University of Phoenix
Is This Your Business?3.0
Author: Kalicia Bateman
The University of Phoenix is a nationally accredited university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1976, the university has 112 campuses and has a strong online campus presence so that even though you're working alone, you're not on your own. The University of Phoenix has a fixed tuition structure.
For online career certification courses, there are frequent start dates for convenient course scheduling. Many certification courses align with industry standards and continuing education requirements so you get the best ROI possible on your certificate course and exam.
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The Good
- Program Offerings
- Support
- Flexibility
- Accreditation
Program Offerings
The University of Phoenix offers several certificate courses to supplement an undergraduate or graduate degree. Be aware that there are eligibility requirements for many of these courses, such as a minimum number of credits from prerequisite courses.
Courses include the following ("G" indicates it is a graduate certificate and "U" stands for undergraduate certificate):
- Accounting Certificate (G)
- Advanced Cyber Security Certificate (U & G)
- Advanced Networking Certificate (U)
- Advanced Software Developer Certificate (U)
- Alternative Pathway/Elementary Education Certificate (G)
- Business Analytics Certificate (U & G)
- Cyber and Network Defense Certificate (U)
- Cybersecurity Policy and Governance Certificate (U)
- Finance Certificate (G)
- Financial Planning Certificate (U)
- General Management Certificate (U)
- Health Care Informatics Certificate (G)
- Health Care Management Certificate (G)
- Health Information Systems Certificate (U)
- Human Resource Management Certificate (U & G)
- Information Assurance and Security Certificate (U)
- Marketing Certificate (U & G)
- Medical Records Certificate (U)
- Operations Management Certificate (U)
- Post Master's Certificate in Organizational Leadership and Decision-making (G)
- Post Master's Certificate in Research Essentials (G)
- Post Master's Nursing Administrator's Certificate (G)
- Post Master's Nursing Educators Certificate (G)
- Project Management Certificate (U & G)
- Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship Certificate (U)
Support
The university supplies all students with supportive faculty members and other resources. Academic resources include 1-on-1 tutoring, networking opportunities, computer labs, and online classroom tutorials. Career services include an alumni mentor program, career coaches, an alumni director, a MIlitary Skills Translator tool, and military enrollment representatives.
The university's website is replete with tutorials, materials and helpful hints on how to interview, how to write an effective resume and how to connect with professionals in the workforce. In addition, the website has ample information and statistics about job salaries, job outlooks, and what skills and experience are needed for the student's industry.
Flexibility
The University of Phoenix has advertised itself for years as the university for working adults, perfectly geared for the man or woman who has already attained working age and/or those who have families and pressing responsibilities. With night classes and online options, the university caters to one who wants to finish a degree while still being able to meet the demands of work, family, and hobbies.
Accreditation
The University of Phoenix is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Students can almost always transfer to and from the school without limitations, which can't be said for all career certificate programs. The University of Phoenix allows credits to transfer easily, making it easy for students to start or end their careers at the institution.
The Bad
- Tuition Cost Per Credit
Tuition Cost Per Credit
Prospective students can appreciate the university's fixed tuition system so they know exactly what they can expect to pay for their program. And these certifications are unique in that they supplement an undergraduate or graduate degree. However, these certificate courses are more expensive than most certificate courses in non-university certifying bodies.
Undergraduate (both associate and bachelor degree) courses cost $398 per credit and graduate degree courses cost $698.
The Bottom Line
The University of Phoenix is perfect for students who want to pursue a career certificate to supplement a degree. The university offers flexible scheduling, accreditation, and more certificate programs than the typical organization.
It may not the best choice for someone who wants a standalone certificate because the cost of tuition is the same for credits going towards certificates and degrees. But if getting a degree is important to you, the University of Phoenix is worth looking into.
