In Our Students' Words
Harrison Middleton University students receive a survey at the end of each course, and graduates receive a survey at the end of their program. The survey measures student and graduate satisfaction, and indicates if students and graduates are benefiting from the learning experiences provided. In 2025, 75 surveys were sent and 30 responses were received. This is a 40% response rate.
*Students are surveyed at the end of each course, and at the end of the program. Results above include all responses received in 2025.
Student Survey Results from 2025
Did you achieve, or will you have achieved upon completing your studies, the goals you had when you started the program?
YES (30 out of 30 respondents)
100%
Would you recommend Harrison Middleton University to a friend?
YES (30 out of 30 respondents)
100%
All things considered, are you satisfied with your studies at Harrison Middleton University?
YES (30 out of 30 respondents)
100%
Why a Liberal Arts Education
The question may arise as to why, in this time, one might choose to study the Great Books of the Western World, a selection that could appear artificially narrow and bound to attitudes and ideas that we have, perhaps, outgrown. But this is not so. No program of study can be truly comprehensive, and any attempt to craft a program that perfectly represents the interests and understanding of the present would condemn it to triviality and transience. The Great Books, however, represent, not a monolithic viewpoint, but a divided and evolving society. To appreciate the authors therein calls one, not merely to engage with a familiar and welcoming voice, but that of a stranger, and a crowd of strangers. This is educational, yes, and more: it is the living spirit of democracy. The signal benefit of such study is that it cultivates the habit of attending to multiple perspectives, and so nurtures liberty of mind, and the willingness and capacity to engage with the diversity and dynamism of humanity. This is why I love and recommend the educational approach taken by Harrison Middleton University.
Inquiry-Based Discussion
I continue to be impressed by all of the important works I am learning in my courses. I am constantly improving my comprehension of the material through the interpretive process. The Socratic method is a fantastic way of studying the great works. My interactions with each tutor have been an enlightening experience. I continue to be pleased with my choice to have Harrison Middleton University as the school for my academic advancement.
HMU is a different kind of school. Here I read the important authors such as: Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Luther. The way the course work is structured, the authors of the great books are the professors, and the doctors who guide you are your tutors. The student engages the great ideas of the great books directly and in depth, becoming a part of the on-going great conversation. That is what I wanted.
Exploring the perennial questions in history, philosophy, and literature has been so very worthwhile. The Tutors at HMU are thoughtful and committed to fostering both academic understanding and the free exchange of ideas. The program developed by HMU is genuinely based on deep conversation and inquiry and is one that not only promotes lifelong learning but enduring and sincere intellectual curiosity. The education I received at HMU has proven to be both personally and professionally rewarding.
Individualized Program of Study
When I first looked over the example programs of study, I remember feeling overwhelmed, thinking, “How will I ever create something coherent that fits my interests and goals?” Yet, step by step, the program unfolded. The tutors guided me through the Cornerstone: Great Conversations class, and each discussion brought a bit more clarity, and excitement. By the time I completed the full course of study, everything had fallen into place, not only making sense but also fitting my intentions perfectly.
My focus on mythology, particularly the roles of women in these myths and the reinterpreted representations in some of theatre history’s most iconic plays, has created a rich tapestry of readings and ideas. This approach has challenged me intellectually and transformed me into a more insightful and informed reader with each course. Additionally, it has deepened my understanding of storytelling, themes, and character development, enabling me to bring fresh perspectives and richer discussions into my classroom. As I progress through the program, I find myself becoming a more thoughtful and effective teacher, better equipped to inspire my students and guide them in exploring the complexities of literature and theatre.
HMU gave me the opportunity to individualize my program of learning while earning a masters in humanities and doctorate in education. The process has helped me in my career as it gave me many ways to think and problem solve.
Lifelong Learning
Attending Harrison Middleton University was one of the best decisions I made, both professionally and personally. Although already successful in my career, I wanted to grow in some specific areas for which HMU was uniquely able to support me. The student-centric, iterative process inspired me to take risks, engaging in some of the more challenging areas of study. I grew as a teacher-scholar as hoped, and something else magical happened: I rediscovered my own joy of learning.
The rhythms of independent study followed by discussion and reflection with difficult texts, challenge me to be a lifelong learner and to compassionately understand the struggles that my students face as learners.
Interdisciplinary Studies
My doctoral studies at HMU expanded my worldview and approach to my pursuit of the true, the good, and the beautiful. Before this unique initiation into the Great Conversation and the liberal arts tradition, I was unusually specialized in one field and one subtopic of that field. Now I have a greater love for all disciplines and their unity, and a love for the broader Great Conversation. HMU changed me. I am a very different person because of the HMU experience. My degree was not the end of one journey, but a beginning with new possibilities. I continue to read Great Books, and reread others, and to use daily the skills I received at HMU. This has allowed me to better serve my university students and has allowed me to uniquely contribute to the university’s mission because I am no longer unusually specialized but more broadly formed by the liberal arts tradition. Due to this, I have been named assistant director of liberal arts programs at my university. I am eternally grateful for the man I am today because of HMU.
The interdisciplinary nature of a liberal arts education provides the opportunity to explore ideas across subject matters that will allow me to attain a well-rounded education that will define me as a person and as a professional.
Program Rigor
As a classical educator, I love being part of a program that challenges students with deep reading and deep thinking. I believe that this is the type of education that truly develops students in wisdom and virtue.
No one accomplishes anything significant without help. From the first time I contacted the university, I was treated in a kindly manner. I received help from everyone I came in contact with throughout my time as a student. The staff and faculty made it possible for me to achieve a significant life goal –that of earning a doctorate. I want to add, these same people, especially my tutors, also demanded excellence from me in my work. They did not hesitate to call for better thinking in the discussions of the course work, or to demand re-writes on papers. Yes, a student gets to tailor the curriculum to their perceived needs. And yes, the student will read, think, discuss, and write to a high standard. You will earn your degree.
Program Components
I find the combination of activities of reading, question generation, and discussion provide an iterative process that allows one to see and analyze different perspectives with regard to the great ideas. The end of course essay then provides an opportunity for a thematic synthesis of the ideas and new insights.
Convenience of a distance program
Another significant benefit of the HMU program is its remarkable flexibility, allowing me to craft a timeline that aligns perfectly with my school schedule. During busy seasons with long rehearsal days, I can move more slowly through a course, giving my students and productions the attention they need. In quieter seasons, I can fully immerse myself in my studies, delving deeper into the material at my own pace.
This adaptability has been invaluable, and I can’t imagine another program fitting so seamlessly into my life while also fostering my growth as an engaged and active learner. The ability to balance my professional responsibilities with meaningful academic progress has made this journey not only possible but profoundly rewarding.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I am a chemical dependency (addiction) counselor, a license which is held in place by my master’s degree in counseling. That degree taught me about models of counseling and theories and processes of others…but more than anything else, my DA from HMU taught me about human nature. In my opinion, there is no greater way to understand the human experience that by studying the literature we have created throughout time and across cultures. From Homer to Dean Koontz, from Jane Austen to Donna Tartt, it is both grounding and validating to understand that the human struggles we face now have always been with us, and that we can learn from all of them and from each other to overcome obstacles and reach for our own dreams.
HMU put me on a fantastic career path. I’m increasingly involved in change management and organizational development, which has me tapping into what I learned and practiced in my studies through HMU.
Would you recommend HMU to a friend?
As a professional in the field of education, one is expected to remain engaged in the teaching and learning enterprise. Usually this is described as professional development or continuing education. Often it can be drudgery. I have known about Harrison Middleton University’s impressive program for years. The course of study is anchored in careful reading of primary sources, the history of ideas, and the authors in the Great Books of the Western World. Working with the highly professional tutors and mentors at HMU, I was able to design a course of study that exceeded my professional and personal goals. Being able to engage in such a rich reservoir of original readings and research has been a most edifying undertaking. I have and will continue to recommend this unique educational opportunity.
All things considered, are you satisfied with your studies at Harrison Middleton University?
In reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of Homer’s words in The Odyssey: “With sweet, reluctant, amorous delay.” The gradual unfolding of this program, each step bringing clarity, insight, and growth, perfectly captures this sentiment. Through the challenges and revelations of my studies, I have learned to trust the process, embrace the unknown, and savor the joy of discovery. Just as each course illuminates the next step, my progression as both a learner and teacher has been shaped by this balance of patience and persistence. The journey is as meaningful as the destination, albeit with far fewer obstacles than Odyssey faced on his way back to a weaving and waiting Penelope.
Since my enrollment in the Harrison Middleton University (HMU) Doctor of Arts program occurred more than a year after my retirement from State service, my attainment of the degree was the fulfillment of an aspiration I developed during my first year of community college in 1975, rather than a career decision. I reflect fondly on my experience at HMU, particularly the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction I received from my Capstone Project.