University of Phoenix

Vision

University of Phoenix (UOP) was founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling. In the early 1970's, at San Jose State University in San Jose, California, Sperling and several associates conducted field-based research in adult education. The focus of the research was to explore teaching/learning systems for the delivery of educational programs and services to working adult students who wished to complete or further their education in ways that complemented both their experience and current professional responsibilities. At that time colleges and universities were organized primarily around serving the needs of the 18-22 year-old undergraduate student. That is not at all surprising, given that the large majority of those enrolled were residential students of traditional college age, just out of high school. According to Sperling working adult students were invisible on the traditional campus and were treated as second-class citizens

History

Since 1976, University of Phoenix has grown exponentially. More than 171,000 working professionals have earned their degree from University of Phoenix. In 1989, University of Phoenix was recognized as the first university to offer course work online. Since that time UOP has seen much success and innovated online education. But as the university grew many problems arose. In recent years UOP has faced several law suits, mainly dealing with its own enrollment staff and practices of enrollment counselors. All these were settled out of court. (To read more about the controversy surrounding UOP see University of Phoenix Controversy ). In spite of the legal issues the school has faced, it currently maintains the highest accreditations possible. UOP is accredited by North Central Association and the Higher Learning Commission. These accreditations are the same accreditations that educational powerhouses such as Duke and Harvard have.

The method in which University of Phoenix teaches is held to scrutiny as well. There are many who believe the method in which UOP teaches is low quality and very ineffective. UOP’s programs are accelerated and offers three modalities to its prospective, and current students:

Modalities

Ground

Ground classes are similar to the traditional college experience. Here, students attend a class with a professor/facilitator who encourages or facilitates a class discussion. These classes normally are 5 - 6 weeks long, depending on the program of study. These students typically attend one day a week and are in class for 4 hours. They also are expected to spend time outside of scheduled class time, working with a "Learning Team." The learning team usually numbers between 3 - 5 students, and are expected to complete assignments for credit in class. Many professors will have each learning team give at least one presentation during their course.

Online

These students attend an online classroom via their web browser or Microsoft's Outlook Express. In place of a classroom discussion the facilitator will ask the class, "discussion questions" via the classroom newsgroups. Each student then responds to these discussion questions and is expected to respond to one another's responses, thus creating an online discussion on a variety of subjects. To see a slide demonstration of this visit: ^*. These classes follow a similar format as ground classes with 5- to 6-week long courses. Students attending online can connect to their online classroom anywhere they have an internet connection. They are expected to enter and participate in their online classroom 4 out of the 7 days in a week. These students should expect to spend at minimum 15 hours a week on their educational studies. However this time can be divided up over the week to fit the students schedule.

Flex-net

Students attending class via flex-net attend a ground campus first and last day of class. They attend online classes the other days.

Academic programs

The University of Phoenix is divided into four schools, some with associated colleges.

The John Sperling School of Business and Technology

College of Undergraduate Business and Management
College of Information Systems and Technology
College of Graduate Business and Management
- Artemis School of Education, Health and Human Services

College of Education
College of Health and Human Services
- University College
The School of Advanced Studies

References

* MGT350 'Critical Thinking'. UOP Press, Mar. 5, 2006, p.1.
Marketing campaign grows University of Phoenix Online enrollment. URL accessed on 18 May 2006.
Farrell, E. F. May 30. For-profit colleges see rising minority enrollments. version. Chronicle of Higher Education, 49, A35.

External links

Online class demo ^*
Official University of Phoenix website and online campus
U of Phoenix Degree Offerings