University of Phoenix is Great

I am currently a little over half way through my MBA program. Most people when they hear University of Phoenix assume on-line degree. If an on-line degree bothers you then UOP has 200 brick and mortar campuses for students to attend. I am 37 years old and a little old fashioned and believe the classroom is the best choice. However, even though I am earning a Phoenix MBA 100% at one of the local campuses. I still believe the on-line degrees hold validity and are reputable.You get out of education what you put into it.

I received my B.S. from the Univeristy of Texas at Dallas and I can easily say it is one of the hardest degrees you will ever earn, hands down. Where does it say that it has to be mind-blowing to be effective and better for people. I am a strong academic and career person and I chose the University of Phoenix because it is fully accredited and they have campuses all over the metroplex. YES UOP HAS CAMPUSES and my degree is 100% campus earned. Nothing against on-line.

The UOP does need to work on some things. They obviously need to market the campuses a little better to give the University a little more validity right away. They should tone down the team environments to one team project per class. I'm tired of carrying lazy students through the program just so they can put MBA after their name when I'm the reason they earned it. It is getting old. If they cannot hack it then they need to get out. Don't waste the money and time. UOP is a private school and it's not cheap. If you are not willing to invest the time then don't do it. Personally I still think they should raise rates again to get funding they need to make the University a success.

I'm a little concerned about the perception of UOP. There will never be another Harvard or Cornell. Ironically after graduating from the University of Texas I attened Cornell University to receive a Certificate in Executive Leadership and it was phenominal. You can do the same thing at UOP if you put your mind to it. Take responsibility for your own education and get after it. Maybe the UOP is not in the top 20 business schools in the country and they definitely need to work on some things. I plan to help them when I graduate. But the MBA I received has definitely changed my life even with a few classes to go.

When I left UTD I was truly disappointed with the job prospects available to me and I am a top-notch employee and academic. So I left UTD feeling much the same as some of you UOP antagonists. Bill Gates left Harvard for a reason. UOP does need to raise the bar. They don't need to fail students that are giving their all but giving a B- is not going to ruin anyone's life. It might make them work harder and become better people. I have seen the UOP brick and mortar facilities and they are totally state of the art.

If you need more validity what other University can say they own and paid for one of the best NFL pro-football stadiums in the world and is named University of Phoenix Stadium. After they raise the bar giving out some B's, market the campus programs a little better I believe they should consider starting an atheletic program. You won't beat Duke in basketball but you will bring some validaty to your program and attract more students. UOP should not totally change what they are doing but a couple of B's on a transcript might be the kick in the pants some people need to get motivated to earn the A.


Immediately after graduating from UOP I will be attending Southern Methodist University, Cox School of business to obtain a GFCP. (Graduate Financed Certied Professional) This is a certificate or actually GFCP is a designation. It takes 8-12 months to complete and will round out any perceived inadaquacies by recieving a year of high-end finance from one of the top 25 business schools in the country. If you find yourself still lacking look in the mirror. You are the one that has to fix this. Me getting this year long finance designation at SMU is to make me a specialist in finance and will compliment a solid MBA that is also accounting and financed related.


My last point to this manuscript. My little brother has a High School Diploma and is a Director for Darden Corporation with over 50k employees. He has received director of the year for the last two years and will probably be number 3 shortly followed by a promotion to SVP. A kid with a High School education. I asked him why he is so much more successful than I am and I'm overly educated. He said passion and desire. A bad MBA can do wonders for you if you have passion and desire. UOP MBA's are far from bad. If they listen to my comments they will go from average to good.

Best Wishes to you all,