University of Phoenix - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

U of P is getting better all the time

By: degreereview (Graduate) on May 16, 2009

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I chose University of Phoenix Online for the convenience. I was able to complete a Bachelor of Science degree without losing career momentum or a few years of full-time salary to attend school. That is worth the premium tuition price to me.

Yes, it is expensive. U of P is a private university. They don't have financial support from the government (as state schools do). So, you're paying the full amount for your education.

Yes, you have to work hard. It is certainly not a diploma mill. It is an accredited university. However, you are responsible for learning. 

Of course you aren't just passed without earning it. That's silly. I failed my first computer programming class and had to repeat it. My grades tended to be right in line with my performance.

At first, the learning teams really got on my nerves. They get on everyone's nerves. That's the point. The idea is to learn to function within that irritating framework because most business requires that you find ways to get along with all kinds of folks. The U of P learning teams help teach how to get things done in the real world. 

It's better to make all your novice political/teamwork mistakes in the relatively consequence-free world of college, yes?

Everyone has to start somewhere. U of P is a *very* young school. They have been around since the '70s and that's not long in the world of academia.

Many of the less generous remarks about this school are from people who really don't know what they're talking about. In particular, the sneers about online degrees are really dated. There are plenty of companies who recognize that a degree from an accredited college is acceptable. 

I graduated in October 2008 and was accepted into the distance learning program of a traditional brick-and-mortar school (Norwich) for my Masters. They didn't have any problems whatsoever with my U of P degree.

However, I came running back to U of P after one week, when the other school revealed themselves to be far less supportive of *working* adults. For example, we were expected to post to their classroom M-F only or your grade suffers. U of P doesn't restrict the hours/times you may post. Believe it or not, this was huge for me. It's just so much more convenient.

Also, that pushiness in the financial aid office is an *asset* folks. It means less work for me. They treat me like a paying customer. That means that if they don't ensure I get my paperwork done right, they don't get paid.

At a traditional school, if you don't do your paperwork perfectly, too bad. 

Anyway, check 'em out. If you're willing to work hard, it's a good choice.