University of Phoenix - Online Campus Review

When I decided to go back to school in anticipation of my husband's retirement I decided online classes were the best option. Actually the only option with 3 kids under 5, 1 on the way, a full time job, and a husband stationed 600 miles away in another state. UOP offered the best deal I could find. Only $250 per credit hour for all 100 and 200 level classes for military dependents. The problem started with my first class. Instead of the military rate of 750 for the class they took the full regular tution of almost 1300 from my account. A 537 overcharge. After 3 weeks on the phone with accounts they returned the money. Two weeks later when the next class started same thing. They did this with every one of the 5 classes I took before giving up. Needless to say they returned the money without interest. Now I looked at it like this. How many tens of thousands of students, if overcharged and money held, were making the school a bundle in interest while they held the funds.

The final straw actually came when I had taken 5 writing classes for an accounting degree with no end in sight. I asked why the classes were not for lessons aplicable as an accountant. I was told that writing classes were easier than math classes to administer online. IMO if you cannot find a way to offer relevant accounting calsses you should just not offer an accounting degree program.

The other problem is the very high drop out rate. I suppose I got lucky that every one who I was assigned a group with participated, with one exception. In my 4th class 12 of the original 20 dropped out ny the third week. I ended up on a "learning team" alone, in a communications class no less.

Overall the rates are reasonable (after overcharges are returned) compared to many online programs particularly if you are affiliated with the military. The instructors are very easy to work with. In the class with the high drop rate I was given some leeway on the group project when I was left alone to do it. Another instructor waived late penalties for my assignments and responses to others when a hurricane took me offline for 2 weeks.

I would say UOP is a good option but be sure you have extra money and best for a degree in a field that actually involves more writing than math.