University of Phoenix

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I've known several of coasties that have used the University of Phoenix for their online college courses. I've heard both positives & negatives about it.

Does anyone have advise or input on the University of Phoenix?

Or, would anyone recommend a college/university for online courses?

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I've used distance education to accumulate some credits. Specifically, I enrolled at Western Illiniois University and did everything by correspondance. They were very good.

I'd recommend, however, to take courses in an actual classroom whenever you can. I was able to do so in the evenings at my last unit and there is no comparison to the "virtual experience." I learned a lot more by interacting with people. Having said that, however, do whatever is available to you to get your degree.

ETCS Dave Kroll is doing the online thing right now. He'd be an excellent source of information.

Oh, and did I mention Dave is taking ballet lessons? He plans to audition for the Memphis Ballet in the Spring. Good luck, Dave.

[DCC Mitchell Penneau]

When I started classes a few years ago I enrolled in UOP, I had nothing but problems with them, first they would accept credits, then they would not, they changed my class schedule more times them I can count or place me in a class I did not need. They sometimes did not post my class schedule, so I would not know when said class started.

I left UOP after just two classes and enrolled in AIU, I have been taking classes with them now for two years, completing one degree and am now half way through the second. I have had nothing but great experience with AIU.

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hi Deane,
I received my first degree through the University of Phoenix. It went well but it was somewhat of a hassle to get them paid. It didn't seem like their processes were in place and working like they should. If you or someone is interested in UOP, I would highly encourage them. UOP also seems to be very pushy about enrolling. When I told them I was attending a different college, the UOP rep actually hung then phone up on me!

I'm now going through another college, Touro University International (TUI), www.tourou.edu and it seems to be much better. Its accreditation is very good since it is a branch of Touro college in New York. I like it because they are very willing to work with the military and our schedules. I'm taking 28 credits a year completely free! No fees, no books, nothing! The only bad thing about TUI is that they don't really have any AA degree plans for the junior folks, that is where Phoenix is good. TUI accepts the $4500 from TA and then they give you another 2.5 classes completely free, so a total of 7 classes. They make it very easy. I know alot of people using this college.

Both colleges are good. And both colleges accept alot of your CG career as credit. Almost any college is good. Personally, I'm sticking with Touro. But as Dennis said, I think if you can attend traditional classroom school, I think you do get another "virtual" aspect of education.

If you or anyone here has any questions on attending college, send me an email or call. I'll help get you started. The hardest part is just taking that first step. It does seem confusing, :confused: but once you take the step and get started, it gets real easy.

As for the Memphis ballet, Dennis, I've also started Tap and Hip-Hop dance! You should see my outfits! I'm the shiz-nit :eek:

[FSC LANCE HOLVOET]

I just received my Associates from Phoenix. Not having taken on line classes before I did find it somewhat cumbersome. But overall I think it worked out well. I'm not going to pursue anything further with them simply because they don't offer a Bachelors program that I am interested in. However I had a bumps that they worked hard to resolve and the result was overall positive.

Given a choice I would much rather have the interaction you get in the classroom. But online is better than not at all. I did have a good admissions counselor if anyone wants his name off line.

[ETCS David Kroll]

Congrats on your degree!!! I agree that classroom would probably be better. However most of us are pretty busy and the online aspect is a great choice! At least we now have a choice. Your UOP experience sounds about like mine. I bet you can find a college that has what your looking for. You should take a break a try it again.

If nothing else, it sets an example that it can be done.

Again Lance, Congrats!!
Dave

[BMCM Steve Cantrell]

Dave- Did Touro give you credit for the UOP courses you took? I took 15 hours this year from UOP and you're correct...they can be pushy and the billing is a bit confusing. I'm looking to either get back into UOP when I get to Boston or try another school. Gotta use that $4500 regardless. :)

Steve

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hi Steve,
I believe they did. I had to have UOP send them my transcripts. I believe Touro has a minimum of 11 classes ( so thats how many Ihad to take ) you have to take through them to get a degree, I'm not 100% but their homepage spells out most of it. After UOP, Tourou made it real easy to use TA plus they give you $2500 every year! They were very good about accepting all the military credits, CLEP and I believe other schools. My boss that was up at ESU Boston, was taking Touro classes and he got his BSBA, as well as his MBA, and was going for his PHD when I left. I do know more people are using this school than UOP. You won't believe how easy they make it. www.tourou.edu

I thought you were already up in Bean town. When are you planning on moving?

Take care,
Dave

[ITC Steven Grimes]

Tourou is now a SOC (serviceman’s opportunity college) so they would/should acccept anything done at another SOC. It also means if someone took one or two classes there and moved on to another SOC that college would have to accept the work.

[OSC Donald McClain]

A little late with this thread - but here's my 2 cents.

I was once enrolled in UOP - that is until I learned otherwise. During on of my semesters I had to drop my classes - death in the family / traveling away from town. Didn't think I could meet the attendance policy in place by UOP and I was only into my 2nd week of class. I email the instructor several times over a 3 week period - never hearing back from him. Contacted UOP and they said - by know I was into the 4th week I would have to pay for the whole class - this after explaining the situation.

Long story short - dropped the class - got a bill from the Navy - contacted the Navy TA people - who advised me 'they don't find that suprising" - what UOP was doing. The lady I spoke with at Navy TA advised me they don't even recommend UOP anymore because they have had so many problems with them.

My 2 cents

Don

[ETCS David Kroll]

Wow, thats interesting. So did you have to pay? I hope not. Tourou.edu is where I'm going now and each class is $1000 so paying that out of pocket would hurt! But this school is much more organized than phoenix.
Dave

[OSC Donald McClain]

No I didn't have to pay - Funny thing - Submitted a reqeust for TA - got the TA approved but with it came a note from the ESO advising me that the Navy had a pending payment (judgement) for me from UOP (actually UOP was paid - but had a "W" on my transcript so TA wanted the money back from me, since UOP refused to refund it under the situation) and this would be the last TA I can request until my bill was paid - per say.

You see - I've been detailed out from HQ for the past 3 years - well - mail from the Navy side of TA had my "HQ" address - (not working in HQ / and no one really wanting to "claim us" until within the last few months) our mail - those also detailed out with me - seemed to sit someplace for months on end before it was routed to us at DHS. No one would even bother to call and say - hey you have mail here come and get it.

So the letter from the Navy side of TA advising me I owed money - i didn't get for almost 10 months past the time it was sent - go figure.

Any way - the lady at the Navy side of TA told me to send her a letter explaing what happened and she would take care of it - which I did - and I've been taking classes ever since. So she must have fixed it

[BMCM Steve Cantrell]

Look into Excelsior College. It is a little more affordable than UOP and Touro. Just have to be somewhere where someone can administer the tests to you. I've had it with UOP :mad: especially since they are raising the tuition by 6-8% on 01 December. I'm taking a class now with UOP, but when it is done, I am going to look into Excelsior. A guy in my building is doing it and is really sold on it. We're lucky to have a LT in the district building that can administer the mid terms and final exams, so why not. I just hope I can transfer my credits from UOP..... Oh well, as long as we are taking advantage of the TA, it's all good!

Steve

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

My wife used UOP.
If you start with them you will need to finish with them. It is hard to get their credits transfered and it is hard to get them to take credits.

Just FYI

[OSCS Mark A. Pearson]

If you must pursue your education online then I would recommend American Military University (www.apus.edu/amu). They are fully accredited, offer associate, bachelors, and masters degree programs, and cater to active duty military members. I did a degree with them in the late 90's while stationed in Alaska and Guam and it worked out fine.
Mark

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hi Steve,
I'm trying to figure out how excelcier is cheaper than Touro. There classes are expensive but you can take 28 credits a year completely free. Thats cheap. And there registration fee is $75 (CGMA pays that) and there is no other fees or books to pay for.
But I agree, as long as we are doing something, somewhere. Take advantage of it.
Dave

[BMCM Steve Cantrell]

Dave- Not sure as I am just now looking into it. I know a guy who is taking classes from them and it only runs him about $550 per class. Lot cheaper that UOP's $1380 per class. I like what Touro does with the all expenses paid route. There is another school that does that (American Military University..I think). Comparable in price to UOP, but they take care of the books,etc. Just glad to have all these options.
Steve