The University of Phoenix Phoenix Campus

Date: Feb 05 2008
Major: Business - Management and Administration (This Major's Salary over time)
The education at UoP is entirely dependent upon the effort made by the student. In short, you get out of it what you put into it, especially in the online environment. Unfortunately, this college accepts anyone, independent of true ability to complete university-level coursework. Since the university accepts those with GEDs as well as high school graduates—and does not require ACT or SAT scores—the calibre of students varies across the entire spectrum. I worked with students who were exceptionally bright and who were deep thinkers, and I worked with many who had no business attending college at any level. The online model requires team projects be completed in all courses throughout the program, and it can be extremely difficult collaborating with team members who neither understand, nor are committed to, the coursework. I personally gained valuable knowledge and practical value from my experience largely as a result of my own effort to work beyond what was expected of me. It is too easy to slide through this program to earn a degree; however, for those who have to pay their own way—as myself—it is just plain stupid to choose to not work for it. Why spend up to $50,000 for a worthless piece of paper? I would recommend this program to serious students with the caveat that they understand that the value/weight of the education they earn largely falls on their own shoulders. Unless you're lucky enough to work on teams with committed students, be prepared to carry the load for several weak students. UoP has a fine curriculum which could be outstanding if Apollo Group (the parent company) would focus on recruiting quality candidates rather than just amassing numbers. Alas, this appears to be the bane of a for-profit institution.