University Of Phoenix Online

Hello Everyone,
I am intrested in continuing my quest for a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management or Finance. I am thinking about Unversity of Phoenix online. Does anyone have any imput about the school or other suggestions?
Thank You

 

What are your priorities / needs?

Accreditation?
On Site Visit?
Class Delivery?
Cost?
Etc....

 

And have you looked at Gus Sainz's DL business degrees page http://collegedegrees.tripod.com/index.htm and at the E-learning directory at USNews http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/tools/elsearch.htm

In particular, if you're at all cost-conscious, UoP is on the steep side of expensive.

Angela

 

I'm looking to everything online, no campus visits. Also, do you know if having such degree will be looked at differently than traditional on campus degree?

 

If you haven't already started at the UofP, I recommend the TABA principle: There Are Better Alternatives

The best thing would be to search through this forum... Normally, I don't feel an undergraduate degree is meant to be delivered online, but it may sometimes be the only way for people to pursue a bachelors. UofP-online may not be the best option however.

 

Alex-

I'm a UoP Online student. I plan on taking a few more classes from these guys and will probably end up transferring to Excelsior. Most classes are OK. However, it is very expensive for what you get and now that I know the bad reputation Phoenix has-I don't want to get my final degree issued by them.

I can say that I have not had any bad experiences (like others on this board) with them. No problems with Enrollment Counselor. She was upfront on the cost, etc. My Academic Counselor has responded to my emails or phone calls within two business days. It boils down to preference.

 

My experience was similar - the counselors were great, but when I calculated the ultimate cost of a UoP degree I ended up going with Excelsior because it was a fraction of the cost.

Also, because I'm completing my degree via testing I'm able to do the complete degree in about a year while still working full time and having a life outside of studying.

These days there are a lot of options out there - colleges which will give you the same (or better) experience but don't use your tuition dollars to fund a huge marketing budget.

Cheers,
Mark

 

I agree Mark-

I signed on with UoP becuase of their 5 week per class format. I was successful in getting my counselor to allow me to take certain classes like English and Math right away so I could get them off my plate. I opted to take Math and English and not test out of those subjects. Yes, it's an expensive option (it was all about convenience) but I'll have 12 units in English and Math. I have a bunch of CLEP credits and I will finish via testing with Excelsior. Much Cheaper too..

 

Alex, have you looked at these universities?


Amberton University :

www.amberton.edu/BDegrees.htm

Emporia State University :

http://lifelong.emporia.edu/programs/under.htm

Fort Hays State University :

www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege

Their tuition is far less than UOP and you may apply credits from
the above universities to an excelsior or thomas edison state
college degree

 

I took three classes at UoP and transfered them to Charter Oak State College

 

Alex, take a look at these universities:

Ohio University:

www.ohiou.edu/independent/

Brigham Young University:

http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/catalog/index.cfm


They are also far less expensive than UOP for transfering credits
to excelsior college or charter oak state college. When graduate
programs look at your excelsior college transcripts, they may be
more impressed with the above institutions mentioned than
University of Phoenix. I could be wrong, its just my opinion.

Ray

 

What you may also do alex, is complete a certificate in project
management from the University of California at Berkeley. Once
you complete the program, the project management
undergraduate courses will be equivalent to 12 graduate credits
for the Master of Arts in Project Management at the
University of Wisconsin at Platt.

Take a look at the Transfer Agreements with Universitites and
Colleges

http://www.uwplatt.edu/disted/partners.html

Credits earned at the University of California at Berkeley may be
transfered as elective courses towards an excelsior college
degree.

University of California at Berkeley:
Tuition range: $670-755.00 per course

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cert/projecton.html




Ray

 

When I was in the Army, I worked with a guy who was completing his BS through UofP. He physically attended courses through a local UofP center so I do not know if the DL version of their courses works in the same way. If they do, then keep reading.

Every 5-week UofP course he took put him a small group of about five in which everyone was expected to contribute equally and in which everyone shared the same course grade as a result. He was getting fed up because he always had 2 or 3 people in the group that did not add anything to the group's grade. The rest of the group did all of the work. His group would always end up with an A but not as a result of the entire group's contribution.

I steered him towards TUI, he enrolled, and so far he appears satisfied with the school. He plans on finishing TUI's BSIT and then go straight into their MSIT program before he retires from the Army.

TTFN

 

Hi Ray,
Thanks for all the info.
Since I last posted my inquiry I have been looking at Bellevue University. They are considerably cheaper and they have a program called ELA (Experiential Learning Assessment). You can earn some elective credits based on your work and life experience.
Because I have 50 credits from a City University, they will transfer the credits and I should be finished with their programs in 13 months.
I can test out on some electives through DANTES and CLEP.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

What do you think of Bellevue University?

http://www.bellevue.edu

That's what I have been looking at and it is a lot cheaper. Their program is similar to UOP and I can be done in about 13 months form the start.
Alex

 

Alex-

I have not had any experience with Bellevue. However, they are on my "top 3" list to pursue. I am looking to transfer my UoP credits here in a few months and Bellevue is one that I have looked into. I like what their BA in Leadership offers. They are cheaper and your finish time would probably be equal to UoP.

Good Luck!