University of Phoenix Reviews of Bachelor's in Communications

"I took the AA in IT (Networking) program at UoP first. I absolutely had NO complaints about the school back then. I enjoyed the accelerated pace of the classes, found the projects to be very proactive and useful. However, I did notice that students who did not come from a technology background struggled with the program, and most of them dropped out. The degree targeted students who already had the basic computer knowledge needed for A+ certification, but I doubt their advisors told any of them that. When I was getting close to completing my AA was when the problems started. UoP restructured their classes. It forced me to retake several classes that I had already taken before. And then, I realized during that reboot; the textbooks had changed so much that I was having issues understanding the material, having already mostly completed the program based on the old books. I gave up, with only two classes left to go. I returned later for a BS in Communications. Let me say that their Bachelor's programs are horrendous. The pace is so accelerated, and so much material skipped, it's difficult to understand it. The worst part though is that it went so fast I wasn't able to retain ANY of it. The class order was weird, too - with technical classes preceding history classes. The part that ticked me off the most though was the group projects. My classmates were completely incompetent not only with the material we were learning but also with MS PowerPoint AND with working on a team. It hurt MY grade in the process. What has me done with this college though is the fact that I became unable to continue my classes due to a disability-related illness. Most colleges would give me an LOA of some kind. UoP, however, was not accommodating at all. I failed the class. Of course, not one to give up easily, I immediately started asking my advisor how I could get back into school. She ignored me. I asked about making payments. She ignored that, too. To make a long story short, I ended up getting reported to a credit agency, barred from taking any further classes and having my transcripts held hostage. The most messed up part is the credit agency didn't even understand why I was sent to them since I had been making payments on my balance. The school still shows my balance, too, and guess how I make the payments? Through the credit agency? Nope. I am making them through the school's campus website, just like before."

"I regret the day I ever enrolled at University of Phoenix. After taking a few classes, I decided this school and I were not the best fit, no big deal. It wasn't until I decided to withdraw that things turned sour. All the sudden everyone I talked to, once finding out I was withdrawing, became cold and almost impossible to work with. Every "financial advisor" I spoke with told me different things and gave me different amounts of money I owe. (Not to mention when I log into the site, it even tells me the price on it may not be accurate. HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? I WITHDREW BACK IN FEBRUARY AND IT STILL ISN'T ACCURATE NOW IN JUNE?) I have called MULTIPLE TIMES to set up payment plans with someone on the phone and was told that it was complete, but no one has ever taken my payments (if you don't want my money that's fine, I don't really want to give it to you. But this school isn't going to ruin my credit). I was then told after about the fifth or sixth call to set up my payment plan that I could do it online, so I tried. And it told me for EVERY card I tried to add that my card had expired and couldn't be used. I used my first card that doesn't expire until fall of 2018, then tried another card that didn't expire until summer of 2019 - so tell me how exactly those two cards don't work for you? Nonetheless, this school has been the BIGGEST pain to work with, and I still have not had my issue resolved even though being on the phone with people at least 8 or 9 times. Run - don't walk - away from this school."

"My degree is in Communications with an emphasis in cultural and diversity. My current employer supports me going to school but having applied for 25 jobs there I've been turned down for all of them. Not even getting an interview. It's discouraging having been here 11 years and feeling like I went to school to make a better quality life for myself and two little ones, but I'm in no better position than I was not having my degree. I start my MBA next month and I'm praying something pays off asap. I feel like my degree is great but showing others the value in my degree and me has been tough and disappointing. My school website has employer referrals but those jobs are nothing related to my experience or aw jobs like a copy maker which makes no sense. I strongly believe in myself and know things will change. Waiting on it to happen is stressful when school starts again in the next few weeks for my MBA."

"University of Phoenix is a great school, if you want to learn, the challenge is on you. My only complaint is that there is not enough career advising and scholarships offered for students in attendance. It is worth looking into this university to complete a degree; make sure to get involved with others that live in your area and attending the University of Phoenix, they are helpful resources. The university also has great tools and resources, use them they are very helpful."

"I can only give top marks to UoP. I could not finish my Bachelor's at the traditional University I was previously attended, due to job and family commitment, and this was a wonderful experience. If you are not a self-motivated, self-disciplined self-starter, keep on going because UoP is not for you. The program is very intense, more so than traditional university, and if you are not dedicated, you will not make it. I did, and was very proud to walk in 2013!"

"Basically the way there online system is set up is by points. You get points by participating in discussions. You can earn up to 8 points by posting messages and participating in classroom discussions. The thing with the online system is it's basically like teaching yourself. They have all the tools and worksheets that you go through and all the instructor does is post questions in the discussion forum so you can earn participation points. It's really black and white and charging 10,000 plus dollars for a 5 week course is ridiculous. Like I said it's like teaching yourself. They do give you a 3 week trial but other then that I wouldn't recommend it if your more of a hands on type of person. The staff,advisers, and everything are helpful but once your in and settled you won't need them anymore. In conclusion I expected more out of this online college thing. I'm at the end of my second week and the work isn't particularly hard it's just boring. As far as refund checks I haven't gotten to that point yet but you won't get it until basically your classes are over after 5 weeks."