Thoughts on University of Arizona Global Campus

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Acolyte, Oct 14, 2022.

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  1. Acolyte

    Acolyte Active Member

    My employer unveiled a new educational benefit this year - full tuition is covered for any online program at The University of Arizona Global Campus. This is beyond their normal annual "tuition reimbursement" benefit. This is 100% tuition coverage for any of the programs that are available to you in your state (not all programs are available everywhere, which is weird since it is online). Also, the program you choose still has to be relevant to your job or our industry and has to be approved by your manager.

    That said, this is a free, regionally accredited college education. Impossible to pass up, really. My questions are: Does anyone have any experience with them? How was it? How is the "Global Campus" program regarded in hiring circles? Are we really just kind of beyond that at this point? I mean if Google and other companies can offer a Coursera program that they will recognize as just as good as a Bachelor's - are we into a post-degree age?

    I'm currently working through my two Coursera "specializations" by CalArts, but late next year, another Master's is looking attractive. They offer an MBA, which I've always kind of wanted, but the MAOL (Master of Arts Organizational Leadership) is much more in line with my previous education and career path. My boss is also interested in finishing an MS in Instructional Design through this program. (He has Master's level credits from Ohio State and University of Wisconsin) Any thoughts appreciated.
     
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  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    We just might be --- especially if the degree-merchants don't pull up their socks. The handwriting is on the wall -- look at the number of school closures! I don't view a "post-degree age" as a bad thing. Some things are better learned outside University walls - some are better learned within them. I'd like to see less degree-ification. It's not appropriate to deliver and credential ALL types of instruction / learning on the same model. I think, as a society, we've hyper-focused on degrees, almost to the exclusion of other credentials. Refreshing to see some turnaround.
    No personal experience but there's a 12-page thread on the other forum. Page 4 (currently) in General Education Discussion forum.
    Title: ASU to Launch a Free Global Initiative and enroll 100 million students
     
  3. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    The thread on the other forum is about the Thunderbird School of Global Management's free certificate program, which is a part of Arizona State University. University of Arizona Global Campus is Ashford University, and it was bought by University of Arizona. If you want to know anything about the school, then search for Ashford University.
     
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  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Thanks, sanantone. Big mistake on my part.

    From Google: " Arizona acquired Zovio's Ashford University in 2020 and created the University of Arizona Global Campus, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the traditional public university.

    Zovio was unsuccessful as a program manager for the new campus and its contract was terminated.
    Zovio had other assets (e.g.) Fullstack which it is offering for sale. Zovio has announced its intention to dissolve. U Arizona now runs its own show on "the Global Campus."
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2022
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  5. Acolyte

    Acolyte Active Member

    I was aware of the move from Ashford to UAGC - I just wondered if anyone had any experience with things since the UAGC switch.
     
  6. Izzzalllgoood

    Izzzalllgoood New Member

    My fiance just completed her MBA at UAGC this past May. She was the 1st cohort to graduate and have in-person commencement at University of Arizona campus (since being bought out).

    When my fiance started it was Ashford University, then some months in there was word that UAGC bought it out. Fiance was thrilled to find out that her degree would have the prestige name of UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.

    Her employer too covered 100% of tuition.

    It was 100% self taught. Her classes were 1x course at a time. You finish 1 course then go on to the next. It was a General MBA and no option for concentration.

    She did not have a business background nor background in numbers/finance. Her undergrad was BS Biological Sciences. She struggled in the finance courses but she managed to find online resources for help (Chegg/CourseHero).

    All her courses comprised of a lot of HW and writing (discussion post/responses, plus essays). I'm pretty sure she did not have quizzes nor exams just final papers. I believe they ranged from 5-12 page and capstone was the worst w/ 20+ pages (I can confirm).

    She didn't really have any group projects or interaction with other classmates other than responding to discussion posts. She liked it this way since she doesn't have to rely on anyone else.

    Overall she dominated in her courses despite struggling in some more than others. She managed to work fulltime, go to gym, and keep our doggys and I fed while keeping up with her studies.

    She graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

    Overall she enjoyed her program and more so the fact that it was "Free". Only commitment is to remain with company for 2 years but that is nothing. She'll make more in salary in those 2 years than what the program would've cost if she payed out of pocket. So definitely worth it if you are in a corporate job that requires higher education to climb up the ladder.

    Good luck. Feel free to ask questions and I can either answer to my best knowledge or ask my fiance.
     
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  7. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I'm an associate faculty in UAGC's Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program (criminology and justice studies concentration). I only can speak for the Department of Behavioral Studies. My experience so far is that they emphasize a culture of care. Students are really a priority for the department. We have monthly faculty meetings (optional for associate faculty like myself) that focus on ways to constantly improve our virtual engagement with the students. Unlike some schools where faculty never post on the discussion boards, at UAGC, you are required to reply to at least six students for each DB topic. So, engagement is not optional unless you're okay with not being assigned courses.

    Another thing I love about UAGC is that you have to complete a professional development course (typically can be done in an hour) for each course you're assigned. So, you can usually knock that out in the prep week. We get paid for 4 hours of prep the week before class (it doesn't take that long to post announcements and ensure your profile/contact info is up to date, especially when you're teaching the same course). Based on my experience as a faculty, I'd attend UAGC.

    BTW, they just earned ABET accreditation.
     
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