University of Phoenix-Online Campus

Just a Guy March 30, 2007 at 9:44 p.m.

This program is a joke. I used to work for the school and quit in disgust. If a student deserves to fail, the school administration pressures the professor into passing them. They tell the instructor to "work with the student" to ensure they pass the course. This is so the student can continue in the program and more importantly...CONTINUE PAYING TUITION.

This school is nothing but a machine designed to separate students from their tuition dollars.

NCU, Walden, and Capella are no better.

Go with state supported, regionally accredited, online programs that also have a ground campus. They at least have academic integrity.

Anthem5582 April 12, 2007 at 10:02 p.m.

After acquiring credits from 2 different brick and mortar schools, I decided to complete the last 60 hours of my bachelors’ degree at UOP. Like the other colleges I have attended, some classes prove very challenging while others seem very easy. I will say that while I have been at UOP I have had to do more writing than I have ever had to do at any time during my education. I find the UOP classes very engaging because class discussions are performed via an online message board. When the professor posts specific questions about the reading material, the students have no choice but to read and interpret the information. You can't sit in the back of an online class and simply dodge the instructor. I have also had very few multiple choice tests. Most final exams are 1100+ word written assignments in conjunction with a 15 to 20 minute presentation. I don't know about you but I am a lost on how to fake my way through that.

As far as in the business world, I work for the largest health insurance company in the US. I have received a promotion during my time with UOP and currently in the running for a management position. I have listed my studies with UOP on my resume and have had no shortage of job opportunities.

In light of my positive remarks about UOP, I have decided that upon graduation in January, I will go on to complete my MBA with an online business school accredited by the AACSB (East Carolina University).

Overall I guess my advice to anyone considering UOP is to do your research. Like every school, UOP has its pro’s and con’s. Ultimately, I think a UOP education is what you make of it.

just a guy April 30, 2007 at 10:12 a.m.

Kyle,

If you failed a class than you must have not attended or turned in anything. They will pass you if you put forth just minimum effort, even if you deserve to fail.

TC May 19, 2007 at 7:37 p.m.

I thought the school was not good at all, but not everyone in the business world feels it is pointless. A few months after I get my BSIT I got a job with a world wide based company (John deere) and am making 3 times what I made before.

If I had it to do over I would have never taken classes at UOP, but it does not mean it did not pay off.

for Daniel June 3, 2007 at 4:57 p.m.

Daniel congrats on being admitted to the program. From personal experiences with online graduate or PHD work I would head towards the direction of a non profit institution or a school with a reputation for the program you are entering. Personally I wouldn’t try for a PHD with any online for profit universities, the reason why is because if you are getting your PHD you are planning to enter the field of research and academics which in itself is non profit work for most people so why go with a for profit institution for your PHD?

You need to also consider where you will be after you get your PHD from Nova Southeastern. Who will employ you, offer you a position what kind of schools will grant a position with a degree from Nova Southeastern?

I would look towards state universities such as Dakota state or any other well known university that offers a program via distance learning. Also don’t sell yourself short to only distance learning programs if you are near a grouping of well known university its worth the education and effort to try to get admitted to those schools, it will benefit you in the long run.

The big problem with online education today is for many people is too easy an option rather then going to class I've always felt that if you have quality schools near by (1/2-1 hour away)you should consider those schools first and if you have no luck with schools near you then I would search for distance learning programs with the highest quality possible and work down from there, I would try to avoid online for profit schools at all costs and do my best to get admitted to better non profits schools

DR.mcike July 21, 2007 at 5:43 p.m.

avoid online schools at all cost. An online school is not credible. Example as a chair of a department i wouldnt reccomend admitting a student for a Masters program who came from a online school. When new graduates from online Phd programs apply to become professors with my department, they are never called for an interview. Online programs are not trusted within the college and university system.

question August 9, 2007 at 8:21 p.m.

I understand how everyone feels about online schools and accreditation, but what if you HAVE to work 40 hours a week and you HAVE to take care of your child/ren? Online school is my only option. I want to further my current management position but I don't have the time to be at school all day. What should I do? I just applied to Strayer University. Did I make a big mistake? Which is better Strayer or Devry?? And please dont say neither. Sometimes you just have to settle with what you have to work with. This is better than nothing in my opinion. Right?

UOPPRO August 15, 2007 at 6:53 p.m.

DR.mcike,

If you're a Department Chair, then I'm the Queen of England. You can't even put together a coherent sentence!

And to all of you other liars, bitter dropouts, and basic flunkies out there, UOP is a regionally accredited, campus based program that offes online modality. They are also accredited through the ACBSP. Education will be what you make of it, no matter where you go, and the only difference between UOP and traditional schools, is UOP actually paid attention to the educational needs of working adults, and brought education to them on their terms, instead of the other way around.

Educational elitists who believe that a good education should be reserved only for those students that can bring a 4.0 GPA and a full time job-free schedule will always resent UOP for doing what they could, but won't, offer a valuable, relevant, applicable educaiton to anyone who has the drive and motivation to pursue it!

Right on DR.mcike September 7, 2007 at 6:45 p.m.

Like it or not, DR.mcike is right. If you don't like his answer, tough. He is the representing the majority of academic instititions. Sorry if you wasted money on a PhD from an online, but nobody respects those degrees.

I weep for the future September 7, 2007 at 9:44 p.m.

I really do folks. It is a sorry state of affairs when someone attends UoP. The school has nothing to offer and most students I have had the opportunity to meet from UoP are dolts at best. Sorry, but for those that aren't dolts, the others ruin your name. A degree from UoP will do nothing but tarnish your resume and you would be well advised to leave it off. With that in mind, why leave it off intentionally, just don't go.

Dr. McGillicutty September 7, 2007 at 9:49 p.m.

I will tell you that no self respecting drinker would attend UoP. Go to a B&M campus or your party life will suffer!

Fake September 11, 2007 at 3:09 p.m.

True This is humorous. Sorry, but the 100% acceptance rate and the fact that they report to stockholders and not to employers is something that will never be valued. UoP is for bottom feeders.

True September 12, 2007 at 8:16 p.m.

Profit only comes from offering a superior product that meets demand.

Tony September 21, 2007 at 2:29 a.m.

Univ. of Phoenix must be among the best in order to receive business program accreditation from ACBSP. I recently completed an MBA-Healthcare Management degree at UOP and received numerous employment interests.

Just a Guy September 30, 2007 at 11:44 p.m.

AACSB is the one that really matters anyway. If you don't have AACSB accredidation most academics will look down on you. ACBSP accredidation is a joke.

What? October 1, 2007 at 1:09 p.m.

Good point out Just A Guy. Also, the ACBSP accrediation is only in a candidate state. Understand also they have some people who did the initial review openly admit to fear of being sued by one of Pheonix's 30 lawyers. UoP is not among the best Tony, not even close. When I get resumes in and review them, the UoP people go in one pile and everyone else goes in another.

What? October 2, 2007 at 1:49 p.m.

Well that’s a bit harsh "To all considering online education...". I worked as a full professor at one of the highest reputable schools in the world. Carnegie Melon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, and Rochester Institute of Technology all have online MS programs. I would tell you the MIT and CMU students have been picked up to teach adjunct at some of the best schools. So your "academics" world may be one that thinks its an Ivy, but it really isn't.

I am not against online at all. In fact, I would think it would be more difficult to teach yourself. I am against it in some fields (like Engineering BS where you need labs, but MS you might not need labs), but I am totally against the FOR-PROFIT online schools.

Tell you what "To all considering online education...", I have a PhD from one of the number one schools in the world in Engineering, but I also have an MS I just earned from CMU online in July. You wouldn't consider hiring me?

Why? October 4, 2007 at 3:02 p.m.

Hate the player, hate the game! Yo, I am at Phoenix student and it is the schdizzle. I can hang outt with my peeps bustin it up and still go to the P. Check it out, I just gotto show up and I am bustin out with C's and B's yo. Go hear man, they let anybody in and you no you gotzta to the paper to make it.

And October 5, 2007 at 12:31 a.m.

And they teach great Ebonics because the people that attend cannot speak English.

And October 5, 2007 at 1:09 p.m.

I did. I love how easy it is. I did nothing except pay and got out. I hear UoP hired a rapper to go to school there. That might be you. I also hear the guy is dumb. I don't want myself to be associated with him.

The P October 5, 2007 at 10:32 p.m.

Check it, the P is da bomb. You dogz gottsta see tat all you be doin is rippin on da school dat make da Havard types look wack crazy. Da schoolz like Havard don't got nuttin on the P. Yous needs to check it befor you reck it ya'll. I be checkin out da P tis yeer and I did it wit the 3.1 average ya'll. I be rippin it with the homies cause I be casin da streetz with the skins now. I be up in all yaall faces now. I be managin now, da BK down on by da river in the JAX, FL.

What? October 6, 2007 at 3:19 a.m.

What Ivy? If you let me know, I will be sure to send my CV in.

Translation October 8, 2007 at 11:58 a.m.

If you would like to recieve an education that will get you a job paying almost $20,000 a year, please attend UoP. Once you do, Ivy's will still not respect you. UoP teaches ebonics in place of English because it will be much more useful in your future careers.

Yo Dog... October 9, 2007 at 3:48 p.m.

I be for real! Ya be wack if ya think da P and me ain't down G's with da wack edamucation. I be writin da paper and da be givin da B and C and I be gettin da degree.

Da P down wit the homies!

Ha ha October 10, 2007 at 4:53 p.m.

Ya, get a degree from here. Its an expensive piece of toilet paper! Phoenix is the worst kind of school. They want your money and don't care if you get an education. You pass every class as long as you pay. Save yourself time and find a school like Lacross University who will issue credits based off of "life experience" and you can get your PhD for just $2500!

Degree October 11, 2007 at 2:17 p.m.

How much does it cost to complete a doctor at this school starting from ground up? I haven't gone to college yet, but now I want to go and become a doctor.

Da P October 14, 2007 at 6:52 p.m.

You be buggin if you be dinking dat the da "P" aint da place to be. Da P be gettin the R E S P E C T from all people.

Da P October 16, 2007 at 2:55 p.m.

You be on my man...

You pay, you be gettin in and you be gettin da degre. Da respectabe degre.

Da P October 16, 2007 at 4:39 p.m.

You ain't down wit the P if you decree you set fire to the G. Gangsters be talkin and best be listenin. Da P free the homies and Da P pass all da homies. Check yourself my man and understand dat da P be the place to be. We be gettin jobs wit crazy bling bling danks to da P.

UoP October 16, 2007 at 4:45 p.m.

And I got straight As!

Hold on a minute!!! October 16, 2007 at 10:08 p.m.

I have completed a four and half year degree in finance from a brick and mortar university. Now I attend the University of Phoenix, and I anticipate graduation with my MBA in February of 2008.Currently I attend the ground campus in Houston TX, and my experience has been very good. It’s all about your professor, not the school.

Some professors take time and teach you essential tools necessary to make it in competitive world today. Some just have neither passion nor desire to teach and therefore, the students suffer.

Given that I’m a ground campus student I cannot comment on the online experience. However, I do intend to attend Walden University for my PhD in Business Finance. I have asked my PhD professor’s about Walden, and it is very well respected in the business world.

There will always be comparisons in life, Mercedes VS BMW, Harvard VS Yale, or Online VS Ground Campus. Who’s to say which is better or worse? It’s all about your experience and what you do with your education. The masters of success learn to gather all of their personal experiences and focus them on what’s relative to accomplish their personal goals.

I don’t depend on my degree to get me into a career opportunity. I depend on my ability retain all my educational experiences and apply them to the best of my ability. If you are an exceptional candidate for employment you will get the job. Someone will value you and not so much the educational background.

In closing, you have to sell your self. I know a girl who graduated from Rice University with a 3.7 in Business Management who is selling cars on a small lot for a living. So, therefore, it’s not about where you get the education, but rather how you apply what you have learned in your life. Don’t depend on the degree, depend on the knowledge. That is the true power.

Kind Regards,

D. Williams

Hold on a minute!! October 17, 2007 at 4:13 a.m.

Thank you very much for the comment, I would never compare Harvard to the University of Phoenix. Ivy league schools are Ivy league schools. They are the best for a reason. However, a true man on understanding knows that judging someone based off their differences, whether it be schools, race, religion, or gender, or sex is not a man of wisdom. I am 25 years old, I own a very nice home, purchased 5 BMW's with in the last year, and I have very nice opportunities waiting for me to finish my MBA. So, when you say get a life, I have mine. Now my friend, how is yours? I am reaping a return on my investment. Of course, we both now that everyone will not do the same as I with my education, but even so, we are no better than anyone who does choose to pursue online universities. So in others words, If you don't like it, fine, but don't discourage individuals who are doing the best they can to get an education. For some people it is their only option, and who are you to judge. I guess if you were so happy with your education, you wouldn't be wasting time picking on people who choose else where. I pray that you are never in a situation where someone judges you because of where you went to school. Say.....you went to brown but you were denied because didn't graduate from Yale. My best friend graduated from Princeton, so it does happen. So in closing, judge not and you shall not be judged, for what ever measure you judge, so shall you be judged in that day. (hopefully you know where this comes from, and if not then i feel even more sorry for you, then it would become very clear as to why you are so prideful and judgemental)

Kind Regards,

D. Williams

Hold on a minute!!! October 17, 2007 at 5:11 p.m.

That’s the same as saying, "if you’re not rich or wealthy, you should not be able to go to an Ivy League school." Which, by the way don’t have financial aid departments? Even so, $5,000 doesn't help pay for 50k in tuition fees a year, don’t you think? Look, the bottom line is that not everyone has the same opportunities available for advancement in life. You have to play the cards you’re dealt with. If I could do it all over, I would have gone to pharmacy school. Having said that, it is important to understand that nobody is saying its better than the traditional experience, but rather it was the best option for them at the time being. There is nothing wrong with choosing that option. As long as a person can get what they want out of their degree or education that’s all that matters, wouldn't you agree? But don’t be mad at for profit institutions, how about pharmacies, have you ever read the mission statement of these corporations, "To get people to buy more drugs" not to heal people from using them. Yet, when you go to the Dr. you probably take your prescribed medicine. We don’t even do research on the cure percentage rate, which is usually 10-20%. There are other major issues in this world to complain about that are truly hurting the economy and effecting individuals lives. But choosing to judge on educational preferences, I think we can find other constructive things to work on. How about the United States is one of 3 countries in the world who don’t pay for health care, yet we are one of the most profitable nations in the world. And you choose to complain about individuals educational preferences. Find something else to pick on people about. Education with out wisdom is foolishness. Wouldn’t you agree?

Degree October 17, 2007 at 7:36 p.m.

If you don't like the way health care is run in the US, move to another country or go and change it. I hate the for profits because they rip students off by offering a better future and lie about things to get it. Pharmacy at least is regulated and they have to tell you side effects. Schools don't tell students "you are taking out a loan for $4000 at 17% interest because we cost so much your federal loans don't cover it". They also don't tell you alternatives like Community College that is better in name and price. Pharmacy at least offers generic for a way better price. I do not respect UoP in any way. It is worthless because they are using tax payer money to keep student in school and graduating morons. And no, I did not attend that school or any for profit. I did teach at a couple though, and thats what made me hate them (the way they treated students as "customers" or (I shutter) "learners".

Degree October 17, 2007 at 7:40 p.m.

(continued)

4) Spam mail and heavy advertising comparing the University to the elites. This plays into number 3 above also giving people the sense that UoP is the most respected University because it has over 300K+ students enrolled. They have since changed this, but I still hate it.

5) Lack of accreditation from AACSB and ABET. While not all schools have this, UoP puts on their sites all about accreditation. Many people claim UoP is accredited by the same places that accredit Harvard. This is true, but government accreditation is the minimum a school needs to issue degrees. It speaks nothing of the quality of the degree, except there are enough classes in place to grant one. And why the lack of ABET and AACSB? Well, Number 1 is part of the issue, but number 6 is better.

6) 95% adjuncts? Come on now. A real University has real tenure professors doing research and trying to increase the level of education and effectiveness of the program. Sure, having adjuncts gets you business experience. But there is a place for them, we call them boards. They help look at the curriculum. Also, this “real world experience” is a bunch of BS too. When you’re in school (undergraduate, graduate, or just non-credit), that’s the real world. There is no such thing as a school that doesn’t give “real world” experience, even ITT or Devry or UoP (I know tons of schools say that line).

7) Lack of Ethics. UoP has displayed this in the cases against enrollment. The school is for-profit and reports to share holders, not students. They need to reinvest more money back into the school and less back to the shareholders. The previous entry about adjuncts also shows the ethics are low. Adjuncts do not have as much stake as a tenure professor since most of them work for the paycheck, not the recognition. Tenure might not be able to get fired, but the reputation can easily be hurt.

8 ) This is mean, but some of the graduates from UoP I have met seem to feel the world owes them something because they completed a degree. This is my own opinion on this one. This is the case with many for-profits. I believe it is because many schools like ITT are known for “hand holding” and help students that might not make it elsewhere. So when they are done, they are looking for “hand holding” and don’t know what to do. This is also probably because of number 3 (enrollment councilors) lying to them.

Hold on a minute!!! October 17, 2007 at 9:34 p.m.

Ya know, you are right, all those things listed are some things I have experienced. However, it is the way of the fast paced environment today. All schools are now attempting to offer distance learning programs in order to keep up with the competition because traditonal schools are noticing their enrollments numbers decrease. I could have gone to a traditional school for my MBA, I choose not to. Again, I dont depend on the school to get me a jobs, I depend on the education. Currently I am accounting and Finance Recruiter. I have interviewed people who have masters degrees from UT, Rice, and others who are seeking 30,000 job. You know why, because part of life is about who you know not what you know. Its a complicated balance that makes sense. The thing is.....no school can teach you that. That is wisdom learned out side of the school. The wonderfull thing about Ivy league schools is the contacts you make there. Remember I know someone who has been there and finished, Do you? I have more opportunities afforded to me because of who I know. Yet, I dont depend on those. I will make my own way. Well, I respect you opinion. Everyone has a right to it. However, remember that everyone is not or was not as fortunate as you, so try not judge so much. Thats discriminating against someone being black. You know that children born had no idea that being black in america was hard back then, but they still suffered. We can change the way we view people now days for the most part. Take care. God Bless you!

Great October 18, 2007 at 2:31 a.m.

This is Great. I Love reading Degree. Degree posts only the truth. You UoP grads can't handle the school sucks and is worthless and money hungry.

Degree October 18, 2007 at 4:42 p.m.

I rate people on education because its a sold indicator of the potential of the person. I hire people expecting the college has already filtered people and only brought the best output. Phoenix has no admissions and makes money on students. They have every reason to get the student through the entire program to maximize profit.

Dr. B. October 18, 2007 at 6:42 p.m.

Someone stated that the AACSB was better than ACBSP... that's not exactly true. Neither one are competitors of each other. Both are the only two business accrediting bodies recognized by CHEA. Both have separate aims and core values.... AACSB focuses on research whereas ACBSP focuses on teaching excellence. Most small colleges/universities or their academic counterparts seek accreditation through the ACBSP.

Also... just to throw this out there, the president of Tougaloo College is a doctoral (DOM) alumnus of UoP. She's doing quite well.

As for UoP, I do think the university has a better chance of revamping its reputation if it broke away from the for-profit arena. This would allow it to focus more on teaching and research... the important things in academics. It would also allow students to receive outside funding for their academic work.

Dr. B October 18, 2007 at 7:50 p.m.

HAHAHAHAHAHA....

I never said that UoP was a good school. I never said it was a bad school. But it is an institution that has been able to sustain for many years....regardless of criticism. Plus... for people to enroll and then criticize the institution after they've withdrawn.... I see something wrong with that. I mean... isn't it flexbility and open admissions that drew them there in the first place? lol.... of course unless you're investigating something like the impact of open enrollment on student attrition and success in for-profit institutions.

UoP is an institution for individuals looking to advance their career. They're most likely not aspiring to be great researchers or tenured faculty..... it's a working man's (woman's) school. Plus, a majority of its students are in the military anyway. They're gonna get advancement whether we like it or not.

Many people who graduate from there go on to do great things..... and I agree, if you push, the education received from there can be rewarding.

Respondants... as I've informed you before, I too am an academic snob.... no need to tell you why again. But we must be open-minded and resolved in the fact that institutions like UoP are not going anywhere anytime soon. My only wish is that they stop being so predatory in recruitment and financial aid....... and get off the for-profit belt.

Respondants... lets get back to work. :-) Good to see you again old friend. lol

Respondants October 18, 2007 at 8:35 p.m.

The AACSB gold standard I will look for references later, but I know from personal experiences, that is the gold standard. Even if you compare the two lists of the accrediting schools, AACSB is usually "A" schools.

AACSB also has nothing to do with Doctoral Degrees, mostly just MBAs. THe new DBA is up. MBA used to be equivalent to a PhD, but not so much anymore. Same as an MFA. But UoP does not meet my standard for education. Its not that I am saying it shouldn't exist, I am just saying they offer sub-par education in my opinion. Before I get bashed, please note the "My Opinion" part of what that sentence.

Back to work? I work in acadmics (well, close enough). That means I have never worked a day in my life!:)

Being Honest October 18, 2007 at 10:57 p.m.

Capella, UOP, ITT, and any other for profit university is sub par and so are the students. No one should take anyone with a degree from these institutions seriously. Students in these schools are the worst of the best and the best of the worst (and maybe they are neither, they may just be the worst of the worst). I question whether these students should even be allowed breed for fear that their below average genes may be allowed to create another sub par human with below average intellect whom will either turn out to be a derelict or a garbage man. I will not say I am sorry because I am not. These so-called students make me sick as an educated man and frankly they do not deserve jobs in academia and they do not deserve jobs in the professional business world either. Allowing these “students” into management will most certainly translate into a failed business and allowing them into academia will only further desecrate our educational system.

My question to any online supporter is simple, “How could you possibly support a sub par educational system and support these no minds that come out of these institutions that actually think they are qualified to work in any management function (including a head housekeeper) or any level of academia (including the mail room clerk)?” Honestly people, with this their can be no debate, online education from for profit schools simply cannot be taken seriously and any argument otherwise should be dismissed.

Now to address you Respondants. You state, "The AACSB gold standard I will look for references later, but I know from personal experiences, that is the gold standard. Even if you compare the two lists of the accrediting schools, AACSB is usually "A" schools." This is rich. You say "usually," an A school. Your statement alone loses the debate with the word "usually." Now, come back when you can actually carry a debate like an educated person. If you are educated by a B&M, clearly you slipped through the cracks.

Being Honest October 19, 2007 at 1:46 a.m.

Then, from one Ivy Leaguer (MIT as well) to another, what is your interest in for-profits and what are their place? Please expound.

Perhaps I was too crass with you, so I apologize.

Being Honest October 19, 2007 at 3:42 a.m.

Interesting point of view. One additional question if I may, "What for profits are 'good' and 'bad'?"

Attention online fools! October 21, 2007 at 7:32 p.m.

If you go to UoP you are stupid and it is as simple as that. You have no business working, teaching or anything else. Just so I have made not mistakes, this includes ALL online schools like ITT, DeVry, Capella, Jones University, etc. Also, if you go to an online school from a traditional B&M campus, you fall into the same category. In conclusion, argue all you want, if you are to lazy to get of your butt to a classroom, you have NO business working, going to school, raising children, or any other normal activity.

Duhh October 22, 2007 at 3:46 p.m.

Duhhh me went to online Pheonix college. Phoenix is a bird that rises from the dead. I went there. I like birds. I have my pHD in birdies.

Thank God October 22, 2007 at 7:35 p.m.

Thank God for that! I can't believe they are allowed to even offer Masters programs!

Dr. B October 23, 2007 at 4:19 p.m.

Only you can address your own insecurities about distance learning. Most of the comments on this site are baseless..... full of opinions. You will have to do what you think is right for you.

Talk to some schools..... traditional and non..... gather as much information as you can. also... read research presented by the sloan consortium on distance learning.

jobs.aol.com/article/onlinecampus/_a/will-your-degree-have-value/20061006151609990002

jobs.aol.com/article/onlinecampus/_a/is-online-learning-for-you/20061006151609990001

www.sloan-c.org/publications/index.asp

Good luck with your homework! :-)

Real Dr. B October 24, 2007 at 2:50 a.m.

i see we have impersonators...... that's so weak.

IA GUY October 25, 2007 at 11:43 a.m.

Personally I dislike UOP, but there are a couple of 100% online I do like. This is a general opinion as a whole.

Now I am a product of distance education, and I am more useful in my career because of it. I will also state that there are good for-profit online schools, and there are bad for-profit online schools. I will also contend that there are good traditional brick and mortar, and not so good brick and mortar. The issue I have is the retards who lump all distance learning into one pull, then stereotype against it, then use the for-profit argument in order to back it up.

The bottom line is that all schools are for profit; the only difference is that, either the profits are disbursed to share holders, or they are disbursed in other ways back into the school. For you to better get an idea of how here is a good article about money, and the University of Maryland System, and how some of the numbers play into it.

http://www.examiner.com/a-940891~Living_...

The funny thing I see on these forums, is people defending their obviously biased stances on very little research based substance. Which is ironic since them seem to consider them the “academic elite”, which makes me think that they are the dumbest smart people out there.

If you look at the big picture, the for-profits, who are more accountable to their financial more so then any non-profit colleges. If any of them are publicly traded then they are even more so accountable due to Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and they must also innovate their technology, and lean out their processes. They must also do this, keeping tuition in reach of more students, because if they don’t they loose consumers.

All of the “academic elite” are watching what these for-profits are doing, and are now realizing that they better get on the band wagon in order to keep their consumers as well. So for all of you “academic elite”, any one who has any street business experience can see this a mile away.

Now this argument is based solely on the comments made by the stereotype’s, regarding for-profit status, I am not including academic quality in the is argument, as based on my research its too early to tell, since total online degree holders need time in order to contribute completely into the academic community.

Just Wondering... October 26, 2007 at 12:30 a.m.

IA Guy,

Typically I have only posted on the Capella board, but your comments struck me. I posted this on the Capella board:

Let us be honest, my wife is a tenure professor at a respected B&M campus that has a limited online following. Her school is not-for-profit. But as she says, they are for profit as many other B&M campuses are; they just adjust the balance sheet to a zero balance at the close of a fiscal year. Money is given away; sports programs are funded, communities are given money, etc. Of course, a key difference is publicly traded vs. not publicly traded, but the competition is on for the revenue generator, the student.

I will respectfully disagree with you; I do not think it will be as long as one might think before degrees from schools such as Capella garner more respect. Through conversations with collogues of my wife and through my B&M MBA, most of these professors see it as a two decade project and by 2025 significant changes of the view of online education will have taken place.

Dare I say that several Tier 1, II, and III colleges will place much focus on online education in the next 20 year. Further, while the Capella's and the Phoenix's of the world may not exist forever, they are changing the precious landscape so many "scholars" have attached themselves to like barnacles to a boat for centuries. The real fear is the online environment and that for profit is merely a cover from this writer’s perspective. The justification goes only as far as shareholders and maximizing profits. Scholars continue to share these as the primary reasons and fail to actually conduct any feasible research on the quality of the education. This, my friend, is hypocrisy at its finest, scholars who live by research, but when threatened, run to the corner of obvious truths and fail to provide any further insight. END

At this point, no intelligent responses have been made, only gander and conjecture. Frankly, these schools offer an alternative that threatens the enrollment of traditional campus schools. With this said, schools that swore off online education just 5 years ago now offer online courses, certificates and degrees. It does make you wonder what is next when 2012 rolls around. If you search, even Texas Tech offers a Ph.D. online now. Yes indeed, things will look much different in the next decade.

Me Too October 29, 2007 at 7:40 p.m.

I am dean of a college at a well known university. I work a lot with other colleges and can assure you, none of us would hire a PhD (or doctorate of whatever) from Walden, Northcentral, Nova, Phoenix, Capella, or ANY for-profit in a professor position. The only circumstance is if that person already has a PhD from an accepted school that is not-for-profit. This is true for tons of respected colleges. The ones that are changing, you will find their staff all coming from those schools because other faculty will leave upon hearing they are mixed with these profit-driven doctorates.

Just Wondering... October 30, 2007 at 1:56 a.m.

Please read my Capella "Again" and commit on that board.

As well "Me Too," Regent university, a well respected school in Virginia (online Ph.D.-and a school that beat Harvard in the law debate contest in 2007) has residencies. Capella has residencies. Texas Tech has an online Ph.D. with residencies. I will agree with you, UoP and Walden do not have recidencies and the degree should not be respected as a result. However, if a school is making the effort, I think a little more objectivity is in order.

Dr. B October 30, 2007 at 3:43 a.m.

one more thing.... Walden doctoral students must spend a minimum of 20 days in residency. most students go well over that amount because they realize that it keeps them in tune with the university, their academic peers, and simply keeps the juices flowing.

Just Wondering... October 30, 2007 at 4:46 p.m.

No offense taken Dr. B. I appreciate your time and additional research and it is important that all of the relevant facts are available. The arguments against online usually cling to the same thing "for-profit." Beyond that, there is little substance to the argument and whenever I ask for more, I get the same one sentence argument and you appear to get someone who has no education impersonating you.

If you ask me, people like that and "Attention Fools" and his or her various personalities proclaiming that online-educated people cannot have children are the real problem and lend little to the argument that B&M campus schools are definitively better.

Dr. B October 31, 2007 at 12:15 a.m.

I'm crazy ya'll!

Dr. B November 1, 2007 at 1:42 a.m.

My head hurts, someone make the voices stop!

Da P November 1, 2007 at 6:16 p.m.

Da P be da place ta B. Yo Yo, check it, I be gettin da bling bling and be wirtin the papars like dis and day be sayin I be being one of da smartesd dudents. Yo, Da P be smilin on ye!

Dr. B November 2, 2007 at 9:41 p.m.

You gys have to stop it I have ben reding this board and it is getng out of hand now if I hav told you once I have told you twice UOP and Capella are fine schools and the learners deserv al the credit four tring there best to do there best and there best should be good enough becaue is is there best and you cant take there best away from there best.

Real Dr. B November 2, 2007 at 10:19 p.m.

ok.. this is so out of hand. impersonations? so childish.

Dr. B November 5, 2007 at 1:05 a.m.

Help me, anyone! My head hurts and the voices are talking loudly!

Dr. B November 5, 2007 at 1:06 a.m.

Now the voices are posting, what should I do?

He he November 6, 2007 at 2:37 p.m.

CG you can't write but you will be accepted to UoP, Capella, Walden, NCU, and other for profits. Its not about online education, its about the for profits people don't believe in. Its because you can just simply buy your education and pass without doing work.

IA Guy November 8, 2007 at 5:35 a.m.

Hi everybody. I just wanted to let you know that I am a fat dummy.

He he November 8, 2007 at 12:50 p.m.

Hello everybody, I am an even fatter dummy then IA guy will ever be. The movie idiocracy is specifically based on my life, and IQ.

He he November 12, 2007 at 2:47 a.m.

Hey everybody, I am a freak nasty wantabe gettin' down with the ladies.

Don't mind me posting about edumacation, I couldn't even get out of the 6th grade.

He he November 12, 2007 at 2:45 p.m.

My my, I feel bad, you really think UoP is a respected University. I heard they were applying for a lisence to sell used cars on company property, I mean campus. What a joke. You don't earn a degree here, you buy.

He he November 12, 2007 at 8:41 p.m.

Stupid UoP, only school that would accept us.

He he November 13, 2007 at 12:32 a.m.

You know, I come on here and try to post so that others realize that you are buying your dam degree. No one needs to mock people. Now, I command, much like the Wolves command the eagle along the river, you must stop. You must realize that in order to stop, God will not allow the eaters of fruit to come to the moon unless you grab the bag by the beans and scratch the cow before it dies from the animal goats who fill the city with terrible juice from ants.

Now, listen, I am a man who advises the truth, so please no that I howl only when I see things.

IA Guy November 13, 2007 at 12:39 a.m.

Wow, look at me, I am sickly obese! I think if someone just squeezed the fat out of my head, I might loose 800 pounds.

Mystery November 14, 2007 at 6:12 p.m.

Why are so many people against online education? Just embrace it, its the way of the future. Proprietary schools are also here to stay. They make money on education sure, but in order to make money, you have to provide a quality product. If these schools are so bad, they would go out of business. Think about KMart. Prices were high and selection was low. They are gone. This education would be the same way if the selection (or quality) is low because the prices are higher than other colleges. So obviously they provide higher quality.

Uhm November 14, 2007 at 8:36 p.m.

Uhm, is Duh and Mystery serious?

Uhm November 17, 2007 at 12:51 a.m.

I forgot my medication, could someone help me. I am a crazy man and I live in a van down by the river.

Why? November 19, 2007 at 2:39 a.m.

Sarah,

Why is UoP making your angry?

True November 20, 2007 at 2:17 p.m.

Good point OMG, this school is for bottom feaders, just like you pointed out. People that couldn't make it anywhere else.

True November 26, 2007 at 7:31 p.m.

I think its funny you defend UoP. What a joke.

what a bunch of November 27, 2007 at 12:44 a.m.

Crap! You sound like a bunch of privileged brats whose mommy and daddy paid for your education. I know plenty of Frat Boy Bros who came out of B&M schools more stupid than when they went in. Get a grip, on-line is here to stay and frankly mimics real-life working conditions (read 8 + hours at a computer a day and a lot of writing) more than a B&M does(read having your parents pay your rent and drinking beer-bongs).

He he November 27, 2007 at 12:43 p.m.

Its not about online and parents paying. Phoenix is more expensive than state schools, but at least people respect state schools. Phoenix is for profit and it is known to be the school for people who can't make it in anywhere else. You pay to go here, you pass so they can keep getting your money. Very simple. And links about Phoenix alumni are uselss. Of course out of 300K+ people some are bound to do good.

He he November 27, 2007 at 6:25 p.m.

I have a bad case of stinky finger!

He he November 28, 2007 at 1:26 a.m.

I am also respected in the porn industry. They call me "The Tiny Man."

Hey Tiny Man November 28, 2007 at 5:20 p.m.

I thought you were a UOP Grad...the stinky finger gave you away!

He he November 28, 2007 at 6:47 p.m.

True probably graduated from UoP too.

Love It November 28, 2007 at 8:45 p.m.

Love how this website mocks people. Lets take a gander at what people say about schools that are not-for-profit compared to the for-profit schools. Man, I can't find anything written poorly about Penn State, even though it has online degrees. Why? Your not paying to graduate, your paying to learn, and if you don't learn, you don't pass, unlike UoP.

Good work He he November 29, 2007 at 1:04 a.m.

NorthCentral is in the top 5 dope. They are for profit like UoP. You keep coming with subjective statements and you bring articles that mean nothing to the table to substantiate your claims. Personally I don't like UoP so I am not going to bat for them, but I will not go to bat for stupid arguments like yours that make claims based on bunk. If you truly are educated, your arguments are flawed and useless, much like your research if you have done any I am sure.

Love it, the website is a joke. Of course, based on the times He he and Love it posted, I am guessing (and likely I am right), you are one in the same. You can find poorly written statements about any school in one fashion or another, but that subjective material is gander and conjecture and does not equate to credible material that you can use to establish an argument. It is like coming to a criminal trial with only circumstantial evidence.

Now, unless you are going to substantiate claims with original and verifiable research (other than what this site, what select former students, or what select HR directors have to say), then you have zero to discuss. The intellect, including you He he, isn't enough to light a bulb.

Don't bother to reply He he or Love it, you clearly suffer from delusions of adequacy.

He he November 30, 2007 at 1:49 a.m.

You will probably end up in hell too if you go to UoP. Just an FYI, hell is waiting if you graduate UoP.

He he December 3, 2007 at 7:43 p.m.

Ya, maybe Harvard Online if your lucky, I refuse to believe that one. I'm also the Queen of England. Nice to meet you. Idiot.

He he December 4, 2007 at 1:17 a.m.

Mommy, it burns when I pee and my fingy be stingy too!

Good work He he December 4, 2007 at 5:47 p.m.

He he,

I see you were called out on your "reviews as sources" concept again. Sorry sir, but you cannot believe the negative and refuse the positive. If you only believe the negative, you must be a statistician, painting the picture you want everybody to believe with skewed numbers. Yes sir, you are a real researcher. You think from one side and refuse to analyze from both sides. Again, I do not go to bat for UoP or online schools in general, but I can tell a subjective thinker and one who lacks the ability to review things with a critical mind when I see one.

Sorry state of affairs if anyone puts weight into your argument, anyone with intelligence can see you argue "from the hip."

Re: Attention Online Fools from Oct. 21st 2007 December 5, 2007 at 3:21 a.m.

I just graduated from an online MBA at an AACSB accredited school. I can say that every single professor that taught every single one of my classes was full time and held a terminal degree. I agree that UoP is a total f**king joke and should be shut down immediately. But don't lump the traditional AACSB B&M schools with an online program in with UoP and Devry.

He he December 6, 2007 at 1:31 a.m.

UoP is ACBSP accredited, not AACSB. AACSB is much more respected.

Dr. B December 6, 2007 at 7:49 p.m.

AACSB considering Capella? I hope it happens. lol That would be so funny to me.

Interesting article:

www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/10/19/p...

He he December 7, 2007 at 3:45 p.m.

Harvard is also accredited by ABCDE, which is sponsored by Sesame Street.

Dr. B December 8, 2007 at 12:35 a.m.

oh my. now that was well stated. lol he he has done the same thing on the walden university board too.... but we don't really pay him/her/it any attention.

He he December 8, 2007 at 10:58 p.m.

Everyone,

My son is in 10th grade and has been causing problems on a lot of websites lately. We are looking at taking his computer access away. At this point "He he" as he calls himself has little to talk about because he has a 2.1 GPA in high school and is having a hard time even finding a technical college with interest in him. I have taken a moment to browse Capella, UoP, and NorthCentral University and my son has went by the names of He he, Love it, True, Being Honest, Fake, and Just a Guy.

This has been the problem; he spams several web blogs with his nonsense. I apologize for my son's incompetence.

He he December 9, 2007 at 4:26 p.m.

My pe nis is stuck in a blender. My God, I am a unit!

Dr. B December 13, 2007 at 9:06 p.m.

Nursing-Education Journal Gives Thumbs Up to Online Doctorates

An article in the latest issue of Nursing Education Perspectives paints a promising picture of online doctoral programs in nursing.

The authors of “Twenty-First Century Doctoral Education: Online With a Focus on Nursing Education” used a matrix of learning benchmarks established by the Higher Learning Commission and the Institute for Higher Education Policy to evaluate the online doctoral program at the University of Northern Colorado.

They found that Ph.D. students in the online program felt their studies were rigorous and academically challenging, had ample opportunity to collaborate with other students on research and form meaningful mentor relationships with faculty members through frequent e-mail and chat-room contact, and were inspired to incorporate new learning concepts into their workplaces.

Online doctoral-degree programs, which broaden access to high-quality Ph.D. programs and allow nursing instructors to pursue further study alongside full- or part-time employment, may be instrumental in stemming the shortage of Ph.D.-prepared nurse educators, the authors suggest. —Paula Wasley

chronicle.com/news/article/3629/nursing-education-journal-gives-thumbs-up-to-online-doctorates

nln.allenpress.com/pdfserv/i1536-5026-028-06-0332.pdf ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM JOURNAL

Grad rate of 4% December 25, 2007 at 9:53 p.m.

I see the last reveiw has this stat listed. Care to provide a source He he?

December 15 Review December 28, 2007 at 6:44 p.m.

You all look at the December 15 review. The poster stated that UOP doesn't care about graduation rates...etc. He/She also said that there was just too much work and that if a student goes there, they need to be unemployed. I find a lot wrong with this argument.

December 15 Review December 31, 2007 at 4:46 a.m.

This is He he again. My organ hurts after I accidently stroked it raw last night.

This is the masked man! January 2, 2008 at 3:57 a.m.

This is the alter ego of those jokers on this board who believe they know all and anyone who attends an online for profit school is either worthless or subpar to other students. I will continue to mock in you oh so many ways until you leave the board, making you feel like half a man or woman.

In Favor January 3, 2008 at 12:59 p.m.

University of Phoenix graduates are definitely going places. Notice that the new dean of the school of business at Salem is a UoP doctoral graduate.

www.phoenixalumni.com/Newsletter/Decembe...

Me January 11, 2008 at 4:59 a.m.

Online colleges aren't for everyone. But if you are in the military, mid-career professional, can't make it to courses onground, it is a perfectly acceptable option.

Brittney Spears January 12, 2008 at 5:48 a.m.

I'm pretty and I'm not crazy.

Lech Walesa February 10, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.

*************
hahahahahahahaha..... respondants.. .I work in education too... if I do work, it's all but maybe 3 hours a day. Solitaire gets boring!
*************

don't be shy...you can count the extra 10 hours you work flipping hamburgers and cleaning toilets, too.

*************
I am dean of a college at a well known university. I work a lot with other colleges and can assure you, none of us would hire a PhD
*************

sure...and "another of you" is going to bring pokemon cards to your secret place in daddy's basement so you can trade

************
I am 25 years old, I own a very nice home, purchased 5 BMW's with in the last year, and I have very nice opportunities waiting for me to finish my MBA.
************

Oh really?
I squeeze watermelons with my b-tt-cheeks...don't laugh...I make seven figures working with a travelling show. Hey...wanna trade pokemon cards or watch Harry Potter?

Blue Blood February 28, 2008 at 11:38 p.m.

Look out's post is a copy/paste from a wikipedia article on UoP. The articles that he/she pasted on this site are antiquated. I know of UoP graduates who work for both P&G and Intel (the article stated that it may have to revisit its decision.... and apparently it has).

UoP is not a business school.... but it has one that contains three Colleges. You also failed to mention other accreditations the the university has.

Business degree programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs ACBSP

Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education CCNE

Master of Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP

Education degree programs are accredited by Teacher Education Accreditation Council TEAC.

All of these accreditations speak volumes to the quality of education that UoP offers.... it must be in order to achieve 325,000 students? Duh?

Also, it's important to understand that UoP is not an online school. It is a B&M school that began offering its first online course in 1989. It was founded in 1970.

AACSB and ACBSP are not competitors of each other. Both bodies accredit institutions and have more member institutions than they accredit. Until UoP achieved ACBSP accreditation, it was a member of AACSB for many, many years. AACSB focuses on research whereas ACBSP focuses on teaching excellence. With an average student body age of 34y/o, what's most important? Learning what you can immediately apply to your job, or sitting under your professor doing his/her work for them?

Dr. B March 7, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.

Norman.... I am one of those graduates who teach in traditional programs. I have presented. I am published. And I make a very good salary.

Dr. B March 8, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.

That is not true. I am only 30 years old. I'm pretty sure that I've spent less time at the bottom than you have. My college internship probably paid more than you make now. I have done my time... including being an operations and HR manager for a fortune 500 organization. I have hired people from all types of schools. AACSB does not guarantee a better employee.

So what you say is of little value.

Joe March 8, 2008 at 10:23 p.m.

I'll be 28 next week but you get the idea. AACSB is the fast track...

Joe March 9, 2008 at 12:07 a.m.

Your TA is better qualified... your CV includes all of your higher education mate. You don't get to omit that. LOL

Thanks for playing, but we don't take forgeries here.

Joe March 9, 2008 at 4:02 a.m.

Haha... nice Alter-Ego Dr.B... whose the loser? LMAO!

AACSB is the criterion HR uses to weed through applications. It is that simple and anyone who worked HR for a Fortune 500 would know that. You're the one pretending to be a doctor on a blog... not me. I'm happy with myself and my AACSB degree!

Late

Dr. B. March 13, 2008 at 1:52 p.m.

Leah, I partially agree with you. In fact, there was an article in The Chronicle on yesterday that read that it is illegal for American doctors to call themself doctor in Germany. Unless they earn their Ph.D. in Germany, they can only refer to themself as Professor.

Now, to address the undertone of your message.UoP only offers practical doctoral degrees right now: Ed.D. DBA, DM etc. Some Ph.D.s feel that those are not real doctorates but they are according to the American Council on Education, DOE, and CHEA. I suppose we all have our opinions, which are oftentimes baseless.

Now, to address your implication. I earned my MBA from UoP, not my Ph.D. I also possess an extensive publication and presentation record. If you ever attended a professional conference in my area, you would hold me to a high esteem too.... or at least be envious.

But I say this to you....dearest complete stranger; how can you judge me when you don't know anything about me? The people who matter pay me, which is why I have a very comfortable life.

Anyway... enough of the soap box.

Be Blessed!

Dr. B. March 13, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.

I don't know you and you don't know me. If I knew you, I would have absolutely no problem directing you to my work. If I were to interview under you, which I highly doubt will ever happen, you would be familiar with my work. People who I converse with daily under The Chronicle know my work. But an indivdual under an alias on a board that does not provide personal information or a log in for security reasons.... you actually think that I am going to pinpoint you to my work? One of the journals has my face on its website. You think I would show all of that to you... a complete nobody? Get a grip, Leah. You don't matter!

Dr. B. March 14, 2008 at 2:04 a.m.

As I have stated before, people who know me know exactly who I, what I do, and how high my work is regarded in academe.

From your last post, I think you're just a disgruntled lesbian who broke her last toy and just wants to take it out on me. Don't blame me for your issues lezzi!

Leah March 14, 2008 at 3:53 a.m.

I retract the last sentence... you work for Laureate Education Inc.

USN O-6 (ret) March 20, 2008 at 7:21 a.m.

Looks like I missed a flame war going on between a fake doc and a lesbian if I believe you two. I read the Walden thread and believe Dr. B is a doctor... just not from a great school where he would want to share his works. Leah doesn't sound like a lesbian, just a woman who has been hurt by one too many men. You two take a chill pill and keep this on topic.

UOP March 30, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresult......

More complaints, federal settlements. 16% retention rate, allegations of Title IV abuse. This is the very definition of a scam. But, at least it is RA (who knows for how long).

USN O-6 (ret) March 31, 2008 at 11:28 p.m.

UOP only has a 6% graduation rate coming in dead last...

http://oedb.org/rankings/graduation-rate...

USN April 1, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.

Lets add it all up. 300,000 students with an average 6% graduation rate. That is still 18,000 students graduating per year internationally. 6% may be discouraging, but the realistic picture is quite overwhelming in my view. Wouldn't it be worse if all 300,000 graduated?

*^^*&% April 6, 2008 at 3:57 a.m.

"Dr" B. is a fraud!!! Works the midnight shift at Circle K or for Walden (Same difference either way!!)

my2cents April 17, 2008 at 5:26 a.m.

I am just finishing up my last week for my AA degree in HealthCare Administration. The funny thing is I couldn't tell you anything about HealthCare other than HIPPA. All of my classes have been in Human Services. Axia will NOT give me a degree in Human Services because they said I was on a different version when I started and I would lose all the credits if I wanted that degree. If you look at the HealthCare Admin degree it has classes for medical terminology and I never took that class, but I did take all the classes for Human Services. I am transferring out of UOP and going onto by bachelors in another school. One more week and I am out of there! The classes were mostly good and the instructors were good and bad some do a lot and some do just want they have to. Luckily I got the same instructor for a few of my classes. My overall classroom experience was good except for the few occasions. The cost is high though.

Dr. B. April 19, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.

Why is there so much focus being placed on Walden? Walden and UoP are not in direct competition of one another. NCATE accredits teacher licensure programs. Walden has just launched its teacher licensure program (Jan 2008) and is making plans to apply for NCATE. See this link for more reliable information regarding The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership.

UoP has its own wonders, including a teacher licensure program for quite some time. There is no need to point out one school's flaws in order to make your own institution seem stronger. You're hurting the whole distance learning/non-traditional education argument.

Instead, I think it's important to simply focus on the teaching excellence and applied learning that UoP is acknowledged for.

UOP April 22, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.

Funny mate, "applying for" accreditation is the tag line loser schools use. When you get it you can say something, until such a time it is just another worthless degree without professional accreditation. UoP has gone out of it's way to seek TEAC which is something Walden can't even do. They might not have had the opportunity to apply for NCATE but they certainly had it to apply for TEAC and they failed. This is where UoP beats out Walden's school of education. UoP also has ACBSP for their MBA, Walden doesn't have jack. UoP beats Walden hands down.

HR May 19, 2008 at 7:43 p.m.

I am employed by Boeing and graduated from BYU-I. I was admitted to PENN State online HRER program. They only admitted 45 students and all of the tests are proctored. With Boeing’s learning together program I could go any where and my tuition is 100% covered. I am in HR and I review resumes it really does depend on the school.

Question May 21, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.

Why do you spend so much time on these boards Dr. B defending your degree? Seriously, if you are "highly regarded etc etc" these boards would matter little to you. I came here to see how others thought about the schools, not to read people fight about what is real and what is not. I got my answer though, I'm not going to apply to any school that needs people to defend their degree once its done.

Dr. B. June 5, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.

I just saw this in The Chronicle this morning. Decided to share.

U. of Phoenix Reports on Its Students' Academic Achievement By GOLDIE BLUMENSTYK

The University of Phoenix is often derided by traditional academics for caring more about its bottom line than about academic quality, and every year, the annual report issued by its parent company focuses more on profits than student performance.

The institution that has become the largest private university in North America is releasing its first "Annual Academic Report," which it will make available on its Web site today. The university's leaders say the findings show that its educational model is effective in helping students succeed in college, especially those who are underprepared.

Freshmen at the University of Phoenix enter with reading, writing, and mathematical skills that are, on average, below those of other college students, but according to data from standardized tests, Phoenix students appear to improve in those skills at a greater rate than do students at other colleges.

And in a comparison of students who enter college with "risk factors" that often contribute to their dropping out, Phoenix's rates of completion for a bachelor's degree were substantially higher than for institutions over all.

Dr. B. continued June 5, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.

The report includes data on the university's degree-completion rates that differ from those found in national reports because those graduation-rate reports track only students who enter as first-time freshmen; most of Phoenix's students enter with some college credits. The Phoenix report shows that 27 percent of its students seeking associate degrees graduate, which is the same as the national rate; 38 percent of those seeking bachelor's level do (versus 43 percent nationally); and 60 percent pursuing graduate degrees do (versus 61 percent nationally).

But because the university caters to students who have jobs, have delayed entry to college after high school, have families, or have other characteristics known to contribute to dropping out of college, the report also assesses the university's degree-completion rates in comparison with statistics from national studies on students with similar characteristics.

In that analysis, Phoenix's results are far better. For students with two risk factors, the bachelor's completion rate at Phoenix was about 55 percent, compared with 20 percent for the national pool; for students with five risk factors, the Phoenix completion rate was more than 30 percent, while the national rate was less than 20 percent.

Such students "are much more likely to finish in our world," said Mr. Pepicello.

Diverse Populations

The report also shows that the university's student body and faculty are more diverse than those in higher education at large. At Phoenix, more than 15 percent of the 22,000 full- and part-time faculty members are African-American and nearly 6 percent are Hispanic, as of 2008. Nationally, based on statistics in the report from 2005, about 5 percent were African-American and about 3 percent were Hispanic.

The student population at Phoenix is about 25 percent African-American (compared with 12 percent nationally in 2005) and nearly 13 percent Hispanic (compared with 10 percent nationally).

The report is also likely to stir some controversy on another front: It seeks to show that despite the indirect subsidies the University of Phoenix receives through federal student-aid programs, it saves taxpayers money, while other institutions cost them thousands of dollars per student.

The report does so with an analysis—which the university fully expects to ignite some debate—that calculates the costs of state financing, Pell Grants, and federal loan subsidies but also the taxes paid by Phoenix and the taxes forgone to the federal and state treasuries from nonprofit colleges' earnings on endowments and gifts.

By that calculation, Phoenix officials contend, a typical public university costs the public $11,700 per student, a typical private one more than $9,200, and a typical for-profit college only $22 per student. By contrast, Phoenix officials say, their institution saves the public more than $322 per student, largely because of the taxes its corporate parent pays.

Leah June 5, 2008 at 8:34 p.m.

Why would Dr.B have a subscription to the Chronicle of Higher Ed. if he didn't work for Walden? I knew it!

Leah June 5, 2008 at 11:08 p.m.

We know what "club" you're a member of... Laureate Education Inc.

UOP June 7, 2008 at 6:46 a.m.

UOP is an above average school. It is certainly better than all the for-profits out there. It isn't Harvard by a long shot but it is competitive with cutting edge learning practices. I am sorry you had a bad experience working at UOP, but that doesn't translate into taking classes there.

If UOP is a diploma mill, every school on this site is one.

UOP June 7, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.

The only one baised here is the one calling us "jerks."

Josh June 10, 2008 at 12:42 a.m.

Let me first tell you i am now on my 3rd year and havnt done my first year yet, my first 2 classes went smooth after that it went to hell, the lates thas now went on a 1yr fight and see no end coming anytime soon. Our accounting teacher was involved in a accident, we had no teacher for week 2 - week 7, thats 9 weeks, we didnt get tests, assignments etc, after calling several times a day we all got feed some line of bs, each student getting a different answer as our class turned into a riot over the different message, answers and requests that we got, all of a sudden we get a new teacher she comes in and is as shocked as we all are, she granted us all a wc, for several reasons, both my academic and finance counselor, their managers all approved the wc, someone above them pulled the wc from us and gave us a F, we all contact the joke of a accreditation district which is located in AZ which they pretty much blew smoke up all of our butts, it was finally resolved with us having to retake the class at no cost if we do it within a month of the signed email, responding to that email saying thank you please sign me up, took 2 weeks to get back and im not scheduled to 6/26 1 month past the 1 month point, what a joke, stay away

JJ June 11, 2008 at 9:21 p.m.

The instructors were good, I had no problem with them or the method of learning. I did learn. The problem was that nobody takes a degree from UoP seriously. I want to get into a good graduate program, so I decided to transfer to a more respected university. It's unfortunate that their degrees can't pass the giggle test. Very sad.

Erin June 12, 2008 at 5:45 a.m.

How about this everyone that went to the University of Phoenix file a class action lawsuit against the company since we all got a half ass education that apparently is not even worth the paper its printed on. I mean I spent 30,000 and no one is hiring me. I learned more at the junior college I went to and spent a quarter of the money. If any one is with me I would be up for spearheading a big lawsuit for our money back!

UOP is a Shill! June 12, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.

How much you are getting paid?

Rod June 16, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.

This has got to be one of the worst colleges in the United States. I inquired online one time. After calling me about 30 times I finally agreed to enroll in a class.

Way to expensive, Horrible customer service, Poor teaching, too easy, bottom line I withdrew after one class.

They should lose their accedidation. they definately don't deserve it.

Matt June 20, 2008 at 8:11 a.m.

Hey everyone,
I have been reading everyone's posts for a while now, and I am amazed it is impossible for you to have a educated discussion on such a easy topic. We could accomplish a lot more if we were to actually listen to what each other has to say and discuss facts, rather than shoot down opinions. As far as UoP goes, it is an easy school hands down. I have been attending UoP for the last two years and I graduate in five weeks. Like I said UoP is easy, but it is also time consuming and I have learned a lot. I would not be able to complete the assignments if I did not learn the material. I have attended both a Big Bend Community College and Washington State University prior to starting at UoP. My employer actually asked me if I wanted to go to UoP so that I can work full time and go to school at the same time. They offered to pay for the whole degree, and they are even offering to pay for my masters. I can honestly say that I would not have attended UoP if it were not for my employer offering to send me there. Overall I am satisfied with the overall quality of the education. I have learned a lot. The programming courses were way tougher than at the other two schools. If what some of you are saying about UoP not being accepted by many organizations is true, than I guess I am screwed. I do not feel as bad since my employer will be the one who lost the 60,000 bucks. In the mean time I have already secured a great career in the field I am studying. I am making about 83,000 a year. It’s not as much as I would like to make but my wife and I have a nice house a couple of cars (not BMW’s) and we are able to do the things we enjoy. In other words we have a good quality of life, or at least it is good enough for us. I hope it continues to be this way. I do know that every situation is not the same for all of us. I also know that we should not discourage anyone from making a decision to educate themselves, even if it is just going down to the local library and grabbing a book, its still education. If there are flaws in an education system they should be discussed in an educated manner, not by shooting each other down.

rich July 3, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.

UoP commands no respect what-so-ever. You would be better off not having any degree at all.

Just a Guy July 6, 2008 at 1 a.m.

Oh, I'm scared... You've contacted the webmaster of this forum. Are they going to take away my birthday? LOL

Fully Accredited July 10, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.

www.phoenix.edu/about_us/accreditation.a...

Uncle Janko July 19, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.

I would never go to a school associated with Richie.

Just a Guy July 23, 2008 at 1:06 a.m.

I am obsessed with these schools. I visit several forums, blogs, and Websites daily to complain about online schools. I have never attended any of the schools that I complain about, but they must be bad because I SAID SO!

(*&^%(& August 9, 2008 at 7:36 a.m.

UoP Sucks

Positive August 10, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.

Man fukk everybody that has something bad to say about online degrees. They are the way of the future you fukking ingnorant biatches!!!!!

Steve October 28, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.

I received my MBA from U of P last year in international business. I was shocked at how many recruiters lost interest once they found out I went to U of P. To this day I still have not found a decent job. I tried several consulting companies hoping to land a job in international business. I did not receive one phone call apparently companies don't believe U of P is even accredited. I know how much work it was to finish the program. I can't even get a chance to speak with a firm. I graduated with a 3.9 gpa and still nothing. I feel like I wasted 35k with no hope being able to pay the loan back at this rate. None of my fellow class mates have found anything either. I warn everyone about going there and the problems they will face getting a job.

Aaron November 1, 2008 at 10:41 p.m.

I also received my BS/BM from UoP. Upon graduation, I considered many other schools to pursue to complete my MBA. I did look at UoP mostly for the same reasons I attended for my bachelor's; the online format makes it very easy to complete as a working adult. I did consider other factors as well and I think many of you are right on. You NEED to find a school that is AACSB accredited. That is, if you plan on having many options available when you graduate. I found Central Michigan University here close to home that also offers an online MBA program. I would recommend CMU to anyone seriously looking for a GOOD online MBA program. Yes, they are AACSB accredited, yes they require the GMAT, and yes, they are a great brick and mortar that has been around since 1892 in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Check it out if you guys are looking for a great school to pursue your MBA at.

Do I regret my degree from UoP? Not at all, but mostly because I am now in grad school at an AACSB school, but also, because UoP did a great job preparing me for written work. Many of my peers in grad school have a tough time with papers which are very easy for me after attending UoP.

Bottom line, UoP offers you some good classes, but I would not recommend if you are looking at grad classes.

kmgcc November 13, 2008 at 8:31 p.m.

I too chose to attend UoP because of the convenience. I will be retiring in 7 years and decided to take classes for my own pleasure. Yes, UoP is expensive, however, I do not have time available for a traditional classroom experience. My experience has been acceptable. Most of the complaints seem to be about business degrees so I would be interested in reading comments related to the Psychology and Education degrees. I have no regrets.

That's funny December 1, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.

Because I went to UOP to gain a degree in education and licensure to teach in my state. The courses were challenging and I had no problem getting placed in the local school disrict, which has over 40,000 students. My state is very conservative and I thought I would have a hard time getting licensed but didn't. I only went on one interview and was hired on the spot. I also earned my master's degree from UOP and it gave me a higher salary plus more respect in my field. I am a lead instructor and department chair. I also supervise student teachers coming from top schools.

There has got to be something you're leaving out. I find it hard to believe that no one would want to supervise a male prospective teacher. Something isn't right with your story.

The UOP education degree is regionally and professionally accredited. I just find it interesting that you went to what you consider an invaluable institution, paid tons of tuition, and then come on sites like this to put it on blast. The bottom line is that you still graduated from there. Stop embarrassing yourself. UOP will continue to stand.

... December 2, 2008 at 8:09 p.m.

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. www.teac.org. There are other good schools accredited by this body. www.teac.org/about/index.asp

UOP is also accredited by these other bodies.

Nursing Accreditation — The B.S. in Nursing and the M.S. in Nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Business Accreditation — All business programs from the Associate to the Doctoral levels have specialty accreditation through the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Teacher Education Accreditation — The M.A. in Education degree program is preaccredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) for a period of five years, from December 20, 2007 to December 20, 2012.

Counseling Accreditation — The M.S. in Counseling degree program in Community Counseling and the M.S. in Counseling degree program in Mental Health Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Furthermore December 4, 2008 at 8:44 p.m.

ACBSP is a joke. Its not AACSB, which is the "Golden Standard." ACBSP is actually under fire now because they approved UoP. They had an enormous drop out because of it and are likely ruined. It was like the NSA giving Capella accreditation for its IT program. Its no longer respected in industry like it used to be. Face it, UoP - Capella - Northcentral - Nova Southeastern* - Walden - ITT - etc etc are a joke!

*-Exception as it is turning around by investing tons of money in research and it is a non-profit school.

Furthermore December 9, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.

Put together the links below to get to the page of the Chronicle. Simply search the Chronicle for University of Phoenix, or Ripoffreport.com, or just google it to see what you come up with.

ht tp://chronicle.com/news/article/4625/u-of-phoenixs-report-on-students-progress-is-disingenuous-critic-says

UoP is a Joke December 17, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.

If you want to go to UoP, just save yourself the time you would spend online and just send them your money. You will still get your degree and learn just as much as if you would do the work. All they want is your money. Money greedy Apollo group is horrible. Sooner or later they will buy ITT Tech too and they can all be one big happy useless family. Anyway to scam the government out of money and corporations will find it. Just like the welfare system.

UOP=SCAM! December 25, 2008 at 6:50 a.m.

See above statement, 99% job placement = SCAM!

UOP.edu December 28, 2008 at 2:41 a.m.

Awhh, you didn't get to go to the graduation? Then you might have realized total idiots are getting 4.0s. I only put in a minimal amount of work and carried that GPA along with a large segment of my graduating class. Everyone graduating from UOP is doing it with honors. What kind of BS is that? I hope you don't have to list UOP on your CV because it is more likely to hurt you than to help. No one would hire me for the very reason I graduated from there. UOP is about as convienient in academics as one can get, especially if you are the lazy team member who has your group carry your work. I can't tell you how many excuses I recieved from my group about how their uncle died or their wife was having a baby so they couldn't turn in their portion of the project. Looking back on it, I hate this school more than I hate the Cowboys and T.O. Terrel and UOP have one thing in common, they are both showboaters who can't deliver what they promise. UOP sucks, stay away at all costs.

UOP.edu December 31, 2008 at 4:07 a.m.

Oh cut the crap. I know it was you who posted going to Devry only a few minutes after you posted this malarky. You are a fraud of the first rate. You don't work as an operations manager at a Fortune 500, you work in an admissions department at some online school.

UOP.edu January 3, 2009 at 6:02 a.m.

Are You a Phoenix? Welcome to the new marketing ploy brough to you by UOP. Notice how they don't talk about how the degree has helped them progress in employment but that they had deferred dreams of ever attaining a degree and UOP gave it to them. That is what diploma mills do for you.

Congrats Phoenix!

I Love It January 3, 2009 at 1:54 p.m.

I love how every time someone posts something positive on here, the same dogs run to the bowl and start eating. It's funny.

I have a ? January 11, 2009 at 2:42 p.m.

Hello,

I would like to ask some current students who take the courses online how do you get the books and materiel's (e.g. are they sent to you via postage overnight?) Also, if there is a delay in receiving the books (e.g. 7-10 days) then when does your start date begin since there is a delay in receiving the materiel's. How does the college handle this or how does it work?

All comments are welcomed!

Thanks

what??? January 13, 2009 at 12:37 a.m.

I'm asking about how you get your books.

... January 13, 2009 at 10:58 p.m.

I'm not taking classes but would to know how you get your books. I'm asking a serious question so can you please tell me...how?

??? January 14, 2009 at 8:49 p.m.

I thought there was no problem transferring credits from one regional school to another. I was told as long as you attend any regional college that another regional college "will" accept your credits.

dimichan January 17, 2009 at 1:25 a.m.

Some quick facts:

No college is ever required to accept credits from another. Accreditation improves the chances since there is a standard to meet, but no school HAS to accept anything. That's right - your local community college can refuse your credits from Yale if they wish.

Which school you attend has nothing to do with how you filled out or qualified for, or were denied, financial aid. Federal wishes supercede school wishes - period.

There are positive and negative aspects to almost anything - trick is finding what works best for YOU. As I've attended a state school with a strong rep, a community college, and online school, I'm in a good position to say this.

Summarized:
The good, online. I have time to attend online where there's no way I have time B&M this round. I like the online books after experiencing bookstore hell. And I like writing and assignments vs midterm + final equalling entire grade. Advisor way more accessible, while that's not saying much, I saw my B&M advisors 1 time in 3 years.

The good, ground. Atmosphere. Honestly, for me that's about it, social and school atmosphere and someone telling me where to be and when. So we'll say more structured, and social ambiance/school "air" that you won't find in your living room with kids playing at your feet while writing an essay on business ethics in the electronic age. And possibly reputation if you go somewhere that has a "brand name" that's easily recognizeable.

The bad, online. NEED self discipline. A lot of it. It is SO easy to backslide and lose track of classes. Teams. Can be good but can also be a drag. While it's indeed like real life, it can also be frustrating. Reputation not up there with the "brand name" schools that are recognized by reputation instantly.

The bad, ground. Lack of resources. As I said, I managed with a 2 week window to speak to an advisor once. I was still confused about what classes to take. And I still wasn't sure I was in the right program. BOOKSTORE. Ever gotten the books on the list only to be told by the professor that no, he wants a different one? Go back to the store and oops? New edition, we can't buy that back - oh and we're sold out of the one you need. Congratulations, your home library just grew. For the mere sum of $125 for a book that'll never be used. COMMUTING. Working full time I do not have the time or patience to spend 3 hrs per week in a classroom 4x per week plus travel. Add in gas and food without time to go home. Maybe I was just unlucky, but at both my state school and the CC, I got zero assistance anywhere.

So far, I've done poorly in one class at UoP, my fault for missing an assignment. Done well in others and doing well at present, but it's by no means been a gimme. Material/learning is sticking a bit better with the breaking of the cram/test/forget cycle. So while it works for me may not be for everyone.

Curious January 17, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.

I have spent a little time reading through these interesting posts about the University of Phoenix. I am not familiar with this school so I wanted to do a bit of research on it. I turned to a couple of sources, such as the 2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges (28th edition; they have been ranking universities and colleges for decades) although I use U.S. News and World Report's University Rankings as well. This particluar source (Barron's) lists more than 1,650 colleges and universities. The source ranks the schools from "Most Competitve" to "Noncompetitve" and "Special" (mostly for working adults/non-traditional). There are seven levels in all. The University of Phoenix is not listed at all. Even Devry is listed (they are listed as "Less Competitive")! Can anyone comment on why the largest private university in the U.S. is not listed in this source?

Curious January 18, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.

Thank you for that UOP . com. I agree with you completely. It is not just the Barron's source either. I checked U.S. News and World Report (although it wasn't the 2009 edition; I haven't had time to get that one yet but I have a strange feeling things haven't changed) and found that University of Phoenix was not listed there either. In addition, and many of you know this, Oneline Education Data Base has some revealing statistics about the University of Phoenix. There is no data concerning Acceptance Rate, the Graduation Rate is 28% and the Retention Rate is 4% (44th out of 44 schools ranked; dead last). According to this website, the Retention Rate indicates the student body's interest in what is being offered by the college. They go on to say that factors that explain this include the administration's competence, quality of staff teaching, quality of the curriculum and the perceived value of what is being taught.
If I were the head administrator of this school, I would not be happy with those statistics.
I wonder what reaction individuals have to the fact that UOP is not listed in U.S. News and World Report (prior to 2009; I don't know about this year; maybe someone can chime in on that), they are not listed in Barron's Profiles of American Colleges (although over 1,650 other colleges and universities are), and their less than great stats at Online Education Database (website).

HA HA January 23, 2009 at 4:09 p.m.

Uop Sucks. They don't have a minimum entrance for anything. Just pay them. In fact, UoPs biggest competitor is Lacrosse University. Look that up and buy that degree, it will save you time and money!

Do your RESEARCH January 26, 2009 at 4:59 p.m.

For all the students looking into the computer programs offered at UOP, you need to stop right now! Unless you want an easy degree with no respect in the real world. They are Arts Degrees, NOT Science Degrees. There is a very big difference. Also, Take a stand against these horrible schools who just want to get rich. hopefully the end is near for all these pathetic schools operating like this!

Objective Opinion February 5, 2009 at 10:06 p.m.

I got my BA and MBA from the University of Maryland and decided to do my doctorate at UoP; it was a very tough decision for me. I chose UoP because of a demanding work schedule and because at the time I had a young family (at the time I had a 2 year old and a 4 year old).

Some people make the argument that UoP should set entrance requirements such as a minimum G.P.A and GMAT score. In place of not having the minimum requirement UoP has extremely tough and demanding first 2 courses that students must pass before formal acceptance in the doctoral program. After my first 2 classes I watched my class sizes shrink dramatically as a lot of students could not keep up with the intensity and the demands of the doctoral classes. I also had 3 residencies (for my first 3 years in the doctoral program) and I had to attend face to face classes for these residencies. After I completed my course work the dissertation process was yet another tough process!!! From getting through the academic review board (ARB), the institutional review board (IRB), formally defending my dissertation, and getting the dean to sign my dissertation it was such a gruesome experience. I can not speak for the bachelors or masters degree programs because I got both my BA and my MBA from the University of Maryland; I can only testify about UoP's doctoral program.

It is true that UoP does not have a great reputation and it is true that it may be "easier" to get hired if one has a degree from a school accredited by the AACSB. I will say this: I know a lot of people with PhDs from top schools who have not achieved much even after graduation. I have a close friend who graduated over 7 or 8 years ago from a good school who only published last year. I am heavily engaged in publishing and I have secured a teaching position even with a doctorate from UoP. I earn a six figure income and I have not had issues with my UoP degree. I will be honest that having a strong resume and other credentials is also very helpful. I will also be honest with you that most schools clearly prefer faculty members with degrees from schools accredited by the AACSB. You "may" have to start by applying for a few adjunct positions but if you focus on getting your publications in top journals you will find the job search a lot easier.

All in all UoP worked for me because of my situation. I will also add that I do not know much about UoP’s undergraduate and graduate programs (I do not know if they have the same rigor as the doctoral program) I can only testify about UoP’s doctoral program.

Message to UoP.com February 9, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.

UOP.com,

I think this site could (and would) be of value if you simply provided objective information without adding your negative commentaries. Your commentaries honestly make your input very subjective and you come off as if you are trying to discredit UoP. You are correct that there are definitely several concerns that anyone should have with UoP: It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure them out. Just like many I was very skeptical of UoP. I can say that UoP’s doctoral program is quite different and I know this because I WENT THROUGH IT. As I said I did not just send in my resume and my transcript to get into the program: I took two courses, passed two exams (that are separate from the 2 courses) and went through a residency course which I had to take in Phoenix. I was careful to ensure that my program had residencies because I did not want a program that was 100% on-line.

By the way—I completed both my bachelors degree and my masters at a state university (University of Maryland). Though it may have been better to go a traditional university, sometimes situations make it tough for everyone to pursue degrees in class these days. Some people may have young kids and others may have demanding jobs.

As part of UoP’s doctoral program, students are required to go through 3 residencies. I can tell you that after the first year residency my class size was slashed in half (or less). Besides the doctoral classes, students also have to complete their research and orally defend their research. Just as in any other school UoP dissertations have to be reviewed by an ARB and IRB (very few students make it through these reviews---I know this because quite a number of my class mates are still struggling with their research) and then the dean also has to review and approve the dissertation. Students must also orally defend their dissertation.

Fortunately, I have been able to get a teaching position and I am heavily engaged in research. What really matters is what graduates do after getting their degrees! The biggest egg on your face is that I earn a six figure income and I am heavily engaged in research. I get e-mails from recruiters quite often; even with UoP listed on my resume. Though I will not just say that I am doing well “because” of UoP; I will say that even with a degree from UoP people like me discredit people like you who say that NO ONE can succeed with a degree from UoP. In an economy where the job market is tough I can clearly choose to consult or continue teaching and I am doing very well. Though I have chosen to focus on teaching and research, I get e-mails from consulting companies all the time.

PS. This will be my last post--unlike you I have other things to do than worry about UoP.

Curious February 13, 2009 at 12:42 a.m.

I understand what UOP. com is saying. I have been in academia for more than 25 years. Again, I feel that an institution's quality is suspect when they have no minimum entrance GPA for the undergraduate programs, no required SAT or ACT scores that I could find. In other words only a high school diploma or GED is required as far as I know. That indictaes complete non-selectivity to me. What does that say about the type of student that goes there? I don't think the GRE is required of its graduate students either. As I have also mentioned before, a comprehensive reference work, such as Barron's Profile of American Colleges (2009, 28th Edition) does not even have UoP listed out of the more than 1,650 RA universities and colleges that they do list. I believe that there have got to be better options out there.

Been there February 22, 2009 at 9:49 p.m.

I actually attended UofP on campus and it was a JOKE....I'm sure online isn't mich better. Mind you this was back in the 90's and I was told by several employers since than that when they see UofP on a resume they toss it aside. UofP is a joke not only among the students but employers as well. STAY AWY!!!!!

Phoenix Focus March 2, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.

Phoenix graduates are doing great things... even in academia.

aptimus.vo.llnwd.net/o33/phoenix_edu/email_images/AY/AY-6194/Phoenix-Focus-March-2009-1.pdf

Silly March 13, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.

"see UofP on a resume they toss it aside"

That is silly, I don't know of an HR department so incompetent that it would disregard qualified applicants. It is a regionally accredited degree, not a bogus one like a Warren National or Breyer State "degree'.

The biggest knock is the cost. You can get the same degree for half the price.

RE: Sheri Johnson March 14, 2009 at 10:38 p.m.

Hi Sheri;
This is "Curious". If you read my comments, I have to say you underscored my points. A degree from UoP will probably be in question constantly. Who wants to constantly be defending the validity of their degree? You are also correct in pointing out that they do not seem to have any entrance requirements for undergrad programs outside of having a HS diploma. This says NON-SELECTIVE in big bold letters and everyone knows it. Everyone in the academic community and probably everyone in the corporate community, in health care and in every other area of employment. Sheri, I also want to mention that I was an instructor at Penn State University before coming back to Los Angeles to continue my teaching career. I can tell you that Penn State is a wonderful school and you will have a degree from a university that is well respected. You are also underscoring my point about well respected schools actually costing you less for tuition. Thanks for posting!

UOP.com March 22, 2009 at 6:54 a.m.

"That is silly, I don't know of an HR department so incompetent that it would disregard qualified applicants."

Really? HR does it all the time. We call it "weeding through the pile." There are only so many hours in a day and we dont' have time to look each applicant over. That would take forever!

Dr. Leek March 26, 2009 at 6:57 a.m.

Universito of Phoenix wows me:

216.240.154.224/uopforum

paste above link into your browser

Sheri Johnson April 3, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.

Maybe you can try to convince yourself that "a degree is a degree" but, that's just not true. Does anybody really believe that a Havard degree is equivalent to a UoP degree? Obviously not.

As soon as I withdrew from UoP a lot of my friends said they were glad. They too had heard the stories of the UoP diploma mill where you basically buy your degree but, they didn't want to say anything to hurt my feelings since I was already enrolled.

Just because you have to do some work at UoP doesn't mean it's a good school. The issue is whether their standards are as high as other respected schools like, for example, Penn State.

The answer is definitely no. For one thing, Penn State actually reviewed my transcripts before they accepted me. UoP didn't even bother to review my transcripts. What does that tell you? There's basically no admissions standards with UoP.

RE: Sheri Johnson April 12, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.

Hi Sheri;
Its Curious again!
I wanted to mention that your comment about convincing oneself that "a degree is a degree" is right on target. Anyone who believes that is lying to themselves. In addition, your point about 'UoP basically not having admission standards' is well taken in my opinion. Just having a high school diploma to gain admissions shows no real selectivity. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me when you say that "UoP didn't even bother to review your transcripts."

Jon April 21, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.

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.

Right on Sheri Johnson!!! April 29, 2009 at 1:24 a.m.

Right on Sheri!!! People will ALWAYS care where you went to school. It will ALWAYS haunt you since it is on your resume. Penn State is great! Go Lions!

Jon April 29, 2009 at 4:31 a.m.

Sheri, I believe if your company was hiring a "top position" type person, then experience probably played a major role in determining the appropriate person. I fully agree that if you have two applicants with no experience (or similar experiences) and one obtained a MBA from say the Wharton School of Business and the other obtained a degree from UofP, then the person with the Wharton MBA would get the job. However, if you had the same two candidates and the only experience the Wharton candidate had was as a manager of a local McDonalds whereas the UofP candidate had 20 years experience working as a CEO/V.P. for 5 different Fortune 500 companies, then the person with the UofP degree would win out. A degree does not prove the ability to perform a job. All a degree does is get a person in the door or help a company decide when applicants have similar backgrounds.

MSUPhD April 29, 2009 at 8:27 p.m.

I would just like to put this out there. Phoenix currently has 300,000 students and nearly a half million alumni. I would say that at least 140,000 of its current students will eventually graduate from there. AT SOME POINT, the tables will turn. The HR and hiring managers of these firms who are currently discriminating against the Phoenix graduate will be gone at some point. And eventually, these positions will be filled with Phoenix alums who will then discriminate against the "top" schoolers.

I think all of you should be careful of what you say. Current and future Phoenix students will come onto this board and take note of what is stated on this board. They will be vengeful to your children and grandchildren.

Jon April 29, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.

Depending on the methodology, statistical information can be misleading. The OEDB defines the methodology for the graduation rate as follows:

"Graduation Rate — The graduation rate is an indicator of success of a college's students in attaining their educational goals. The figures are provided by the College Navigator database from the Institute of Education Sciences, a sub-agency of the US Department of Education. College Navigator defines graduation rate, for 2007, as the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduate students beginning a program in 2001 who graduated within 150% of the normal time to program completion. (For example, for a four-year program, the graduation rate includes students who graduate withing six years of beginning the program.)" ((oedb.org/rankings/methodology))

For all you know, maybe only 4% of the students at UofP are full-time, first-time undergraduate students as required by the methodology above. If that were the case, then the school may graduate 100% of the 4%. However, since the website does not state how many students at UofP are full-time and first-time, the information is irrelevant.

Sheri Johnson April 30, 2009 at 2:18 a.m.

As for Jon's argument that experience counts more, that may very well be the case with other employers but, it's not with mine. The guy they hired is a regional manager who makes $220K a year so, just about everybody applied for it. This guy has no experience with our organization and no expertise in the area he will be managing ... zip ... so the learning curve will be very high but they obviously liked the Johns Hopkins degree.

Of course, this could just be an exceptional case but, even with your own example of both people having the same experience, the degree made the difference. Maybe it doesn't always but, in this competitive labor market I again ask, why take the chance? I don't see the reputation of these schools getting any better, especially as more and more traditional universities come online. The perception of the UoP's, etc. is only going to get worse in comparison.

As for the example of the Wharton grad who supposedly manages the local McDonald's ... even if it's just hypothetical ... you have got to be kidding, right?

LOL

Jon April 30, 2009 at 5:31 a.m.

I fully agree that Penn State is a better educational institution. As I stated above, I graduated with a BA History from the University of Connecticut, BS Accounting UofP, and a JD from Cornell. For a field such as medicine, performing clinical rotations is extremely important in gaining an understanding of your field. Would I want to go to a doctor or nurse who did not have the appropriate rotations or clinical experience, no. However, not all fields require the same in-person training.

I am assuming that since you mention RN/BSN that you work in the medical field. The Johns Hopkins is a great college and has a much higher credibility then UofP. However, as I stated above, education can serve a different purpose for each person.

Would I have chosen UofP to get my law degree if they offered it, simply no. I chose the best school I could get in to. However, attending UofP did allow me to secure the necessary credits in order to sit for the CPA exam. Is the UofP degree going to hold me back in my field, no because I passed the CPA exam and that certification provides additional credibility as to the knowledge and abilities of a person.

What is important is that each evaluates his or her circumstances and determines the best options. No one method is better then the other in every situation. I will state however that I cannot speak to every program for the colleges I attended. I can only speak about the specific classes and programs I took.

Sheri is a Joke pt II April 30, 2009 at 4:02 p.m.

Why would CCNE accredit a program that misleads? I mean this was on Phoenix's website.

As part of the University of Phoenix educational approach, your learning experience also will focus on problem-solving, active participation and teamwork. Depending upon the nursing program you select, your learning also will including a practicum or clinical component.

Students in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program complete clinical experiences focusing on community health, public health and nursing leadership. Master's-level nursing students complete a practicum corresponding to their chosen program. Students in the LPN/LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program complete the same clinical experiences, as well as rotations in women's health and medical surgical, pediatric and psychological nursing.

Did you just not attend your clinicals which is why you are a dropout?

Sheri Johnson May 1, 2009 at 2:04 a.m.

My point is that accreditations only go so far. Excelsior College is accredited by the NLN but, that didn't stop the California Board of Nursing from kicking their ADN program out of the state. Same for Chamberlain. They're accredited by the CCNE but, they still had major problems with the Missouri Board of Nursing.

Accreditations are obviously a good thing to have. Afterall, Penn State has both NLN and CCNE but, it's not going to help the school all that much if they have a lousy reputation.

Sheri Johnson May 1, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.

UoP and other programs like it do give people what they want: a quicker and easier education but, that doesn't mean it's a good school. These are publicly traded Wall Street companies. Like any other Wall Street firm, their primary objective is to make money, not to deliver a good education.

The reason I compare UoP to Penn State is because the admissions process alone was vastly different and illustrates a lot of the points that have been made in this forum. All UoP cared about was getting me in the door and getting my student loans rolling so they could be paid. And a big part of their pitch was the fact that I wouldn't have to do any clinicals, that it would all be online and that it would be easier for me.

UoP did not bother to look at my transcripts at all. Penn State, however, not only wanted all of my college transcripts first but, they also wanted my high school transcripts. For them the priority was my academic record and whether I was a good student.

Once I was accepted, Penn State also pointed out something that UoP didn't: that I needed to file additional paperwork to comply with Dept. of Education regulations for student loans. Did UoP bother with this paperwork? No ... which is probably why they've been cited by the DOE so many times and have had to pay fines and such.

As I've stated before, if you guys feel comfortable with UoP and the way they do things ... go for it. Maybe you're right ... maybe it won't matter in the end. Obviously UoP works for a lot of people but I just didn't feel comfortable with any of it.

Watch and See...... May 1, 2009 at 4:37 p.m.

Regarding the last post:
Watch and see....Some UoP grad will argue that we shouldn't use federal standards to judge the UoP graduation rate. Maybe they would prefer standards established by mickey mouse.....LOL

Question?? May 1, 2009 at 6:07 p.m.

Just a question Jon; a full time university student (let's say a 20 year old)who happens to be living at home with his/her parents to save money and is a commuter is not considered a traditional student by federal standards?

Jon May 1, 2009 at 7:08 p.m.

Nope. I cannot find the one article that stated that, since no concrete definition exists as to what makes a traditional student. However, the following is a portion of an article by the National Center for Education Statistics:

The term "nontraditional student" is not a precise one, although age and part-time status (which often go together) are common defining characteristics (Bean and Metzner 1985). An NCES study examining the relationship between nontraditional status and persistence in postsecondary education identified nontraditional students using information on their enrollment patterns, financial dependency status, family situation, and high school graduation status (Horn 1996). Specifically, in this study, a nontraditional student is one who has any of the following characteristics:

Delays enrollment (does not enter postsecondary education in the same calendar year that he or she finished high school);

Attends part time for at least part of the academic year;

Works full time (35 hours or more per week) while enrolled;

Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid;3

Has dependents other than a spouse (usually children, but sometimes others);

Is a single parent (either not married or married but separated and has dependents); or

Does not have a high school diploma (completed high school with a GED or other high school completion certificate or did not finish high school).

They also contend that this number will continue to rise as online educations and other means of education become more readily available.

Sheri Johnson May 3, 2009 at 8:23 p.m.

My question is ... if UoP is so great, why don't they get better reviews on this board?

Sheri Johnson May 4, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.

As far as the low graduation rate, this might explain why. From one of the reviews posted on this site:

"I am a former employee of UOP and as such, I can tell you that their main goal is not "graduating students", as they like to tell employees right from the get go. Its recruiting them. Hit your numbers or take a 10% pay cut. The incentive is, if an Enrollment Counselor gets a fair number of students to enroll every month, he/she is eligible for up to a 30% pay increase in their first 6 month review. This is no joke. Ask anyone who works or worked there. I worked there for over 3 1/2 years and I never saw any of my students graduate. My manager did not care about that. All he cared about was that my students stayed in class for the first 5 weeks so they would count as a "REG" for me in my review, thus making his numbers
look good."

Jon May 4, 2009 at 6:40 p.m.

One cannot compare the education obtained from UConn/Cornell to that of UofP. For one, the purpose of each institution is different. UConn and Cornell are considered research institutions whereas UofP claims to be a business college.

The sad and simple truth is that most people do not rely on the degrees they earn. A degree merely serves the purpose of showing the ability to learn and meeting the minimum qualifications necessary to obtain a job. A degree does not prove the ability to perform a job. To compare the two colleges is pointless and irrelevant.

Granted a degree from UofP may very well be stigmatized in the eyes of some businesses; however, when comparing the undergraduate degree I earned at UConn to that of UofP, the people at UofP were much more dedicated to their studies then those at UConn. It shows a greater level of commitment and overall work ethic to work a 40 hour a week job while going to school full-time, then to just attend school as many people who attend traditional colleges.

The main point is each person should evaluate what is best for them. So long as the education serves the appropriate purpose for the person obtaining the education, then anything beyond that does not really matter.

But....... May 5, 2009 at 2:37 a.m.

"Granted a degree from UofP may very well be stigmatized in the eyes of some businesses..."

I couldn't agree with you more. So, although job experience is the primary factor in being hired/promoted, where the degree is from does matter.

Sheri Johnson May 5, 2009 at 12:08 p.m.

Whether the degree, experience, etc. matters or not also depends on the specific circumstances. Yeah, I'm "only" an RN who makes over $100K a year base salary. It happens to be one of the few recession proof professions where I had five job offers the day I graduated. I was able to work pretty much anywhere I wanted. During this recession nursing has been one of the very few job growth areas in the economy while just about every other profession has been laying off people.

I mention this because experience isn't always the do all end all. IMO, the real key is whether there's a labor shortage in your chosen profession. If there's a labor shortage, like there is in nursing, then experience doesn't matter as much. And, quite frankly, neither does the degree. What does matter most is that you have the license to practice.

But a labor shortage is no guarantee either. It also depends on what you want. Like anybody else, I wanted to work for the best paying employer with the best benefits. And, not surprizingly, so did everybody else. Where I work, there is no labor shortage ... people are literally banging down the door to get hired so ... it's A LOT more competitive. Especially if you want to move up to the higher positions, where the pay is phenomenal.

So ... like many things in life ... it also depends on the specific circumstances. If I wanted to work for an employer with much lower pay and benefits ... yeah, the degree and experience wouldn't matter because they probably can't find anybody else to do the job. But that's not the case where I work.

Maybe it's because I work in healthcare or maybe it's just peculiar to my particular employer but, the higher ups like to brag that their managers have degrees from top ranked universities. Since they have more and more applicants to choose from, a degree from a top university has definitely become one way to stand out more from the pack.

But, of course, this is just my particular experience ... it could be completely different with some other employer or other profession.

Celebrate Nurses' Week May 5, 2009 at 3:04 p.m.

Walden University’s School of Nursing joins with nursing professionals nationwide in celebrating National Nurses Week, May 6–12, by recognizing nurses who demonstrate “above and beyond” service and by hosting two live online events with distinguished leaders in nursing.

“Above and Beyond” Awards
Walden University will honor nurses who have gone “above and beyond” with a $1,500 award donated in their name to the service organization of their choice. To nominate a nurse for this recognition, in 250 words or less describe how a nurse has demonstrated service to her or his community or organization. Nominations will be accepted at www.WaldenU.edu/honornurses through May 12. The three winners will be announced on the Web site during the week of May 17, and selected submissions will be posted.

Also, during the week honoring nurses, Walden will offer two live online forums. The events are free and open to the public.

Peter I. Buerhaus, Ph.D., RN, F.A.A.N.
Nurses: Why Do We Care?
Thursday, May 7, at 1 p.m. Eastern time
To register, go to www.WaldenU.edu/buerhaus

Dr. Peter Buerhaus, the Valere Potter Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies at the Institute for Medicine and Public Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, will present his unique perspective and insight as a nurse and a health economist on the new and variable challenges faced by nurses in today’s economic environment. Buerhaus maintains an active research program involving studies on the economics of the nursing workforce, health workforce forecasting, developing measures of quality of care, and determining public and provider opinions on issues involving the delivery of health care.

Dr. Geraldine Bednash

Geraldine Bednash, Ph.D., RN, F.A.A.N.
Nurses: Building a Healthy America in Challenging Times
Tuesday, May 12, National Nurses Day, at 2 p.m. Eastern time
To register, go to www.WaldenU.edu/bednash

Dr. Geraldine Bednash, executive director of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), will share her insights on the impact of current economic challenges on the role of registered nurses. In her role at AACN, Bednash oversees the educational, research, governmental affairs, publications and other programs of the organization that is the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate-degree education programs in nursing.

Sheri Johnson May 5, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.

UoP charged me nearly $400 for a mere four days in the program ... basically $100 a day. Even though I was enrolled for less than a week I had to pay these exorbitant fees so there wouldn't be complications with my future student loans. UoP is not like other schools which give you a grace period to drop courses, etc. without any charges. The whole thing is a ripoff. They definitely try to sqeeze every dollar they can out of you.

The only good thing is that I got out early. I figure people might want to know what they're getting into beforehand. What we're talking about isn't new. Just read the reviews posted on this website.

Brandi May 7, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.

Can anyone who has completed their Bach. in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix give me any comments/suggestions about the program? Is it a good program to get into? Will employers hire someone with an online degree in education. I am from Pa. Any comments on how my license will transfer over from Arizona? What do you think about this online degree? Thanks

Sheri Johnson May 7, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.

I'll be the first to admit that enrolling in UoP was a HUGE mistake on my part. I wish I had done more homework instead of trusting them, which was my mistake and I take full responsibility for it. As far as late additions of course, I understand the problem with that.

But why not have some kind of drop period like most schools? Feel free to show me where UoP's drop policy is because they never mentioned it to me. From what I can tell, there is none. Not even three days, which would be reasonable even with the condensed schedule that you mentioned.

All UoP wants to do is to start charging you as soon as you get through the door. Then you get the ... "you should have read the fine print" remarks. No thanks ... I'll attend a university that I can trust where I can actually focus on the school work instead of having to worry about the school constantly trying to rip me off.

Sheri Johnson May 8, 2009 at 3:22 a.m.

You keep dodging the real questions here. Why doesn't UoP have a standard drop period like any other school? Even if it's just a few days? This is standard in the American education system.

Because UoP's goal, above and beyond everything else, is NOT to deliver a good education .... but to charge students as much as they possibly can. That's the bottom line.

Yeah, I made a mistake. I assumed this was a decent school like all of the schools I've attended before. Obviously, I was wrong.

Jon May 8, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.

UofP does have a standard drop period. Unfortunately the period does not extent to after a class already starts. However, since the school schedules classes months (if not years in some instances) in advance, students have more then enough time to drop a class before the class begins. I had to rework my schedule a few times and had no problems or additional costs; however, that also took planning on my part.

As for your comment, "they make money and placate Wall St." I believe making money would placate the stock holders of the company not Wall St. I believe the point to the argument is "YOU" had a bad experience and are trying to discredit the entire institution. Granted one bad apple can spoil the bunch, but then again we are not talking about fruit.

Really Jon May 8, 2009 at 10:01 p.m.

If Sheri was the only one that had a bad experience with UofP then why does it have a 6.44 overall rating? Remember, these are individuals rating their experiences at UofP. The 6.44 score is among the lowest of all on this site.

Really Jon May 8, 2009 at 11:16 p.m.

I agree with you that four days is not enough time to make a judgement. I also agree with your statement that UofP if "such a poor school...etc.". As I have stated before, it serves a purpose and allows many to go back to school who under normal circumstances could not. They are a RA university and deserve respect. I want to make this perfectly clear to you Jon; I am not a hater of UofP. My point was simply that the university has over 70 reviews on this site by "actual students or graduates" (I am assuming they are actual students or graduates and if you are going to argue that some of the reviews may be fabricated, you would be correct in doing so)and the average is among the lowest of all the universities. For me at least, it would be interesting to really examine the reviews and try to pin point what common complaints students have.
I know that online education is the future of education. UofP is a pioneer in this area; an innovator. It's founder, Dr. John Sperling, was the first to realize that the traditional university system was simply not meeting the needs of many. We cannot overlook these facts about UofP.

Jon May 10, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.

Brandi, UofP does offer refunds depending on how long you are in the class. If you drop the class before the class begins, then you will get a 100% refund. If you drop the class in the first week, then you only get a 80% refund. If you drop the class in the 2nd week, then you only get a 60% refund and so on. Find an educational institution which meets the needs you are searching for; however, a public forum is not the best place to seek advice, especially since most people have no clue what they are talking about.

A public forum is only good at explaining personal experiences; however, you should try researching published documents pertaining to specific school policies instead relying on the statements of those people, who by their own admission never read the documents, thus has no clue as to the refund policies. Is our society really progressing to that much of a point where people are too lazy to research things and blame their own incompetence and or inability to research on others?

In The Chronicle of Higher Education May 19, 2009 at 2:18 p.m.

Applications for "Transition to Teaching" scholarships and grants to provide support for master's degres in elementary, secondary, and special education at University of Phoenix's online or on-ground campus, in exchange for a commitment to teach three years in a particular high-needs school or district in Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, or American Samoa. Contact: Adam Krisan at adam.krisan@phoenix.edu corptrain.phoenix.edu/project_reach/index.shtml

You're missing the point May 21, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.

Yes, teachers who teach in a critical need area can get a portion of their loans forgiven... but not all. This Phoenix grant ($2.5 Million)was granted by the US Department of Education and will allow a teacher to earn a degree for FREE!

To Actually.. May 21, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.

Actually.... you're assuming that 1. someone attends a cheap state institution, 2. that the loan forgiveness programs only forgive master's tuition.

Many teachers have loans left from their bachelor programs too, on average $30,000. Loan forgiveness programs forgive the up to $17.5K from the aggregate amount of your loans and are not limited to master's programs.

To Actually... May 22, 2009 at 2:04 p.m.

What data do you have to prove it? Because all of the teachers I know have at least $20,000 in student loans from their undergraduate matriculation.

Thank you Administration! May 24, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.

Thank you administrators for editing "Jon". Please continue to do so whenever he goes "over the top" which he so often does.We all appreciate it and now can get back to discussing the real issues involving uoP.

Jon May 24, 2009 at 7:14 p.m.

So I pose this question to you nameless wonder. Have you attended UofP or have any background for basing all your comments on?

@ Jon Part II May 25, 2009 at 2:18 a.m.

To answer your question; I am not, nor have I been a student at UofP. I have two colleagues that were students there. In addition, one of closest friends is an instructor there. If you have really read my posts, I in fact have defended UofP. I truly believe that you are confusing me with "UOP.com" or "tic tac" or possibly some of the others that have attacked your school. Again, please re-read my posts and look carefully at what I have said. I believe you will realize that I have indeed made several very valid points about UofP.

@Jon May 25, 2009 at 4:32 a.m.

You have to admit my points are well made. UofP was way ahead of the curve in distance education. I have been studying this area of education for a number of years now. I have read extensively about UofP, among other distance education programs.

@ Jon May 25, 2009 at 10:26 p.m.

I am indeed the author of those posts. If you wish, we can wait to see if some else claims responsibility. I will tell you now, no one will since they are mine. In fact, when you were having the conversation with others in this forum and I made my posts, I was a bit surprised that you did not make any comments then. You see Jon, five or six years ago, I became very interested in non-traditional and online education. I have research it quite a bit. It is impossible to do this without coming across UofP time and time again. As you know, the reason for this is the fact that their founder, Dr. John Sperling, was a true visionary in the field of education.
I knew several years ago that online education is the future of education. UofP is a pioneer in this area; an innovator.
There you have it from a truly unbiased individual. I have no reason to criticize or praise any school if not warranted. I try only to state the facts as I see them.

UOP.com May 28, 2009 at 8:41 a.m.

Teachers who teach for five years in a critical needs area rarely have more than 17.5K in federal loans for their preparation programs. How do I know this, I am an educator and my wife is an administrator. Most states have some form of teacher loans that are also repayable through the same kind of service and forgiven concurrently with their federal loans. My state allows 3K per year forgiven, add that with 17.5K of the federal loans forgiven equals a masters degree in any state school. The price and hoops I had to jump through with UOP hardly covered that but could have easily been covered at a state school. This token assistance offered by UoP is a joke compared to the amount of loans forgiven at any state school with state teacher loans and federal loans combined. At UOP you are inelligable for the state assistance.

UOP June 21, 2009 at 12:22 p.m.

is NOT an online university. It is a traditional brick and mortar with a really strong online division. Many people forget this.

An Offer You Can Refuse! June 24, 2009 at 4:13 a.m.

My friend received an e-mail from UoP expressing an interest in hiring him at $950 for teaching a 5 week course. They wrote that they expect their instructors to dedicate 20 hours a week to their duties. That would be $950 for 100 hours or $9.50 an hour. Needless to say, he went elsewhere to teach.

Why June 29, 2009 at 12:26 a.m.

Why would I take the advice of someone who cannot spell, who cannot use correct punctuation, or who cannot make a complete sentence? Also, you should check your facts before posting.

I don't understand July 1, 2009 at 6:06 p.m.

I work for UoP and my pay is $1500 per course. Maybe this was with Axia, the junior college of UoP?

Please explain..... July 3, 2009 at 6:05 p.m.

This question is for "I don't understand": Would you please give us more information on what class you teach and how long the session is as well as if you teach online or in the classroom (what city)? I would like to check your information since there seems to be a huge difference between what "An Offer You Can Refuse!" (6/24) states and what you have said. I want to see who is correct or if you are indeed both correct. I'm looking forward to your response.

@ I don't understand July 4, 2009 at 7:25 p.m.

The pay structure must be higher if you are teaching graduate students. Are you teaching graduate level classes?

It is $950 per 5 week class if you are teaching undergrads at the University of Phoenix. That is about $9.50/hr if you calculate the hourly based on their projections of 20 hrs. per week.