University of Phoenix

Accreditation

The University of Phoenix has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1978.

According to the University's website, the school has the following additional accreditations:

• The Associate of Arts with a Foundations of Business concentration, Associate of Arts with a concentration in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Business, Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, Doctor of Management and Doctor of Business Administration programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
• The Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• The Master of Arts in Education program with options in Elementary Teacher Education and Secondary Teacher Education is pre-accredited by the Teacher
Education Accreditation Council until December 2012.
• The Master of Science in Counseling program in Community Counseling (Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona campuses) and the Master of Science in Counseling program in Mental Health Counseling (Salt Lake City, Utah campuses) are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Academics

The University of Phoenix offers a wide range of programs of study, all administered through four colleges:

• The John Sperling School of Business and Technology
• The Artemis School (Art, Education, and Health fields)
• The School of Advanced Studies (Doctoral programs)
• Axia College (Associate degrees)

The University offers degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The school also offers continuing education courses for teachers and practitioners, professional development courses for companies, and specialized courses of study for military personnel.

Some of the most popular degrees programs at the University of Phoenix include:

• Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Healthcare Education
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Database Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Communication
• Master of Health Administration
• Master of Science in Counseling

Admission

The University of Phoenix has open admissions.

Students seeking admission in an undergraduate program must meet the following criteria:

1. Have high school diploma, GED or equivalent
2. Be a citizen/permanent resident of the US
3. Complete all required forms as well as submit official test scores and transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities

Students applying for a master degree must meet the following criteria:

1. Have an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5
2. Have a minimum of 3 years of post high school work experience
3. Be a citizen/permanent resident of the United States
4. Complete all required forms as well as submit official test scores and transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities

There may be some additional admission requirements depending on the student's state of residence and the exact degree program the student is enrolling in. The best place to find the most accurate and up-to-date information is on the school's website.

Five Features that Make the University of Phoenix Stand Apart

1. Alumni Mentoring Program. The University of Phoenix has an alumni mentoring program that pairs alumni with current students. The role of the alumni mentor is to help students clarify the types of careers they want to pursue and the kind of education and experience they need to make their dreams a reality. Close to 29,000 University of Phoenix alumni have shown interest in becoming a mentor.
2. Prior Learning Assessment. The school allows students to apply relevant learning, work and life experiences toward college credits through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process. Through this program, students can accelerate their graduation and earn up to half of the credits necessary to earn their associate or undergraduate degree, at less than half of the cost-per-credit.
3. Talented Faculty. The University of Phoenix's faculty consists of thousands of faculty members and all have a master's or doctoral degree. A vast majority of the University's faculty are working professionals with real-life experience in the fields that they teach.
4. Green Initiative. The University has a green culture, recognizing the importance of taking care of the earth for current and future generations. According the Environmental Protection Agency, the University of Phoenix is among the top 10 colleges and universities that utilize green power. The school annually buys nearly 47 million kilowatt hours of green energy, which is enough energy to power more than 4,000 average American homes a year.
5. Extensive Library. The University of Phoenix's online library is accessible by students 24/7. It subscribes to more than 200 different online information services that provide scholarly content that is generally unavailable through free Web search utilities. Students also have ready access to the ask a Librarian service through which students may email a staff librarian and receive a response within 12 hours, regarding research related queries.