Another University of Pheonix question...

Hi all!

My name is Michelle and I'm brand new to DegreeInfo.com.

I'd like to earn my B.S. in Marketing through distance learning, preferably online. I currently hold an A.S. from a very small Bible college.

My main reason for earning a Bachelor's degree is career advancement. Yes, I want to learn, but I'm also tired of being shut out of jobs and opportunities for lack of a Bachelor's degree.

I've seen UOP's ads everywhere and am very attracted to them. But for me, the cost is prohibitive. My employer DOES offer tuition assistance, but it would barely make a dent in the cost of attending UOP.

I've read some other threads on UOP here, but I didn't see this question addressed:

How do employers view a UOP degree? When I posted about getting an online degree on a personal finance message board, someone said that employers don't view a UOP degree as a "real" degree but as more of a trade school or vocational degree/certification.

That really set me back on my heels. After all, there's no way I'm going to stretch beyond all reason (financially) to get a degree that employers view as not much more than a trade school/vocational certificate.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks for the help!

Sincerely,
Michelle

 

I am a UoP graduate. My previous employer paid for most of my tuition and they had no issues with it. It is regionally accredited, so HR approved the tuition reimbursement and my manager showed no reservations (he was glad that I wanted to complete my degree). My current employer does not require a degree for the position I hold (10 yrs of experience, degree a plus) but I have not heard anything negative about my degree (either because it is from UoP or because it was earned non-traditionally). I’ve met a handful of UoP graduates in this area, all employed by Fortune 500 companies and working in Information Technology.

My only dissatisfaction with UoP is the high tuition and the fact that it goes up pretty much every year. Certainly there are other options with more moderate pricing that provide a similar level of utility. In my hometown UoP does not have much name recognition as the University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of Houston or Rice but the degree has served me well.

 

I agree..

UoP is more than a trade school but it is very expensive. There are much less expensive alternatives that are just as good so I would research them.

 

Hi Michelle,

Welcome to the forum! I originally investigated UOP to pursue a business degree but ultimately went with Excelsior because my degree plan will have me completing the degree more quickly and less expensively. As a downside, most of it won't be covered by my employer, but the costs are SIGNIFICANTLY less (~$5K vs. ~$25K).

Note that both UOP and Excelsior are Regionally-Accredited institutions, just as any other accredited B&M (Brick and Mortar) school such as a state college. With a UOP or Excelsior degree you CAN get into a graduate program, so again, it's a "real" degree, just like any other accredited degree.

That being said, from a straight reputation point of view, UOP has been getting negative reviews due to its mass-marketing approach. If this concerns you, and if the "Big 3" (Excelsior, Charter Oak State College [cosc.edu] and Thomas Edison State College [tesc.edu]) don't fit your needs, then a traditional state college may be the best approach.

I personally feel that a degree represents the minimum requirement only for getting past the "filter" - if you have a relevant degree from ANY accredited institution AND significant, relevant experience, the experience will make more of a difference for getting hired beyond an entry-level position.

A notable exception may be when the employer is looking for ivy-league credentials or specific accreditation (AACSB) - rare, but possible.

Cheers,
Mark

 

Another option may be look into DePaul University
http://www.snlonline.net/online.asp
They do accept previour credits and ife exprience

Link above is to the online portal of DPU - their main website is http://www.depaul.edu

I would also consider UMass
http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/degree_level#2

Good luck

 

No matter which programs you consider, please also consider their learning methodologies. Online learning takes many forms. Some programs do most of the learning off-line, using online methods for communication only. Others use online methods to build a community, teach, communicate, test, and many other things. Some programs are asynchronous, not requiring students to be online at the same time. Others have synchronous components, where you'll have to log in at a particular time to interact with others.

The University of Phoenix uses a different twist in all of this: the collaborative method. You will, with other students, form learning teams for each class. Your and your teammates will have group assignments and learning you'll have to complete and present online. You're not in it by yourself, and your learning (and grade) is somewhat linked to others on your team. (A portion of it, not the entire grade.) This is a significant departure from the "aloneness" of most distance learning. Some students will enjoy the collaborative method; others will be turned off by having to interact--and rely upon--teammates.

As with all things, it pays to check it out ahead of time.

 

Re: Another University of Phoenix question...

While I have talked to very few employers about the UOP programs, I have taught part-time in the MBA program for two years and have noted that nearly all of the students have found strong support among their employers. Many also receive tuition assistance from those same employers. I do occasionally facilitate for undergraduate courses and don't recall hearing anything negative retold from employers in it either.

Note that there are a few "urban legends" about UOP that get repeated from time to time, perhaps because of the sheer enormity of the organization; I recommend that you take both extremely positive and extremely negative comments with a "grain of salt" during your investigation. My view is that the quality of the UOP degree programs compare favorably with others.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

The Big 3 are discussed often (Excelsior, Charter Oak, and Thomas Edison) and are excellent programs. Another long standing degree program is offered by Western Illinois University. WIU has been discussed in many of the threads in this forum. Of note, it was started in 1972 and the program awards a BA. Fees are reasonable -- $30 for a portfolio, a $7 fee for unlimited transcripts, and no admission or graduation fee. For courses taken from them the tuition costs are $130.50 per credit hour for in-state students; $261.00 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Their courses for DL studented are offered by mail, telecourse, and Internet are at in-state tuition rates.

The downside of the program is that you cannot earn a major without on-campus attendance. Nonetheless, it is flexible enough to allow you to design your own program without attending campus. Their online FAQ and program information is good and should be reviewed.

IMHO because of the age of this program, WIU could extend the Big 3 to the Big 4. Although, the program is a bargain and fully accredited the lack of a major may be a detractor for those that want more than a general liberal arts degree. Unlike the Big 3 (which have no residency requirement) you will need to complete at least 30 sem. hrs. of credit from WIU and one of them will include Political Sci 122 in order to meet the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions requirement of the university (will require the passing of an exam in this area).

Check out: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mibogd/


John

 

DrWetsch wrote:

> IMHO because of the age of this program, WIU could extend
> the Big 3 to the Big 4.

I don't see why you single out Western Illinois; it is one of 5 Illinois universities offering similar degrees, the other 5 being Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Governors State, and Northeastern Illinois.

> The downside of the program is that you cannot earn a
> major without on-campus attendance.

So this is not an option for Michelle, who specifically said she wanted a BS in Marketing.

Other downsides: Unlike Excelsior and Charter Oak, they do not give GRE credit. And if you're fluent in a foreign language, it's harder to get credut for that at WIU; unlike Excelsior, they do not recognize the NYU or FLATS exams (although they do recognize the CLEP).

> Unlike the Big 3 (which have no residency requirement) you
> will need to complete at least 30 sem. hrs. of credit from WIU

For precisely that reason, you may want to consider Northeastern Illinois University, which only requires 15 semester-hours from any of the 5 Illinois universities. It does require one trip to Illinois, though.

The 5 Illinois universities originally offered a joint program. In 1999, Western Illinois and the others considerable stiffened the requirements; but Northeastern Illinois has kept the original requirements.

 

Nightengale,

U. of Phoenix tends to get beaten up more on this forum than out in the "real world", since those who frequent Degreeinfo have a far greater knowledge about the various distance learning options, both in the U.S. and abroad.

For many, many people, Phoenix is a viable program that meets many people's needs. There are many for whom the convenience of Phoenix is worth the extra money. I know several successful people, in both business and academic, with degrees from Phoenix who are happy with their degrees.

I also echo John's endorsement of Western Illinois Board of Trustees Bachelors program. WIU is a very good school with a solid reputation and a history of having one of the better "non-traditional" degree programs. They are experienced in portfolio evaluation and the degree is flexible and allows you to complete the residency requirement via DL.

Best of luck,

Tony Pina
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino

 

I put it in the category of the Big 3 because this particular program has been in existence since 1972. With other Illinois schools offering the BOT program it enhances the argument of its success. Being a program since 1972 puts it in the pioneer category. Excelsior started in 1971, Thomas Edison in 1972, and Charter Oak in 1973. All of these programs were early offerings and success stories of undergraduate DL programs that have continued to the present. The basic difference that the BOT has with the Big 3 is that BOT has its residency requirement.


I wouldn't necessarily rule it out as an option for Michelle as she can focus her course work the same as a Marketing degree. If she doesn't go with one of the Big 3 and cost is a factor I think the BOT program is worthwhile looking into.

John

 

Any time someone says "employers" feel this way or that way about a school, take what they say with a grain of salt.

I'm sure that in fact some employers or hiring managers will in fact see degree from a distance learning school and decide that it's not worth as much as one from a traditional on campus program. I'm also sure that some employers or hiring managers will see a job applicant who is black/white/asian/fat/skinny/crippled or whatever and decide that this person isn't good enough for the job... The fact is, some people are totally unwilling to think outside of their little box(I hate using the out of the box reference... but it works here) and there's nothing you or I can do about it. The best thing you can do is to research any school you are thinking about taking classes at and make sure you make a well thought out choice.

If you want automatic acceptance of your degree from everyone you meet, then you'd better go to an accredited traditional on campus school; and you might want to avoid community colleges because some people don't think much of them either.

If, like me, you want to finish your undergrad education and you don't want it to take as long as it might if you go part time while working full time, then check up on some of the schools other posters here have mentioned and see what fits you best. Accreditation is a subject that people tend to argue about, but I thought about it like this: I wanted my credits to be acceptable without any problems at traditional colleges/universities in my area because I intend to go to grad or law school. After I had 90% decided on TESC I called the admissions office at the traditional university I work at and have attended, and asked them if they view TESC credits any differently than credits from other schools and if they are accepted with no extra scrutiny. I was told "we accept TESC credits because they are RA, regionally accredited". They didn't say that they absolutely wouldn't accept credits from a non RA school, but since they mentioned "because they are RA" I took that to mean that credits from TESC and other regionally accredited schools are just a little safer, at least for my purposes.

I realize that some employers may think less of my undergrad degree, but as long as I can get into grad school (probably a traditional one) or law school here in NJ, what can they say? "Even though you attended rutgers law, we don't want you because you earned your BS via distance learning"????
Nah, I doubt it.

As for UoP specifically... In my little opinion, they are their own worst enemy. They use or have used web pop-ups and spam to advertise the school, and no matter how much of a real school it is, some people are going to be left with a bad taste in their mouths after encountering that kind of advertising for a school.
The school is RA though, and like TESC, although some people may not see it as equal to say Rutgers or NYU or even little schools like mine (Monmouth University), the credits are transferable pretty much anywhere.

 

It is quite funny about the type of "beating" that UOP sometimes get from this forum. However, I attended UOP and based on my experience, I recommend this institution to anybody. Remember most of the instructors @ UOP also are graduates from other respected universities. I live in Houston and my experience in this city is that UOP's marketing strategy which seems unrival has drawn a lot of people to this institution. Now many traditional schools have seen this as a "problem" so to say and they are trying to "challange" this "grip" of UOP. But how can you, when many of the traditional schools seem to be so rigid in their class scheduling. Now many have hurriedly started offering internet classes Dl . Now it is here that I ask myself why are you following the UOP steps. It is because they know that if they fail to be flexible and "modernize" so to say, they will gradually fizzle out and go extinct like the proverbial dinosaur. If you cannot provide education for the working adult... it means you want people to be perpetually iilletarates and lack advancement in the career. That is the "magic" that UOP has and that is their neich.
Thanks
Kelechi
BA History
MBA E-BUSINESS ( UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX)

 

It's just that the spam and web pop ups are a turn off, at least for a lot of people, my self included. I don't doubt that the instructors there are as good or as bad as instructors at any other schools. Their marketing strategy may in fact draw a lot of people to it (numbers don't lie), but at least in my case that strategy pushed me away.
I do not in any way link what I think about its' marketing to any assumptions about the quality of education at the school though.

 

I would recommend looking into DePaul. I transferred from the University of Oregon to the University of Phoenix Online and so far I am not impressed with the UOP. Here are some things I have observed:

- Classes taken at traditional colleges often transfer over as lower division courses if at all. Example: I took many CIS courses at the University of Oregon, but the UOP says they are not the equivalent to the UOP's CIS courses which are upper division. So I had to take a CIS course at the UOP. This class was in fact easier than the CIS course taken at the University of Oregon, with a fundamentally lower level of computer training.

- Tuition at the UOP is abnormally high. At $1200 per class, the UOP is better suited for those that will have their company pay the tuition for them.

- The administration at the UOP is ridiculous. I have had 5 accademic advisors in my 3 year period. Each time a new advisor comes on, they assign me classes that were not on my original program. I even had an advisor put me into their newer business program even though I enrolled in their older program. I had to ask for a supervisor to fix this mistake.

- Do not buy their books. Believe it or not, you can probably get away with taking the classes and not using their books. In most cases the assignments have nothing to do with the book. Save your money and only buy the book if you need it.

- Getting an "A" is incredibly easy. Homework takes 30 minutes a night in most cases and the teachers grade incredibly easy.

When it is all said and done, you will thank yourself for getting a degree from a real college. I understand that the UOP is an accreditec college, but if your peers, co-workers and prospective companies do not treat it like a "real" degree, why get it in the first place. Do not fool yourself into thinking you worked hard for this degree, The UOP is a PRIVATE college and there are a lot of rules they do not follow.

Do research on what the average GPA and graduatin class size is, they are pumping out degrees like crazy. I am 10 credits away from finishing my UOP degree, and I wish I never started the program. I certainly will not hang it on the wall with pride after dealing with these bozos.

BTW, my GPA is a 3.5 so I am not ranting because I am failing.

 

You obviously didn't take MKT421 from me at UOP Online...!

While I don't challenge the veracity of your individual experience, I will say that in the 2.5 years that I've taught students and mentored other instructors for UOP Online, I have never witnessed the type of easy grading that you have described nor have I heard tales of it either.

Cheers,

Dave

 

Well perhaps you are the exception Dave. I have really enjoyed my teachers quite a bit, but I get the impression they teach easier than what they would at a traditional University. I have had some easy teachers and some hard, but compared to the University of Oregon, most teachers seem to let things slide more at the UOP.

 

Just found this...

Myers University has an online degree in Marketing.

http://www.dnmyers.edu/online/degrees.html

 

Just as in any other University, you have difficult and easy instructors. Why do so many folks speak negatively about UOP?! I've attended other Universities with lenient instructors...should I base the reputation of the school on this?

By the way, the online courses require much more work compared to ground (campus) courses.

 

Hi Michelle,

Upper Iowa University has a BS in Marketing that can be earned through online or traditional correspondence. The tuition is quite a bit lower than UOP's and I doubt you would have as many negative reations.
Also, if I were you, I would find Gus Sainz's website of undergrad business degrees and see if any of the many schools and programs he has listed look interesting. I would also utilize the degree finder database that can be found on this site's homepage.

Good luck,
Tony