Complaint Review: University Of Phoenix - Mesa Arizona

As a former student of UOP (Classroom) who graduated with a BS Business Management, the program produced exactly what I was looking for; an accredited degree which could be applied towards future educational requirements. Specifically, an MBA. Unfortunately, I started UOP with only 33 credits. And while I know the completion time was still going to take the full 3 years that a traditional campus based program would, the 5 week courses allowed for less time investment overall. However, with 5 week courses the ability to even retain the most basic of theory, or applications (statistics, financial anaylsis) was limited. As many of you and other threads have posted, the instructors are severly disinterested and in many cases down right incompetent in the education field. Of about 30 courses I took, only 3 instructors were competent and capable of true education instruction. Ironically, these 3 were also professors at ASU who did the UOP thing for some extra cash in the summer. I learned, as did my learning team, the real ability came in being positive, looking interested and blabbering on about the presentation in week 5. Because it had become so pointless that we stopped buying the books. They were not used, why waste the money. Just remember, there are many other very qualified and exceptional online programs out there. I am into my final course at Regis University, MBA program which is taught by REAL college professors, which has made a difference. Look around, many major universities like Uni. of Florida and SUNY are offering great online options now. Just know going in what your looking for, an accreditted degree or knowledge, because UOP will give you one, but not likely the other.

One has to think about their goals and what suits their lifestyle, and what fits them the best as reguards to a University. My husband works for UOP in Tech. Support. One of his biggest complaints is that when a student decide that they are going to UOP, they sign a paper saying that they are computer literate--meaning you know the basic use of a computer and know how to turn it on, run basic software programs like Windows, and know how to type. There have been times when my husband has taken a call and someone has just purchased a computer and they don't even know how to run it, set it up, much less turn it on. Obviously, a student who isn't computer literate is going to have problems in their classes just because they're just now learning how to turn on a computer--they don't even know how any of the programs run. How can one succeed in something when you don't even know the basics of a computer and one is taking on line classes? Next, one has to look at their personality, needs, and learning style. Does my personality and my expectations of a University match the University or College in which I plan to attend? If it doesn't, then you'd better look somewhere else. I had many friends attend a University in a different state. I really liked the reputation of this school and wanted to be closer to my friends. When I looked into attending that University, I found it just wasn't for me. My friends are great people but their learning styles and what they wanted out of a University were different than what I wanted and needed. As for credit cards...I do not condone nor condem someone who wants to use a credit card. It's their business because it's their finances. One can get a debtit card and as far as the credit issue goes you won't go into debt if one balances out their check book, it's just like a check but faster. I also respect the right for someone who is hesitant about not using their credit card on line because of the problems we have with fraud in our nation. There are credit card companies who will reiberse you (even some immediately) if there has been any transaction that were not done by the owner of the credit card. Still one has to be wise in using any card on line. Most places or "web sites" do use cards because it is a faster way of getting things done for everyone--both for customer and the business. As for the books...my husband says that the books are all now on line so you do not have to necissarily purchase a book unless you are a ground student (someone who attends classes and doesn't use the online resorces). As for the business end of things... I feel badly that you feel the way you do about the professors at UOP. The dispute in my eyes is not to debate whether the teachers at UOP are good or bad but about the service provided. If the teachers truly were as bad as you say--then I feel for you; I've had my share of "bad" teachers too. That's why I became a teacher. The bottom line is people have to make money to live. Universities ARE A BUSINESS and they have to make a profit or the University will go bank rupt and have to close. That would make a lot of students who are in attendance very unhappy along with all the Unversity's employees. When a business is run right, doing business doesn't feel like doing business because the people who run or represent that business show an interest in their clients (students). No one likes to be mistreated. Everyone likes to feel like they are cared about and the business has a genuine interest in their clients. Some business are and should be more geared for the interest of the client (service oriented business) but we don't live in a "perfect" world. That's why we need to investigate what is best for our needs and what is best for us. We are all individuals and we live in an idvidualistic society--what's good for one may not be good for all. That's why we need to make a wise descisions for our lives to get us where we need to go in the best possible way. Notice, I did not say the easiest, but the best. All in all, it looks like you took the best route for you. Congradulations!!! I'm glad you found what you are looking for.

Check the catalog online now at www.phoenix.edu, go to your signon page and look under "publications." GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES, SHARON!!!

I attended (and graduated) from University of Phoenix online program with a Master's degree. My biggest complaint was about the learning teams, but I found out early on that I could appeal to the instructor if I had a team member who would not pull his/her own weight. I found the classes and almost all the instructors to be stimulating, effective, and, in some cases, actually to be of graduate-level difficulty. I, too, searched the ISBN on-line to find the cheapest books. As for required credit card usage - even the cheapest motels want a credit card upon check-in. So do all car rental agencies, video rental companies, and so on. What's the big deal about not owning one? Isn't this the year 2004?? We don't live in a cash society anymore. The delay between writing a check and having it cleared by the bank, then notifying the company to whom it was written, has always been 10 - 14 business days. UoP always had my schedule posted long in advance (as a matter of fact, it was posted 2 YEARS ahead of time!) I could check for the required text nearly 2 months before class was to begin. I never had a problem getting my books on time, nor getting used books (especially when I bought them used through Amazon). I had classmates who didn't get their books until 1/2 the way through a class, but they had always waited until AFTER the class started to order it. I would recommend UoP on-line for anyone who is self-motivated, and independent learner, and willing to work with others. I had a completely positive experience. If they begin a Ph.D. program, I'll jump at the chance to complete it.

I attended (and graduated) from University of Phoenix online program with a Master's degree. My biggest complaint was about the learning teams, but I found out early on that I could appeal to the instructor if I had a team member who would not pull his/her own weight. I found the classes and almost all the instructors to be stimulating, effective, and, in some cases, actually to be of graduate-level difficulty. I, too, searched the ISBN on-line to find the cheapest books. As for required credit card usage - even the cheapest motels want a credit card upon check-in. So do all car rental agencies, video rental companies, and so on. What's the big deal about not owning one? Isn't this the year 2004?? We don't live in a cash society anymore. The delay between writing a check and having it cleared by the bank, then notifying the company to whom it was written, has always been 10 - 14 business days. UoP always had my schedule posted long in advance (as a matter of fact, it was posted 2 YEARS ahead of time!) I could check for the required text nearly 2 months before class was to begin. I never had a problem getting my books on time, nor getting used books (especially when I bought them used through Amazon). I had classmates who didn't get their books until 1/2 the way through a class, but they had always waited until AFTER the class started to order it. I would recommend UoP on-line for anyone who is self-motivated, and independent learner, and willing to work with others. I had a completely positive experience. If they begin a Ph.D. program, I'll jump at the chance to complete it.

I attended (and graduated) from University of Phoenix online program with a Master's degree. My biggest complaint was about the learning teams, but I found out early on that I could appeal to the instructor if I had a team member who would not pull his/her own weight. I found the classes and almost all the instructors to be stimulating, effective, and, in some cases, actually to be of graduate-level difficulty. I, too, searched the ISBN on-line to find the cheapest books. As for required credit card usage - even the cheapest motels want a credit card upon check-in. So do all car rental agencies, video rental companies, and so on. What's the big deal about not owning one? Isn't this the year 2004?? We don't live in a cash society anymore. The delay between writing a check and having it cleared by the bank, then notifying the company to whom it was written, has always been 10 - 14 business days. UoP always had my schedule posted long in advance (as a matter of fact, it was posted 2 YEARS ahead of time!) I could check for the required text nearly 2 months before class was to begin. I never had a problem getting my books on time, nor getting used books (especially when I bought them used through Amazon). I had classmates who didn't get their books until 1/2 the way through a class, but they had always waited until AFTER the class started to order it. I would recommend UoP on-line for anyone who is self-motivated, and independent learner, and willing to work with others. I had a completely positive experience. If they begin a Ph.D. program, I'll jump at the chance to complete it.

I placed a response for the UOP over a year ago. To this date I still think they are not the best on line accredted school out there. I have read the responses and some seem positive others like mine negative. I did email UOF requesting a catalog and they keep calling. I simply requested a catalog to view their course line and to date have not received one. The UOF in one on line college I would stay away from. I received my BS from Empire State College and feel it is the best. I worked full time and went to school full time. I spent 7 days a week for over two years 4 hours a day studying. I did end up with an excellent GPA, but had to work for it. I feel that I spent more time on classes and got more out of it. I had to work full time in order to afford my classes. These are only my feeling towards the UOF. Prior to this I have read some very scary things that some students have experienced from the UOF. So for me I would stay away from the UOF. One must remember that an educated consumer is your best defense. I did a lot of research prior to getting my BS degree. I felt that Empire College offered the best of both worlds, plus it was in NYS. The fact that it was in NYS gave me a better price per credit. Brandt,

It sounds like you expect something for nothing. Nothing in the world is free. First and foremost, banks offer debit cards with the Visa/MC logo. As an adult, you are responsible for ensuring you are able to get your text books on time for the course. If you know you are on a crunch for time, you have options, such as express mailing a certified funds check or money order. Stand up and take responsibilty for your actions. Next, the learning teams are set up so that everybody must contribute. If you feel that you are the only one contributing to the group, and the other (3 or 4) students aren't, you have options to resolve this situation. It sounds like you may be too critical of your team if none of them are living up to the standards. I am sorry, I find that hard to believe. I have been going to UoP for over two years and have yet to have one class where there is an inadequate contributor to the team. Sounds like you just expected too much. Anyway, your opinion is in the minority. UoP is a great school, and much talent comes from the school. Good luck at the community college.

If your are a current University of Phoenix student or considering becoming one just keep in mind that this so called "univeristy" treats its faculty like dirt. Instructors make as little as $850 to teach a 5 week class class. Even those with a PhD and 5 years at the school only get about $1200. To put that in perspective, I was paid more teaching for a community college 15 years ago and didn;t even have an advance degree. The so called "pay" works out to less than $8 or $9 an hour when one factors in class time, prep, grading, and the unpaid meetings and training the university requires. Of course, there are no benefits. Sure, maybe $9 an hour sounds great if your only making minimum wage, but to someone with a MS, MA, MBA or PhD and 5 or more years of professional experience it's more of an insult then a check. Do you think a master electrician or journeymen plumber would come and work for you for $9 an hour? Of course not. Consider that if a class has 20 students, not even 5% of what is paid in tuition goes to pay the instructor. And you wonder why many of them don't care? Some instructors put up with the crap pay becuase they simply enjoy teaching or need something to occupy them in retirement or between real jobs. As for myself personally I consider more of a paid hobby than a job and I act accordingly. Some weeks I feel interested in my hobby, other weeks I feel that the university should just go F itself. I feel sorry for the students, but hey, its the unversity's cheap a*s policies that creates that environment. Like the saying goes "you get what you pay for" . And what ever it is your paying for at University of Phoenix its certainly not modivated quality faculty. And don't get me started on the inadequite facilities!

To comment on the fact that a portion of your grade is a group grade: if you have people in your group who do not do their portion of the work and you end up doing most of it yourself, that is your fault. the groups do not have to be permanent and you can choose to leave a group and go into another or "fire" someone in the group who is not meeting expectations. I got my undergrad at UOP and am completing my grad. degree at UOP and believe me, I have changed groups more than once as well as kicked others out of a group. You have that control, and resentment builds if you do not exercise it.

I have been attending UoP since Dec of 2001. I have since received over 30 credits. I am a mother and a full time manager. I could not imagine trying to pursue my education at any other school. As for the Learning Team counting as 30-40% of the overall grade: Todays managers will spend the majority of their time in meetings working with teams to accomplish their jobs. As a student it is your responsibility to make sure that your Learning Team is contributing to the assignment. I have had classes where a person was not contributing to the Team, and after talking to the person to no avail, a brief conversation with the professor removed that person from the Learning Team. They were forced to do team assignments by themselves. As for the whining about having to use a credit card: Any person with a checking account can get a debit card from their bank. I do not have a credit card. I use my checking debit card to purchase my books online. This works great since I am not burning my credit to purchase books. I also don't buy my books from the University bookstore; rather I take the time to look for the ISBN online to find the lowest rate. I have yet to get burned on my books. Finally, as a student, I am overall satisfied with the University of Phoenix. My professors have been great and very knowledgeable in their field. Each one has taken a personal / professional interest in their students, and they will sit down with the students and help them learn what they are not getting in class and from the Learning Team. This is a great school for working adults that can handle learning at an accelerated rate, and are willing to give up free time to study.

I agree a lot of emphasis is placed on team work but unfortunatly this is also how the real world works. There are several instances in my current job where I have had to do all the work and others receive credit for it. A suggestion to your problem may be to get a debit card from your bank for your checking account. These work like a credit card but are not really a credit card it is similar to writing a check. This will help you to purchase the used books just like everyone else. Just a thought good luck with your remaining classes. And I would recommend UOP online to anyone that is too busy to go to a traditional school. A lot of the material is hands on and I use it daily at my workplace.

I think it is a great way to get an education. I was looking at the UOP but after reading some of the comments I am a little apprehensive. I just finshed my BS from Suny Empire college and found it to be very rewarding. It took two years of taking 3-4 classes a semster. I worked full time and part-time and found this to be the only way to get my 4 year degree. In order to get this degree I had to spend 3-5 hours a day studying and that included weekends. Yes many nights I missed a good night sleep, but in the end it was worth it. In regards to the UOF I have a friend taking classes and she likes it stating they are a good school. It is good to get positive and negative feed back from people, so that one can make an informed choice. In closing my on line experience with Suny Empire was positive. I will admit at times I did get hung up in the system and issues not addressed right away. In that case I was just kept at it until I got the answers I needed. In some of my classes I had students from the Middle East, Europe and all over the USA. Good luck on line degrees(accredited of course) are the wave of things to come. You do get a terrific education.

Just to let you know, Western International University (WIY) is owned by Apollo Group, Inc.; the same owners of University of Phoenix (UofP).