University of Phoenix under federal investigation over its business practices. Have you attended?

SGM Matthew Quick — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 06:08:32 -0400

Have you attended the University of Phoenix? What does this investigation make you feel about this, or similar for-profit universities?

The University of Phoenix, which runs an online college popular among military veterans, is under federal investigation for possible deceptive or unfair business practices, its parent company the Apollo Education Group told shareholders Wednesday.

The for-profit, publicly traded company is the largest recipient of federal student aid for veterans and often a sponsor at military education and employment events. Since 2009, when the GI Bill expanded student aid benefits for veterans, the University of Phoenix online program has collected more than $488 million in tuition and fees for veterans — a figure that dwarfs nearly every other institution identified as a GI recipient by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company disclosed that it had received a "civil investigative demand" from the Federal Trade Commission this week. According to the document, investigators asked for information on a "broad spectrum" of matters, including marketing, recruiting, enrollment, financial aid, tuition, academic programs, billing and debt collection, as well other facets of the business. The filing lists "military recruitment" as one of the areas the FTC is examining.

The University of Phoenix has collected more than a half a billion dollars in GI assistance since 2009. While its online program received $488 million, its campuses also took in large sums to educate vets. In San Diego, Calif., for example, its campus received $134 million in GI tuition assistance, while its campus in Costa Mesa, Calif., received $122 million.

By comparison, the top recipient of GI tuition assistance among public institutions is the University of Maryland-University College, with $150 million in GI tuition since 2009.

Article:
http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/07/29/ftc-investigating-online-college-university-of-phoenix

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 30 at 2015 8:35 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 08:35:09 -0400

I think this serves as a good learning tool for Veterans to look into these for-profit schools a little more closely when considering to attend the school, just as SSG Ryan R. pointed out. Remember, you only get one use of your GI Bill, do not let it go to waste. Look at the school, ask the right questions, then sign up when you feel you find a right fit for you and your GI Bill.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 30 at 2015 9:03 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:03:10 -0400

During the '87-88 time frame, I was taking a MS program through the University of Southern California. This was before the internet. UP was in the process of buying the program out of USC. These purchases include a transition where there's a "teach out" provision, i.e. if you started USC, you could finish USC. That was a no brainer for me because nobody heard of UP. USC decided to dump the MSSM program because they lost Peter Drucker to Stanford and didn't have another name to compete so their business and Systems Management side took a hit. So, I have my PermaPlaque USC degree. That's the closest I came to University of Phoenix.

That said, degrees are a matter of are the accredited or not. If so, it meets the educational ticket. It's just the slime factor will be around if UP is proven to operate contrary to the law.

Response by 1SG Brett Austin made Jul 30 at 2015 9:06 AM

1SG Brett Austin — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:06:55 -0400

I think whether it be UOPHX or any other school, it's what you put into it. I personally like the structure of UOPHX, it fits my lifestyle and learning style. Could it be better or worse...of course. When it comes to the cost, its spendy, but not the most expensive. So whether you're using the GI Bill, or paying out of your pocket, we must approach it from the perspective...is it going to get ME where I want/need to go and what is cost benefit.

I'll receive my second degree from the University of Phoenix in September, and they've been a stepping stone for my progression.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jul 30 at 2015 9:28 AM

CSM David Heidke — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 09:28:41 -0400

There is a war against any kind of profit these days.

This institution competes against Liberal stalwart institutions for federal aid money. There is no way that local community colleges and institutions of higher learning will stand by and let a... gasp... for profit college keep walking away with tuitions.

Of course they are under investigation, so is the Tea Party and just about anything else that isn't wholly endorsed by the party in power right now.

Caveat Emptor.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 10:23 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:23:33 -0400

SGM Matthew Quick Thanks for sharing. I have attended. My earned my AA in Psychology from UoP. As long as my degree isn’t retroactively rescinded, then I won’t have any problems. As for the possible infractions at hand, it’s a shame. Money ruins all great services. When the SEC gets involved, it usually doesn’t end well.

Response by SPC Katherine Karpinski made Jul 30 at 2015 11:29 AM

SPC Katherine Karpinski — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:29:16 -0400

no thank goodness. i live in syracuse

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 12:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:50:58 -0400

I will have to agree with 1SG Brett Austin, you get what you put into it. I attended and received an AS in General Studies just to knock out basic requirements for my BA. I did this while deployed and during my Training With Industry internship. I liked how flexible my schedule was. I also liked the fact that they explained exactly what you needed to turn in and when. This was good when I would not have internet access for any amount of time.

Response by MSG D. Layne-Sheffield made Jul 30 at 2015 2:18 PM

MSG D. Layne-Sheffield — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:18:47 -0400

Thanks for sharing this very important information. I enrolled into the Human Resources Management Certification Program months ago, but the Admin/Enrollment Office just could not seem to get the ball rolling. Now, they don't have to worry about it.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 31 at 2015 8:50 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:50:08 -0400

I knew better to go to that school. I am not knocking anyone's degree path. I decided to go more a traditional route.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 6:25 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:25:01 -0400

I earned my BS and MS degrees through traditional public universities. I started teaching for UOPX about 13 years ago at the urging of my first Det Commander in Alaska in 1973. He also encouraged me to get my doctorate, and I did - from UOPX. I knew the program and liked the structure and the rigor, and it didn't let me down. It was a tough program with loads of reading and writing and deep research. It was invigorating, though, and I learned so much I though my head was going to explode by the end. I came out of it with a good, published dissertation, a doctorate, and although I knew much more than when I started, the most important thing I learned was how much I didn't know. You have to keep learning your entire life!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 1 at 2015 7:03 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 07:03:49 -0400

I am a former UOP student myself and have nothing bad to say about them. Their class structure fit my lifestyle very nicely. I also felt like I was actually learning something and not just memorizing text from a book in order to satisfy some liberal professor. As long as you make an effort, do the assigned homework and turn in your assignments (and of course ensuring your papers follow the dumb ass APA format), you're going to pass.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 5:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 17:15:55 -0400

I got my AA through this school and I think it's terrible. My instructors never read our work and everyone got 100 no matter how poorly the assignment was done. I know this because I got sick of speaking to classmates who had very poor writing skills tell me they got an A and because I wrote this in the middle of my paper and still not a single comment or point lost. Any school is what you make of it, but if the instructors aren't doing their part it doesn't matter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 7:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:59:46 -0400

I attend UoP, and I have to admit that I noticed the raise in the rates and of course TA only covers the course and then I have to pay the book/resource fee and that was something that I had to take the hit on. I was not pleased about it. However I am to the point that I have TWO classes left and honestly I can say that I am happy with them.
Profit, not for profit, I don't see the distinction I guess. They all take my money right? As long as I get what I want from them that is what is important. As I mentioned, I have two remaining classes and I have my Bachelors degree. I will start working on my second Bachelors degree from an in state college because I am going for a Bachelors in ParaMedicine and then after that right before I retire I will find another college for my masters. All in all though, I can complain, but it is like the Army, I can complain about it, but in the end it gave me what I needed.

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 24 at 2015 3:49 AM

CPT Russell Pitre — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 03:49:51 -0400

That place is more shady than a triple canopy jungle.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Sep 17 at 2015 7:12 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:12:32 -0400

BS Human Services Management, 2011. Began the hybrid program then transferred to full-time online. The instruction was excellent and I was well-prepared for a graduate program at San Diego State University where I obtained my MS in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2014 with VA VR&E support.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Sep 17 at 2015 7:25 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:25:42 -0400

"Straight A students excel in spite of teachers, not because of them." I believe the same is true of students regardless of the accredited institution they attend. Educational snobbery afflicts us all in some form or another.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Oct 10 at 2015 8:56 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 08:56:59 -0400

As an update to this initial thread back in the summer, the University of Phoenix is now on probation by the DOD. This is also interesting because a retired two-star Army general, James "Spider" Marks, is Executive Dean of their College of Criminal Justice and Security.
https://www.revealnews.org/article/university-of-phoenix-put-on-probation-over-its-recruiting-of-veterans/?utm_content=buffercc25a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

University of Phoenix put on probation over its military recruiting

The Department of Defense said it would suspend the University of Phoenix from federal tuition assistance programs and bar school officials from recruiting at military facilities after revelations …

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 12:23 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 12:23:52 -0400

I took a few classes at Phoenix and wasn't getting anything out of it at all. Moved on to AMU and have been happy so far.

Response by SGT(P) Jennifer Brande made Nov 18 at 2015 12:17 PM

SGT(P) Jennifer Brande — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:17:12 -0500

Honestly, in the 12 years that I spent in the Army I have known and are friends with people who have gone to the UOP, and for a brief time I was talking to them as well but seeing this discussion thread has confirmed everything that I ever thought of this place.

I have personally had friends who have gotten their degrees from this "school" and when they applied for government jobs in the same office with me, they were told that they are hire able but their degree is not considered valid for one of the reasons given above: Getting straight A's while turning in not even elementary school grade level work. I have seen it with friends who joined the military and English was not their first language. I had been asked by soldiers of mine to look over their work before they submitted it and was pretty blunt with them about how poorly it was written and showed them how to correct these errors and for the most part they did make the changes but others did not and they submitted it as is, yet they still managed to get an A for the paper despite it being unintelligible. That was the first time that I knew I would not attend this "school"

Years later, I was medically retired from the Army and was looking for work in the Washington, DC area during the hiring freeze where Government Agencies were prohibited from hiring people due to the Sequestration. I attended a veterans hiring event at the Verizon Center and there were 4 levels of companies that had tables set up to include the University of Phoenix. As I was walking around I kept an eye on their table to see what they were saying or telling other people there and they were using their very aggressive marketing to anyone who walked up to them. I decided to see how they would broach me so I walked up to them and they started with their very cheap fake smile and asking how I was doing today. They then proceeded to ask how my job search was going and I told them it was going pretty well. They then proceed to tell me that maybe I am not getting job offers on the spot because I don't have an advanced degree and started their whole speech about how military friendly they are and how quickly I'll get my degree from them. I had already heard enough by this point so I asked them "why do you feel that you have the right to be at a job hiring fair if you are not here to hire people to work for you and you truly have no business being at hiring fairs if you are not there to hire people." Quite frankly the woman I was speaking to dropped her jaw when I made this comment . I furthermore told her, if you really want to consider yourself a "legitimate" place of higher education, go to a school fair and try and gain students when you are set up next to schools who accreditation and recruitment practices are not in question and see how you do.

The spokeswoman from the school literally had nothing she could say to my comment and walked away, but by that point she also saw that at least 4-5 other people saw this exchange I was having with her and a couple shook my hand and thanked me for it while one person said, you really should not attack a person because you don't know everything about the school itself. I was able to correct this person by telling them about how they are predators to veterans and service members as well as my experience with other service members and their less than college grade work as well as friends not getting hired because of their degree from UOP.

I am for one glad that they are being investigated for their hiring practices as well as all of the slime that this company stands for. For profit schools are just wrong and they may seem to be the easiest way to get a degree but in the end, do you really want your name attached to a place that is under investigation.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Nov 18 at 2015 2:11 PM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:11:32 -0500

It's about their numbers. Graduation rates, Federal aide, etc. And of course misrepresentation

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Feb 29 at 2016 2:13 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 14:13:37 -0500

I did from January 2005-October 2006. I graduated with an MBA. It was perfect for me because I was employed full-time and a lot of the class was online so in downtimes at work, I could go in to the classroom and read my e-text and the associated articles and participate in the classroom discussions. One weakness in 2006 was very little evidence of an active graduate placement program that teaches job search skills to prospective graduates. Fortunately, I already have a lot of job search skills anyway from my time with my undergraduate program that taught me how to develop a resume, network, search and interview in a 2-credit class we all had to take as seniors. At the end of the class, recruiters hired by my college then blasted our resumes across the nation and locally while we finished up our last term. UOP did not have this capability in 2006 beyond a website for alumni.

I stayed with my current employer and used my MBA to license as a Certified Public Accountant.

Response by SSG Anthony Ges made Jan 31 at 2019 3:09 PM

SSG Anthony Ges — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:09:08 -0500

So my question is, do potential employers not accept or recognize the degrees from UoP