Institution

Why did you decide to attend University of Phoenix to get your masters degree in nursing?

I decided to attend University of Phoenix to get my masters degree in nursing because I loved the online format that I first discovered during my bachelors degree program. I work full time and I needed to be able to study around my schedule without sacrificing too much time with my family.

What are your school’s biggest strengths?

University of Phoenix’s biggest strength is the learning format. Classes run for 5 to 7 weeks, so everything moves very quickly. We also work in learning teams and divide up the work equally among everyone.

Do you view University of Phoenix as a community?

Yes, I view University of Phoenix as a community. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate my pride for Phoenix at a 9. I love the people, the school and the staff. I have felt supported and included throughout every part of my educational experience.

Does University of Phoenix have brick-and-mortar campuses?

Yes, University of Phoenix has physical campuses, including several in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. I have not had to visit any of the campuses so far since all of my classes and textbooks are online. But I have no worries that my online education will affect my ability to find work or command respect from my colleagues. Nursing personnel are so busy that most of us have no choice but to get an online education.

Cost

How are you paying for college?

I am paying for college with student loans and covering some of the other costs out of pocket.

How helpful was your school in assisting your financial aid process?

I have struggled to get the help that I need from University of Phoenix, unfortunately. I often think that the financial aid department has no idea what it is doing. On a few occasions I have lost financial aid because the department failed to submit its paperwork properly or follow procedures. However, University of Phoenix covered those costs for me because was not my error.

Do you feel like your overall cost of education is more or less than the cost of a degree at a traditional institution?

Yes, I do feel like my overall cost of education is a bit more than it would be if I had attended a public university in Texas. But Phoenix includes all of my books in the cost of tuition and has none of the hidden fees that traditional schools often do.

Admissions Requirements

Can you describe the admissions process from start to finish?

Yes, the admissions process from start to finish took about a week because I was an alumnus. I submitted my application and started my first class 3 weeks later. I did not have to submit letters of intent or recommendations.

During the admissions process, did you interact with an admissions advisor?

Yes, I interacted throughout the admissions process with an admissions advisor who helped me complete my masters program application.

Classroom Experience

How is class material presented?

Class material is primarily text-based. Professors give out reading assignments and post discussion questions and material. Students complete their reading assignments, as well as any papers or projects, and then respond a certain number of times each week to the questions that the professors posted. Depending on the quality and frequency of the message board posts, professors assign participation and attendance grades.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of this style of presentation?

The benefit of this style of presentation is that classmates get to work together to complete a single project. I love this sort of group work because it unites the class and makes the work load lighter and fairer for everyone.

The biggest drawback to this style of presentation, however, is how difficult it can be to make enough posts. In my experience, working full time often leaves too little time to produce enough posts of sufficient quality to meet the participation and attendance requirements.

Are you able to stay engaged in your online coursework?

Yes, I am able to engage with my online coursework. I feel that I learn just as much as students in traditional programs, and in my experience, I am able to apply it more readily. I am in an informatics class, for example, that is helping me to make connections between what I do now and what I will do in the future.

Do your professors encourage class participation?

Yes, participating on the message boards at least 4 days a week is required if students want to get their participation and attendance grades. Each of our posts has to be well-written and thoughtful, as well. We will not get by with a sentence or 2.

What method of communication do you use to keep in touch with your professors?

The methods of communication that I use to keep in touch with my professors are private forums, e-mail and the phone. I feel that my professors stay relatively available in case of student emergencies, but I contact them only about 3 to 4 times per class session.

Can you rate the faculty on a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Poor, Extremely Poor, in terms of:

Criteria	Rating	Reasons
Overall	Excellent	Professors have provided broad and informative instruction.
Qualifications	Excellent	All of my professors have backgrounds in nursing and masters degrees or higher in the field.
Knowledgeable	Excellent	Professors have demonstrated a thorough and thoughtful understanding of the field.
Lectures	Content: Excellent Clarity: Good	Professors provide relevant content but occasionally fail to express themselves clearly.
Assignments	Relevance: Excellent Reasonable: Excellent Clarity: Good Assistance Provided: Good Feedback Given: Excellent	Professors generally provide relevant assignments and feedback.
Grading	Good	Professors grade everyone according to the same rubrics.
Responsiveness	Good	Professors have responded in a timely manner with only a single exception.
Reliability	Excellent	Professors keep their appointments and follow through with class commitments.
Interest taken in class as a whole	Excellent	Professors seem eager to share what they know with their classes.
Interest taken in student as an individual	Excellent	Professors demonstrate genuine concern and empathy for the experiences of their students.

What resources does University of Phoenix provide to help you succeed in the classroom?

The resources that University of Phoenix provides to help students succeed in the classroom are digital books, an online library and a dedicated staff. The university makes me feel as if I am the only student there. If I need a resource or additional help, Phoenix makes sure that I get it.

What advice would you give to students to help them succeed in an online classroom?

I would advise students who want to succeed in an online classroom to practice self-discipline. They need to enjoy sitting down, focusing and learning independently without wandering off to do something else.

Program

Why did you choose to enroll in your nursing program?

I chose to enroll in my nursing program because I wanted to become a nurse practitioner, and after seeing how convenient getting an online education could be, I thought that getting a masters online was a smart idea.

What are your program’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?

The biggest strength of my program is that it is allowing me to step outside of my comfort zone and learn new things. I get excellent feedback from my professors, and the counselors all seem willing to help me, which has made this process easier.

The only weakness of my program has been the financial aid process. It has caused me a great deal of stress because of the glitches that the financial aid department makes now and then.

If you were to do it again, would you sign up for University of Phoenix’s masters program in nursing?

Yes, if I were to do it again, I would sign up for University of Phoenix’s masters program in nursing. I have had so many positive learning experiences, and I do not think that I would have had those same experiences elsewhere.

Closing

What general advice would you give to a student who is considering a masters degree in education at University of Phoenix?

My advice for students who are considering getting masters degrees in education at University of Phoenix is that they should look closely at the program and assess their ability to complete it honestly. Online education is not easy and requires discipline.

However, I would also encourage students to have a little faith in themselves. I did not think that I could do this program, and at times, I have worried that I will fail. Instead, I am exceling in a way that I never did in a traditional classroom. If I can do it, so can others.