ARCHIVE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

It is unfortunate that the University of Phoenix has become a scapegoat for those who disagree with the popularity of e-learning and online degree programs. These critics have joyfully spread inaccurate information; and others have jumped on the bandwagon of falsehoods and mean-spirited fodder.

But a few truths should help set the record straight and ease the minds of those who are considering non-traditional schooling.

1) The University of Phoenix is the largest university in the United States, with over 300,000 students in attendance. To put that number in perspective, Yale University has an enrollment of approximately 11,250 students, Stanford has 17,747 students, and UCLA — the largest University of California institution – reports having 36, 611 undergraduate and graduate students.

2) The University of Phoenix offers both on-campus and online degree programs; so it is not exclusively an online school. Students may choose to attend classes traditionally at one of the college’s 250 campus locations, or via computer in an online format.

3) The University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association. The HLC is one of only 6 highly-regarded regional institutional accrediting bodies in the U.S. Accreditation is a rigorous process utilized to evaluate educational institutions in order to insure that specified standards of quality and compliance are being met.

4) The University of Phoenix nursing degree programs and counseling degree programs have additional accreditation from the respective professional nursing and counseling organizations.

5) The University of Phoenix has approximately 23,000 faculty members. All have either a master’s or doctoral degree. Those who teach graduate classes are required to be professionally employed in the field in which they teach.

Predictably, some people will always be unprepared or unwilling to accept change. Yet schools like the University of Phoenix will succeed in spite of opposition. Current demand for non-traditional education is high; and new technology will continue to increase efficiency and ease of delivery of educational materials. So it may be wise to replace criticism with an open mind. And please, no more scapegoats.

e-learning, online degree, University of Phoenix, distance learning, online education

Popularity: 4% [?]

Share This