Master of Business Administration

John C. August 4, 2007 at 2:02 p.m.

I received my business degree from UOP. My only knock against the university is that it is not AACSB accredited. However, it is every bit as expensive.

Kevin December 31, 2007 at 12:05 a.m.

Hmmm, the business school is accredited by the ACBSP, which standard's are more in line with the university's mission.

The difference between the two accredidting bodies is as follow:

ACBSP standards for academic excellence are designed to align with the mission of teaching institutions with an emphasis on student learning, supported by continuous quality improvement and faculty scholarship. This is an excellent match with the mission and focus of University of Phoenix. The AACSB standards for academic excellence are designed to align with the mission of research institutions with an emphasis on faculty scholarship and research while recognizing the value of teaching and continuous quality improvement. These do not match as well with University of Phoenix’s mission and focus on student learning and teaching.

(UOP Website, 2007. http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/accredit...)

Eric January 27, 2008 at 7:32 a.m.

I am getting my degree at the University of Phoenix this year in Business-Finance. I would agree with everyone else in this forum by stating that I don't like the fact that UOP is not accredited by the AACSB, however most corporations value the degree. I work for a fortune 500 company, and they reimbursed me for my education. I will also mention that I worked for Citigroup in the past, and they paid for my classess at UOP.

Steve March 5, 2008 at 6:37 a.m.

I finished my Bachelors degree in business at UOP because the program worked with my work schedule. However, after getting out in the work world, I have realized that UOP graduates are treated as 2nd class by most employers. Also, the school is ridiculously expensive. Many of the state schools and top rated schools now have online MBA programs. I just dropped out of the UOP MBA program and decided to go to a reputable school UCLA. The testing was rigorous and difficult. The MBA will take twice as long but well worth it and practically the same price as a UOP MBA. Which would you rather have UCLA or UOP?
After seeing how much employers don't respect this school, I strongly recommend you study hard, prepare for your entrance exams, and go to a real school. Again, many top schools, and state schools now offer online programs. Don't waste your time with the UOP.

Mike April 2, 2008 at 3:54 a.m.

The NY Times article has been debunked.

Steve, what school is not interested in making money, either private or public?

I work for a public (tax payer funded) state college. I assure you every year the administrators are lobbying the state for more (tax payer) money, and they ALWAYS get more (tax payer) money. The waste in public institutions is incredible! While so many unaware people bash for-profit universities for profiting, public universities and colleges fleece taxpayers of multiple hundreds of billions of dollars every year.

Ron May 13, 2008 at 1:10 a.m.

Why is it a scam if I am willingly and knowingly "purchasing" a quality, approved, successful, "product" that works for its intended, legitimately represented purposes? If you want to go to a state school - Go! If you are young and able to take the time to go to a "legitimate" school like UCLA, by all means do so. But please stop making the rest of us working adults who find the environment, teaching methodology and educational model of University of Phoenix more, efficient and appropriate for our needs feel as if we are second class citizens being scammed into some mediocre diploma mill because we don't know any better. There are plenty of employers out there who do respect the degree, I have been significantly challenged by the curriculum and have found the instructors to be highly professional both as educacators and business leaders.
But the number one negative thing for me concerning earning my degree from University of Phoenix has been the negative talk of all the elitists who prefer to go elswhere. Please. Just go! But don't make us all out to be fools because we have made the choice not to. I started my undergraduate degree at University of Cincinnati and was unable to continue due to logistical situations that were just not conducive to my situation as a working adult with two small children. I do not feel as though University of Phoenix had to "dumb down" the degree in order for me to make it, and I resent all the implications along those lines. I was finally able to complete my bachelors degree at U o P and I am about to begin my MBA this summer. None of this would be possible for me in a traditional school - online or not.
Of course if all possibilities were available to me and I had unlimited resources, time and academic abilities, I would want to go to a more prestigious school, but to imply that Universtiy of Phoenix is a scam or illegitimate is an insult to those of us with limited options. To those of you with brighter futures, more options and longer time spans to work with - you should be grateful for what you have and should graciously accept your opportunities without belittling others who are walking their own paths.

NAGNAG July 25, 2008 at 4:49 a.m.

AACSB is very important for several reasons.

Only AACSB schools will accept transfer credits from other AACSB colleges.

Many professional designations require AACSB credits, for example CPA.

Many of the top business firms do review MBA degrees that are AACSB accredited for those applying into top senior positions who are using an MBA as a major credential.

AACSB isn't everything, however it is important and its importance should be weighed on what your goals or expectations are. For example if you want to get a job with Deloite they will require an MBA from a regionally accredited college, AACSB isn't a must but many applicants have degrees from AACSB so it will reflect.

April October 2, 2008 at 12:29 a.m.

I also think that with UOP (online btw), you get what you put into it. Its a lot of participation and interaction with the students, which I found to be VERY helpful in completing assignments and understanding the material. No, there are no exams. They have final projects due at the end of 9 weeks. I do not do well with exams. I can do well all throughout the class, and get A's and B's, but then fail the exam because I'm so nervous that I forget everything I read and can't think straight! UOP is better for some people. You still have to be disciplined and work hard, but because it can cater to the different personalities out there, like mine. I think it's more for people who have been in the work world for a while and just want a degree to move forward. I don't think its for the recent high school grad. I graduated in 2001 and just started school last October. I think they may be more for me than Univ of MD.

Someone mentioned that they rarely fail anyone: I saw several people fail at UOP.

cornered October 29, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.

I understand both sides of the argument. UOP may be a great school but if the reputation is so tarnished, does it really matter? Isn't that a moot point? On the other hand, I am about to start my MAED at UOP. Why? Because I am a military spouse stationed at a remote island overseas and guess how many masters degrees with teaching certification choices I have--ONE! UOP...no more, no less. So, I have to go to UOP b/c I am stationed here for 2-3 years and there are NO jobs for Americans. Our host country allows us to be here as long as the host people are offered the jobs at the commissary, bx, etc. No problem at all with that but it leaves me a long time to do nothing. I wanted to change careers anyway and becoming a teacher is a dream for me. I have one path that leads from here to there.....UOP. It is such a shame that I will have to defend my degree and hope and pray that I can get a job in a school when I get back to the states simply b/c I attended the ONLY college that offered the program overseas. I am a veteran and a proud spouse and I will be made to feel like a fool. I will face judgment and shame when looking for a job. All of this is due to the UOP haters more than anything else. If people kept their opinions to themselves, would the reputation be so damaged? I do not believe so.
So, what am I to do? I have already stressed, lost sleep, worried and now I have to face the facts. If I want to become a teacher so that when I return stateside I can begin my career as my husband's ends then I have to attend UOP. Do you really want to hurt my chances of being offered a job to teach? If not, please, please, please stop demeaning the degree and give me a fighting chance to make a difference and "serve my country" again in a new way.
Please??!!!

Jay November 9, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.

Hey guys, I read the pros and cons concerning UOP and I guess we could debate this all day long. I currently attent UOP for its psychology program. I have another year to go. I think in every education, it is what you make of it. I read that some people question UOP based on its non stringent testing or the lack of overall. This school caters to the working adult which is now becoming a significant growing demographic in America today. Bottom line is as someone else mentioned, if you are starting out fresh right out of high school, then aim higher but if otherwise, this place is a good place to get something worthwile under your belt.

CPA Exam January 24, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.

Most states will accept University of Phoenix credits to sit for the exam. The requirements are usually 150 credit hours of education and 30-33 credits in accounting from a regionally accredited college. Some states are accreditation specific such as Texas and NJ. New Jersey will accept credits from any regionally accredited college but if you go to an AACSB or ACBSP "in NJ" then they require less credits to sit for the exam.

The problem you may have with the University of Phoenix is its masters program may not fly to high with the larger accounting firms.

I suggest looking into the following "online" programs.

University of Connecticut MSAcct.

Rutgers MSacct.

Western New England College MSacct/Tax

Bentley University MSTaxation

UTulsa MS Taxation

Auburn, Masters of accountancy

Syracuse University, Masters of Science in Accounting

University of Massachusetts MBA in Accounting

Florida Atlantic University MS ACCT and MS Taxation

**Other schools with programs to soon be online, Arizona State University, NYU, University of Michigan, Villanova University, Northeastern University, Boston University

If your going to get a Masters of Accounting online it would benefit you to get your degree from a well recognized, regionally and AACSB accredited school. In the long run it will open more doors. You may have a tough time finding a job, or faculty position by earning a masters from the University of Phoenix may. Getting employment is very important because most states require 1 - 2 years of work experience to obtain your CPA license.

I'll share my personal goals with you.

I'm self employed financial planner looking to sit for the CFP & CPA exam in NJ.

2nd goal is to teach part time on campus or 0nline.

Schools I will likely attend

Bentley University MS Taxation

Western New England College MSAcct/Taxation

Rutgers MS accounting

University of Massachusetts MBA-Accounting Concentration

jowita March 28, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.

hi I am getting my associates degree from uop right now. I think i will leave the school after this because they don't offer a program that I am interested in. But it's not all that bad. uop is an option for a full time working mother, i cant go to a reg school - i simply don't have time for it. did anybody have any problems getting to a school in ny after getting a degree from uop? i heard that schools dont recognize their degree even though the law says otherwise.

Jon April 22, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.

Kate, your degree will be fine. The requirement most colleges look for is whether your degree was obtained through an accredited college. Since yours was, you will not have a problem. Of more importance is the grades earned while in school, your GMAT (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc) scores (depending what program you want to attend) and other factors required by each college. The only way you may face a problem is if trying to transfer credits from a non-AACSB school to a AACSB school.

I find all these remarks quite comical at best. Personally, I believe that the only person able to argue the validity or breadth of education received from an online institution is a person who has attended one of those institutions. How can one compare the education received from a traditional B&M type school with that of an online institution if they have not attended both types of schools? Any attempt to argue the points lacks substantive foundation and merit. I graduated with a BA History from the University of Connecticut, BS Accounting UofP, and a JD from Cornell. The degree from UofP more then satisfied the requirements in order for me to sit for the CPA exam. In the larger picture, the degree is not worth much more than the paper printed on. A degree only serves a purpose in meeting minimum requirements in order to seek promotions or start careers. Ten years after the completion of schooling nobody will care what degrees you have or where you obtained those degrees. The only thing which matters is the types of experience received and level of positions held. A person’s individual abilities and or incompetence will determine how far a person will advance in his or her life.

John July 21, 2009 at 4:29 a.m.

I failed a class at U of P which is why I stopped going there. I did the assignments and participated in every discussion. The teacher was obviously a racist or prejudice.

Frank July 30, 2009 at 8:58 p.m.

I have been reading these rants from UoP haters since before I started this school in July 2007. I have 4 classes to go and it looks like people still won't drop the negativity. "Steve" congrats, buddy. You are going to UCLA, fine, now leave! Are you trying to be a hero and save us all from UoP or what?! I like UoP! We do have to take tests! I've had a EOC test in the last 5 classes. Plus I've had other tests in previous classes. I didn't write a paper for my Math I & II classes. I took tests. Most people who bail on this school are 1) afraid to speak in public 2) do not write very well 3) listen to the other UoP haters on forums like this one and think they know what they are talking about. Everyone in my class already has a good job, but they'll have a better job with a BSB/M and having a UoP degree does not matter to their employer. I have heard there is one person on Obama's staff that has a UoP degree. If it's good enough for him, it'll work for me!

Michael from seattle October 1, 2009 at 5:28 p.m.

I'm currently enrolled at UOP, and find that I spend more time thinking and working on class requirements then other brick and mortar schools, I went to ECC in Everett WA and let me tell you that I find my education through the UOP to be better then ECC. Once I finish my 4 year degree, I will try to transfer to the UW for my masters. My degree is my degree, and if it is accredited it really doesn't matter

Ammie from Louisiana October 12, 2009 at 10:29 p.m.

I am so glad I found this blog. I am about to finish my first block of classes and was looking around for internships. I was wondering how well my attending UoP would come across. I hope all my time and money won't be wasted because I am trying really hard to finish something in my life. I agree with all that have said that UoP is a much better program than any other b&m school, I have attended 2 universities in Louisiana and the first was sooo easy, I hate I left. The 2nd was ridiculously overwhelming, with no assistance in sight. It said that it catered to working parents, yeah right!!! I can honestly say I am learning something!

SD_career_comment_you should read November 6, 2009 at 1:30 a.m.

First, this is not necessarily a comment about UoP it is a comment about how to succeed in the corporate world using my career as an example.

Second, I have been an executive and senior manager at several prestigious companies and start-ups.

Third, degrees mean little, personal gumption, effort and social skills mean everything. Did you know that most CEO's only have a BS in liberal arts. When in the corporate world it is politics and having powerful friends. Trust me when your invited to play golf with the board no one checks your degree. In every company I've worked for I have made friends/business associates of the President, CEO and many of the executives. Not a one of them asked what my degree was, in, or from. AND this was done no matter my position, a lowly programmer or an executive.

Forth, learn to play golf most business is still done on the golf course.

Fifth, read everything you can get your hands on about business, current business and your competitors. Executives want to see people who are interested and care about building the company. That means YOU have to do YOUR homework.

Sixth, take your competitors to lunch or clients of your competitors.

Seventh, get your ASS out of the chair and socialize at all levels. Leave the water cooler junkies to themselves. See number three above.

Eighth, buy some real clothes, watch Wall Street a 100 times if you have to until you get it. At every company I have worked for I have always been told I would have won the award for best dressed.

a) polish your personal presentation skills, your vocabulary, you ability to learn quickly and be out going. Most people who work in the corporate environment dress like slobs, speak poorly and have a small vocabulary. People especially executives want to talk to people who can express themselves succinctly and clearly.

Ninth, workout no company wants a fat, over weight executive. Ever seen one?

And number ten. Leave your personal life at home.

Now to the issue of UoP you can get into any school of prestige if you can pass the entrance exams. You can sit for the CPA, you can go to law school, hell you can go to med school if you want to. It is a good school that tries hard to please its students. Like any organization that has grown too fast it has its issues. AND if you think brick and mortar schools are boring, wait till you work in a company with 3,000 employees. It is like trying to get a sloth to climb a tree.

If UoP is such and issue then stop telling people your degree is from UoP. Simply say I have an MBA 90% of the time no one is going to ask you where from. Do you ever ask your doctor where their degree is from?

Plan out your life, figure out what YOU want, and then do it.

Good luck and God bless!