THE UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX: PROS AND CONS

Copyright 2005Northwestern University (News writing and Reporting
~~~ About the University ~~~301-0)
The University of Phoenix is the largest private$3217.00
university in the United States. It has more thanHarvard University (SOCI S-40: Introduction to
17,000 instructors and 240,000 students, out ofHuman Societies)
whom roughly half are enrolled in its highly evolved$1850.00
online educational programs. It has 170 physicalUniversity of Phoenix Online (Marketing: MKT 421G)
campuses spread over the US, Mexico, Puerto Rico$1230.00
and ---. Since 1976, more than 171,600 working5. The University's online program is one of the most
professionals have earned their degree fromhighly evolved in the world and continues to be a
University of Phoenix.fount of innovation. (The latest development: online,
The University of Phoenix is designed very differentlydownloadable, paperless textbooks)
from conventional universities. Its programs are aimed6. The curriculum stresses team playing. Even online
at working adults - AT&T, Boeing, IBM, Intel,students are organized into groups and each group
Lockheed Martin, and Motorola -- not to mention theasked to complete a project. This prepares students
U.S. military.---who want to better their salaries byfor the group efforts so fundamental to today's
enhancing their qualifications. About 60% of studentsworking world
receive some tuition reimbursement from their7. The University is accredited by the Commission on
employers, which include such blueInstitutions of Higher Education of the North Central
The School offers undergraduate andAssociation of Colleges and Schools. Any graduate
graduate-degree programs in Business, Business andschool is required to recognize its diplomas
MBA, Criminal Justice, Education and Teaching,~~~ Cons ~~~
Healthcare and Nursing, Human Services Information,1. Graduate Schools value applicants from Ivy League
Technology, Accounting, Management, baccalaureateUniversities much more than those from the
nursing programs marketing, and the like,University of Phoenix
~~~ Pros ~~~2. Staff turnover is very high and continuity is poor (
1. You can enroll in on-campus, offline or Flexnet3. Instructors can often be confused about the
programs (the latter is a combination of the firstsyllabus
two)(
2. If you are a working adult, you will not feel out of4. Plagiarism is often unchecked (Ibid)
place age wise: the average student is 34 years old5. Feedback on graded papers can be non-existent
and earns between $50,000 and $60,000 a year(Ibid)
3. Again, if you are working, there is a high chance6. Responsiveness of the management leaves a lot
you can receive tuition reimbursement from yourto be desired; often complaints are not addressed
employer (60% of students do)(
4. The tuition is much less than several other7. An unusual number of students are disillusioned
universities'. Some sample fee comparisons:with the University
TRV University (Technical Remote Viewing 101: Basic~~~ Conclusion ~~~
Skills)All the facts are now before you. It is now your call
$1295.00to weigh them carefully and make a sound, informed
Columbia University (Political Science S1002Q)decision. Good luck in your educational endeavors!
$2514.00