University of Phoenix Inferior to Capella or Walden?

I have heard it rumored that Univeristy of Phoenix is not as well-respected as other schools such as Capella and Walden. Anyone have thoughts on that?

Would a Capella or Walden doctorate have advantages over a UOP doctorate in finding employment as an on-line instructor?

 

I am currently a PHD student at Walden, while I have heard such talk about the utility of a PHD from UOP, the same has been applied to all online programs. It is my belief that at the PHD level it isn't about what school, or GPA you have attain but your publishing record? How many peer-review journal articles you have written? I won't argue that some tier I schools will have some impacted but the ulimate respected from your peers and the academic community will be your ability to answer one simple question!

ARE YOU PUBLISHED?

Afterwards what journals and publications etc.

 

I glad a Walden student replied, thanks so much! I think I am going to go for Walden as well because they are the only one of the three that offer a doctorate with emphasis in Marketing. Mind me asking a couple of questions?

How do you feel about your Walden experience?

What doctorate are you going for? How is it?

Been to any of the residencies yet? If so, what did you think?

Are you taking 2 classes a quarter? If so, how's the workload? How many hours do you think you are putting in each week?

Thanks for the info!

 

The short answer is no.

The long answer is that the whole person is in play. Professional Experience. Classroom Experience. Research. Publications. Willing to teach in the modality in the manner prescribed by the University. All will be factors.

 

Dave, you have given me several sobering responses on some of my question threads and I actually really appreciate it. I want to hear the positive and the negative sides to the decision I'm trying to make.

I looked at your Twitter page and see that you are involved in some sort of IT business as well as being an IT teacher. (What sort of classes do you teach?) So you are someone who's opinion I value. Can I ask you a question?

I'm a successful businessman and a teacher myself (Jr high). More for the challenge than anything else, I am considering getting a doctorate in one of several things I'm interested in and competent at; IT, Business, Marketing and Teaching. I was telling myself that I would pay myself back the $65K by picking up adjunct, probably online, teaching jobs.

You seem to indicate that this is not likely to work very well. Is that correct? Would you mind elaborating?

Thanks so much! Mike

 

The problem with UoP is that they enjoy an extemely high profile. Thus, some might draw a negative opinion because they hear bad press, even if the UoP experience is adequate (or better).

Walden and Capella don't have that factor.

I like Walden because of their long history in this field, but I also respect Capella because of their "come correct" approach.

 

Interestingly, over in my part of the world UOP is well known and always elicits the response of "Oh that's a great school", whereas most haven't heard of Walden or Capella. I've even heard this from North Americans!

Also, most over here are more familiar with the traditional model of UK Ph.D.s, so when I mention I'm doing mine at a distance and had limited residencies, most don't bat an eyelid at that format... unless they are Americans. :-(

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

Wow, that is interesting. Leave it to us Americans to "poo-poo" something valuable. Who have you talked to about that? Have you talked to anyone involved in academia about their view of online learning? I wonder if they hold the same view.

 

Most people put them in the same basket. I don't think it makes much of a difference for online adjunct positions. Most online schools are considered unranked and with little prestige but good enough for adjunct positions.

 

Actually, most of those are academics, or administrators at universities here. Although several of the academics over here in non-business fields (usually in subjects related to languages or applied linguistics) have been doing distance EdD programs from the UK or Australia for several years, so they are more understanding. But those more in the business field or other social sciences are usually the ones that scoff.

 

I don't understand why some disparage online schools. They are usually the ones that have degrees from traditional schools already. It gets on my nerves because I just finished my degree with UoP and it was not easy. Expensive? Yes. Was the learning any less than a traditional school? No. I attended classes at Campbell University in 2000 and they were not as difficult as some of my UoP classes. My sister obtained her undergrad degree from Rutgers Camden and she says UoP was challenging. Granted, I would go to a brick & mortar school if I had the time, but I will NEVER have the time and this is the case with a lot of working people who are passed the 18-29 age range.

My opinion on this matter is that any one of these schools will provide a great education. You get out what you put in, period. I am at Walden now and so far it is a good school.

V/r

 

The value of University degrees is more than the knowledge you get, prestige is an important value of degrees. Unfortunately, UoP has earned a reputation that provides low value to the degree. It doesn't matter if you worked hard or not, it is the people's perception of the degree that makes the degree valuable or not.

It doesn't take much to find out all the negative press of UoP, I found the videos below:
University of Phoenix: Stupid Students=University of Phoenix - YouTube
University of Phoenix Sucks - YouTube
University of Phoenix Attack - YouTube
REVIEW AXIA COLLEGE PHOENIX UNIVERSITY REVIEW - YouTube
Challenge Yourself : I Am A Phoenix Commercial - YouTube
University Faculty on the Pride of being JOBLESS - YouTube
University of Phoenix Closes 115 Locations! - YouTube

 

Yes, but........

(1) Most of those students are just disgruntled, partly because they do not understand online learning or the pedagogical model. They expect to absorb information from something else, but do not realize that it is up to them to learn.
(2) UOP and others are for profit schools, which in the past, have not had the best customer service.
(3) Also, for-profits have open administration. A percentage of students will never "get it."

However, other for profit schools in the same market have negative press, but Phoenix has a lower rating (5.3) on onlinedegreereviews.org
http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/university-of-phoenix-reviews/

*Capella is 6.8 out of 10 on onlinedegreereviews.org
http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/capella-university-reviews/
Capella University settles counterclaim lawsuit against former learner (Capella settled with this complaintent)

Walden is 6.2 out of 10
onlinedregeereviews.org
walden sucks - Search Results - ScrewedByForums | Consumer Reports & Complaints about Scams, Frauds & Rip offs

Nova is 6.2 out of 10*...
http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/nova-southeastern-university-reviews/
Nova Southeastern University - Nova Southeastern SUCKS!

NCU is 6.1 out of 10
Northcentral University Reviews
NCU - Northcentral University - Worse decision of my life


Top 10 Online Degree Colleges as rated by students at onlinedegreereviews.org:
9.5 Henley-Putnam University (34 reviews)
9.2 Boise State University (17 reviews)
9.1 Amberton University (15 reviews)
9.1 California InterContinental University (38 reviews)
9.0 Andrew Jackson University (25 reviews)
9.0 Norwich University (81 reviews)
9.0 Seton Hall University (73 reviews)
8.8 Columbia Southern University (188 reviews)
8.5 Charter Oak State College (10 reviews)
8.3 University of Massachusetts - UMassOnline (12 reviews)


Other school ratings (those that I am familiar with:
Aspen = 7.0
Cal Coast = 8.0
AMU =8.1

 

In my own opinion as the present time, yes University is inferior to Capella University and Walden University for being infamous. If it was in 2002, I would rate them all equally. However, so many negative brings toward University of Phoenix; especially, eventually UoP is facing accreditation issue.

 

Why was Nova lumped in there? They aren't for profit.

 

Oops! :blackeye:

 

Andrew Jackson University is now New Charter University.