University of Phoenix

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SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
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Yeah, I think his point was a little silly. I imagine I would interview both candidates and hire whichever one seemed like a better fit.

I doubt I'd put much stock in the UoP Masters.

The point that having a legit master's is > than not having one? Yeah, really silly point. /roll

I'd love to have any type of master's but luckily I'm starting in 2 weeks (work paying 100% for it).
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
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Not necessarily. Real work experience would also be factored in. Just admit that having a legit master's > someone who doesn't have a master's and stop arguing for the sake of arguing.

Depends on the position to be honest. If a position doesn't require a Master's degree, than someone having one won't likely add much to the position and would cost more money, so they may not be the best option. Also, your idea that just because someone has a Master's degree means that they are a better employee isn't accurate.

Also, what you're overlooking is that someone with a Master's degree is likely competing with others who also have Master's degrees for the same positions.

Like the guy said above, the uncle with the phd from UoP is a highly successful individual as any person who would go for a PhD would most likely be a pretty driven individual. Post-grad degrees really just accentuate work experience and it's much easier for working professionals (some with families) to get an online degree. Whether it's from UoP or Accredited Bumblefck University shouldn't really matter as long as it's legit.

I agree with that point, but you have repeatedly ignored my point: Why get a degree from UoP when other, superior online options exist?
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
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The point that having a legit master's is > than not having one? Yeah, really silly point. /roll

I'd love to have any type of master's but luckily I'm starting in 2 weeks (work paying 100% for it).

Would it be at UoP by chance?
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,928
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Here is a real life scenario:

Student A graduates with a 3.0 from a state school with a BA

Student B graduates with a 4.0 from UoP with a BA


Who do you hire

I'd decide after the interview on what they know that is relevant to the position (e.g. software testing, answer to real scenario problems, personality). Actually relevant because my company will soon be hiring a technician under me.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
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Wait, so you and Indy have a Master's right?

I've completed most of my MSEE. Next question? :)

And why the tone? I just simply asked if you were getting it from UoP. I'm considering an MBA at some point and I won't consider UoP for that at all when I can do it at IU or Purdue.
 
Last edited:

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
16,700
4,661
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Why do you keep calling it UoP? I went to the University of Colorado, AKA "CU". So I figure the University of Phoenix should be known as "PU". :p
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
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Why do you keep calling it UoP? I went to the University of Colorado, AKA "CU". So I figure the University of Phoenix should be known as "PU". :p

Hey now -- my alma mater, Purdue University, is also called PU. :) Don't insult Purdue!
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,928
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I've completed most of my MSEE. Next question? :)

And why the tone? I just simply asked if you were getting it from UoP. I'm considering an MBA at some point and I won't consider UoP for that at all when I can do it at IU or Purdue.

I'd choose IU and Purdue over UoP as well.

My point is that it's ironic that people who don't even have a master's degree are the ones to denounce a UoP master's.
 

jtusa

Diamond Member
Aug 28, 2004
4,188
0
71
I just managed a project for my team that involved integrating a number of different proprietary software tools, and the experience has made me want to star far away from IS.

Picture constant fighting over scarce development dollars, requirements that change, change, and change again, stuff that never gets nailed down, business constituents that don't have a copmlete picture of the impact and role of their work, and finally, after all the headaches and spreadsheets and hour long meetings, when the testing finally is satisfactory, senior management implements a production feeze and you have to wait 6 months to roll it out.

Honestly though, if you really love IS, this kind of thing won't bother you too much.

As odd as it might sound, if you like programming, you might consider accounting. I was a portfolio accountant for a couple of years and spent lots of time building custom spreadsheets and creating VBASIC macros. To me it was really challenging and fun.

I worked as a SysAdmin for 4-5 years before I joined the military so I'm not a stranger to the BS that can happen in a corporate IT environment. I don't miss it, but compared to the BS I deal with in the military, it's nothing. Also, certain perks of my particular job in the .mil makes going back in IS/IT pretty lucrative.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
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I worked as a SysAdmin for 4-5 years before I joined the military so I'm not a stranger to the BS that can happen in a corporate IT environment. I don't miss it, but compared to the BS I deal with in the military, it's nothing. Also, certain perks of my particular job in the .mil makes going back in IS/IT pretty lucrative.

That's good, I didn't mean to discourage you, just sharing my personal experience. I'm sure that there are alot of things that I like to do that other people would hate. :p

As for suggestions, you could get a business degree with a concentration in MIS. Actually, that's exactly what I did.
 

jtusa

Diamond Member
Aug 28, 2004
4,188
0
71
that's good, i didn't mean to discourage you, just sharing my personal experience. I'm sure that there are alot of things that i like to do that other people would hate. :p

as for suggestions, you could get a business degree with a concentration in mis. Actually, that's exactly what i did.

mba?
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
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No, undergraduate. It's been a pretty flexible and useful degree, although I'll probably go in another direction for a Masters.
 

Malak

Lifer
Dec 4, 2004
14,696
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0
I graduated from UoP with a BS in Management. Prior to transfering the max number of lower division and electives (72 units), I went to both community colleges and CSU Sacramento. I went to UoP because I was tired of being dicked around by college counselors and administrators. I wanted to be DONE. UoP gives you a schedule, and you know exactly when you will be taking X class, and when exactly you will be done. Parking is easy and it's free. All of my instructors were actually WORKING in the field of study that they were teaching. I had students in my program with me that worked for Pepsi, AeroJet, Intel and Verizon... all being put through school by their respective companies. At least in my program, there were no jeans allowed... you go to UC Davis and you'll be lucky if people brush their teeth in the morning.

I think a lot of you are just plain ignorant about UoP and education in general. Education is what YOU make of it. I know plenty of people, family included, that went to Universities like USC and Berkeley and are still idiots...

Yeah people are quick to attack without having any actual knowledge or experience on the subject. I'm currently enrolled and enjoying it. My advisor regularly keeps contact, works on getting me scholarships, internships, and eventually will help with getting a job in my field. Helps that she has dual masters, one being in my field.
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,928
143
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Depends on the position to be honest. If a position doesn't require a Master's degree, than someone having one won't likely add much to the position and would cost more money, so they may not be the best option. Also, your idea that just because someone has a Master's degree means that they are a better employee isn't accurate.

Also, what you're overlooking is that someone with a Master's degree is likely competing with others who also have Master's degrees for the same positions.



I agree with that point, but you have repeatedly ignored my point: Why get a degree from UoP when other, superior online options exist?

Oh, must have missed this post. Well I agree, that for some Master's there probably are better options. But the fact is, not every program that UoP offers is going to have a 100% online degree competitor from a big name at a comparable price. I could do some more research on it when I have more time tonight. I think blackjack did prove that for MBA specifically, you could get a bigger name for 100% online at the same price. I'd be surprised if it was the same for all of their degrees as MBA but maybe it is.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
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Oh, must have missed this post. Well I agree, that for some Master's there probably are better options. But the fact is, not every program that UoP offers is going to have a 100% online degree competitor from a big name at a comparable price. I could do some more research on it when I have more time tonight. I think blackjack did prove that for MBA specifically, you could get a bigger name for 100% online at the same price. I'd be surprised if it was the same for all of their degrees as MBA but maybe it is.

Question: if it's 100% online do you do ANY public speaking or collaborative work?
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,928
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Question: if it's 100% online do you do ANY public speaking or collaborative work?

Well I know that perusing Auburn's online MBA it said there was heavy teleconferencing. So I'd imagine it's the same for the others.
 

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
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Question: if it's 100% online do you do ANY public speaking or collaborative work?

I have no idea on speaking in front people. I haven't done any type of group work yet, but I know that some classes do have assignments that require group work.
 

Blackjack200

Lifer
May 28, 2007
15,995
1,688
126
I think blackjack did prove that for MBA specifically, you could get a bigger name for 100% online at the same price. I'd be surprised if it was the same for all of their degrees as MBA but maybe it is.

No, that was Nick. I'm the one that screwed up by posting Rutgers Business School. :D
 

classy

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
15,219
1
81
UoP is a fully accredited college. Whether credits transfer or not depends on the school you're trying to transfer to. Its the largest online college in the country so its not like its some fly by night school. But a lot of schools now offer online. And a lot of schools take IT certifications as college credit too. Education has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. I don't think its one size fits all anymore.
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
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I'd decide after the interview on what they know that is relevant to the position (e.g. software testing, answer to real scenario problems, personality). Actually relevant because my company will soon be hiring a technician under me.

That's the way I see it. You can be the smartest person in the country, but if your personality, social skills, and general attitude are awful - you're simply not going to work in a large firm.