Comments on: First out of the box and first to the woodshed: The University of Phoenix Annual Academic Report http://www.theother85percent.com/2008/06/first-out-of-the-box-and-first-to-the-woodshed-the-university-of-phoenix-annual-academic-report/ Working adults and the new world of higher education Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:08:32 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: David Martin http://www.theother85percent.com/2008/06/first-out-of-the-box-and-first-to-the-woodshed-the-university-of-phoenix-annual-academic-report/comment-page-1/#comment-645 David Martin Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:56:07 +0000 http://www.theother85percent.com/?p=22#comment-645 I have read some of the criticism against University of Phoenix, and some of it appears justified. UoP, while trying to appear transparent, appears to have manipulated the MAPP scores by not revealing if the freshmen the measured were the same students measured as seniors. It is a widely known fact that there is a significant amount of students who tranfer in in the sophomore year. That UoP did not include the qualifiers of there measurement may appear manipulative to some. Most of UoP's problems as an on-line university do not necessarily stem from the transparancy issue, but rather their business model. Many people, both in and out of academia (including myself), fault UoP for it's seemingly over-emphasis on growth. I sincerely believe that most of UoPs difficulties stem from there emphasis on growth and revenue over ensuring quality of education above all. This is one of Capella's great strengths. I am approaching the comprehensive evalation portion of my Capella Ph.D. program and have attended two of the three residency track. To date, my overall experience has been VERY positive. Capella (more than any University or College I have attended) understands that the value of their brand is a very high quality education - at all levels. I have worked very hard in the program, but I am not complaining at all, because I believe it is this demand for excellence is what sets Capella apart from many other Universities - both on-line and traditional. But in the end, I agree with Dr. Offerman. We must be prepared to accept and evaluate criticism and learn from it. Sometimes it can be very valuable, however, if our lessons are learned from the mistakes and missteps of others. Dave Martin, Capella Ph.D. Learner and UoP Graduate, MSCIS (Class of 2005) I have read some of the criticism against University of Phoenix, and some of it appears justified. UoP, while trying to appear transparent, appears to have manipulated the MAPP scores by not revealing if the freshmen the measured were the same students measured as seniors. It is a widely known fact that there is a significant amount of students who tranfer in in the sophomore year. That UoP did not include the qualifiers of there measurement may appear manipulative to some.

Most of UoP’s problems as an on-line university do not necessarily stem from the transparancy issue, but rather their business model. Many people, both in and out of academia (including myself), fault UoP for it’s seemingly over-emphasis on growth. I sincerely believe that most of UoPs difficulties stem from there emphasis on growth and revenue over ensuring quality of education above all.

This is one of Capella’s great strengths. I am approaching the comprehensive evalation portion of my Capella Ph.D. program and have attended two of the three residency track. To date, my overall experience has been VERY positive. Capella (more than any University or College I have attended) understands that the value of their brand is a very high quality education – at all levels. I have worked very hard in the program, but I am not complaining at all, because I believe it is this demand for excellence is what sets Capella apart from many other Universities – both on-line and traditional.

But in the end, I agree with Dr. Offerman. We must be prepared to accept and evaluate criticism and learn from it. Sometimes it can be very valuable, however, if our lessons are learned from the mistakes and missteps of others.

Dave Martin, Capella Ph.D. Learner and
UoP Graduate, MSCIS (Class of 2005)

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