Eirik Oern, Doctor of Strategy and Management

I would like to share my experience with the Atlantic International University (AIU) to provide a comprehensive understanding of my time as a doctoral candidate at the institution.My initial decision to enroll at AIU was based on the belief that it was a legitimate and academically rigorous university. While I found the extensive student resources and accessibility promising (especially the very large library), my experience led me to reevaluate this perception. Over the course of my studies, I encountered a series of challenges that raised concerns about AIU’s adherence to standard academic practices and integrity. I would like to point out that the correspondence and contact with admission counselor Amalia Aldrett before enrolling were constructive, and positive.Key Challenges:1. Lack of Academic Rigor:o Courses and assignments often lacked meaningful evaluation. Changes made to course descriptions were accepted without review, and assignments deviating from objectives were graded without comment.2. Superficial Phase 1 Courses:o Several Phase 1 courses were non-academic and appeared inconsistent with standard doctoral-level work.3. Life-Experience Credits:o Credits were granted based on a brief video conference, during which little substance was provided. Artificial exams were also added to my record and graded without my input, emphasizing speed over quality.4. Minimal Assignment Requirements:o Only one assignment per course was required, compared to the multiple assignments expected at other institutions offering comparable credits.5. Final Test Concerns:o A deliberately substandard paper I submitted was graded with an A, reflecting a lack of thorough evaluation and academic standards.Despite these issues, I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Jose Mercado for his professional and empathetic response to my concerns. His acknowledgment of the lapses I experienced and his assurance of AIU’s commitment to improvement were deeply appreciated. Dr. Mercado’s offer to waive further tuition fees and facilitate my graduation at no additional cost demonstrates the university’s intent to resolve my grievances constructively.Additionally, the suggestion for me to participate in future thesis evaluations of AIU students, in recognition of my professional expertise, was a thoughtful gesture that I value.I appreciate Dr. Mercado’s efforts to address my concerns and the opportunities he presented. This experience has reinforced the importance of due diligence in selecting educational institutions and the value of open, constructive communication when issues arise.Sincerely,Dr. Eirik OernDoctor of Strategy and Management Doctor of Business Administration in International BusinessDoctor in Religious EducationMaster of Business Administration in Managerial EconomicsBachelor of Business Administration in Managerial Economics