University of Phoenix Hiring Process

UOPX FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the Online Faculty Hiring Process?
There are three stages to the process:


* Preliminary Evaluation
The preliminary evaluation includes an online interview, a phone interview, a resume and/or application review, a review of the campus' instructional needs, and a review of specific content area requests by the Deans.
* Functional Evaluation / Faculty Training
We provide an intensive training using our conferencing software. We measure competency in the use of this software as well as appropriate online tone, online facilitation skills and University of Phoenix Online policies and procedures. Candidates participate in 2 separate 2-week long trainings that measure competency in these areas. The training takes place in an asynchronous, online environment and Candidate participation is the key for success during this stage. Candidates should anticipate devoting 15-20 hours of their time each week to the training, as their level of participation is a key indicator of their success in facilitating online classes. Pending a positive recommendation from the training facilitator, candidates are invited to continue the hiring process. Once a candidate successfully completes faculty training we will perform a criminal background check and begin collecting the appropriate Human Resource documents.
* Instructional Evaluation / Mentorship
In this "mentored" stage, instructional mentors evaluate candidates' abilities to combine both course content and Online processes while facilitating an Online course. Pending a positive recommendation from the instructional mentor and the Mentorship Team candidates are invited to become faculty members of University of Phoenix Online.


2. What are the basic technology competencies needed to be Associate Faculty?

* Correspond with University of Phoenix Online staff, students, and faculty using e-mail and the Web.
* Access course and program material via the Web.
* Prepare, send and receive classroom emails using attachments and files.
* Incorporate Internet research and activities in course assignments.
* Use the appropriate software (e.g. Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® Project, Microsoft® Excel, Microsoft® PowerPoint®, Microsoft Access®) for the course.
* Incorporate the use of CD ROMs when they are required course materials.
* Use an appropriate anti-virus application to insure the files transmitted and received are virus free.


3. What software/hardware does University of Phoenix Online recommend?
A processor and operating system capable of handling the following software:


* Microsoft® Office XP, 2000, 2003, or 2004
* Microsoft® Word
* Microsoft® PowerPoint®
* Microsoft® Excel (for selected courses)
* Microsoft® Access (for selected courses)
* Microsoft® Project (for selected courses)
* Microsoft® Visio® (for selected courses)
* A processor of 1.6 GHz or faster
* A current anti-virus application – updated regularly
* 256MB RAM or greater
* 20 GB hard drive or larger
* 56.6 kps modem, or High Speed Internet Connection
* Monitor and Video card with 1024x768 ppi or greater resolution
* Sound card with speakers
* CD ROM
* Inkjet or laser printer
* E-mail address
* Internet service provider (ISP) account
* Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.0 or later
* Adobe® Reader 6.0 or later
* Microsoft® Outlook Express 6.0 or later


4. Do I need to be online at specific times during the faculty training stage?
No, our online classroom software utilizes asynchronous communication.

5. What is the time commitment during the faculty training stage?
Although many candidates spend an hour or so learning and interacting per day, some spend up to three hours a day on the required activities. Active participation is expected five out of seven days each week for the duration of the scheduled four-week evaluation. Candidates should anticipate devoting 15-20 hours of their time each week to the training.

6. What is the cost of the training?
The training received during the hiring process is free of charge.

7. What is the time commitment for an Online course?
First time instruction requires an investment of preparation time reviewing the curriculum and organizing course notes. Initially, new faculty can spend from 15 to 20 hours per week facilitating a course. However, time spent in subsequent courses will be less as proficiency is developed.

8. Describe your compensation plan for active Associate Faculty.
Online faculty members are paid per course. Please refer to the following matrix for examples.

Instructors will be compensated based on their teaching experience with Apollo Group (Axia College, University of Phoenix, and Western International University). All Online instructors that are new to the University or have taught for less than 3 years will start at Level B faculty. All instructors that have taught for 3 or more consecutive years with Apollo Group will be Level C faculty. Faculty that have taught for 10 years will be promoted to Level D pay. Faculty pay will be disbursed in 2 separate payments of 66% and 34% respectively. You must post attendance (which is taken automatically from your normal postings to the classroom newsgroups) for the first week to receive the first installment and you must post your grades in order to receive the second installment. The pay schedule will be posted on the University of Phoenix faculty website. University of Phoenix reserves the right to change the plan with notice to the faculty. The current compensation plan is as follows:

Undergraduate Course:
5 weeks, 3 credits, $950
After 3 years: $1,125
After 10 years: $1,312

Undergraduate Course with PhD or JD:
5 weeks, 3 credits $1,050
After 3 years: $1,225
After 10 years: $1,412
Graduate Course:
6 weeks, 3 credits, $1,200
After 3 years: $1,440
After 10 years: $1,710

Graduate Course with PhD or JD:
6 weeks, 3 credits, $1,400
After 3 years: $1,640
After 10 years: $1,910
Doctoral Course:
8 weeks, 3 credits, $2,260

Weekend and Week-long Residency Courses:
(Taught in Phoenix, AZ)
$1,000 per credit hour

9. Can I teach with only a Bachelor's degree?
No. University of Phoenix, in order to maintain its accreditation, requires that all instructors have an advanced degree.

10.I have not taught at a college/university. Am I still eligible?
Yes. What is most important is that candidates are currently working in their field of study.

11.Do I need to be a resident of the US?
Yes. You must reside in the U.S. and have an unrestricted work visa if you are not a U.S. citizen. A valid Social Security Card must be presented for payroll purposes before an instructor can teach their first class.

12.Does the University perform a background check?
Yes, all applicants are subject to a background check once they have successfully completed Faculty Training.

13.Will I need to use my own Internet service provider to access Online courses?
Yes.

14.Who pays for transcripts?
Faculty candidates pay for their official transcripts to be sent to their faculty recruiter. If you are invited to continue in the selection process it is recommended that expedited delivery is selected when sending the official copy.

15.Where can I go to receive more information about the Online campus?
Go to the campus' web site located at http://www.uopxonline.com

 

This was included with the email I received from UoP when I sent them my resume. Not that it really applies to me, but I don't understand why they simply don't say "doctoral degree" instead of PhD or JD. Perhaps they have something against EdDs, etc...

-Matt

 

I believe the mentorship portion exists for online, but is long gone for OTG instruction.


jim

 

I doubt it,since the Dean of their School of Education has an EdD and they offer 3 EdD degrees. It is more likely to demonstrate that instructors can have either a research doctorate (e.g. PhD) or a first professional doctorate (e.g JD).

 

Pay during training?

Does UofP pay you during training or are you expected to teach the entire course during the "mentorship" phase without pay?

 

You do get paid for teaching the supervised course during mentorship.

 

I am a faculty mentor at UOP - if anyone has any questions on the mentorship process feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

Yes, I teach for UoP on the Axia College side. I can answer any questions in regards to that part of things.

 

I am in the "mentorship" phase teaching my first course online for UOP. I also teach for the ground campuses in Houston.

Please feel free to shoot me an email and I can share with you my current experiences with training to teach online for UOP.

 

Hi Bamafan,

I see that you went to University of West Alabama. I have been looking for a psych/counseling program for about two years and say UWA on a discussion thread. This is now my top choice of school but what I would like to know is....does the school have a good reputation among academics? There are other seemingly more prestigious degrees I could get online, but this one happens to have some of the options that no other school has. As far as teaching adjunct online (which is what I plan to do), have you found favorable response about UWA from other professors?

 

Well as far as reputation goes, UWA is well known in the state of Alabama. Obviously, it does not carry the same "wow" factor in these parts as my degree from The University of Alabama or some of the other more recognized schools around here like Auburn, Samford, Birmingham Southern, etc. Aside from working with UoP, all of my post-secondary work has been in community colleges in Alabama. I have had no trouble whatsoever in regards to getting interviews and jobs as an adjunct. I really think UWA is a solid school. The brick and mortar campus is about an hour south of Tuscaloosa where I did my undergrad. Often times we would mingle with their women so I was familiar with the school even before I began their online program in history. It is really small with about 4000 students on campus and about 1500 online. The people that work there really learn who you are fairly quick. I would say if you feel the school meets the things you are looking for then go for it.

 

Axia Phone Interview

I have a phone interview with Axia soon...anyone have any tips?

 

I currently facilitate for UOP-Online and am interested in facilitating on-ground. Could you tell me how many classes can you facilitate between the modalities combined?
TIA.

 

Teaching at UoP online, with JD

I would like to know if anyone is teaching or has taught at the University of Phoenix online with a JD? I am going to submit a resume to UoP within the next few days. Does anyone know how long it takes or what steps are followed after the resume has been submitted?

 

What has your experience been teaching UoP online classes, do you have any advice?

 

I have a current mentee who is teaching with a JD.

 

I've been teaching for UoP for the last 4 years, and I have no complaints. The new OLS system has dramatically reduced faculty effort, while not negatively impacting teaching quality at all.

The extra money is always nice, but I teach because I like it. Whatever money I make from UoP goes into a special account, which finances the family vacations for the year, and I also contribute heavily towards the UoP 401k system. It's really play money for me, so if I lose it, then cest la vie. If I make something in retirement, then all the better.

 

Am I imagining it, or has UOPx lowered their pay?

 

Not that I'm aware of, but I haven't been keeping track of the new hire pay schedule.

 

For their 9 week courses at Axia College they pay 1,235 dollars. It does not matter if you have a Masters or a Ph.D. You figure the average of 15 hours per week X 9 weeks and you calculate that you get paid about $9.00 an hour which is around what a high school grad makes at WalMart.

Does anyone feel abused? John Sperling, the founder and one of the richest persons in Arizona apparently doesn't give a damn and laughs all the way to the bank. He knows that there are hungry faculty candidates he can sucker. He is worth around 3 billion dollars. Not bad for a former professor of San Jose State University ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sperling ).

I see the advantage of working for U. of P. only as a source to pad your resume and move on to better online institutions that pay much more. U. of P. has been called an Academic Sweatshop with a revolving door. The profit margin to pay of faculty is incredibly disproportionate if you calculate the amount of students reported taking at least one cheaper course per term times the amount of terms per year. Maybe someone can do the math and share with us. I did but forgot the conservative figure I got that was astonishing.

Basically the pay totally and profusely stinks.