univesity of phoenix

[MasterTech99]

I can almost guarantee any job you go for, there will be someone with a 4 year degree applying for that same position. Plus these employers have so many resumes waiting to be reviewed, one slightly questionable thing on your resume (lack of degree, lack of experience, lack of certs, etc..) will get your resume immediately passed over.

QFT

Something that really bothers me is when I see posting for jobs requiring a BS, every industry cert, and 10+ years of senior level experience with every type of technology only to offer barely entry level pay. I also get a little laugh when I see postings that require 10+ years of experience with a technology that's only existed for 3 years.

I know what they're doing, casting the largest net to get the best candidates possible, but it still bothers me.

 

[bagellad]

If you feel it gave you the skills to start your own business, then it doesn't really matter if the course was good or not, because you are your own boss.. I sometimes wonder why I even went to college instead of starting this at 19!

That being said I would never personally go to that kind of school.

 

[vdub12]

When I was in the Army I used to have to sit through a DeVry pitch at least once a year. They'd have a recruiter come and tell us about how she got her Associates, Bachelors, and PhD from DeVry. How she'd done it all while raising two daughters and holding down a job. Then she'd say that since we were in the military we'd get all kinds of credit for the training we'd already received and that we could finish in as little as two years. It sounded great! Then she would go farther and say that military members qualify to go to school there with no money out of pocket. We wouldn't have to pay anything while we were in school. How could you argue with that?!

Now, I would sit there and wonder to myself: if it's such a great deal why do they need to send someone here to sell it so hard? Why doesn't everyone do this? If you can get a good education in two years then why do people waste their time going to a traditional school for 4 or 5? The answer is that you can't get a meaningful education like that. You can get a piece of paper but that's it.

I have noticed many people have posted this. I think people are confusing UofP with a trade school like Heald College. UofP is a University not a trade school. An AA takes 2 years and a BS takes 4 years just like any other school. Its not an accelerated program. The same number of credits and the same basic core classes are required. I received my AA at the beginning of this year and it took me 2 years to get and I will not have my BS for another 2 years. The classes have the same work and many of the same books and lessons as other universities. I know, my sister is also in college and I noticed many of her core classes used the same books as well as even similar syllabus's and she is going to the local community college.

I think this might be where the confusion is coming from. I went to Heald years ago for like one semester and thought it was a joke. This is far from that. This is exactly the same work that I had to do when in a traditional college. To bad I wasn't smart back then and finished young then we would not be having this discussion and I would not be a 34 year old college student. But hey people make stupid decisions when there young.

 

[basic]

I have noticed many people have posted this. I think people are confusing UofP with a trade school like Heald College. UofP is a University not a trade school. An AA takes 2 years and a BS takes 4 years just like any other school. Its not an accelerated program. The same number of credits and the same basic core classes are required. I received my AA at the beginning of this year and it took me 2 years to get and I will not have my BS for another 2 years. The classes have the same work and many of the same books and lessons as other universities. I know, my sister is also in college and I noticed many of her core classes used the same books as well as even similar syllabus's and she is going to the local community college.

I think this might be where the confusion is coming from. I went to Heald years ago for like one semester and thought it was a joke. This is far from that. This is exactly the same work that I had to do when in a traditional college. To bad I wasn't smart back then and finished young then we would not be having this discussion and I would not be a 34 year old college student. But hey people make stupid decisions when there young.

Vdub, despite my stated views, don't let them or others bring you down (I doubt they would anyway). It's what you make of it...and that's all that really counts.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

To bad I wasn't smart back then and finished young then we would not be having this discussion and I would not be a 34 year old college student.

Hell, I didn't manage to go back to school until I was almost 31, and then it still took me 9 years to finish. I probably could have finished sooner if I hadn't diddled around earning 4 associate degrees on my way to my bachelors, but it was all techie stuff I was interested in learning. I often think back and wish I could've stuck with it when I was a kid fresh out of high school, but there's a good chance I would've majored in something I hated or may have just barely made through, dropped out or whatever. I think getting a taste of the real world doing grunt jobs with no education behind me besides a HS diploma made me stick with and appreciate earning a college degree. Last I read is that 75% of college students are non-traditional. I know I was never surrounded by young kids in any of my classes and I'm pretty sure I was never the oldest person in any of my classes either.

 

[SThompson86]

You're right, this is a tough decision and one that has a lot of emotional factors clouding your logical decision making process. I went back to school for two reasons: I wanted to be a college educated person and enjoy the positive bias that brings with it, and I wanted to be able to move up in the future. Not having a degree might not hurt me right now but it could lower the ceiling on my career in the future. There's nothing worse than being in your '40s and having someone less competent in their '20s promoted over you because they have an education and you don't.

I guess you have to decide what you want for yourself both now and in the future.

Yea I am ready to go to work. I just do not care to spend another 2-3 years in school learning stuff I want really use like programming languages. I like being a hands on tech/network person not some data base person or programmer or IT pencil pusher.

 

[vdub12]

Hell, I didn't manage to go back to school until I was almost 31, and then it still took me 9 years to finish. I probably could have finished sooner if I hadn't diddled around earning 4 associate degrees on my way to my bachelors, but it was all techie stuff I was interested in learning. I often think back and wish I could've stuck with it when I was a kid fresh out of high school, but there's a good chance I would've majored in something I hated or may have just barely made through, dropped out or whatever. I think getting a taste of the real world doing grunt jobs with no education behind me besides a HS diploma made me stick with and appreciate earning a college degree. Last I read is that 75% of college students are non-traditional. I know I was never surrounded by young kids in any of my classes and I'm pretty sure I was never the oldest person in any of my classes either.

I agree I think when you reach a certain age you come to appreciate what an education can do for you. I got horrible grades in HS but now I get strait A's. Its ether you try harder when your paying for it or age brings responsibility. Who knows.

I agree though, even though i was a techy in high school, chances are I would have followed a path that I would not have enjoyed as much. I guess everything happens for a reason.

 

[red12049]

1.) Where is my grammar terrible. Has it gotten to the point to where this is your best come back. If that's the case then I guess this conversation is over. Perfect grammar on a messenger board is unheard of to begin with but I normally go out of my way to make sure spelling and grammar are correct just for this reason. Also to take reference from an abandoned Myspace page is almost funny. I forgot I even had a myspace page, and yes I miss that oval. I sold it over 10 years ago.

2.) once you receive a degree credits don't apply. With an AA you don't need to go though the transfer credits you can just work on your BA. Same with a BA once you have the degree you can get a masters anywhere and your 120 credits for the BA are there. Transferring credits only apply if you do not finish your degree. Once you receive it you can use it anywhere to further your education. The school you go to is not going to pick your degree apart and make you retake classes, that's the point of the degree system.

Finally if you have read all my posts you will know that when I enrolled in school 2 years ago I had full intention of using my degree to better my career. However, things in my life have changed. I am a business owner and plan to be that way forever. My degree is for me at this point and if I need it later in life then I will also have the experience I am gaining running my own business. In regards to the quality of the degree every single person on this forum knows that in order to be a tech you need experience. A degree is nothing but a piece of paper and is useless without the years to go with it. With this in mind where it comes from is a mute point, the fact that you have it is all that matters.

On the subject of for profit schools. Is your business for profit. Last I looked all businesses are for profit. How would it be for us if everyone thought for profit techs just short cut everything and do sub par work. I mean we do need to maximize our time right? Yes your right UofP does try and maximize there profits and yes they do count on enrollments just like we count on new customers. However, to say that the education they offer is not equivalent is also saying that the entire accreditation system doesn't do anything and honestly that's not your call.

You know this is a mute point and I don't know why I am even involving myself in it anymore. Maybe its because I am working my ass off trying to get the education that I feel that I need to better myself and I don't like that work being minimized or stepped on. I have went to a regular brick and mortar college and I have received my AA from UofP using some transfer credits that i had previously. I know for a fact that the work is of the same caliber because i do it every day. Its like arguing with a blind guy about the color of the sky, it's a waste of time. However, its this attitude that creates these rumors to begin with.

Here's a link that talks about some of the myths about UofP and the truths to go along with it.

Mythbusting University of Phoenix

About the only way to answer this is to sincerely wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.

Rick

 

[Mushin]

You really need to watch this video. The jury is still out and will be out for a while in regards to for-profit education. You will see that is especially true after watching the video. But I went to a state university and paid a lot less for my degree than UofP charges for tuition and I've never had to worry about people possibly scrutinizing the worth of my degree.

All universities are FOR PROFIT.... don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Sure some may be State Funded but it is all about making money to fund their programs... their athletics.... the research.... and on and on. AND their is nothing wrong with making money off of a service (Education) or a service (Computer Repair)

I will endorse University of Phoenix..... first and formost they offer an avenue for someone to get a degree that would not be able to attend a traditional classroom. For business owners (People Like Us) this is great. School on our own time! Their business program is demanding and they require actual work and participation.

Now... if you goal is to get a degree to be more marketable as a business then it is really a convenient way to go. As for finding a JOB... well some companies may frown on it but others do not.... But since we are in business for our self.... why would you want a job? Just build your business and use someplace like University of Phoenix to broaden your knowledge, build your confidence, network with the students and staff. Oh... wait isn't that what all universities are for? Yep... it is.

 

[basic]

All universities are FOR PROFIT.... don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Sure some may be State Funded but it is all about making money to fund their programs... their athletics.... the research.... and on and on. AND their is nothing wrong with making money off of a service (Education) or a service (Computer Repair)

I will endorse University of Phoenix..... first and formost they offer an avenue for someone to get a degree that would not be able to attend a traditional classroom. For business owners (People Like Us) this is great. School on our own time! Their business program is demanding and they require actual work and participation.

Now... if you goal is to get a degree to be more marketable as a business then it is really a convenient way to go. As for finding a JOB... well some companies may frown on it but others do not.... But since we are in business for our self.... why would you want a job? Just build your business and use someplace like University of Phoenix to broaden your knowledge, build your confidence, network with the students and staff. Oh... wait isn't that what all universities are for? Yep... it is.

I don't argue with the point that all schools try to make money. However, as I outlined in a previous post, the way in which they generate their revenue is very different. Traditional schools are not influenced by stock prices.

 

[SThompson86]

What do you guys think about that Western Governors University? It is supposed to be full on accredited. I checked into it, and it seems to be accredited by the same accreditation that accredits the University of Washington State and Utah state.

I am still a skeptic though..

 

[MasterTech99]

What do you guys think about that Western Governors University? It is supposed to be full on accredited. I checked into it, and it seems to be accredited by the same accreditation that accredits the University of Washington State and Utah state.

I am still a skeptic though..

Regional accreditation is not uncommon for schools regardless of their quality. UoP, DeVry, Strayer, are all regionally accredited but still of questionable quality. Think of it like the A+ of colleges. From what I've read, regionally accreditation bodies are starting to take a much firmer stance with for-profits and there is a movement to take it away from the worst offenders.

 

[colonydata]

A shameless plug for my Alma Mater, but Georgia Southern University has a Web BS IT program through the College of IT, which happens to be one of the first ACM accredited Colleges of IT in the nation.
They are also SACS accredited which credentials pretty much every school and college in the south eastern united states.

 

[SThompson86]

A shameless plug for my Alma Mater, but Georgia Southern University has a Web BS IT program through the College of IT, which happens to be one of the first ACM accredited Colleges of IT in the nation.
They are also SACS accredited which credentials pretty much every school and college in the south eastern united states.

So that is an online IT bachelor program? If it is that has got to be the best online degree I have found yet. I am for sure going to to check into this!

 

[colonydata]

So that is an online IT bachelor program? If it is that has got to be the best online degree I have found yet. I am for sure going to to check into this!

its offered through a partnership with 4 or 5 other Georgia State Colleges and Universities. i dont know all the details about it though, i did it the old fashion way as a full time on campus student. looking at a sample degree program for the online program, with the exception of a few classes, and some of the names being slightly different it dosnt look that much different from the on campus program i attended. and i am assuming that the degree looks exactly like mine