What do you think of the Univiversity of Phoenix?

Question

I am wanting to get my bs from there online education is my only option

Answer 1

Congratulations on thinking about furthering your education, you won't regret it. However, consider other alternatives rather than University of Phoenix. UoP is a for-profit school and is really in business to make money. I'm not saying you won't get a perfectly valid education there, but you will definitely overpay for it.

The state universities and community colleges will be the best and least expensive way to further your education online. Usually degrees obtained online from state universities and colleges will be no different than a degree granted to a student sitting in class. You probably won't get a scholarship, but financial aid is possible.

If you are just starting your college education or have less than 60 semester credit hours, try your local community college first. They may have an online AA degree program. If they don't, try other community colleges in your state.

Once you have an AA degree, you can enroll in an online bachelor's degree completion program at one of the state universities. Many state universities now have online degrees. The following are some websites to get you started.

http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprograms/onlinelearning.htm
http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/
http://www.distancelearning.ufl.edu/degrees.aspx
http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ode/CollegeOverview.asp
http://ceao.murraystate.edu/onlinecourses/degrees.htm

When you choose a school, make sure it is at least regionally accredited. You can check accreditation at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.asp You can learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Finally, there are a couple of forums online with members who have obtained their degrees online. Some have gone pretty far with their online degrees. The forums are free to join but you can read the forum without joining. You just won't be able to post. http://forums.degreeinfo.com and http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums

Good luck

Answer 2

I have been going to on ground instruction with them for a year now. The on line classes are pretty intense from what I hear. As for not respected by comment, how long have you been in human resources? A college degree from an accredited university has only one major difference, the paper the diploma comes on. Many major companies reimburse for college tuition, including U o P. If these companies did not respect the degree they would not help pay for them. I went to a state funded college and switched due to the classes at U o P are actually more intense than conventional college. The CHEA (Council for higher education accreditation) list four types of accreditation:Regional, Faith-Based, Private Career, Programmatic. There is no such thing as the touted and prestigious NATIONAL accreditation. The University of Phoenix holds the same accreditation as other schools in my area (University of Houston, Texas A&M). If you search for top rated online universities U o P is one of the top schools ranked right along side Notre Dame(guess they do not have any prestige either). Online learning is the future of education and does not mean you are lazy. If so then why are so many other colleges now offering online instruction?

Answer 3

If it's the only option and you want your BS, then go for it.

It's expensive and almost all of the so-called professors I had when I studied their were not academics; they all had a lot of practical experience, but they did not have Doctorates and were lacking in basic theory. Be prepared for instructors who are teaching as a second job, so their committment is often less than ideal.

That said, if you're willing to forgo in-person education and enjoy learning by yourself, it's not a bad option.

Answer 4

The University of Phoenix is a For Profit school that accepts nearly anyone and trades quality for profits. It is twice the cost of good public universities.

The degree is not respected. Last year, they paid a record $9.8MM fine for sleazy recruiting practices and are currently under investigation for padding their placement numbers.

Companies like Intel refuse to pay for their employees to take classes there, because they feel that they lack academic rigor.

While it has the easy-to-get regional accreditation, it lacks the more prestigious national accreditation.

See the article below for more information on their troubles.

Answer 5

But before you commit to one of those pretend schools, look at this web site http://www.aiutruth.com

& read this post. It is the most eloqent tirade that I have seen on the subject of pretend online schools
[you can find the original post here: [http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...

The following was written by "PhD Seeking" (not me)

As someone who's responsible for hiring people at my fortune 100 company, I can honestly say that any resume sporting an on-line degree goes into the "circular file", regardless of their other qualifications.

I have my MBA from a traditional school, and shortly after I graduated and continually until this day, I have been solicited by the UoP to teach on-line business courses for them. While I have several years of work experience (which they didn't know), I was apparently qualified simply because they purchased a mailing list of graduates from my school and saw I had a degree. Not that PhD professors are better teachers, because some of mine really sucked as communicators, but asking people with limited work and educational experience to teach students shows a lack of concern about educational quality, and more about getting an instructor at a cheap price. If you don't believe me, check out the career section on the UoP site or other job boards and you'll see the low standards they set for educators. (see the ad below)

Getting a real degree tells me the applicant can make a long term commitment that requires sacrifice. On-line classes are the ultimate sign of laziness. With all real colleges offering part-time or evening classes, going the on-line route suggests you're looking for the easy way out. Most employers within reputable companies, including myself, won't take a chance.

Lastly, be prepared for the teasing, either publically, or more probably, behind your back, by your co-workers with real degrees.

Answer 6

My husband was in your exact situation. He investigated all of the online options including the University of Phoenix. He ended up opting for Thomas Edison State College. It's fully accredited. He finished his bachelor's degree in eight months. He did it all online and it was less expensive.

http://www.tesc.com

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

Answer 7

I attended there for a semester. I thought it was very expensive and I actually switched to a regular university on line. Look at your local university, they may offer degree programs on-line. Most do. I have been going on-line for a while now. I like it. I attended the University of WI and Columbia College of Missouri (Columbia College has 8 week semesters). Hope this helps. I have researched a lot of schools on-line.

Answer 8

I had a great experience there. It's a lot of reading and writing since it's online. I actually had to call an instructor once because I just couldn't get something (Allegra, what a pain online!) and she walked me right through it.

Answer 9

Check in to schools in your area, many may offer online classes and degrees. That way you can take some online, and if you have time take some in person.

Answer 10

More expensive than a four year University. It only helps you with the basics of your field. That's all. It's basically like a vocational training institute.

With a four year University, you go through a more diverse subject of prerequisites that make you feel more empowering.