Re: University of Phoenix
Posted by Derek on 7/14/06
I'm just about to graduate from University of Phoenix with my BSIT (just the capstone class left), and I'm trying to decide what to do about pursuing a master's degree. UoP currently only offers it online, and I don't know what to think about the validity or value of an online degree in comparison to classroom based education. That's how I sumbled onto this thread during a Google search.
I think that Mike is right about getting out of it what you put into it. I also think that basic interest has a lot to do with it. I love technology and I really enjoyed the programming classes, especially Java 1 & 2, and Web Programming 1 & 2. However, those classes were also taught by (in my opinion) the best instructors at that campus, which shows that instructor quality has a lot to do with maintaining the students' interest. Most of the instructors have "real" jobs and are teaching for various personal or monetary reasons on the side. They, therefore, bring their real-world experience to class with them, and that's something you won't get at a typical career-instructor school.
It also takes student commitment. Without that, it doesn't matter what school you attend -- you probably won't finish, but you'll still owe on the loans. My first classes started out with 30+ students. My last class on EBusiness had just 6 people in it, and only 5 finished the class.
Before I started school I wondered why I had to jump through so many hoops to get my "piece of paper." After going through the process, I see that the true value of a degree program is to separate the quitters, slackers, and incompetent people from those who will actually be successful in life, and I think that's the real value of a degree to an employer. It's a baseline reliability and follow-through certification.
On 6/13/06, Mike wrote: > You will get out of it what you put into it. I have complaints, > such as some of the duds in my learning teams, but how is that > so different from the real world. If anything, I learned how to > deal with dead-beats in a diplomatic fashion. You will find > people at EVERY school in the country, around the world for that > matter, who are not pleased. My business management degree from > UOP helped me get the job I have now. Most people who won't > accept a UOP degree don't know anything about it, have > preconceived notions about an "on-line" degree, or are > prejudiced against the format because they had to beat it out at > a brick-n-mortar university. Do the math. Did you see Good Will > Hunting? Speaking to a elitest Harvard student, the character, > Will, says "You dropped $150,000 on an education you could have > gotten with $1.50 in late charges at the public library." This > is probably not far from the truth. > > Ever heard the phrase: "Do your own think!" Don't be swayed by > public opinion. If it feels right to you, then move forward. Ask > the nay-sayers to submit proof for the feelings, and you will > find that they are unsubstantiated. > On 4/26/06, Frank wrote: >> On 7/07/05, Florita King wrote: >>> Hi, >>> >>> I was warned about Phoenix by several people. Go to >>> ripoffreport.com and you'll see a mass of complaints about >>> the school. >>> >>> Good luck!. >>> >>> Florita >>> >>> On 6/16/05, John wrote: >>>> I am currentlty attending the University of Phoenix's >>>> program for IT. I have not been 100&37; satisfied. I have >>>> been doing some pretty heavy research trying to find some >>>> alternate opinions on the quality of education, and the >>>> recognition of degrees provided by other educational >>>> bodies and employers, by the UoP. Some factors I have in >>>> my favor, is although I am employed full time, I am still >>>> in my 20's (for a bit longer :) , I have no family, and no >>>> children. I feel that I may be selling myself short if I >>>> continue on my current path. While I really want my >>>> degree, I want to be proud of the name, and I want to work >>>> my tail off getting it. Your opinions and advice are >>>> greatly appreciated! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>
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