I plan on starting college in 2009 to get a degree in business. I’m thinking about attending University of Phoenix online. Is this a good online school? I’m still deciding between University of Phoenix online and Liberty University online. Which school is better University of Phoenix or Liberty University?
There are tons of online programs. I personally attended American Intercontinental Univ. and Capella University, and have taught for various online schools including the University of Phoenix. All are accredited and solid programs. Online courses tend to vary in price, so we could say they are more expensive, but that is relative. Of course they are more expensive than a community college, but less expensive than Harvard. The price range varies.
The key is to find a program that is fully accredited. Is it worth it? YES. My career has boomed since my MBA at nearly 5 years ago. I am close to finishing my PhD through distance education, and I am at the job that I want. I know I wouldn’t be here without the education. If you are looking at work in the U.S., then you need a school that is accredited and recognized by the Dept of Ed. I can give more info on that later. Always check accreditation at the accrediting body and not the school’s site.
You should market yourself and not the degree or university. There are many traditional universities offering degrees that can be earned through online methods. Distance Learning Alliance has a list of these traditional online schools. Look at that if you are truly concerned with the name of the school. Good luck on your search!
January 21st, 2010 at 7:51 am
Wouldn’t attend a online school.
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January 21st, 2010 at 8:21 am
UOP is accredited by several bodies. Use this list when talking to recruiters/employers: http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/accreditation.aspx
Talk with professional organizations and certification bodies. Contact recruiters/employers before you register. Ask questions like: Do they require you to attend a certain type of school? Does your school need to be accredited? By which specific bodies? Use this information when you are looking at any school, not just UOP.
With UOP, it really depends on your field of study and total resume. I have never had a problem getting a job with any of my nursing degrees: Associates from a private college, Bachelor’s from a state university, and Master’s from an online university (UOP). But note that UOP and online came after I had earned two degrees the old fashioned way.
There are good and bad stories about every school (happy students v. unhappy ones). The opinions that count are those I listed above. Do your homework with every school you’re looking at and you will minimize your headache later on.
References :
UOP Class of ‘03
January 21st, 2010 at 8:49 am
As a professional recruiter for the past 10 years, I would generally say that having University of Phoenix on your resume is worse than having no college experience on there at all, at least in my opinion. And let me qualify this by saying that ten years ago I earned a degree from University of Phoenix, not online, but in the classroom, before I really knew about their reputation, thinking it was a convenient way for me to finish my bachelor’s degree while working, since they opened a new campus near my workplace.
Once I started the program, I decided to finish, because the classes are not transferable anywhere else, and this is not the case with any other reputable college, generally. That should tell you something. I have gone on to earn a master’s degree from a more traditional university. Yet I am still so ashamed of my UOP degree that I am thinking of going back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree from a traditional university as well, despite having earned the master’s degree. Maybe that sounds silly, but it’s embarrassing going to job interviews on the rare occasion that I have anyway, and it always comes up. Interviewers always make comments like "So how did you like University of Phoenix". I will try to say something positive, and they will say something like "Oh well, at least you got your degree."
There are some companies that I know of that will expressly disqualify applicants with a degree from UOP. And I generally look twice as carefully at candidates with this type of degree. If they have exemplary work experience, I will still consider them, but I will scrutinize them more than someone with a more traditional degree. It is my experience too just from looking at thousands upon thousands of resumes over the years that those with UOP degrees tend to hold lower career positions than those with similar work experience and degrees from more traditional universities, in general.
Also, I found that the quality of the instructors and classmates was hit-or-miss. They let anyone into the classes, and class discussions sometimes are like debating with a bunch of 5 year-olds mixed in with some others with limited world views, or the belief that the best way to express an opinion and strengthen an argument is to simply talk louder. Of course maybe the online experience is different.
But overall, I would say NO, University of Phoenix is about the WORST online school you could find. Technology-wise, they are very strong, meaning they have a good technology platform to support thousands of suckers (I mean students), but quality of education, I think it is a shame this company is even in business. If you want the convenience of online, all universities offer some sort of online programs now, so you will be able to find quality at a good price, with a much better reputation.
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January 21st, 2010 at 9:23 am
Joe Blue Collar’s answer is misleading, if not flat out wrong. Units from the University of Phoenix will transfer to other schools. Furthermore if UOP is not a reputable school as he claims why was he able to use his bachelors degree from UOP to go onto grad school?
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January 21st, 2010 at 9:46 am
There are tons of online programs. I personally attended American Intercontinental Univ. and Capella University, and have taught for various online schools including the University of Phoenix. All are accredited and solid programs. Online courses tend to vary in price, so we could say they are more expensive, but that is relative. Of course they are more expensive than a community college, but less expensive than Harvard. The price range varies.
The key is to find a program that is fully accredited. Is it worth it? YES. My career has boomed since my MBA at nearly 5 years ago. I am close to finishing my PhD through distance education, and I am at the job that I want. I know I wouldn’t be here without the education. If you are looking at work in the U.S., then you need a school that is accredited and recognized by the Dept of Ed. I can give more info on that later. Always check accreditation at the accrediting body and not the school’s site.
You should market yourself and not the degree or university. There are many traditional universities offering degrees that can be earned through online methods. Distance Learning Alliance has a list of these traditional online schools. Look at that if you are truly concerned with the name of the school. Good luck on your search!
References :
http://www.distancelearningalliance.com
http://www.ed.gov
http://www.chea.org/directories/index.asp
http://www.bbb.org