Mike’s Doc Blog

I was reading an blog about someone’s decision to enroll in an MBA program over at The Finance Journey. I wanted to comment but the commenting option appears disabled, so I am commenting on my own blog in hopes that Chuck, the blogger at The Finance Journey, finds my post. And, for the frequent readers, you know I blogged about my decision to go to UOP before.

Chuck writes, of University of Phoenix:

There are also distance learning options at various schools. Flexo at Consumerism Commentary had a nice series on his decision and experiences at the University of Phoenix Online. I can’t help to feel though that employers look down at this place and see it as not a real university.

I’ve been in the adult education and human resources game long enough to know that most employers don’t consider the location of a degree unless they also graduated from that school. In speaking with many HR professionals about a University of Phoenix degree, because I had similar reservations when I started my Master’s (now in my doctoral journey), the comments included:

• I don’t even read the school’s name
• University of Phoenix is a fine school
• I prefer distance learning, it shows me the dedication of the worker to work and study full time
• University of Phoenix has proven itself

Here is an article from the Society of Human Resource Management, HR Magazine, titled Employers Warm Up to Online Education.

Don’t take my word for it, go ask HR professionals, search the HR literature for distance learning and online degrees. Do the research, don’t just speculate.

I submit the stigma still exists about distance learning. In fact, Chuck alludes to this:

No “top” schools offer a distance learning program… well Carnegie Melon does but its only for businesses really and you need 8 people to start a remote site. Syracuse University is in the third tier and offers one, however you have to attend classes on campus for a week every semester then you spend the rest of the time at home. I’m sure that would be very difficult for those with a full time job. Plus its labeled as an EMBA which I’m not sure if employers would look down upon.

Apart from this being a little outdated, the future of education is in distance learning. A close friend, Irene, eMailed me a link that discusses distance learning school rankings.  It talks about the Top 10 prograns, University of Phoenix being #3 in the World. Now as for the traditional “top” schools Chuck writes about, University of London is ranked #1. University of London is a world leader in education, check it out, it is the home of the London School of Economics and Political Science, world renowned.

Of course, looking in the US reveals so-called “top” schools offering distance learning

• Duke University
• Harvard
• UMUC

My point? Well, that distance learning has come into its own now. Gone are the days of fly-by night operations. When you get beyond perceptions and mis-perceptions you are left with the facts.

• Regionally accredited schools are highly regulated
• Regionally accredited schools are carefully screened
• University of Phoenix is pubicly traded which equates to even more scrutiny from
  • SEC
  • Market Analysts
  • Shareholders
• University of Phoenix  has some impressive stats that mean a lot.

Like anything in life, it get out of it what you put into it. If you approach your studies, with any school, in a lazy fashion, you will get nothing out of it.

GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).

If you dedicate yourself to putting in effort, time and resource; you will be wonderfully amazed, like I was (and am), at how valuable the education really is at University of Phoenix.

Other schools are following UOP’s lead, why? It works, it is impressive, it is effective. If they weren’t mimicking, I would be worried.  It is a business model that revolutionized education and is still leading the way in innovation and scholarship.

• Most bought dissertations
• Expanded program offerings
• Distinguished alumni

To Chuck, good luck in your search for a school that fits your mindset, preferences and desires. Ultimately it is important that you go to school; no matter where you choose to go. Everyday you are not in classes is another day further from your dream of an MBA.

Your comments are welcome here.

 

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