University of Phoenix : Master of Business Administration Reviews
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Anonymous
(Graduate) on December 23, 2011
(email verified)
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Meant for a Phoenix
So I think what happens is those with a bad experience feel more inclined to write negative reviews while others don't write a review, so I feel obligated to speak up. I just completed my M.B.A. a few weeks ago.
My experience with UoPX was fantastic. I found the three staff (admissions, academics, and financial) were extremely supportive and accessible, much more than my previous on-site Umass Amherst experience.
As for academics, I learned a ton! I do think it was somewhat less rigorous than SOME on-site programs, but I thought the framework was excellent, the only real issue was how we didn't delve too deeply into subject matter - but come on it's an M.B.A. its supposed to be an overview of everything in the business world. The team assignments are controversial, but they certainly taught me to work in a group efficiently using technology, and deal with the occasional BS and difficult peers without so much stress - this is absolutely an asset to working in any organization.
Classes like accounting, stats, and finance were very hard without a background in math and numbers! However I felt extremely accomplished when I discovered I survived. Now I know that if I need to figure out an NPV of a project or WACC of a company I can do so with a little refreshing and ms excel.
Some people note that they aren't accredited by the AASCB, however don't let them fool you to think they don't have accreditation. Specific to business they are accredited by ACBSP. On the overall level they are accredited by Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association - the standard for overall college accreditation.
This is by all means a product! It is designed to be competitively priced and with high quality content. Some people don't seem to understand the concept of capitalism and assume the private nature of UoPX prevents it from working to the best of its ability to provide a value for your dollar. Just like any other product it is up to you to do the research.
On that note much of the detractors seem to be either A) people who don't take responsibility for their uninformed decisions and need to have their hand held or B) former employees with an axe to grind over their internal employee practices. Let's focus on the point, which is "does the degree help you achieve your goals to the extent of overcoming the opportunity cost of the decision?"
My answer is yes it does. The cost is similar to state schools, somewhere around $26,000 for the full M.B.A. program. That's really not expensive when you look at the skyrocketing public school rates and certainly private schools. There are no hidden fees or any of the nonsense typical of state schools. You pay a class fee and a materials fee, possibly things like registration fee, but even that was waived under whatever promotion I caught when I signed up.
As far as the workplace. The simple truth is, it depends on the organization. By paying attention to the news it is clear that the anti-online school bias is pure elitism and classism. It just burns people up to see education performed in a new format and specifically designed for the underprivaledged and overburdoned. If they have true comments about the rigor as compared to, for example, Ivy League schools then fair enough. But to discount the value of the knowledge gained by 100% as compared to the thousands of crummy state schools shows a complete lack of insight.
Therefore your biggest decision should be about what kind of organization you intend to work for. Do you want the degree for personal enrichment? (I'd like to open a business someday) Do you want the degree for mobility within certain sectors? (I work in non-profit where they judge me on my competency not merely the name of the schools I attended, and having the M.B.A. simply provides more options for growth) Do you expect the M.B.A. to land you a $75,000 finance position at an elite private investment firm right off of the street? (maybe this isn't for you then).
Most people interested in UoPX would not be able to gain the degree in the traditional format reserved for people with a lot of time on their hands and low personal overhead costs. This is for them, and they are constantly improving. The technology is top-notch and it seemed every few months a new convenient feature was implemented in my student center.
So please, make your decision carefully and you won't be disappointed. In the end it really is a matter of you getting out what you put in. If you aren't cut out for the business environment this won't transform you. If you have the yearning and potential, this will supply you with tools and routes to proceed on to accomplish your long-term goals. You need to be a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of person, not only to survive the highly independant curriculum, but to put it to good use in the real world. True to its name it is meant for the phoenix, the person who can rise up from the rubble of the economy and modern life and make something of themselves.
If these conditions suit you and you are dedicated to furthering yourself despite life challenges and public snobbery, I would absolutely recommend the M.B.A. program. I expect UoPX to continue to be a trailblazer in non-traditional education, a leader in empowering the economically and socially disadvantaged, and although it is a little lame, I am definitely proud to be a Phoenix.
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Anonymous
(Graduate) on November 3, 2011
(email verified)
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University of Phoenix inside report
Take it from a faculty member who graduated with an MBA from UOPHX and then began teaching there for over 10 years. The academic affairs department and the executive management are mainly concerned about financial goals and enrolling more and more students. While academic integrity is touted as important, at the end of the day they put pressure on faculty to pass students to improve their retention numbers. If you review the most recent financials for the University of Phoenix, you will see enrollment numbers are down by about 40%, this only increases the the pressure they put on their employees and often leads to unethical practices in each campus, including online.
The faculty management staff maintains a report called the Faculty Performance Review, which they maintain as a secret way to evaluate faculty based on their student retention statistics. The review has nothing to do with academic quality. Another concern is the lack of PhD professors in their graduate programs, in most cases and most often at the local campuses, the courses are taught by people with masters degrees. This University has a hard time recruiting people with doctorate degrees as the pay is low and professors have little room to teach as there are so many policies designed to pass students, rather than to provide a quality academic experience.
As far as enrollment practices, I worked at a local campus and my desk was located in the same room as the enrollment staff (so called enrollment counselors), the enrollment people call potential students all day long (much like a telemarketing firm) and when they do reach someone willing to listen, the sales pressure and misleading statements belongs in a class lower than a used car sales person.
My advice, do not go to school there, it is overpriced and when you graduate (after accumulating a large student loan) you most likely will end up in job with low pay despite all the money you borrowed. If I had it to do over again, I would have never become involved with the University of Phoenix. Beware, as they continue to advertise and expand their marketing efforts. Hopefully, the U.S. Department of Education will shut them down and stop their fraud on the American Tax payers by exploiting the student loan and grant programs.
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Anonymous
(Graduate) on January 21, 2008
(email verified)
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2007 UOP MBA Grad
My experience at UOP has been quite rewarding both on a personal and professional level. Here is my two cents with regard to the MBA flexnet program. I graduated in September of 2007 at the Western Washington campus. The majority of the instructors in the graduate business program were very good to excellent, however at any institution (top ivy league institutions included) there are bound to be a few bad apples and UOP is no exception. Even in a city like Seattle, recently ranked as the #1 educated city in America.
Therefore, you must realize this fact exists at any institution, so grow up and get over it. You must be stubbornly determined to stay the course and finish the program. Yes, the learning team environment has pros and cons, but what learning model is perfect? I was fortunate to have stayed with two members of my learning team for most of the program and one relocated for an outstanding career opportunity after about 85% of the program was complete. I believe what set our team apart from others is newcomers had to prove themselves, otherwise they were provided an exit strategy upon course completion. Sounds cruel? Well, that’s part of life and perhaps the individual learned something in the rejection process that is reflected in the working world. Otherwise, you are crippling them in the educational process and the future challenge of life.
Additionally, our team kept each other accountable through constant contact and meetings. If you expect the professor to manage your learning team, they don’t have the time and your team is responsible to assume ownership. Brainstorm a process and use it or you will be disappointed and discouraged.
In terms of promotional opportunities, I interviewed for an internal position with my company and I received a substantial increase in salary (double digit) and responsibility. After graduation, I still keep in touch with many colleagues and the student alumni association at www.phoenixalumni.com
Networking is perhaps the single most powerful tool one can use to uncover career possibilities.
There will always be negative people, especially with the current paradigm shift occurring in academia. This pattern is typical of new issues that arise with the advent of technology and education is no different. Initially change is resisted, evolves over a period of time and eventually become a standard policy or procedure. Furthermore, at minimum verify the online program is regionally accredited. UOP now enjoys both regional and ACBSP accreditation. I wish you the best of luck in your future education. My graduate education at UOP has served me well thus far.
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