what's due and when. I haven't learned anything other than she assigns way to much for herself let alone her students. Syllabus is helpful sometimes, but she changes that so much it's hard to figure things ou

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 366
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is all busy work. It's in class 2 times a week for an hour 15 minutes but online work (basically a course load) on top of it. She never makes it clear when something is due so you have to rely on the syllabus. The work is easy but requires a lot of time.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This online class got off to a rocky start due to syllabus issues, and she was constantly adding and subtracting assignments. That being said, this was a really good class. Midterm and Final are take home, but involve lot's of essays on the reading material she provides. Very nice, very helpful. Stay on top of assignments and can get a good grade.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMM366
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, very knowledgeable and helpful. Assignments are not always graded promptly and returned but everyone has to have a flaw. I would take this class again. I learned so much and because of the teacher I can look at the world in a different light without any prejudice. Bravo!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She knows the subject & makes it available to you to learn. This is the first time I have actually enjoyed a class about giving speeches. If you have a problem outside of class, she will bend over backwards to help you, you just need to communicate with her! I have given her teachings to project partners in other classes and it made a difference!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really enjoyed this class, and learned a lot. Syllabus is pretty important for knowing when things are due. Sandy helped me a lot whenever I needed. Also plenty of opportunity for extra credit.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Alspach was a great teacher. She really knows her stuff. You will learn a lot and become a better public speaker promised. Some things i didnt like were she rambles till the end of class and the textbook is needed for the class but the information in it is useless and the quizzes on it are hard. But overall the class is easy and fun

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She knows her stuff! To do well in this class all you have to do is pay attention and do the assignments. The school switching to blackboard (which is horrid!) this semester made it difficult for the online portions. Do pay attention to finer details for tests, not difficult to do. Lots of chances to make up lost points! Lazy people won't do well!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COMM121
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The Public speaking course I took was almost all online, she had all kinds of tabs and links made it hard to navigate. Was hard to tell what was do or what to bring to class. Trys to trick you on test with minor things that make the who thing wrong, very annoying.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: COMM365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She appears to be very knowledgeable, and feedback could be helpful, except for the fact that she doesn't grade anything until weeks after it is turned in. Online class is EXTREMELY disorganized and difficult to navigate. Assignments are vague at best. If you have the option, DO NOT take this online!!!!