Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Rio Salado College, Pima Community College, Mesa Community College, and Glendale Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Tohono O'Odham Community College, Cochise, Phoenix College, and Estrella Mountain Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Yavapai College, Central Arizona, Mohave Community College, and Phoenix College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Rio Salado College, Cochise, Yavapai College, and Phoenix College.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Eastern Arizona College, Yavapai College, Central Arizona, and Cochise.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Tohono O'Odham Community College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ
Studying English-Creative Writing (completion in 2010)
• 4/29/2011
"I am proud to be a graduate of Arizona State University because I feel that they assisted me in becoming a well-rounded individual. I feel confident in my degree and do feel that I am ready to search for a career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think that the faculty was the highlight of my college experience and I would definitely recommend ASU to those interested in the same field. Also, I believe that the school offers more than just an education, but also an experience that they may not find elsewhere. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The program that I chose is one of the best on the west coast, largely due to the faculty. Every single one of my professors was a published poet that was very active in the poetry community. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I absolutely think that ASU was the right choice for me because the poetry professors were some of the best in the country. Not only did I get to be taught by the greatest modern poets, but this experience also helped me make more connections in the writing world. |
| Instruction | 10 | Some of my professors were a little scatterbrained, but everyone offered their own insights and brought a lot of deep thought to the table. There were a few professors that were highly inspirational that I find myself going to for assistance to this day. |
| How Difficult | 7 | With a focus in poetry most people laughed off my major, but it was extremely difficult. Having to read literally thousands of years of poetry was definitely a challenge, but a highly rewarding one in the long run. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I think that in my last two years of college, classes became more hands-on because I was being prepared to think on my toes and formulate my own opinions. I was not only taught the art of poetry, but I was taught public speaking and presentation, which you cannot very well learn through a book. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There were many classes provided during the day, but it would have been nice to having night classes available as well. However, there were a lot of online options that made up for this. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | I think the resources were used brilliantly for this program because there were quite a few published poets that came to campus for readings, and there was a poetry journal funded as well. Also, there was a house on campus just used for reading, writing, and getting assistance in poetry. |
| Social Life | 8 | I did partake in a lot more partying than the average college student, but it did help me settle down and focus upon graduating. I was involved in a lot of intramural activities which helped keep me active and sprinkled my schedule with social activities. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I did find a wonderful internship upon graduating, but when it came to actually setting me up with a career, I fell flat on my face. My current position is similar in duties and pay quality to the position that I held throughout college. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Although I do get e-mails and mailings from the ASU Alumni Association quite a bit, I have yet to become active in the alumni community. However, I do know that they provide an array of services and fundraisers for the school, so they must be doing somewhat of a descent job. |
University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Business/Finance Concentration (completion in 2011)
• 8/13/2011
"I enrolled in the school with the goals of finishing a degree that would provide me with a current skill set and that was accomplished."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have already recommended the school to others with life/family dynamics similar to mine. I believe that they can achieve their educational goals at UoP. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | Based upon comments received from various sources, the perception is often that the school's programs are not challenging and only offered online. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The University of Phoenix provided a very comprehensive and somewhat strenuous program. The information presented was relevant and was often presented within the context of current economic, political, and social landscapes. |
| Instruction | 10 | The program definitely prepared me for a career in my field. I acquired many relevant skills, particularly in the areas of Accounting, Economics, and Business Communications. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The work was very challenging. I had to apply a consistent level of diligence to acceptably complete the requirements. The group participation requirements were also quite taxing. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program was very text driven. We were required to examine real-world business cases throughout the program and that was valuable. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | There are classes that began every week and you could attend one of many campuses or take classes online. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | All facilities and resources were excellent. The school is "green" and moving toward more online resources. At times, the website was slow. Other than that, I was pleased. |
| Social Life | 5 | I did not engage much socially as I was a non-traditional student with two children. I did develop some symbiotic relationships with other students that I hope will be lasting. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | My graduation team was great! They helped me as needed every step of the way and communicated with me on a regular basis. |
South Mountain Community College • Phoenix, AZ
Studying General Studies (completion in 2009)
• 8/18/2011
"I was very satisfied. The school was very supportive and the tuition was cheap to boot!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If they are happy with the pay, then they should go right ahead. If they want more job security in this economy, they should get more education and look for more technical or scientific jobs. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | There isn't any real recognition of the program. This school is known for preparing students to transfer to finish bachelor's degrees at 4 year colleges. |
| Program Quality | 8 | It was a good program with great professors. The range of courses really prepared me. |
| Instruction | 8 | The professors were great. Being at a community college meant that they really cared for students. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It wasn't easy, but wasn't too demanding either. I got a great amount of benefit from this level of difficulty. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My intro to engineering class was very hands on oriented. Everything else was more book oriented, except for biology and chemistry. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There was not a large selection of classes. This meant that I did not have much choice between time slots of classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library is big and gets loans from the rest of the district. The classrooms are adequate. The professors are accessible and the tutoring is top notch. |
| Social Life | 6 | There is a thriving athletics program. There are lots of things going on around campus. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I heard about their services. I did not use them, however, so I am not completely sure, but they seemed eager to help. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | It is nonexistent. This degree program has no alumni support. |
University Of Arizona • Tucson, AZ
Studying Psychology (completion in 2004)
• 8/20/2011
"Tucson is a hot, dusty city. I greatly enjoyed my time there, though."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel psychology gives a good balance of life skills and insight. Customer service and admin duties are easier when you know why people feel and act the way they do. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | U of A has consistently been rated in the top 10 graduate schools in psychology. Even though I just got my bachelors, many of the graduate teachers/students helped to teach undergraduate classes. |
| Program Quality | 8 | U of A is usually rated very highly for its psychology program. I feel like I received a quality education. |
| Instruction | 9 | I learned a lot. There was a good mix of classes to prepare for post-collegiate life. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I find mathematics quite difficult, and there was a minimum of math in psychology. There were a lot of projects and experiments. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were a lot of field experiments and projects. There was some book learning, but it was not the majority of my education. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Classes were offered mainly during the day, and there were only a few at night. More night/summer classes would be beneficial. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | U of A had great labs and tutors. They also have good technological facilities. |
| Social Life | 7 | Unlike ASU, U of A isn't known for a party school atmosphere. I feel there was a good balance of fun, without neglecting education. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I hear it's good. I didn't use it, so I can not judge it. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | In AZ, U of A has a great alumni program. Most cities have alumni chapters. |
Northern Arizona University • Flagstaff, AZ
Studying Art History (completion in 2007)
• 8/27/2011
"I would not have chosen any other school. I would love it if they had a master's program for art history. I would apply for it in a heartbeat."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The staff and teachers at this school are what define the program. As long as they are there, the art history program at NAU is fantastic. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I do not really know of it's reputation in the field. I would assume it falls in the average category. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I would have liked to have a more disciplined program. It would have been nice if there had been field experience as part of our program. Information about the field itself would have been helpful. |
| Instruction | 9 | The staff and teachers were excellent. Each was always willing to help with whatever was needed. The teachers are passionate about their subjects and it shows. |
| How Difficult | 7 | This program would have been more difficult if we had to memorize more dates. It was challenging, however, and without a passion for the subject, it would have been very difficult. Some of the readings were quite difficult in upper level classes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a good mix of book and hands on learning. There was perhaps a bit more book learning due to the subject material. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | There were many options for classes, and many were offered only one time a week. This made it easier to create my schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There was a museum on campus and an extensive library with many resources for research. The school also has a few working venues for further research. |
| Social Life | 9 | I was very involved in college. I was active in multiple social and service organizations. I was also involved in athletics. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I never received any assistance with job placement. I never received an offer for that assistance either. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I receive a newsletter occasionally, but I never received any help on finding work in my field. |
University Of Phoenix • Online, AZ
Studying Psychology (completion in 2010)
• 9/18/2011
"The online environment was convenient for me. I was completely satisfied until just recently, when I was running into walls and couldn't find any support."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | For someone who is interested in convenient but intense studies, this is a perfect environment. For someone who is interested in deep learning, it may be boring and unsatisfying. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I hear stories on both ends of the spectrum. If one were to Google the school there will be mixed results. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I was satisfied in my Associate's program, but less so in the Bachelor's program in which I am enrolled in now. I have been struggling for a while and some of the instructors do not seem to provide support that I need. |
| Instruction | 5 | The curriculum is good; however, because there is so much to cover in so little time, I feel that I am not getting the full advantage of the courses. I wish that the schedule was not as accelerated as it is, though completing the program sooner has its advantages. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The material and timeline is so intense that I barely have my head above water. The content is interesting, but unfortunately I only have time to skim the material at the most. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Again, because it is an online program there is no hands on-learning. The only time my studies came close was when I was doing statistical studies and had to scan and submit my work. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I would have to say that this is the best part of my school. I am attending the online program, which allows me to work on my schedule. My advisors are available to lend me an ear and help when I am stuck with my scheduling. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school has an online library that is enormous. It also provides resources to check papers for grammatical accuracy and plagiarism. Tutors and workshops are also available for those who are interested. |
| Social Life | 5 | I cannot speak for much as I am enrolled in an online program. However, there is an online community of students, faculty, and alumni that can communicate through forums and blogs. |
| Placement Services | 5 | At this point, I am unable to make a judgment as I am still in the middle of my curriculum. Additionally, I plan on continuing on to my Master's program upon completion of my Bachelor's program. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Honestly, I have not taken advantage of the alumni network. I know it is available for us but I have not jumped in to it yet. |
University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2010)
• 9/29/2011
"It provided me with a degree and career path. I can't complain about that."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend it because of the flexibility and the online learning environment. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I think they advertise enough and more and more people are taking advantage ofd the online environment. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I think the classes covered everything I needed to know. Overall, I would take the program again. |
| Instruction | 5 | This varied greatly, depending on the instructor. Most were able to teach from life experiences which made for a great learning environment. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I had no problem maintaining a 4.0 average. It could have been more challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a 50/50 mix of learning styles. We used the internet a lot. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | It's an online learning environment. You are able to choose your own hours to study. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | It's an online environment but they do offer facilities to go to across the US. |
| Social Life | 1 | Because it's an online learning environment, the school is very lacking in this area, which is a good thing. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not taken advantage of the alumni network yet. I hope to do so in the future. |
Western International University • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2004)
• 9/23/2011
"I was satisfied with the convenience. I was also satisfied with the accommodations. Due to time and financial constraints, and other obligations, I have not been able to complete my degree yet. I will return when the time and money are more plentiful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If individuals are working adults and can work independently, I would recommend this school online. If they are right out of high school, or need micromanagement, I would not recommend the route that I took. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Western International University is an Associate's Degree that teams up with University of Phoenix for the Bachelor's Degree program. University of Phoenix has a great reputation, and the fact that school is available 100% online is so valuable for busy working adults. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I have continued my education off-and-on since starting a family at a young age. I feel 95% of my knowledge is what I have learned on the job. My success in my field is due to my excellent memory and ability to learn new tasks quickly. |
| Instruction | 3 | I did not take a lot from my continued education on to my career. If anything, it built up some confidence that made me less afraid of learning new things and challenging myself further. |
| How Difficult | 2 | I was attending Tulsa Community College prior to WIU, and I was going for my Pre-Medicine degree. However, when time constraints were tightened, I had to go to school online, and chose Business Administration. It was easy because everything was open-book. As long as you are resourceful and can use your time wisely, it was extremely simple. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I would say that this is a very hands-on experience. It is built around working adults, so you are often asked to discuss office situations for topics. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As long as you attend two specific days of group input online, you can do all of your work at your convenience. You simply need to make sure that your work is turned in by the end of the week. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The libraries online were amazing to utilize, and there are no hard-copy books to purchase. I'm sure it is built into the tuition, but the convenience is well worth it. The teachers are great, as well. If you find yourself stumped on instructions, they are quick to email back, or will even call you to discuss. |
| Social Life | 3 | It was online, but I do like the study group rooms online because there is a social aspect to that. You are also assigned to comment on two of your fellow students distributing answers within the study group rooms. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I have not utilized this program for myself. I have heard from other alumni that they are great at placing graduates if they do not currently have a job, but I am neutral due to lack of personal experience. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am not yet an alum at this point, so I feel I can not rate this question. I will say, while reading through the schools other alumni, I was impressed and it was a deciding factor for me to attend this school. |
Pima Community College • Tucson, AZ
Studying Business Management (completion in 2011)
• 10/3/2011
"I feel that the business program, classes, and staff at this campus have provided me with a great amount of understanding and knowledge in the business field. And from speaking with former students that moved on to the university's business course, Pima prepared them for the classes offered at the university."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Aside from being the only local community college in town, I do feel Pima has a solid business undergrad program in place. Whether one is aiming for just an A.A. degree or looking to transfer to a university, Pima is a great choice for pursuing those goals. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | As Pima is the only community college in my area, I cannot compare it to other community colleges. However, the college's close cooperation with the University of Arizona leads me to believe that Pima must have a good reputation. |
| Program Quality | 8 | While this is the only community college in the area, the college does work in conjunction with the local university to provide a complete business program. The courses at the community college level, I am told, are comparable to those offered at the university. |
| Instruction | 8 | The business program at my local community college offers a wide variety of classes - particularly evening classes - throughout the year. The structure of the program is set up to assist students looking for an AA and/or seeking to transfer to a 4-year university. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Classes with a strong focus on math, such as accounting, stats, and business calculus, are challenging and require commitment in both hours spent studying and completing assignments. Non-math classes are less challenging and better understood by me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The learning experience at my school is definitely mixed. Many classes, particularly the mathematical ones, rely heavily on online components that blend what was learned in class and through reading, with an interactive component. Other classes are traditionally structured, featuring an in-class lecture and book assignments to be done at home. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Scheduling classes while working full-time is possible through Pima. However, this is becoming more difficult as the state decides to cut their education budget, thus reducing the amount of classes offered to those that work full-time. |
| Social Life | 6 | Pima is replete with clubs - both athletic and academic - that cater to a wide variety of interests. Personally, I have never participated in any, due to both lack of time and interest. |
Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ
Studying Communications (completion in 2011)
• 10/15/2011
"I never once regretted my decision to attend ASU. It was everything I was looking for - a big school, in the city, accessible programs, active student body."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel that my time at ASU properly prepared me for life in the "real world." My experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, has helped me tremendously at my job. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The program was very competitive and the faculty and staff were all top-notch. My courses were demanding and educational, and I had a good experience. |
| Instruction | 9 | All of my core class instructors were highly qualified and loved what they did. I enjoyed their classes and they were always willing and eager to help us learn. |
| How Difficult | 10 | My course of study required a lot of research and paper writing, which was very demanding. Our instructors of course expected the highest quality, which raised the stakes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It really depends on what you're studying. As a communications major, there is a lot of both. Reading to understand the concepts and theories that you're learning about, and real world observation and applications in order to put everything you're learning to the test. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Typically working two jobs and being involved in extracurricular activities, I never had a problem creating a schedule that allowed me to fit everything in. In my five years, I took online, in person, and night classes, which all worked fine for me. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | While I didn't use the facilities and resources available to me as much as I could or should have, I knew they were available and highly rated. ASU seemed to remain ahead of the curve in terms of technology and what it provided to its students. |
| Social Life | 10 | There was something for everyone at ASU. Especially as a Pac-12 school, school spirit and the events that went along with it were always in abundance. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I would say that the school of communication is underrated compared to the other programs. ASU has a lot of quality programs which all hold their own merit, but COM is often overlooked, I think. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | As a recent alum, my experiences with the alumni network has been mainly through email. They do a good job though of keeping communication open and keeping the alumni informed of events and programs designed for them. |
Cochise College • Sierra Vista, AZ
Studying Hospitality (completion in 2008)
• 10/11/2011
"I now work where I want to work and do what I want to do. I am very satisfied."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school provided me the resources and education for my career. I can honestly say I love my job. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I don't believe this is one of their more advertised programs. My current employer was impressed with the classes I took. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My schooling gave me the necessary teachings I needed to succeed. School was both fun and informative. |
| Instruction | 8 | My instructor worked in this field for over 20 years. I believe her 'real world' experience helped a lot. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The workload was not bad; it was nothing I couldn't keep up with. The challenge was average, but some older classmates had a harder time learning computer programs. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I chose, "very book learning oriented," because the majority of my learning was done over the internet. The instructors were very nice and helpful through email. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | They offer both online and on-campus classes. I utilized a lot of their 8-week classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | A lot of my classes were independent online study, but I was made aware of the resources they had available at the college. |
| Social Life | 7 | I did not participate in any school activities. Sport teams were advertised greatly. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I didn't use the career placement for myself, but other colleagues of mine have landed great jobs with their help. The career center always seemed busy with job opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | I was not introduced to any alumni, but I am sure they have strong ties. The athletic alumni seem to make it back to campus yearly. |
University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Psychology (completion in 2010)
• 10/7/2011
"I got the education I was looking for. I only wish there was a better job placement service available for online students and graduates."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I don't know. Psychology does not exactly relate to administrative assistants, but I have used some of what I have learned in coping with stress and working with others. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I don't know the actual reputation they may or may not have with my major, but I do know the classes were always full. Many of the other students seemed to enjoy the online classes. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The University of Phoenix provided a very comprehensive online education that allowed me to be a full-time student while earning a living full-time. I did not give it a 10 since there were minor flaws in the education. |
| Instruction | 8 | It was difficult to get good-quality instruction in an online format. Many of the instructors were well versed in their field of study, which was helpful, but I think I prefer a face-to-face environment. |
| How Difficult | 8 | They made school flexible, but the amount of reading and studying were equal to that of being a full-time undergraduate student. At the same time, the writing assignments and interactions were not as demanding as being in a physical classroom. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Being online, there was a heavy emphasis on text and articles, in terms of obtaining information for the purposes of learning. It was difficult to get hands-on experience in this type of environment. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | University of Phoenix is known for its extremely flexible schedule. It was their flexibility that caused me to sign up with them rather than a physical school. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There was no physical classroom, lab or library. All the access was achieved in an online environment and was very accessible. |
| Social Life | 2 | There are no activities involving a social environment online. It would be difficult to have a virtual party. |
| Placement Services | 2 | I have not received any career service assistance or job placements that were practical from UofP. I know this may be due in part to them being an online presence, but with the amount I paid in tuition, I had hoped for more assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I don't know how to honestly rate their alumni support and network since I have not utilized it. I know it must be decent, since I receive frequent emails updating me on events in my area for alumni. |
Cochise College • Sierra Vista, AZ
Studying Professional Administrative Assistant (completion in 2010)
• 10/9/2011
"I feel that my school was a good value for the money. I feel it gave me a useful qualification, which I have used for a career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think it is the best value for the money in town. I feel that the workload is adequate, and that it would be helpful for finding a career. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school I attended was the only accredited college in town for this program. It is considered to be good, but isn't going to impress anyone. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I like the program that I attended, because it offered many real-world scenarios during the coursework. It taught me about not only the career field, but basic concepts such as organization as well. |
| Instruction | 10 | I found a job with very little effort after graduation. The program was affordable, and I learned a lot of practical information from people with experience in the field. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I had assignments outside of class, but it was nothing excessive. I spent about two hours a week working on homework. The work was challenging enough without being so difficult that I wanted to give up. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We followed a textbook curriculum. There were many examples of real-world scenarios and discussions about how we would handle the example situations. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There are evening and summer options. There are not weekend options. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library is very good, and it contains computers for the students. The classrooms were recently remodeled, and I feel the teachers are very qualified. |
| Social Life | 2 | The school has athletics, but this branch does not really have anything to do with them. The school caters more to people that are older, so we are not so concerned with social events. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The school has many job fairs. There is also an entire career services building in which the sole purpose is to help students find employment after graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The school gave me lots of examples for places where I could work after graduation. I also used my instructor for not only networking, but as a reference when I looked for a job. I feel she was very supportive. |
University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2007)
• 10/8/2011
"I was satisfied with the knowledge I was able to receive as a working adult and having to go to school. However, if I had the choice to attend a full-time university without working, I probably would have chosen another location."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | As I mentioned, if you are a working adult, it's a great program and offers great flexibility. However, if you have a choice to go to a leading university and could afford to do so, I would go with this plan. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | Rated as a great school for working adults. In addition, it has lots of publicity. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It was too expensive for the education I received and it did not help me to achieve the career goals I had in mind. |
| Instruction | 7 | I enjoyed my professors, the materials, and my classmates (discussions, collaborations and shared experiences). |
| How Difficult | 8 | Coursework was very challenging, as I worked full-time and went to school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Our coursework included Case Studies, where you put the knowledge you learned from classes and textbooks into practice. In this way, I would say it was a healthy mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | It has multiple campuses and many evening and online classes. This allowed me to work from anywhere at any time. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Online resources were always accessible. In addition, professors provided home telephone numbers and email addresses for any questions. |
| Social Life | 4 | Not very many opportunities for this kind of social interaction (social events, parties, etc.) at UoP, especially at the graduate level. |
| Placement Services | 1 | No career development/networking opportunities or attempts to find you a better position after graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | Lots of correspondence from the university and continued access to school resources after graduation. However, not enough alumni interactions. |
University Of Phoenix • Online, AZ
Studying Business Administration (completion in 2010)
• 10/28/2011
"I would still attend this school. The convenience of the program, coupled with knowledgeable professors made all the difference to me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The instructors have been in the field for years. The ones I had were able to provide their own experience and transition that to the coursework. The more prepared and educated you are, the more you have to offer. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I can't say that I know how others view my program. However, I found it to be a great option for those individuals who work and are unable to attend class in the evenings. I was able to work and spend time with my family while also pursuing my degree... that was fantastic. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I had highly qualified professors and well prepared courses. I was able to learn the knowledge and apply it in my current and former positions. |
| Instruction | 8 | I had some professors who used mainly book and chapter review questions. Yet I also had those professors who engaged with the class in lengthy discussions about applying theory to practice, and that was fantastic! |
| How Difficult | 7 | I had courses on both spectrums. Sometimes I had very easy courses that required less work and I had some very challenging courses that made me think outside of my traditional thinking. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Courses were both hands-on and book learning in that our discussion questions required application of the material for a complete understanding. The projects and assignments assisted with utilizing both forms of delivery. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | We basically took many of the classes in a specific order. There were a few that you could take out of the plan, yet with some of the prerequisites for certain courses, it was best to take them in the suggested order. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Our online library still helps me to this day with any research or special projects I am assigned. My advisor was instrumental in getting me through the program with her advice and almost weekly check in phone calls. I enjoyed getting to know her even if I never actually met her. |
| Social Life | 5 | Being in an online graduate school, socialization was limited. However, I did have many conversations with classmates that were not related to the required coursework and I enjoyed spending many hours with them a week. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I did not utilize the career services of my graduate institution. I had a career and was looking at advancing at my employer. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am not a member of my school's alumni network. However, I do receive periodic emails regarding the school and my program. |
University Of Phoenix, Online • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Psychology (completion in 2010)
• 11/30/2011
"I would have liked more hands-on experiences. However, the opportunity to have it fit into my life easier was worth the sacrifice."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It depends on how much hands-on work they needed. Also, people who cannot self-motivate would not do well with this type of learning environment. |
| Program Reputation | I really have no idea what their reputation is. | |
| Program Quality | 7 | UoP was a great opportunity. I was able to attend school on my time, which meant school was not competing with my kids (I'm a single mom) or my job. |
| Instruction | 4 | The downside to online learning is that there's no hands-on learning. There were no opportunities for internships or apprenticeships, and all work was done online. I missed the physical aspect, which, I think, would have more clearly defined my career aspirations. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I found the work to be academically challenging. The professors were all working in their fields and held high standards for work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's online. Unless you live close to a UoP center, there was no online help available. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Class was on my time. Each class was set up forum-style online, with no set meeting time. This meant I could log in at 2AM and get work done if necessary. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Their online library was extensive. I had the opportunity to review many different periodicals, and I had access to the electronic library. All textbooks used by the university were available to download for free. Tutoring and assistance with assignments was also easily available. |
| Social Life | 3 | With regard to the friendships I made within classes, the social experience was phenomenal. However, online courses don't provide the opportunity for sports, clubs, or other physical meetings. |
| Placement Services | 1 | Another downfall of online courses. There are absolutely no connections to be made for attaining work in your field after graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | They try to be engaging, but there's not a lot available to me through their alumni association that is relevant or useful. Most of the resources that are available are far away from my physical location. |
University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studying Business Management (completion in 2011)
• 12/5/2011
"I loved UoPx and everything it had to offer. In fact, I am considering going back in order to earn my doctorate."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This program is great for working people who would like to further their education and training. It is also great for parents who cannot take classes in a classroom setting. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The reputation of online colleges has improved in the last few years, but UoPx is still looked down on by some companies/employers. |
| Program Quality | 10 | UoPx catered to my needs as a full-time working single parent. It allowed me to further my education on my schedule, and it gave me challenging courses as well. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were very well qualified and educated. They were generally easy to get in touch with if I had questions about my assignments. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The only reason I gave this question a rating of 9 was due to the fact that some of the courses had a lot of workload that was tough for me to keep up with. However, this was more due to my scheduling and not the university's. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Learning teams were expected in every course. Though this may not be technically "hands on," it gave the class a chance to discuss real-world situations with our classmates. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As this program was completely online, I could attend classes at my convenience. There were deadlines for projects, but I could complete them when I had time. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | UoPx's online materials were very accessible and thorough. The school made sure to keep updated editions and offered online textbooks. |
| Social Life | This course was completely online. Social activities were nonexistent. | |
| Placement Services | I have not utilized these services. They may be available, but I am not aware. | |
| Alumni Network | 10 | I get weekly updates from the Alumni Association. I also have great access to alumni networking and continuing education seminars. |
Arizona State University - West • Glendale, AZ
Studying Political Science (completion in 2007)
• 12/17/2011
"I loved ASU. I learned a lot, had fun, and to this day, miss the experience. It got a little pricey towards the end when tuition was being raised practically every semester, or I would give it a 10."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If someone I knew wanted to be an administrative professional, I would not recommend a 4-year degree. They really only need an associate's degree for most positions with most companies. I am a little overqualified for my position, but I still like it, and in this day and age, who can be picky? |
| Program Reputation | Political science is not a very in-demand program. It doesn't have the reputation that other fields do, such as nursing or engineering, so I can't say my school had a reputation either good or bad regarding this program. | |
| Program Quality | 7 | The political science program at ASU is pretty extensive. They have a lot of different courses on political and social issues, and the classes are interesting, if challenging. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most of the instructors were very good, but some were a bit of a pain. The core curriculum of my program (math, science, English) prepared me most for my current job, but the specialized classes were the most interesting, if not exactly related to administrative work. |
| How Difficult | 8 | ASU was pretty tough, at least the specialized courses. They demanded a lot of thought and time from you. It may have seemed more difficult to me because I was working full time when going, but I think it would have been just as mentally demanding had I not been working at the time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My program offered a one-semester internship option for credit. I did not take advantage of this option, as it required you to intern during the day. I had a full-time job and this was not a viable option for me, so I took additional courses to meet this requirement. However, it was offered and was better than nothing, but still, the program required much more book learning than hands on experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | ASU had day, evening and weekend classes, as well as online classes offered from 4 different campuses. They are extremely flexible in offering options to the full-time, typical college student, or working students, such as myself. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | ASU has libraries, computer centers, and other facilities, on all four campuses. They also have a huge amount of online resources available from home. I never had any difficulty finding what I needed or contacting a professor to get information. |
| Social Life | My personal social experience was practically nil. I know they had some great opportunities to socialize, but as I worked full time and had kids and family, I was not inclined to take advantage of these. | |
| Placement Services | 5 | ASU as a whole has pretty good career placement services for certain degree programs, such as law, nursing and IT. However, my program does not lead to a particular career field, so there really aren't a lot of options for my program's graduates. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have never really explored our alumni network. It may be that they have a very extensive network, but if so, they don't make a lot of effort to reach out, because I have never been contacted or notified of any alumni events. |
UoP • Phoenix, AZ
Studying (completion in 2005)
• 1/15/2012
"I had fun and learned a great deal. I don't think it helped me advance in my career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I'd advise it to those focused on an online degree. Due to the perceptual barrier playing against online grads, I'd advise most to pursue the traditional route. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It is number one in the online arena. Outside that arena, there are obstacles to overcome. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I learned a lot, although the lack of a dissertation requirement was off-putting. |
| Instruction | 5 | Some instructors were great. Some instructors were mediocre. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The assignments were respectable and graded as such. A dissertation was not required, however. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The online courses inherently required a mix of hands on and book learning. Online reading and research were required for almost all assignments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Most classes could be completed at our convenience. Most assignments were given with reasonable due dates. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Online resources were great. I did not get to visit the physical campus. |
| Social Life | 5 | I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. There were not many opportunities outside the box for my major. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was no job placement. There was no career assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There doesn't seem to be much of an active network; however, I have not been active in pursuing it. |
University Of Arizona • Tucson, AZ
Studying Communication (completion in 2008)
• 1/11/2012
"Love my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Even though I am not currently in the career I'd like, I am thankful for my school experience. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Rating has gone up since I've attended. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Very good school and program. |
| Instruction | 8 | Teachers were always very helpful and accessible. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program was hard to get into, but once in, it was not hard to maintain. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | They didn't really encourage us to get real-life experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Extremely flexible; many options. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | State of the art. Always plenty to go around. |
| Social Life | 10 | School pride is very important and there's a lot of celebrating going on. |
| Placement Services | 8 | They have an option, but not many people take it. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | They make an effort, but it is not good enough. |
Glendale Community College • Glendale, AZ
Studying Education (completion in 2014)
• 3/15/2012
"I knew going in that I was only looking for basic instruction and I got what I wanted. However, it would have been nice to see some more effort in place by the staff."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I find that having a mentor is better than having an instructor. However, for the cost and ease of schedule, it is a hard opportunity to pass up. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | There is not a stigma nor a praise of the programs here. Being more general in education choices, everything has an equal reputation. |
| Program Quality | 5 | As a community college, it is used for a more broad scope of knowledge than for specific areas. The general atmosphere is not one that discourages specialization, but doesn't go out of its way to encourage it either. |
| Instruction | 4 | Sadly, the instructors tend to be using this college as a second job and are too tired for proper instruction once class begins. There may be some more dedicated instructors there, but none that I have encountered. They seem to care more about going through the class schedule than answering questions. |
| How Difficult | 7 | My area of work is not so difficult to understand as it is in practice. I find that it takes a certain personality to be able to perform the work itself, but almost anyone can understand the concepts. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Due to the nature of my program, it has to be a little more book based since real world scenarios often change. It is near impossible to set up realistic scenarios in a classroom environment without feeling forced. So, having a firmer knowledge base is focused on to be able to handle the chaos. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | With the availability of night classes, it is possible for someone to continue working and gain a degree. Also, the instructors understand that real life issues can cause someone to miss a class while some universities are much more restrictive, regardless of circumstance. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities are readily available if not a bit outdated. Yet that is to be expected in today's ever advancing torrent of information. Even the computers struggle to keep up with new information and the ability to store and manage it. The professors are not always the most accessible, but with enough pressure they can be. |
| Social Life | 4 | A majority of the students are there due to needing a flexible schedule. With everyone leaving as soon as class is out to get back to work, it is hard to find time to focus on school events. Those that do have the extra time, however, do seem to enjoy promoting athletics to a degree. There are not many social events put together, and those that are end up with low attendance. |
| Placement Services | 8 | They are surprisingly helpful when it come to helping one continue into the work field. The instructors and counselors offer advice freely on potential jobs and interview tactics. |
| Alumni Network | I am not entirely sure as to their alumni support, so I am not fully able to comment on it. I do know that they have a structure in place for it, and I would expect it to be regularly maintained. |
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