Do you feel University of Phoenix is a school of the future?

Question

I often think that the time has arrived for colleges such as the University of Phoenix as this relates to the growing trend of adult higher education in environments suitable for adult learners. As the growing need for individuals to work beyond retirement, or upgrade their credentials and who have proven their abilities as a result of years of professional experience; former academics and the impression they show in interviewing for admission, leads me to believe institutions of higher learning suitable for adult learners are becoming increasingly in demand. For example, as a result of Phoenix pioneering the concept of adult learning, online-training and learning teams, practically all traditional colleges have included this format in their academics, realizng that the need for adult learning environments enables them to remain competative in a highly competative market.

Answer 1

I think options of online learning at a time of your convenience, rather than attending a conventional class at a fixed time, is a trend of the future.

However, I am quite disappointed with the University of Phoenix. I visited their in-person Massachusetts office and asked to see their catalog of advanced math courses, and it took several persons and a phone call to a superior before they could tell me that they don't offer advanced math courses.

Answer 2

UoP didn't pioneer distance learning, we've had DL models for well over 100 years in the US. What UoP did was borrow a marketing technique from AOL - they saturated the market with advertising explaining how easy their model is to use.

Unfortunately, I think UoP damaged their own reputation by professing the ease of their programs for so long. Whether or not they are really "easy" no longer matters - the public believes that they are.

But, yes, I believe that online delivery of higher education (and even secondary education) is the way education is going to be done.

We can now get a master's degree from Oxford University substantially by distance. It's here.

Add: that article isn't about UoP being a pioneer. Nova Southeastern was online with degrees in 1983. NYIT in '88. East Carolina in '94. In fact, UoP doesn't make the top 20 of oldest providers in this model. It's just that they were the first to market heavily. Just as AOL wasn't the beginning of the internet but they were the first to get out and really market. Excelsior, Charter Oak, and Thomas Edison were around way before UoP got into distance learning.

You're not going to convince people that UoP is any more credible than they are. It's just not going to happen until some alumni are placed in high position.

disclaimer: I own stock in APOL (owns UoP), CPLA (Capella), and COCO (Corinthian Colleges) and hold degrees earned by DL. I am employed by no college in any capacity.

Answer 3

University of Phoenix indeed pioneered distance learning via the internet with the concept of online learning teams. The older version of distance learning was a result of corresondence courses, not degree programs and they were not set up the way Univ. of Phoenix pioneered in which resources such as online library databases; research material and other important resources are available on a website accessable by account holders, faculty and administrators. The below link will explain what I am referring to in terms of UOP pioneering modern distance learning.

I also hope you are able to attend superbowl 2008 at the Univ. of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.