University of Phoenix - Business Reviews
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Expensive if poor, but good school.
School recommended by
Keith Canale
on
June 25, 2010
1/1 person found this review helpful
I am just 4 months away from getting my associates degree and have been informed by the school I have earned enough credits to graduate. My experience has been mostly positive. The courses are hard and challenging and I have found the instructors to be quite good. The financial and academic counselors have been bad to excellent depending on who you get.
I will be transferring for my BA only because of cost as they have raised tuition 3 times in 14 months. The excess money I receive after tuition and materials is the only money I have to live on besides my wife's SSI. I live on public assistance and am quite poor.
This money is very important and I feel I need it more than the University and feel the corporate greed (Apollo Group) is putting money above the students welfare. If not for this I would stay as I have had nothing but good experiences here and have worked very hard for a 3.68 average.
If you have unlimited financial resources or rich parents I would recommend this school, if not I would look into a cheaper but accredited school. I will be transferring to The American Military University who's costs are half of that of UOP.
I had no technical difficulties online and was notified when the classes or site would be down .If you are a slacker or a skater do not attend this school as it is hard work and requires dedication and hard work.
Learn More about University of Phoenix - BusinessBe prepared to work!
School recommended by
jazzman31
on
April 19, 2010
7/7 people found this review helpful
I earned my MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix in 2005. After starting in 2002, I transferred to a brick & mortar and then eventually transferred back to Phoenix, where they took most of brick & mortar credits. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and have made lifelong friends through it.
I was surprised initially at how much work was involved--not just in volume, but in how often you had to not only log-on, but log-on and contribute something substantial. There are no short-cuts. If you don't participate, you'll feel like you're falling behind right away--and that's because you will be.
Participation is crucial and if you fall behind with your individual work you won't have time to work on your team projects. I remember spending many weekends working on papers due Monday and many weeknights working late with my teammates to get papers in by Wednesday at 2am.
It was a rigorous program that I thorougly enjoyed. But I recommend it only for those who are mature enough to balance the workload with the rest of their routine (work, family, etc.). Sure you can work at "your convenience"--as long as "your convenience" manages to include logging on at least 5 days a week, plus email/chats/conference calls with your teammates.
If you go into it with the right attitude and you make the time and put in the effort, you will be rewarded. My classmate experiences were positive--even when we had a teammate that didn't pull his or her weight. I was fortunate enough to have classmates on my team who could handle such situations in a mature manner, eventually getting our entire team to put forth a strong effort.
Professors were generally very responsive and seemed to enjoy teaching the classes they taught. I have to be honest and say I can't think of any of them as "memorable" but I can't think of any complaints either. The professors seemed knowledgeable and I have no complaints.
I loved UOP and would recommend it to anyone who is hard-working, dedicated and willing to make the effort to achieve their goals.
Degrees for the Motivated
School recommended by
willow
on
April 16, 2010
7/7 people found this review helpful
University of Phoenix Online has served me well. I'm 2 classes from finishing my BSIT. Here's my experience, good and bad.
Finances- Yes, you can get financial aid, but don't count on it arriving in any sort of a timely fashion. The school is incredibly expensive per credit hour for what you are getting. Many financial counselors are a joke. I finally got a good one at the very end, but after a couple of months, even she seems very harried and unhappy with her job.
Flexibility- Now this is a joke. A new class every 5 weeks. Mandatory postings on 4 days out of every week. Assignments that push you just about every week. Learning teams that sometimes cooperate and sometimes leave you holding the bag at the last minute. Yes, I could go to class at 3am in my pajamas if I wanted, frequently I didn't want, but had to in order to maintain my GPA.
Academics- Some teachers are great, some are not. This is true of everywhere, though. UoP is my 3rd college experience, it's no different anywhere else. The curriculum is sometimes challenging, sometimes very challenging, and sometimes incredibly boring. It builds. Quickly. If you are already working in your field of study, it's probably a cakewalk, but for those of us who aren't, it's a stretch. The only problem I see is those 5 week intervals. After those 5 weeks, you never look at it again. I'm about to graduate 2 years later and I honestly can't say that I remember much from my first year. I do know, though, that when people bring up topics that were covered then, I actually know what they are talking about and can participate in discussion, and I could not previously, so something must have sunk in.
Academic Advising- I've gone through a few of both academic and financial advisers. My first academic adviser was a joke. I had credit for brief calculus going in and she waived Math 209 for me, which is I believe the second half of college algebra, but tried to require me to take Math 208, which is the first half. I refused and I believe to this day she messed up my schedule because of it. My only 2 A- grades were in classes that should have been at the end of my program that I took 3rd and 4th respectively. My second adviser was incredibly helpful. I miss her. She straightened my schedule out and helped figure out my math dilemma. My current one seems rather disgruntled.
Overall- If you really want this degree, I mean really, really want it, you can make it work. I did around hurricanes and 5 kids and a home business and my husband being laid off. This is a degree for people who keep having life interfere with the timing of their education, where class times are difficult to manage for various reasons. The drop-out rate must be high, because many of the people I started with are gone now, but this also means the caliber of students in my later classes has been much, much better.
I'm sure it is possible to find most of the papers online. I've seen sites that claim to have them come up in online searches and have even had a team member try to use them. He was caught.
If you are ready to work for a degree, to give your life over to a 5 week cycle that only stops for 2 weeks at Christmas, to prove that you have the mettle to not give up, no matter what, University of Phoenix Online is the place for you. If not, don't bother. We don't want to see you in class with us.
Worth while and convenient on line.
School recommended by
brewce
on
March 29, 2010
5/6 people found this review helpful
I have read some of the reviews here and wonder about the bad ones. Sure there are some who have issues but for the most part, those who seem to complain have no need to look further than their own mirrors to find blame, in my opinion.
My experience with this school over the last 3 years while completing my Bachelors degree has been fulfilling, beneficial to me and my employer and the investment in myself gives me even more confidence.
It is clear an education is one of the best investments a person can make in themselves and if not for the on line facility of this school, I would still be less educated. Really, having the ability to complete my assignments, studies and interactions with class on my schedule is fantastic. It takes discipline but with success comes more success. I love it and wish I would have tried it sooner.
While expensive, I find the course work challenging, pertinent to my work - so I benefit from it immediately and the convenience of not having to trudge over to class - where ever it may be, is empowering. I go home to do my school work, or sign in from the office and knock out a little participation. Or if I go on a little trip, I can still do my school work and meet my school commitments as long as there is an internet connection. I even worked on an assignment and turned it in while on a cruise in the Caribbean! I would not have scheduled this normally but it could not be avoided and it worked out perfectly. The ship had internet access so my laptop with wireless was put to good use.
I have had instructors that were less effective than most but I can count those less effective experiences on one hand after almost three years - there have been three. One which was very bad caused me to complain to my advisor. The outcome was a success after five weeks of class time though. My advisor and an investigator were involved. There have been several instances of peer review for the instructors during class and a post class survey is always requested. It's solid.
If you have trouble managing your time and commitments or have little drive to push your efforts - forget it. Go get some of that stuff first and then come back to the on line education possibilities, or go for a traditional classroom experience. But if you can make the commitment to yourself that nothing will stand in your way, no matter what and can follow through with your goals and objectives, this is the format for you.
Best of luck to you, Brewce.
UOP
School recommended by
Joe
on
March 13, 2010
3/3 people found this review helpful
First let me start by saying that while UOP may not be anyone's top choice for colleges, it is certainly a school that holds its own.For working adults with families like me, this was the best option. The coursework is challenging for those that strive to maintain a 4.0. Yes, the tuition is high but I have friends who attended institutions 20 years ago and are still paying back their loans, and some of them are currently out of work. I have attended on ground classes, which I prefer, and I have had some great instructors and some not so great instructors. The great ones have far outweighed the bad ones. Some of the instructors I have had are well established individuals who have been extremely successful in their careers. In my experience I have come across many who put down one school over another. An education is what you make of it and what you put into it. This school has been the subject of a lot of bad press but I am still proud to be receiving my degree this year and no one is going to take that away from me. I have certainly worked hard as well as my fellow classmates to earn this and I look forward to hanging my degree up in my home.
Bachelors Degree Financial Aid Counselors Suck!!! (Particularly Ms. R Berry)
School not recommended by
Lizette
on
November 14, 2009
12/16 people found this review helpful
Well, ok let me make it singular not counselors, counselor (mine). It is so obvious that the financial counselors only contact you when you owe something. If you don't owe anything you don't hear from them. The online financial aide breakdowns are confusing, if there is an excess that is due the student, the student will not know until they receive a check or it pops up in their checking account. Do not be surprised if you have to send it all back to pay for the next class. We have to pay for classes that we Failed? The classes are expensive,some of the faculty does not help when needed and the classes are so routine (All of Them) And please give me a break, how do we know that the good comments here are not the staff and faculty of UOP? Once you get in, all the kindness and calls that you receive in the beginning cease. I know they have other students to attend to but come on, and that is only when they decide to pick up the phone. I definitely will be transferring, hopefully I will not have a huge balance due and they will release my transcript.
Culture of Fear
School not recommended by
Modesto
on
November 07, 2009
9/12 people found this review helpful
The University of Phoenix functions under a culture or fear and intimidation. Students are intimidated into signng up of extra classes which are not related to their specialization whereas staff if intmidated into trying to sign up prospective students by hook or by crook. The faculty is not spared either and professional teachers who try to give the student's their money's worth in education are often sidelined and insted preference is given to those who indulge in brown nosing the administration, even if these teachers may not be good teachers and get poor reviews from the students.
This is not the opinion of one but many teachers who give up valuable time from their high paying professions, to help adult students in their quest for higher education, even at low monetary teaching compensations.
Perhaps fear is the best way of running a business.
10 weeks to go but will transfer elsewhere for Bachelor's Program
School not recommended by
Stephanie Kelley
on
October 28, 2009
8/10 people found this review helpful
I am grateful for the way that UoP is set up it has allowed me to finally get my degree even though I work full time and have several small children at home.
You pay for the convenience.
It is in no way easier than a brick and mortar school at all. I have studied and worked harder then I ever have in my life to get this degree. It is true though that your financial aid will run out before your degree is completed at the Bachelor's level. The classes are 1687.00 a piece and you will have to pay for at least 4 of them out of pocket even if you max out Pell and Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
While I do plan on completing my MBA I will do it somewhere other than here.
Former Student
School not recommended by
Crystal
on
October 27, 2009
7/10 people found this review helpful
I recently transferred from the UOP and if I were you I would get out soon. The classes were a joke it was like high school. The school is way too expensive your student loans will max out before you even graduate you will have to come out of pocket if you want to complete your degree. This school is a scam and should be shut down!! When looking at online colleges look at non-profit institutions, one that has an application process and does not accept 100% of students like UOP. I choose to transfer to Northeastern which I believe to be the best decision I have made for my future. The classes are extremely challenging and the school rates in the top tier. Northeastern is also accredited by the AACSB which is the highest level of accreditation any school can receive (for their accounting and business programs). The enrollment advisers are by no means pushy they will answer any questions you may have without begging you to enroll. If you are looking at the UOP please go elsewhere don't waste your time or money. If you are looking to obtain your business or accounting degree I would check out Northeastern University the curriculum is great.
Enrolling now, and ecstatic to start.
School recommended by
janice ramas
on
October 26, 2009
5/9 people found this review helpful
First impressions do count, from the moment I inquired about UoP I had a representative contact me immediately. Compared to the other online institutions that I've tried to contact, UoP has been the only institution that has actually seemed to strike an interest towards helping me. I've attended a regular university and had no complaints, unfortunately some of life's struggles had impeded my graduation. The simple fact that UoP has a great welcoming staff implicates such a great deal on how their institution is run.
From reading the posts that some haters have posted, seems to me that all their complaining about is a result of their own faults. Let me take that post from the person who got a suspension, honey, that is your fault and however you want redeem yourself on blaming your team, the blame is still on you. And with the person having issues on financial aid, if you had common sense of reading the fine print on your FAFSA you would have known your limits. I don't want to seem rude although I may have already crossed that line, but the bottom line is for the haters of UoP have you considered your problem being your fault or are you just wanting to point a finger and for the numerous good posts you guys have just inspired me to do my best and not take online classes lightly. I'm trembling from excitement and nervousness but I know if all of you can do it, heck I bet I can too.
I recommend UOP, no slackers please
School recommended by
Melissa Johnson
on
September 25, 2009
12/22 people found this review helpful
I am currently enrolled. I've also worked harder than ever before. Between papers due, team papers, and discussions I can barely think. But, this would be the case in any other school, AND, it would take me 3 times longer to finish. Slackers won't like this environment because it takes up so much extra time and makes you actually think! In the end, it boils down to this...
It's expensive, time consuming, exhausting, and teams are sometimes horrible. BUT, on the positive side, all these things exist in the real world and other universities, get used to it. Pay the money, put in your time, quit whining, and get it over with.
Procured MBA from UOP
School not recommended by
Ina
on
September 22, 2009
10/13 people found this review helpful
I would recommend that prospective students research the colleges referenced below because UOP is very costly. I am thankful for my MBA degree which was procured from UOP, but I have acculumated a mass of student loans. The following colleges offer MBA/Bachelor Degrees at a discounted price. Western Governors University Central Michigan University/College
UoP, the school only hard working students should consider
School recommended by
Carmen Farese
on
August 30, 2009
10/16 people found this review helpful
I have attended the University of Phoenix since 2006 and am about to finish my degree completion next week. I attended mostly on campus classes and had only three courses online. I have loved every moment of my educational experience with UoP! The financial aid counselors have been knowledgeable and clear, my academic counselor has been the absolute best!!! This is not a school that you can skate by...you have to put in the work, and hard work it is. I did have a couple of instructors that were less than wonderful, but you will get that at ANY school you attend. For all those 'haters' out there, if online schools are lesser degrees, why does Harvard offer online degrees? Yes, you are responsible to log in and participate in the online environment...can't do it from your home computer? Go to the library!!! You have the educational experience you want to with UoP and you will get out of it what you put into it.
Don't be a hater
School recommended by
Shannon
on
August 17, 2009
11/18 people found this review helpful
Most of the reviews I read where people don't like UoP is the people that have not attended so are ignorant to the online classroom experience and those that have had problems with financial aid. There was also one that stated UoP turns out more cum laude students well obviously you didn't attend there because they don't have cum laude's. You can only earn your degree no fancy ribbons so stop hating. UoP has its faults don't get me wrong but its hard work and I have learned in the traditional setting and online. Online is a lot harder because you have to participate not just be quit in class and you have to do research not just state opinion. Plus, the "take home" type tests they have are a lot harder than just studying all night and going to take the test not ever looking at the wrong answers when your tests are graded. You actually have to study to make sure your getting the correct answers. For those that say that you can ride on your teammates and get an A in the assignments...I don't want you on my team. I hate people like that and I do evaluate them to the teacher to let them know they are slackers. In the real world work environment there are those people so this helps prepare you on how to deal with people like that and not be such a crybaby about it. UoP is more convenient but in my opinion is a lot harder than a traditional as I actually don't have someone holding my hand telling me what times I have to be in class.
YES! For UOP and AXIA!
School recommended by
C
on
August 13, 2009
9/14 people found this review helpful
I am currently finishing my AA in Healthcare Administration through Axia. I do get Fed Assist and I am using UOP online as a way for me, a working mother of two, to finally follow my dream of going to college and furthering my education. I did take several college courses many years ago at a traditional school on campus. I would compare my experience now to my experience then night and day with the accolades going to UOP!
I just finished my 2nd year with Axia and now going stepping it up to UOP for my BA. I have had nothing but a SUPER experience. From enrollment to professors to finance...I would recommend this school to anyone who shows the desire to get it done. It's not easy and the folks that I see sharing their poor experience don't seem to have it together but rather use it as an excuse as to why they dropped out. Everything is cookie-cutter dot-to-dot. There is no way not to get it done, including financial aid. What they share and what I've experienced are absolutely opposite. Financial Aid is initiated through federal sites like FASFA and grant websites then pushed to the school of your choosing. All UOP does is follow up with a loan institution if needed. Why would they mess this up?? It’s money for them, a business. I really don’t get the folks who chat poorly and give bad recommendations unless they couldn’t cut it.
I am now changing courses after 10+ years in high tech sales and marketing for fortune 100 and 500 companies (US) to the healthcare industry. I have talked with a recruiter for a software company who had a bias opinion toward UOP - His exact words where, "I once met a potential candidate who listed MBA completions on their resume and they did not know how to read". There is NO WAY this was true. The grilling and level of information and assignments you have to complete is pretty heavy...to get to an MBA without knowing how to read is impossible.
My professors critique my papers on everything. And there is so much work, to get someone to do it for you would be nothing short of paying a fortune! My experience has been great. UOP is a professional school with an excellent program.
Granted their current marketing "I am a Phoenix" is pretty embarrassing but it will soon go away, I hope...It is a solid education and later if you want to take the GMAT and go somewhere else for an MBA to diversify your learning experience, (I'll be going to ASU on line for my MHA), and then your bases are covered. A potential employer would have to think twice before putting down an online course at two institutions. I'm enjoying my experience but be ready to work hard for your education if you go to AXIA or UOP.
Would NOT recomend this school
School not recommended by
Michael
on
August 01, 2009
14/23 people found this review helpful
I was an on site student until about 2 weeks ago, when I got suspended for 6 months. The reason I got suspended is for plagerism for a power point presentation that my group made. One of my team mates got the power point presentation from a friend of hers that took that class resently, and told the rest of the group that we were going to use the previous power point as a guide only, and I took her word for it, and she ended up lying to the whole group, because the power point was in fact plagerized, which yes I should have checked out the power point to make sure that it wasn't plagerized, but I took her word for it that it wasn't plagerized. But, the complaint that I have about the school is, is that in the letter that they wrote me explaining why I was being put on suspension, one thing that they said was they had my input before making their decision. The fact is, is that they never contacted me what so ever. I never was able to put my input into the whole situation. I would never knowingly plagerize any work that I would turn in, they totally lied in the letter to me. Right now I'm looking at other schools to finish out my degree.
Stop Hating on UoP
School recommended by
T. Scott
on
July 14, 2009
12/20 people found this review helpful
I am a proud graduate of UoP. For those of you who say that it is a joke, that's just a reflection of your attitude and ignorance. It was challenging, but worth it. Accoplishing online schooling show discipline and many top companies admire this fact. Yes, there are many group projects but in the working world, do you every work alone all the time. The group projects prepares you for the different obstacles and people that you may just have to deal with everyday. The cost is worth it because I know I will benefit from it. your experience is what you make it. And it you feel UoP is a joke, it just shows how simple you are. UoP all the way!
AACSB accreditation versus ACBSP accreditation
School recommended by
Alan
on
July 13, 2009
12/18 people found this review helpful
I am a graduate of Florida International University. The business degree I received is AACSB accredited. This is the gold standard for accredition. The University of Phoenix has ACBSP accreditation for their graduated business degrees. I do not know if this makes a difference in the real world. However, I have enrolled for the MBA at the University of Phoenix. I have heard good things about the University.
UoP Worked For Me...
School recommended by
Roy Parker
on
June 04, 2009
10/15 people found this review helpful
The name of the school does not matter. The students willingness to learn is what really counts. I did not attend the on-line sessions, I attended the Dallas, Texas campus. I found the course work at the University of Phoenix to be challenging and comprehensive. The thing about UoP is that it is intentionally designed for the working adult. There is an expectation that the student apply him or herself. There is no spoon feeding at the UoP. You receive your assignment and course material and make it happen. One could easily put forth minimal effort and like at any other university if he or she is of average intelligence receive a passing grade. Some choose to get everything possible from the experience. I have enjoyed my time at UoP, learned more than I thought I would and made friends among the students and faculty as well. Bottom line, if you don’t like UoP, go somewhere else. If you choose to go give it your all… Amazing but true, an education is the one thing many are willing to pay for and not receive.
UoP wows me
School recommended by
Dr. Lee
on
March 25, 2009
43/56 people found this review helpful
I am a graduate of UoP's doctorate program (DBA) and got A's with GPA= 3.9. With that, I applied to teach at UCLA and they accepted me with associate professorship after a gruelling six interviews!
University of Phoenix
School recommended by
anonymous
on
March 23, 2009
35/38 people found this review helpful
I am a recent graduate in the undergraduate program from the University of Phoenix Online. My overall experiences at UOP were very good and memorable. My enrollment, academic and financial aid counselors were excellent, and always returned my calls in a timely manner. Most all of the instructors were very knowledgeable in their fields, and were very helpful and resourceful. They were prompt in answering questions in the classroom and timely in the delivery of their weekly feedback.
In comparing a traditional, on-ground campus versus the online environment, the workload is much heavier, as one is writing a paper or two a week, answering several discussion questions, reacting to other student's perspectives pertaining to the discussion questions, and working with other students in a team setting. As in any organization or work setting, one must be flexible in adjusting to team member character and personalities by working cohesively for the benefit of the learning team projects. If one is dedicated, the retention of the material learned can be vastly helpful and beneficial in one's field.
The classes are concentrated and very well-geared to adult learners. UOP is well-organized in their accesses to student services, library services, and technical support. The tech support operators are well-trained to provide the most optimal service to the students. For those individuals who complain about their online experiences at UOP as bad ones, kindly reflect on their posts carefully. Are the posts reflecting quality and proper grammar skills? If not, this issue may have been one of the issues in the assignment requirements. Since much writing is a relevant necessity in the online environment, one's grammar and writing skills are a mainstay in succeeding in the online environment.
In short, discipline,good planning, organization, and time management are must-have tools for the online student, whether at UOP or anywhere.
Dropped by School
School not recommended by
Kathryn Miller
on
March 22, 2009
47/57 people found this review helpful
I was recently a student of University of Phoenix associate registered in the Associate Degree Prgram in Business. I was in my seventh week of my 5th and 6th classes when I was told that my high school was not considered accredited. This was not found out during admissions. I now have paid for 6 classes and cannot continue until I spend $75.00 to get a GED. Why, I earned my diploma? Other graduates from my high school have gone on to college with no problem.
The sad thing is that I really enjoyed school and I was holding a 4.0 average at the age of 50. Now I have to pay for the student loan I have acquired, and can't afford to continue in school. This should have been caught right away. Make sure you ask if your high school is accredited before you sign the admissions contract. I feel totally humiliated.
My problems with the school
School not recommended by
unknown
on
March 19, 2009
23/44 people found this review helpful
i'm not trying to down the school or nothing but it's true uop do have a lot of problems with the student page. i am a current student i go there now. because i was unable to get onto the student web page during my last week they denied me my grade and failed me even though i did contact someone about it. the instructor said that because i didn't talk to her that there was noting she could do and i provided her with my ref# for tech support she still didn't take it because she said it was up to me to get it done. so the fact that i had problems with gettin on the site didn't matter she failed me anyway. Half the time when they give assignments they don't explain it to where you will understand. i had to get help from one of my classmates. so for all of you getting offended stop because it's their own fault that their system sucks and i am thinking of transferring myself before i encounter any other problems.
MBA
School not recommended by
Ken Woodling
on
March 14, 2009
23/41 people found this review helpful
Phoenix Online is awful. Why? Because their hiring agency hires ineffective instructors. I went to the university two times, both times I get one or two good instructors then along comes the ineffective instructor. I won't mention the gender or age here as not to discriminate you can use your imagination. The financial aid is also ineffective as well as the academic counselors. Financial aid takes more than their share of excess funds and the academic advisers are less-than-worthless. In my opinion don't go to this university. The ones that posted they succeeded from this university are a fairy tale. The grade grievance process is a joke and so is the agency looking over the process. Very disgusting and a waste of private and federal dollars.
Don't believe those who diss University of Phoenix
School recommended by
M. Romero
on
March 13, 2009
30/53 people found this review helpful
I am getting irritated with reading reviews from "haters." University of Phoenix is a good school, and like any traditional school, you get what you put into it. I have one year left to get my Bachelor's degree, and I do not plan on changing schools just because some lazy and mediocre student wants to blame the school for his or her failures! Every bad comment I read here is opposite my experience. First, the work is challenging. I learned much more than I did in a traditional school (New York University). Second, stop complaining about the school being expensive - Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and other Ivy League schools are EXPENSIVE,but no one seems to complain about that. You got to represent you; your degree does not determine how good you work or how successful you will be. Employers who are snobbish about hiring me for my degree and not me are the ones I would not want to work for, and I will tell them that in a heartbeat! Haters, stop whining!
