Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Reviews

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.

Great degree program

By: dblatt17 (Graduate) on April 2, 2009

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I really hate it when people knock the University of Phoenix.  When you get a degree through UoP, you learn 2 things...How to write a lot on a dry subject, and how to work with others on a team.  I got to know more about my fellow class mates and communicated more with my professors at this school than any brick & mortar school.

Sure, as some have said there are people who coast by and don't put in the work on team projects but with peer evaluations, you get to make sure the professor knows who worked and who didn't.

The only thing I missed about going to UoP is that there are no sports teams to cheer on and getting drunk at the frat party is out of the question too.  Nope, it is all studying all the time.

Ouch

By: james.hampton (In Progress) on March 3, 2009

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I was actually one of the people who had the computer problems etc. I thought I got a pretty raw deal from UOP. I wasn't aware from the start that I had to have MS Office. I bought a new laptop to go to school and it didn't have the actual copy of MS Office. So, my trial of the program ran out, and I was unable to submit assignments. I didn't have enough money to purchase it, either. Basically my enrollment counselor just railroaded me through the sign-up process without explaining to me everything I would need to have. He also tried to get me to use my expired military ID card to get further discounts... Basically when I explained to UOP my situation, they kept putting me off, etc. I filed a greivance, and no response yet. This was over a year ago now, and I'm out $750 cash for tuition, which bought me what, other than a hard lesson. They really don't seem to care whatsoever about the students as long as they are gettin' paid!

It is what it is....

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on December 23, 2008

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Personally this school worked for me.  I had a couple two year degrees, already had worked in IT for 15 years, and needed a bachelors and this format clinched it. Married with kids, the on-line format and 5 week classes were perfect. Finished in a little over two years.
There is little or no testing; that may be good or bad depending on who you are. Lots of reading; I'd suggest buying the books from Amazon as opposed to the on-line library. Good for reference later on too. Lots of papers to write and participation; you can learn alot from your classmates and instructors; who are really just people like you that work in the field. Learning Teams are hit or miss; find a good group and stick together from class to class, and don't put up with free loaders. It is what it is. Not for the kid right out of high school, but for working adults who need a degree; and have tuition reimbursement benefits; not a bad choice IMO.

Sponges

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on January 23, 2008

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If you attend UoP, you know who the sponge people are...those that contribute zero to the team project but they get the same grade as everyone else who worked for it.  They claim their computers broke, they have a family crisis, they were sick, anything to get out of doing the work and you know the excuses are made up because they use them from class to class over and over again.

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