4.1
Quality3.3
Difficulty86%
Would Retake86
Reviews86%
Would Retake
86
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
59
4
7
3
6
2
4
1
10
What Students Say
“very tough and unreasonable grader”
CRJ3010 - 1.0 rating“If you have any choice in the matter, do not take one of her classes”
CRJ3030 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
82%
Textbook Required
15%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.13 avg changeRatings by Course
ADMLAW
5.0
(1)CRIMINALLAWCJ
5.0
(1)PUBLICADMIN
5.0
(1)CRIMINALJUSTIC
5.0
(1)PROCJUSTPM
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PMCIVILLIB
5.0
ADMLAW
4.0
CJ
4.0
CRIMLAW
4.0
PM3210
4.0
Reviews (86)
No Comments
I don't think that she's ever worn the same thing twice ... ever! She has a thick accent and I am often distracted by her off-the-wall wardrobe. Attendance is a MUST!! You will be given additional assignments if you miss class even for a death in the family!
very understanding but you must go to class to get the free points
Dr. McGruder is an awesome teacher. She makes class fun, and laws easy to understand. She will be an easy A or B if you come to class.
Come to class & pay attention & you will get an A.
No Comments
I think she is a very interesting teacher who has a lot to share. She was a bioterrorist epidemiologist which shows her strengths. That is a very tough and stress filled job. She is has a wealth of knowledge if people would give her a chance. Professors are not going to force you to pay attention and learn. Students who want to learn and pay attention will get a lot from her classes.
Do not take her
I think that Dr. McGruder is a Good Professor. I like the fact that she allows room for debate in her class. This gives the opportunity for others to see things in a way that they may not have seen it before. A big benefit from having her as a professor is that if you are a shy person, you will no longer be that way when you're done with her class.
one of the best teachers i've ever had. refueled my desire for school.
Taking her depends on what kind of student you are. Your grade depends a lot on your attendance and participation. Her tests are essays but they much be super detailed. If you just need the class and don't mind essays and a frustrating teacher, she's alright. If you want to learn, I don't recommend her as I don't feel she has taught me anything.
Do yourself a favor: if you are interested in Criminal Justice, then take the classes at Fort Campbell, which are taught by police officers and lawyers. McGruder's class is a painful waste of time, and she cites Law and Order TV shows as her examples, since she has no real world experience.
I just got a kick going to class everyday just to see what she was going to wear next. She has a VERY expensive wardrobe and doesnt mind showing it off. Her accent is hard to understand the first few days, but you get used to it. She doesnt really teach much in class, but rather just relies on people debating topics as filler for the class time...
The first day of class, you will be SHOCKED! The clothes that she wears are very, VERY unique & expensive. And her accent is very hard to get used to but you will eventually pick it up and understand. Oh! & watch out... don't sit in the front row b/c you might get hit. Another piece of advice is to SPEAK UP! She loves it when you as a student talks
I find her classes to be very enjoyable. As long as you go, participate, and do the presentations, you're pretty much in the clear. She has EXTENSIVE experience, despite what some say, and really knows her stuff. As a side note, don't bring up anything you don't know inside and out, cause she'll ream you a new one if you do.
Originally from Nigeria, this professor can be hard to understand for the first couple of weeks. However, when you get her accent down, you will learn so much and will be itching to take another one of her classes. She uses the Socrates Method of teaching and is very demanding. Memorization is not required but an understanding of the concepts are
Her classes are very interesting and she doesn't use powerpoint or notes to teach the class. You shouldn't have any problems in class as long as you back up what you say with facts. She enjoys what she does and she goes out of her way to help students that are struggling.
She will point you out specifically to speak, class consists of 25% oral participation, 30% take home midterm,3 weeks to do, and 30%detailed case, in which you pick a case and argue for both defense and prosecution,she will qusetion you on it. Be very detailed on midterm.You have option of taking final worth 15% or not,class is interesting,recommen
I could not think of a worse professor to teach a topic I love. Dr. McGruder is arrogant, rude, disrespectful to the students, and not very helpful in teaching. She interrupts students who try and give answers, she talks down to everyone, she discards law dictionaries for her own opinion, and changes her wording when proven wrong. Worst class ever.
i absolutely hated this class, the teacher is so rude, i thought teachers were supposed to help you not be disrespectful to you when she thinks you are wrong. what an absolute waist of my time i didnt learn anything because instead of using our wrong points as teaching moments she decides to criticize students instead.i wouldnt suggest her to anyon
She is not rude at all. She is just a very honest straight forward, tell it like it is kind of person. Might seem snobby at first, but she is actually very laid back.Very knowledgeable. People who criticize don't realize what she is actually doing for her students, making them understand that legal arguments are what matter when applying the law.
This class changed the way I look at APSU. Before this class, I thought of APSU as a fluffer colege. Ths Professor wants to see that you can use logic and understand the material. Love the class...
Very nice after the you get to know her.
I really enjoy this class. the professor has an accent but she would make sure to write on the board to clarify, the part we did not understand because of her accent. She is tough but fair and very interesting. i love&will continue to take all the classes that she offers. i have learnt so much in her classes that i have taken.she is very stylish
She is a one of a kind teacher.If you appreciate learning, you will enjoy her class.She makes you analyze and articulate information rather then just reading things back to her verbatim.If making people think for themselves is a crime...then yes shes guilty.
Everyone who has left a rude comment is just a bad student with no motivation. If you go to class, pay attention, and interact then you will do well. There are a few tests and quizzes and two presentations. She wants you to know your information for presentations and will drill you hard. The quizzes and tests are SO EASY. It's just the notes. EASY!
Maybe it was because this was an online Summer class, but this was a lot of work and VERY difficult. I got an A, but it was the hardest A I ever got. You will definitely learn something.
She is one tough professor but wow I must say I actually learned a thing or two!!! Extremely helpful and available. I took class online and it was the hardest A I have ever gotten! She is very intelligent, therefore not a "BS" class. You have to work but if this the field you are interested in then MUST TAKE bc you will learn!
Dr. Mcgruder definitely knows her stuff, but she is absolutely RUDE and discouraging. She chews people out for the smallest things, and she uses the word FAILED more than anyone I have ever known. It also doesnt help that she flat out embarrasses people unnecessarily and, its hard to understand her accent. Her behavior is unnaceptable; DO NOT TAKE!
Dr. McGruder is extremely knowledgeable and at times is very inspirational. BUT she can come off as very arrogant, aggressive and rude. She means well, but she is a tough grader. Her class was the first class at APSU that I completely understood the material, but I struggled. She's very hard to please
I absolutely loved her. I had her for Intro to Legal Process. Her accent is hard to understand at first, but eventually you get used to it and she will make sure you understand her. She will make you defend your answers and may make you look like an idiot, but I've never learned more from anyone else. Made an A, but had to work hard for it.
I really respect her as a teacher and person. Going into the class the bad reviews of her made me nervous, but literally if you come to class every day you WILL PASS. She is kinda hard to understand at first with her accent but she can repeat if necessary for you! Extremely helpful.
Dr. McGruder is by fair the best professor that I have ever had. If you do not understand something, she will make it a point that you understand it by the time class is over. Everything that I have learned in her classes so far have stuck with me. She is an amazing professor.
If you have any choice in the matter, do not take one of her classes.
Dr. McGruder is a very inspirational professor, she is tough, in that she won't accept mediocrity. She knows her subject field very well, so don't try and pull a fast one on her, she will call you out on it. Dr. McGruder really has a desire to see all her students succeed academically.
very tough and unreasonable grader. Tells you what she wants and then grades completely differently. if you have a choice do NOT take her.
LOVE Dr. McGruder. She is extremely intense and hard to understand when you first meet her, but you will get used to it. Show up to class, participate in the conversation, and study for the tests. She tells you exactly how it is and what she wants so just PAY ATTENTION. Everything on her tests is talked about in class, you will never need the book.
Dr. McGruder is a tough teacher. She is from Africa and due to that she has a strong accent that can be difficult to understand. She is a tough grader but also fair. Be sure not to miss class because it will hurt you in the long run! If you can avoid her, do so.
Dr. McGruder is a good mentor/professor for many reason, she forces you to learn on a different level, to use research,facts and critical thinking abilities (which as college students we should be capable of) and she expects nothing less from her students. Her drive for excellence and capability helps expand your sense of real-world aptitude.
I had Dr. McGruder for Criminal Law and Administrative Law. In these classes we analyzed many cases. We used these cases to examine and discuss the contents of law pertaining to them. In these classes Dr. McGruder encouraged us to research and analyze the specifics that would assist us in our reasoning and justification behind the matter.
I took Public Policy (PM3235) with Dr. McGruder. In this class we thoroughly went over the substantive and procedural steps law makers take and use to implement policy within our society, inherent in that is the issues that arise for our elected officials to determine if the means for it are great. Dr. McGruder engaged with the class amazingly.
I had Dr. McGruder for Criminal Evidence and Procedure, I enjoyed this class as we carried out mock trials with cases selected by Dr. Mcgruder. I had chose to be an analyst both time. Using what I learned from previous classes with Dr. McGruder I critical analyzed the evidence provided and witnesses as well as the process of going through a trial.
Freshman year I took PM3140 Intro to Legal Process with Dr. McGruder. The class was very interesting and I learned a lot. Dr. McGruder can make even the driest topics in law fun and exciting. I had the book but didn't need it because I took really good notes from her lectures. As long as you attend class and pay attention, you will do fine.
I took PM3200 Public Sector Management with Dr. McGruder. I had taken Dr. McGruder's classes before and had a pretty good idea of what to expect. If you show up to class and take good notes you will do fine. Dr. McGruder has high expectations for her students but is more than happy to help students succeed if they put in a proper amount of effort.
I took PM3180 Criminal Procedures with Dr. McGruder. I personally love all of Dr. McGruder's criminal law classes because she explains the concepts using relatable examples. If you have taken any of her other classes, make sure you saved your notes, they could be useful in other classes as well. I would recommend Dr. McGruder's classes to anyone.
I took PM3150 American Criminal Justice System with Dr. McGruder and I really enjoyed it. If you have an interest in law or need the class for credit, I highly recommend taking Dr. McGruder's class. If you show up for class and take good notes, you'll do well and learn a lot.
PM3235 Public Policy Analysis with Dr. McGruder was a good experience. Dr. McGruder gives great lectures and she makes a topic such as public policy fun. Don't worry about getting the book as long as you take good notes. The quizzes and exams are mainly based off the examples she gives in her lectures so be sure to go to class.
PM3170 Criminal Law with Dr. McGruder was awesome. If the class is big enough, she'll give you the option of doing a mock trial for a project. The mock trials are a lot of fun and you learn a lot about how the court system actually works. The key to succeeding in her classes is to pay attention, show up, and do your best.
CRJ3000 Constitutional Law with Dr. McGruder was definitely a class I won't forget. If you have ever taken one of Dr. McGruder's classes you will definitely learn how to do proper research and how to critically think. I have only good things to say about the class and professor. I'd recommend Dr. McGruder to anyone.
I took PM451A with Dr. McGruder which was an independent study. It was the first online class that I had ever taken with her. The format was much different from her campus classes. Each week she would give a list of questions based from the reading and you would have to pick one to answer. Make sure your work is detailed and on time.
Dr. McGruder is actually a good teacher. She lectures very heavily and can come off harsh at times. However, she knows her subject manner and gives little amount of homework which is nice. Do good on her quizzes and test and you'll do great. Make sure you chose to do the mock trials instead of a project. Go to class,pass your tests, and you be fine
From the very first day of the semester, Dr. McGruder outlines her expectations of the class in her syllabus, and out loud, so every student can have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. In short, she gives every single student more than enough opportunities to succeed in her class. As long as you put in an effort, you will pass.
Dr. McGruder really takes the time to break down every single case that will be discussed throughout the semester in an easy to understand fashion. She describes each case as if she's telling a story, all the while making sure to include every single detail of said case. As long as you pay attention, take notes and study; passing is very attainable
Dr. McGruder takes the time to break down every single case that will be discussed throughout the semester in an easy to understand fashion. She describes each case as if she's telling a story, all the while making sure to include every single detail of said case. As long as you pay attention, take notes and study; passing is very attainable
Dr. McGruder uses her constitutional law class to help students learn the history of our legal system, by introducing precedent cases to explain why our legal system is the way it is in today's times. This class was very informative, and something you can actually utilize in the real world.
Dr. McGruder's Criminal Evidence Procedure class, is outlined like all of her other classes, and when taken in concert with other classes taught by her, learning the topics she discusses is exemplified, as material throughout all of her classes are built upon each other. As long as you input an effort, passing this class is feasible.
If you enjoy participating in discussions, this is the class for you. Mock Trials are done twice per semester, and you are given the option to participate as one of the legal teams for extra credit points.
Dr. McGruder's Constitutional Law class is perhaps the most engaging class of my undergraduate career. Two mock trials are held twice a semester, and you are given the opportunity to be a part of either legal team in exchange for extra credit points. Her eccentric fashion and her vast knowledge of the legal system make this class a must-take.
Worst class I have ever taken. I am not a bad student (I have a 3.8 GPA and I am about to graduate) but this class brought it down. Took her online, 3-4 pages due weekly. in which she grades ridiculously hard. Spent hours on each response and she still marked them low (even after contacting her SEVERAL TIMES). Very rude in her responses as well.
Dr McGruder takes her job very serious and is very passionate that students learn what is taught. Her classes can be challenging for some, only if you're lazy. She reviews the day of test, give quizzes, for extra credit, and available after hours. She does this for all her students. I highly recommend her if you're serious about your career.
Great professor. She lets you know exactly what she wants from the test. If you fail its because youre not trying and youre being mediocre.
Super dope and informative professor. Im in law school now, and honestly I wish I wouldve kept my notes from her class. Her energy is vibrant and she does has expectations, so dont try to slack. Past the quizzes, pay attention to her stories, do a mock trial for extra credit, and pass the final.
I took Dr. McGruder for three of my criminal justice courses! She is passionate about her students here at Austin peay! The test are easy if you take your notes and listen to what she lectures about. Overall the class can be easy. If you need help dont be afraid to ask! Im glad I took her courses. She explained everything I needed to know.
One of the best criminal justice professors at Austin Peay! She cares about her students here. You will not need the book. However, in her literatures she explains everything to you like a story. Class can be easy but challenging if you are not paying attention and taking notes. She give extra credit points if you participate in the mock trail.
I had 2 online classes w/ her. The textbook was the same for each & the assignments were identical. She doesn't like students communicating w/ each other on discussion boards. The tests are super easy, but her grading technique on the papers/board is awful & she does not understand the material she's teaching. Avoid if you're a serious student.
I've taken many of Dr. McGruder's classes and I have rated her before. I can honestly say that her classes were extremely useful and she is very knowledgable in regards to the material. Texts books are not necessary as long as you show up to class and take good notes. I would highly recommend Dr. McGruder to any student.
I was a Public Management major and i took most of my upper level classes with Dr. McGruder. She was an intense professor but I welcomed the challenge of her classes and I signed up for every class that she taught. My work ethic and study habits improved greatly after attending Dr. McGruder's classes and I use what I learned from her every day.
Dr. McGruder is a great professor and she makes difficult subjects interesting and learning fun. If you take good notes you will do well on the the tests. Be advised, read each question CAREFULLY, because the tests are based on comprehension not memorization. I truly believe Dr. McGruder is a true asset to Austin Peay State University.
She is difficult at times but she is only that way because she cares about us passing. She does have high expectations and standards that she is making us aware of for real life. Do great on her quizzes and tests and also participate in mock trials because they are FUN!
She expects more from us because she wants to see us succeeded, which some of us fail to do. She takes cases and applies them in a story format for us to be able to understand it better. She's very eccentric! You will ENJOY this class and learn a lot from her.
Dr. Mcgruder is only intimidating because she has zero tolerance for excuses, justifications, or lazy work ethic. She is a great professor and you will take something away from this class. Dr. Mcgruder explains every concept throughly to make sure everyone understands. She is truly dedicated to her students' education.
You will enjoy this class because Dr. McGruder's lectures are insightful and entertaining. The class is very easy if you focus, take good notes, and do your research. Dr. Mcgruder holds her students to high standards, so you will have to work for your grade. However, the class is rewarding. You will be a better student after taking her class.
She is awful. we had lots of papers and every time I would turn mine in, she would say I want it in layman terms like honesty, it doesnt get any dumber than how I wrote it
When taking this class you need to have an open mind, because she trying to teach the basics of the law and how it is applied to everyday life and civil matters. This need our attention if you want to work or pursue a career in criminal justice or other public management positions that require critical thinking and the utmost respect.
Dr. McGruder's American Constitutional Law was the most unique and inspiring course I had during college. She is an unforgettable character whose lectures are so vibrant and full of informational nuance that it's impossible not to be fully engaged in class. Her mock trials are challenging yet fulfilling, so be ready to apply what you learn.
She does not help you in any way as she just gives you assignments without any teaching. She makes you buy a textbook for you to teach yourself the content and a waste of time. You spend money for the class and money for the textbook just for her to sit back and do nothing. If not REQUIRED do NO NOT take her courses.
If you miss class, you'll miss the answers to her quizzes. She holds YOU accountable for your work. She expects your best in everything you do! She challenges you in the best way! She is always available for questions and willing to help guide you in the right direction. Don't think your opinions will suffice, you need hard facts! Do your research!
You must follow her grading rubric 100%. If you fail to elaborate on every small detail, she will not give you what I feel is a fair grade. I feel that I put in some serious work on my assignments and barely passed her class. She is an extremely tough grader and I have avoided her at all costs.
Lets you work ahead and does whats best for her students online.
This professor and class are highly organized! I have a severe learning disability and I did not need any accommodations because her expectations are reasonable and manageable. Typically I need extra time for the exam but she gives more than enough time and you can re-take the exam if you need to. Best Prof Ever!
Dr mcgruder is the kind of professional that cares about students and enables a learning experience directly proportional to students efforts. I felt she was always available for questions, provided clear guidance on expectations and challenged us to learn.
I've taken multiple courses taught by Dr. McGruder and each one has been very informative. She teaches through an online format which makes it easy to work ahead and finish assignments when I'm not at home since I don't have to remember to bring books with me. She's the most caring professor I've taken from and was always available for questions.
The best professor I've ever taken from. She's very caring, has high expectations that are made clear from the first day of class, and is willing to help you meet your personal and class goals. I'm sad to graduate since I won't be able to take anymore of her classes!
I am very glad I was able to take this class taught by Professor McGruder! I learned so many new things and she made it so easy to soak in all the new information. The class was all online which made it easy to work ahead and work away from home. She was available at all times to answer my questions and truly cared about problems I was having.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. McGruder's class. I disagree with some ratings stating she was a difficult grader. You should follow the grading rubric %100 in every class you take, and if you don't you will obviously have points taken off. I felt that Professor McGruder made her expectations very clear and was very helpful in meeting those goals!
She is a phenomenal person and professor! DEFINITELY take her classes. She is so helpful and will help you learn in new ways!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
82%
Textbook Required
15%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.13 avg changeRatings by Course
ADMLAW
5.0
(1)CRIMINALLAWCJ
5.0
(1)PUBLICADMIN
5.0
(1)CRIMINALJUSTIC
5.0
(1)PROCJUSTPM
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
PMCIVILLIB
5.0
ADMLAW
4.0
CJ
4.0
CRIMLAW
4.0
PM3210
4.0