3.6

Karen Halpern

Business - South Puget Sound Community College

3.6
Quality
2.8
Difficulty
67%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
3.6
Quality
2.8
Difficulty
3.5
Helpful
3.6
Clarity

67%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

45

4

6

3

6

2

7

1

20

What Students Say

Her lectures are terrible

BUS101 - 1.0 rating

Tends to ramble on, no clear cut style to her teaching

BUSINESSMATH - 3.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

27%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 19 grades
Most common grades:
A (6)
B+ (3)
B (3)
Grade Distribution
A(9)B(4)C(3)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 21 reported grades
A: 6
B+: 3
B: 3
A+: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (6)
TEST HEAVY (5)
Respected (5)
Gives good feedback (5)
Accessible outside class (4)
Caring (4)
LECTURE HEAVY (3)
Hilarious (3)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.08 avg change
Nov
Feb
Jun
Nov
Feb
Mar
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

1745

5.0

(1)

BUS150

5.0

(1)

BUSINESS

5.0

(1)

ALLBUS

5.0

(1)

BUSI160

5.0

(1)
+21 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BUS105

5.0

BUSI160

4.0

BUSS101

4.0

MATH104

3.7

ACCT201

3.5

Reviews (84)
5.0
3.0
BUS150
Apr 3, 2003

Tough class but by far THE BEST teacher at SPSCC! You should take any class that you can from this lady!!

5.0
3.0
BUSINESS
Jun 2, 2003

She was a Rhodes Scholar at UCLA, I believe.

5.0
3.0
MATH104
Mar 27, 2004

Absolutely fabulous! Take her classes if you can.

5.0
2.0
ALLBUS
May 18, 2004

No Comments

1.0
3.0
BUS
May 28, 2004

Is she from Mars? Worst teacher on this planet. We are tired of her telling us how smart she is. We know she is not.

1.0
1.0
CRAP101
May 31, 2004

I had her for the only class I took at SPSCC and probably the last. She should find another profession because she cannot teach. Can I have my money back SPSCC???????

5.0
1.0
BUSMATH
Jun 9, 2004

She Rocks! Her Energy she brings to class always brightened my day!! AWESOME teacher!! No matter what anyone else thinks!

1.0
1.0
BUSMATH
Jun 10, 2004

If this is the best teacher on campus, I will be transferring to another school. She does not respect us enough to care about our opinions or questions. In a word or two, she stinks.

5.0
1.0
BUS101
Jun 15, 2004

good course for someone unfamiliar to the business world, she has a lecture style that works for this class. Would take her again if i had the chance

2.0
4.0
BUS104
Jun 24, 2004

Sweet Lady just way too intellegent for us peasants! am i right? Maybe if she loosened up and tried to view people evenly instead of looking down on the unintellectual. Thats kinda the vibe she oozed. I wish i was good like you-Ill keep trying!

1.0
4.0
BUS101
Aug 20, 2004

Terrible class. Expects more from the students than is willing to invest. Smart but incessantly condescending and rude. High expectations of students but is unable to hold herself to the same standards. Poor teacher.

1.0
1.0
BUS101
Oct 14, 2004

Hated the class she thinks we are all children on the age of 3. Doesn't really relate to the students at all. She thinks way to highly of herself.

5.0
3.0
BUS101
Oct 29, 2004

nice and respectful to students. provides good real life examples to her lectures.

5.0
1.0
BUS101
Dec 1, 2004

Well rounded teaching method.

5.0
2.0
BUS101
Jan 25, 2005

Coolest teacher made learning dare i say fun

5.0
1.0
BUS101
Jan 27, 2005

She is very fun and let's us speak our minds you just have to be open minded and out going enough to talk in class anyone who says something bad about her most likely stayed quiet and didn't ask her to clarify things. She is my second favorite teacher on campus.

1.0
4.0
BUS104
Feb 7, 2005

belittled students, treated students with no respect, better off not working with people

2.0
3.0
BUS101
Feb 13, 2005

she thought that she was the best person, and we are stupid little kids... she thought very little of her students

1.0
3.0
BUSWITHHER
Apr 15, 2005

my post keeps on getting deleted..i guess bcuz i left no nice comments...but really i couldn't think of anything nice to say about this woman. UNATTRACTIVE and USELESS instructor.

3.0
3.0
BUS104
Jun 20, 2005

No apparent real-world experience; seems to consider teaching as personal therapy.

3.0
3.0
BUSINESS101
Grade: A
Aug 30, 2005

No Comments

4.0
3.0
BUS101
Sep 7, 2005

No Comments

5.0
1.0
BUSINESS101
Sep 25, 2005

man that was an easy class and you learn alot she practicly gives you the test answers

5.0
3.0
BUS101
Oct 12, 2005

I miss her

1.0
1.0
BUS101
Nov 25, 2005

NO REAL WORLD BUS EXPERIENCE TO RELATE TO. NOT A REAL CLASS. TAKE IT WITH ANYONE ELSE AND YOU WILL LEARN SOMETHING. SHE KNOWS DEFINITIONS BUT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS. IF SHE DOES SHE SHOULD LEARN TO TEACH BETTER. SHE SUFFERS FROM DEPRESSION AND WILL TAKE YOU THERE ON SOME OCCASIONS. LOOKS? NO COMMENT.

1.0
1.0
BUS101
Nov 25, 2005

what a waste of time. Get a life lady.

5.0
3.0
MATH104
Dec 20, 2005

I wish more teachers were like her. She cares and takes time to show it, and is very smart.

5.0
1.0
BUS104
Mar 27, 2006

She made everything very clear. She was very helpful she made sure everyone was on the right track. Was very friendly and showed her student she cared.

1.0
1.0
BUS
Jul 17, 2006

No Comments

1.0
5.0
BUS101
Sep 19, 2006

TERRIBLE. VERY TERRIBLE. DO NOT TAKE HER. THIS LADY NEEDS A BREAK.

5.0
4.0
BUSI160
Jan 8, 2007

She was extremely helpful and willing to understand the "busyness" of her students schedule. Her tests were hard but she gave study guides to help ease the pain. I wasn't a buisness major and still I learned a lot that was benefical to my education. She is a great person!

5.0
1.0
BUS101
Feb 7, 2007

I loved Karen. She made the class interesting and always in a good mood. I had to study but not that hard.

1.0
5.0
BUS105
Apr 25, 2007

She flunked me on a vendetta! She was so horrible I stopped attending and started coming for tests because I could learn better by reading the book than from listening to her mistake filled ramblings. I had all of my assignments in and I didn't come for the last five days. She used a stipulation in the syllabus to fail me for not notifying her!

4.0
2.0
BUS104
May 5, 2008

The days I was there, she was a good teacher, but there was really no reason to go, exept for tests.

5.0
4.0
BUSS101
Feb 12, 2009

very good teacher. always in the mood to teach. always smiling.

5.0
3.0
BUS101
Nov 9, 2009

She is a great business teacher. You dont need a notebook becuse you can simply write down notes on the VERY HELPFULL study guide she hands out for all the tests. She basically teaches off the study guide.

5.0
1.0
BUS260
Dec 5, 2009

Very easy to work with and gives very interesting lectures. The only complaint was that the class was skewed to more of a corporate environment as opposed to a small business owner. Great teacher!!

5.0
1.0
BUS104
Jun 22, 2010

Karen is a really good business teacher, but should allow students to ask questions during this class, instead of waiting until class is over with and not having enough time to answer a student's question for help.

4.0
1.0
BUS231
Jun 25, 2010

Karen is a good person. She wrote me a recomendation for studen senate and for that i am thankful. Advertising class is pretty easy. the book is basically optional. The class structure is one of easy going-ness. If you get perfect scores one all the hw and projects and a 66% on quizes you will get at least an A- in the class.

2.0
4.0
BUS101
Jan 2, 2011

Very nice person, very bad teacher. I studied for hours and never could get higher than a B- on her tests. If you have to take her class, take very concise notes on the content she rambles on about.

3.0
5.0
MATH104
Mar 11, 2011

She is confusing the way she teaches. I don't like how your entire grade is based on tests which are closed book in class. Homework every night, but you don't get credit for it. This class was difficult

5.0
1.0
BUS260
Mar 24, 2011

Karen was one of my favorite instructors. Come to class regularly, participate, do homework as assigned, you have a guaranteed A. Very personable, she makes sure the students get the point of the lessons.

5.0
4.0
ACCT201
Jul 23, 2011

Unlike Nap, she is a real accountant! Tough, but fair and real. Comes off a bit mean at first but is really a softy who loves accting and is glad to help. Makes it easy. Wish she taught more!

5.0
1.0
BUS101
Nov 2, 2011

This class is sooo easy. I hardly pay attention, I don't study, I get A's on every test. There is ZERO homework. Attendance is NOT mandatory. And she is super duper nice! Very Helpful as well!! Super easy class, great teacher. I highly recommend it! She makes business fun!

5.0
4.0
BUS260
Jan 6, 2012

Best professor I've ever had - very helpful but still challenges you to do your best.

5.0
1.0
BUS104
Mar 21, 2012

She really cares about each of her students and has a firm grasp of the math. She explains things in a way that everybody can understand and if that means she needs to explain it in 5 different ways so everyone gets it she will. she is willing to go over something again if it was unclear and makes sure that everyone understands before moving on.

5.0
1.0
BUS140
May 8, 2012

Karen is one of the instructors on campus. She's friendly, she's more than fair with her students, and she makes you want to learn. She genuinely cares about her students and remembers who has been in which of her classes over the course of the students education. Highly recommend her classes.

5.0
2.0
MGMTBUS
Sep 26, 2012

Karen is a consummate professional that genuinely cares for her students. She is conscientious that different students learn differently and does an excellent job of accommodating all. She's sharp as a whip and good for a quip and takes no $#!^ (saw her warn, then rail a student disrespecting). She's Aces in my book.

5.0
4.0
BUS260
Mar 13, 2013

very pleasant and easy to listen to. extremely polite and proper. moderately funny and entertaining. makes class fun

2.0
5.0
BUS101
Mar 21, 2013

Tries too hard to be entertaining. Doesn't manage to keep the balance between education and friendliness. Plus, shows cold attitudes towards students who need help.

5.0
3.0
BUS260140
Apr 4, 2013

Acknowledges the classes are required for unrelated degrees, a lot of students don't really want to be there, tries to make it interesting and painless anyway.

5.0
1.0
BUS160
Jun 8, 2013

Karen is a great professor. She cares about her students and she will take the time to sit down with you and explain anything you are not sure about. She makes the class interesting. I was very happy with teaching methods. If you can't follow her, you don't belong in college.

3.0
2.0
BUSINESSMATH
Jul 9, 2013

Tends to ramble on, no clear cut style to her teaching. Also, tries way too hard to be funny. Looking forward to being done with this class.

4.0
3.0
BUS101
Mar 30, 2014

She tells you what you need to know to pass/has study guides. But this class was just boring to me. She tries to be funny and uses real life examples. Grade is based only on scantron tests but they are fairly hard. She can be kind of sassy. Try to get on her good side.

5.0
3.0
BUS260
Oct 2, 2014

Had this class at night after long days. She does a good job of making it enjoyable I found her humor to be a nice relief after 12 hours of school. I would highly recommend her, she wants you to know what is needed not follow every sentence in the book

5.0
3.0
1745
Grade: A
Nov 2, 2014

I adore Karen! She's very funny and very structured. She tells you exactly what she expects from you and she makes class fun. There are only two tests the entire quarter but they make up for 50% of your grade so STUDY because the tests are not easy!

4.0
2.0
BUS101
Grade: B+
Jun 2, 2015

Great teacher, is there for you, and she makes business fun.

1.0
4.0
BUS260
Oct 9, 2015

Is not concise at all. Has no planning for what she teaches, she only rambles for the entire class about unrelated topics. She tries really hard to be funny and is unable to be straight to the point. Doesn't tell you what is expected of you. Entirely in person class, but assigns canvas assignments without notice with weird due dates.

1.0
5.0
BUS101
Feb 22, 2016

Really hard to listen to. Would not recommend her as a professor. 75% of the class is based on Test. 20% based on online Quiz. And 5% written. No retake, no make up test. She does not give you any practice or any means of studying or knowing what will be on the test or quiz. She is not funny at all. She is unclear. Everyone looking to gtfo of class

1.0
5.0
BUS101
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Feb 26, 2016

She tries way to hard to be funny and it pisses me off. There are 4 test and if you mess up it will murder your GPA. This old lady does not give you any feedback on how to do better on her test. Her lectures are terrible. Least favorite class of the day. I rather put my head in a microwave than be in this class. I have nothing nice to say about her

5.0
3.0
BUS260140
May 28, 2016
Would take again

Professor Halpern is the soul most Business programs lack. She has a sincere interest in seeing business students enter the work force with their ethics and savy intact. She was my advisor and took ample time to help me navigate not just her classes but SPSCC as a who. This review is a small thank you for all the work she did.

1.0
5.0
BUS101
Nov 14, 2016
Wouldn't take again

She shows cold attitude to students, tries to be funny but not at all. Tests are super hard. There are 4 of them and are not structural. Heavy lecture, fast paces generally describe her class. If you skip class, you're done even though attendance is not a big deal. Lectures are not going in order. If she feels like this should go first, then do it.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
5.0
1.0
BUS101T
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 30, 2016
Would take again

Karen is one of the best math teachers I've had my whole 20 some years. She is always trying to make the subject easy for her students. She does review days and the book is needed since she gets the problems out of it. Going to her class has been a joy. I had her for business math. If you need that math, take her.

Respected
Clear grading criteria
Amazing lectures
4.0
3.0
BUS101
Feb 28, 2017
Would take again

Professor Halpern is a great professor. Lectures are informative with some humor. No homework. Grade is based on test. Some extra credit. A lot of reading.

Get ready to read
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
BUS101
Grade: C
Jun 27, 2017
Would take again

I had a lot of problems this quarter with one teacher, this was not her. I only went to the class for two weeks, since attendance wasn't mandatory. I showed up for every test and turned in the two assignments she assigned for the quarter. I passed with a C. If you read the book, and extra reading she posts, you'll pass this class. She's great.

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Hilarious
1.0
4.0
BUS260
Nov 27, 2017
Wouldn't take again

Is a good person, but a terrible teacher. Her effort to be funny is the least of her problems as her engaging class and boring lecture style of teaching make this course almost impossible to take. Lectures are confusing and long, with her basically restating in a confusing way what is said in the book. Do not take if you don't like lectures.

LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
3.0
BUS104
Feb 21, 2018
Would take again

I love her teaching style. She teaches this class in a manner that is very understandable! Shes an amazing teacher. Makes business math easier.

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Gives good feedback
3.0
3.0
BUS104
Grade: C
Feb 23, 2018
Would take again

I have never understood math, BUT she had a very good way of explaining algebra and other things in a way that were super easy to understand. What I didn't like was that there were 6 homework assignments and 6 tests, that was it, miss one and you're already way behind, no extra credit, and doesn't accept late work. very easy to fall behind.

TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
1.0
4.0
BUS104
Grade: B
Mar 12, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Terrible person, even worse professor. She tries to be funny, and doesnt hit the mark. Ever. She picks on certain students. Seems like a real miserable person. Couldnt wait to finish her class. Too bad there arent other options for Business Math. I would recommend you to avoid this teacher if you can. If you cant, study hard and show up.

Tough Grader
Skip class? You won't pass.
TEST HEAVY
5.0
4.0
BUS101
Grade: A
Mar 23, 2018
Would take again

Tough but fair knows her stuff learned a lot

1.0
4.0
BUS101
Grade: C-
Apr 13, 2018
Wouldn't take again

Honestly, one of the wort teachers I've had. She gave us study guides that didn't even correlate to the tests, and she always went off track. Her lectures were not organized at all. Her class is based off 4 tests and two assignments that are worth 10 points meaning that the tests are the only thing in the grade book which sucked.

TEST HEAVY
1.0
3.0
BUS104
May 17, 2018
Wouldn't take again

The worst professor I've had at SPSCC. She was completely out of touch with current realities of the community college environment and spoke very condescendingly to students trying to ask questions or for clarification. I've never had such a rude professor. I enjoyed the course material but would never again take a class from Karen.

5.0
4.0
BUS260
Grade: A+
Oct 23, 2018
Would take again

Really enjoyed her class. She truly cares, takes the time to make sure that if you WANT to learn, you will.

Respected
Participation matters
Inspirational
5.0
3.0
BUS104
Grade: B-
Mar 21, 2019
Would take again

Karen is the best math teacher i've ever had, if you want to learn ways to do stuff without algebra and have a cool time while doing it! then take her class ! most up beat teacher ever and makes sure you learn what shes teaching because you can tell she cares. Don't miss out on her class! I suck at math also!

Respected
Accessible outside class
Hilarious
5.0
3.0
ACCT201
Grade: B+
Aug 13, 2019
Would take again

Great Job! Thanks for the help!

Gives good feedback
Respected
Lots of homework
5.0
3.0
BUS101
Grade: A+
Feb 13, 2020
Would take again

If you show up to class, take notes, read the book, follow the study guide, read all the things she posts online, and go back over your notes, you will do well in her classes. If you don't show up and take notes, you will not do well in the class, as her tests are heavily lecture based. Easy A . I'm not a business major.

2.0
3.0
BUS101
Jun 18, 2020
Wouldn't take again

This is the only class I have ever fallen asleep in.. and it was more than once. She never even bothered to learn our names. Each day was a lecture. It was just lecture lecture lecture essay test lecture repeat. still dont even think she knew my name or half of the class.

Test heavy
5.0
1.0
BUS289
Grade: A+
Aug 6, 2020
Would take again

Karen is honestly the best. I am shocked at any negative feedback about her. She is very nice and an easy grader. She definitely cares about the success of her students and goes out of her way to make sure you succeed. Karen deserves an 10!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
2.0
4.0
BUS101
Grade: B+
Nov 3, 2020
Wouldn't take again

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU WANT AN A. RIDICULOUSLY HARD GRADER. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
BUS101
Grade: A
Feb 18, 2021
Would take again

She is one of the nicest people I've ever met! Always willing to help and you're guaranteed to learn and have support when needed!

Accessible outside class
Get ready to read
Caring
3.0
4.0
BUS101
Grade: A
Jun 16, 2021
Would take again

She knew exactly what she was doing and has high expectations for students. There is quite a bit of work involved in this class, but it is manageable if you can stay on top of it. Not an easy class, but it wasn't the worst. You definitely read your textbook a lot. For this class, diligence definitely pays off.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
5.0
3.0
BUS104
Grade: A
Nov 30, 2021
Would take again

She is incredibly sweet and understanding. My tooth shattered midway through the quarter and for the last 3-4 weeks Ive been in unbearable pain. This is the ONLY instructor that didnt dock me points and helped me with extra feedback on home work. 10/10 would recommend to anyone taking a business class at SPSCC!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
2.0
3.0
BUS240
Grade: B
Feb 11, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Strictly online classes dont seem to be her area of expertise. Be ready to read PDFs 10+ pages 3-4 times a week. I felt like I and YouTube taught me the course material. No video lectures. No videos to help you walk through things. Its a math class and everything is written in word docs.

Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
Tough grader
5.0
3.0
BUS240
Grade: B
Mar 24, 2022
Would take again

Fantastic. Truly cares about her students, and her job as a Professor. 10/10 reccommend.

Gives good feedback
Caring
Respected
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

27%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 19 grades
Most common grades:
A (6)
B+ (3)
B (3)
Grade Distribution
A(9)B(4)C(3)D(1)F(0)A-/B+(3)
Based on 21 reported grades
A: 6
B+: 3
B: 3
A+: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (6)
TEST HEAVY (5)
Respected (5)
Gives good feedback (5)
Accessible outside class (4)
Caring (4)
LECTURE HEAVY (3)
Hilarious (3)
Rating Trend

Stable

+0.08 avg change
Nov
Feb
Jun
Nov
Feb
Mar
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

1745

5.0

(1)

BUS150

5.0

(1)

BUSINESS

5.0

(1)

ALLBUS

5.0

(1)

BUSI160

5.0

(1)
+21 more courses
Difficulty by Course

BUS105

5.0

BUSI160

4.0

BUSS101

4.0

MATH104

3.7

ACCT201

3.5

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