University of Phoenix | Everything you need to know

The University of Phoenix – An overview

The University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a for-profit, private university headquartered in 

Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It was founded in 1976 and is now one of the largest universities in the United States, with campuses across the US and an online division. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, nursing, criminal justice, and information technology.

The University of Phoenix has been praised and criticized for its innovative online programs, making higher education more accessible to working adults. However, the university has also faced scrutiny and controversy over its business practices, including allegations of aggressive recruiting, high student debt levels, and low graduation rates.

Rankings

UoPX was in 386th position out of 391 schools in the 2021 Washington Monthly list of national universities. The university is 331-440 in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report National Universities edition.

The University of Phoenix also has accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, a recognized accrediting body for higher education institutions in the United States. This means that the University of Phoenix meets specific standards for academic quality, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.

Ultimately, the value of a degree or education from the University of Phoenix will depend on individual factors such as the specific program of study, the quality of instruction, and the individual’s reputation within their chosen field. Prospective students must research and carefully consider their options before deciding where to pursue their education.

Academics & Courses 

The University of Phoenix offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificate programs in various fields such as business, healthcare, education, technology, and more. Some of the key courses that the University of Phoenix offers include the following –

• Behavioral Sciences
• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Liberal Arts
• Nursing
• Psychology

The University of Phoenix also offers online courses, allowing students to take classes from anywhere with an internet connection. The courses provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance their careers or pursue further education. The university offers flexible scheduling options, including night classes and accelerated courses, to accommodate student’s busy schedules.

In addition to postsecondary degree-level programs, the school provides professional development programmes for businesses, continuing education programmes for teachers and practitioners, and specialized study programmes for military personnel. Each course lasts 20 to 24 hours, and during that time, students participate in learning team projects.

Tuition fees

Undergraduate

• Tuition cost per credit – $398
• Credits per course -3
• Tuition per course – $1,194
• Total program length in credits – 120
• Length of course in weeks – 5

Cost per credit applies to associate and bachelor’s degrees and undergraduate certificate programs.

Master’s

• Tuition cost per credit – $698
• Credits per course -3
• Tuition per course – $2,094
• Total program length in credits – 36
• Length of course in weeks – 6

MAEd and MSN, as well as master’s certificate programs, have a lower cost per credit. Get more details on each program page.

Doctoral

Tuition cost per credit – $810

Tuition cost per credit – Doctoral programs are offered online and currently don’t have an in-person residency requirement.

Admission requirements

The admission requirements may vary by program, but here are some general admission requirements for the University of Phoenix’s various programs –

Undergraduate

• GED/High School Diploma
• At Least 16 Years of Age
• U.S. Citizen or Valid Visa
• English Language Proficiency Test

Master’s

• Undergraduate Degree
• GPA of 2.5
• US Citizen or Valid Visa
• English Language Proficiency Test

Doctoral

• Graduate Degree
• Work experience and minimum 3.0 GPA
• US Citizen or Valid Visa
• English Language Proficiency Test

Student Services

You can obtain face-to-face support when you need it, whether you’re studying online or on campus.

• CLEP & DSST Test Proctoring
• Guided campus tours
• Online classroom navigation
• Microsoft Office support

Financial aid

The majority of UoPX’s undergraduate programmes are accessible to anybody with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent according to the university’s open admissions policy. Before 2010, admissions advisors who were compensated in part based on their success in attracting students utilized high-pressure sales techniques, such as assertions that classrooms were quickly full. 

In addition to recruiting students, the university also secures financial aid for them from sources like – 

• Academic Competitiveness Grant
• Federal Pell Grant
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)
• Federal Direct Student Loan Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
•  Federal Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Wounded Warrior Project. 

51,990 UoPX students received the federal Pell Grant during the 2017–18 academic year.

Faculty 

The university is nearly entirely dependent on contingent faculty: over 97 percent of Phoenix instructors teach part-time, compared to 47 percent nationally. The majority of the lessons are designed and standardized centrally to ensure consistency and maximize profitability. Tenure is not awarded to faculty members. Adjuncts typically receive between $1,000 and $2,000 each course. Instruction accounts for around 21 cents of every tuition dollar.

According to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the student-to-faculty ratio in Arizona is 92 to 1. In its Arizona sector, the institution reported 76 full-time and 3,143 part-time professors; full-time faculty account for 2% of total faculty.

Key takeaways

• The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, nursing, criminal justice, and information technology.
• On the list of national universities published by Washington Monthly in 2021, University of Phoenix came in at 386th place out of 391 institutions. 
• The UoPX offers professional development programmes for businesses in addition to postsecondary degree-level degrees.

We hope this blog on the University of Phoenix was informative. Do share your feedback about the blog in the comments below. Please get in touch with us by clicking here for more information. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. Is it difficult to get into University of Phoenix?

Ans. With 170,144 undergraduates enrolled, it is a sizable college. The acceptance rate for University of Phoenix Online is 100 percent.

Q2. Is University of Phoenix expensive?

Ans. The tuition for the University of Phoenix Online Campus for the 2021/2022 academic year was $9,467. That is 35% less than the national average for-profit private four-year college tuition of $14,516. It is 37% less expensive than the average Arizona tuition of $15,058 for four-year universities.

Q3. Is it pricey to live in Phoenix?

Ans. Phoenix, AZ has a cost of living that is 2% lower than the state average but 4% higher than the national average. Phoenix, Arizona housing is 24% more expensive than the national average, while utilities are around 3% more expensive.