University of Phoenix - Birmingham,AL

I got my Bachelor's from UOP online as a single mom while working full time. It can be done. However, and this is the biggest consideration - the student loans I had to take out to pay for it are still with me. In my field, I can make enough money to pay back the loans, but in teaching you may not be able to pay back such a big loan balance.

I can give you my experience not as a student of UoP but as someone who taught there.
Please don't waste your money. Their educational approach is "if you can pay for a degree, you can have one." What you pay and the quality of education you get is unbalanced!
I am not a teacher, I am a psychologist and was teaching in a master's level psychology program. The stuff I was expected to teach was very general. Each state has specific regulations in this field, and because UoP wants to be considered a school you can do anywhere or any time they did not, and will blatantly tell you they will not, teach the information that is specific for you to start a career in the area you are in. Ridiculous.
Also, it was quite obvious that some of my students were there to get their loan pay outs and go, and the school was fine with that.
Their requirments for "professors" are also ridiculously low, and many "professors" I encountered did not know information that was relevant to current ethical/legal standards that are basics in this field. They do not have professors sign contracts, they pay by the hours you teach per course. Which means you can choose after each six-eight week course whether you want to teach the next session. This makes it easy for so-called professionals to come make a quick buck when they want to and go. This also means there is no consistency for the students.
It was very clear to me that UoP is all about the money. Get money from the loans, pay "professionals" well in short bursts (no one stays), and pass out worthless degrees. The last thing UoP cares about is the student.
Please investigate universities (state university system) and jr colleges in your area that offer online classes. I have taken, and know others who have done the same, online classes at universities several hours away with no difficulties. I also knew that it was quality learning.
Private places like this offer a quick and easy degree. But you are certainly not getting what you pay for.

It's way expensive and not all of the classes will be credited if you plan on getting a higher education. A lot of community colleges offer online courses, though you will have to go in periodically for testing and such.

Good luck, you are doing the right thing, just look at a community college option first, or at least contact your local college to see if Phoenix's credits will transfer! It is always safe to have an education to fall back on should your family need it... not to mention the growth you will receive as a person as well, even if you do not need it.

Very overpriced and they are more interested in making money off the loans you have to take out than your actual education. You are better off starting at a community college where you can take a class or two. After you get your 2 yr degree you can transfer over to another state school for your 4 yr. Cost will be a lot cheaper and the education at a state school is excellent.

Please trust your instincts. I teach at a community college. Try if at all possible to start at a community college. University of Phoenix and other similar colleges are not the way to go. You will end up with student loan debt and a degree that may not get you where you want to be.

Wow. I had -considered- a few online classes through them but after seeing what the others have said, will not be going through with it. It's not something I need anyway, just something I wanted. And I have heard that UOP is very VERY expensive and that some of the courses aren't accredited.

I do know that back in June, I actually saw the UOP 'campus' (in ATL)... and it didn't look like a campus at all to me (from my view). Or at least not like the college campuses I attended (a CC then transferred to university). It looked more like a... business.

I'd go with the community college option if that's possible for you. My son transferred from a university to CC this year so he could take his classes online. Plus...it's a LOT cheaper! (for us personally, the CC is about $4K per semester cheaper.)

Best of luck to you!!!

I have no direct knowledge of UoP myself, but my sister was looking into it as she is a stay at home looking to get her Master's in teaching English as a Second language. That being said, she compared their online to Penn State's online with some class time and the cost was signifcantly higher at UoPheonix. I was shocked to hear that it was so costly, even more than my husband's Master's in counseling at Johns Hopkins. So the cost is certainly something to consider. It may be convenient but if it is unrealistic to pay it back, it may not be worth it.
Also, my brother in law works HR for the Fed and mentioned that there are alot of places, at least at his level that don't look to kindly on some of these online university's as credible even if they are (you know what I mean?).
I too have struggled with returning to school but cost and time with a 4-month old is not for me. At least not right now.
I wish you the best on finding some answers that will be right for you and YOU ONLY!! :o)

Online classes makes it way easier than to find babysitters for night classes. I attend DeVry Online. You should get your degree regardless and it will help you get a job better than no degree. tell ur hubby to stop being so pessimistic. Anyways, I find it easier to go online cause if i need a change in schedule I am able to stop , then go back to classes when I choose. I dont have to worry about missing class or being late!! if im hungry or need to go to the bathroom I can! If baby stays up all night cause of sleep issues I just push homework off till the next day. Its really easy to go online cause you have choice in your scheduling. DO IT! Just do it and get started its very well worth your while.

I have not attended there.
However, I know from reading articles in the LA Times
and elsewhere that the University of Phoenix is not a
college or university that will give you the kind of education
you need to become a teacher.
It is a money-making organization.
It helps its students get student loans from the government
and then the student, whether gainfully employed after graduation or not,
is indebted to pay back the loans.
If there are community colleges in your location,
you would do better to start by taking some classes there.
There may be some options where you can participate online.
And/or where classes are given on your local educational channel(s)
and students come to campus once or twice a semester for tests.
Kind of interesting attitude your husband has.
Does he think getting a degree is aimed/intended only
for getting employment?
How sad.
Going to college is an opportunity to expand your mind
as well as your options.
Maybe he feels threatened in case you become "smarter" than he is?
Good luck!!
S.

Go for it, girl! Just a few classes will start you on your way. Check on financial aid. Good luck.
My first cousin, Bobby Wilson taught there. Look up website: bobbystrials.com for a book he has just written.

Jo

I would suggest checking out community colleges in your area and going that route, or even seeing if you can take a night class while your husband watches the kids.
Whatever route you take, there is something to be said for completing your education. I'm currently taking classes online through a community college, and will eventually transfer to a four-year college to complete my teaching degree. My children see me working towards my goal and are inspired to do well themselves.
While you may or may not see immediate job results, just doing this for yourself will improve your own self-esteem. I say go for it! I have not regretted starting back to school for even a moment!

Have you looked into online courses with your local college or university? A University of Pheonix degree is not taken very seriously, and many of the credits won't transfer. If you really want to look into being a teacher, you might also see whether a degree is necessary, or if you can take classes at the community college for a teaching certificate in your area (this may also depend on the grade you would like to teach). I wish you luck!

Yes I have been. i hated it. everything they made me do was way before my time. Like I was a freshman and was taking Junior courses. My councilor told me I would have to be observing in a classroom until I was in my third year, and not even 6 months in they wanted me to in order to get my credits. And yes they are way expensive, they wanted me to pay 30-35,000 a year! I was only working at a mall when I was doing this. I wouldn't even dream of going back.