University of Phoenix Good Business Plan University of
University of Phoenix Good Business Plan
University of Phoenix l Founded l by Dr. John Sperling Corporation l Corporate name is Apollo Group Founded in 1976 l John Sperling is worth about $1. 4 billion l Peter Sperling is worth about $1. 5 billion l Brother also works for University of Phoenix l Wealth through stock ownership of Apollo l
University of Phoenix l Some people do not value the degrees l Originally classes were taught through mail i. e. students were buying the degree l i. e. students were not learning l i. e. low quality l
University of Phoenix l Why are studying this education model? l University management is smart l Good model to incorporate in a growing educational facility l Created two billionaires in education l I think the only billionaires in education
University of Phoenix l Campuses Located in large cities throughout the United States l Expanded into Mexico and Canada l
University of Phoenix l Caters to working adults l Most adults work 9 A. M. – 5 P. M. l Classes are Monday through Friday 6 – 10 P. M. l Saturday 9 A. M. – 1 P. M. l l Tutoring Sessions Friday evenings l Saturday mornings and afternoons l
University of Phoenix l. A l campus is small Houston, Texas has about 5 campuses l l Spread throughout the city Students prefer to go to school near home Campus is close to home l After class, students are home within minutes l
University of Phoenix l Do not have “physical” libraries UOP has electronic libraries l Search engines l Google is a search engine l Econlit is a search engine for economics l Subscribes to many electronic journals l Students can download articles at home via the internet l
University of Phoenix l Textbooks l Usually protected pdfs l Some l will be electronic courses have computer tutorials Computer keeps track Student progress l Identifies a student’s problem area l Informs instructor of progress l l ALEX is the algebra tutorial program l About ½ the students like ALEX and the other half did not
University of Phoenix l Students’ records are computerized l Student can take a course at any campus Example l Student has to leave Houston, Texas and work at a project in Chicago, Illinois for a month l Student can take a course in Chicago l l Student can finish degree on time
University of Phoenix l The university rents office space l If the market is saturated A campus can no longer attract students nearby l University shuts down campus l l Students who did not graduate can still finish at another campus
University of Phoenix l Courses are standardized All instructors have to follow course syllabus l No matter where student takes course, they learn the same material l
University of Phoenix l. A team of professionals creates a course at corporate headquarters l Faculty can download materials through internet l A detailed syllabus l l Contains topics Contains exercises and homework Selects textbook l Faculty notes and suggestions l
Methods of Education l Ground l Students attend class at campus l Online l Courses Students attend course via through the internet l Flex. Net l Students can take both ground or online courses to fulfill degree requirements
Ground Course l University of Phoenix uses active learning l Students get involved in Discussions l Debates l Reflections l Applications l
Ground Course l Undergraduate class Duration is 5 weeks l Students attend a class once per week l Class is 4 hours long l 10 minute break each hour l Total contact hours is 20 hours l l Standard University Class 3 hours per week for 15 weeks l Total contact hours is 45 hours l
Ground Course l University claims Students make up the remaining time as homework l Homework l l Team assignments l l l Team has to meet once a week Because corporate workers work in teams Individual assignments
Ground Course l From experience Some teams work on the problems together l Other teams l One or two people do all the work while other team members do little l Other teams assign homework problems to team members l l l Team assignment is a “collection” of different styles and handwriting Some students copy homework from other team members
Ground Course l Graduate courses Duration is 6 weeks l Students attend a class once per week l Class is 4 hours long l 10 minute break each hour l Total hours is 24 hours l l Still less hours compared to a regular university
Ground Course l Students l attend classes throughout year Students can graduate within 3 years for bachelor’s degree
Expanding into Corporate Training l Caters to corporations l Some corporations contracted with UOP for training programs l Many students are staff employees at corporations l Some corporations reimburse for their employee’s tuition
Criticism l Not against a university earning profit l However, l Textbooks cost over $100 l Even electronic textbooks A class cost about $1, 000 l ALEX costs over $50 l ALEX is algebra tutorial software l Software is non-transferable l Students cannot re-sell software l
Criticism l Courses are viewed as too easy l Remember, course is only 5 weeks for undergraduates l 6 weeks for graduates l
Criticism l Corporate headquarters designs course Instructor may want to incorporate new material l Course should be updated with newer information l Need approval to modify course l
Criticism l University accepts anyone who is willing to pay l Does not have name recognition Employers want college graduates from top universities l Top universities are selective l The lower the acceptance rate, the higher the reputation l
Criticisms l Relies on part-time faculty 95% of faculty are part time l Retention problems? ? ? – Not sure l I enjoyed working at this place l l In theory, part-time faculty work full-time professional jobs and teach part-time during evenings and weekends
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