Why Choose University of Phoenix?
By University of Phoenix
This article was reviewed by McCeil Johnson, JD, Vice President, Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance.
Students have a wide variety of options when it comes to earning their degree. Some higher learning institutions, like University of Phoenix, offer the flexible degree paths many students need. Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix provides career-relevant education designed to equip busy adults with skills needed in the real world.
Even though University of Phoenix has helped more than a million learners achieve their higher education goals, some people still wonder if a degree from University of Phoenix is the same as a degree from a traditional university.
Is University of Phoenix Accredited?
Yes, University of Phoenix is legitimate and accredited. University of Phoenix offers more than 100 degree programs in various disciplines, including growing employment sectors like information technology (IT) and business.
A University of Phoenix education offers many benefits to students, including insights from real-world faculty, industry-relevant skills and career resources. Additionally, the University offers course start dates throughout the year, trained academic counselors, and enrollment policies that remove barriers to education.
Accredited Institution
University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978. The HLC is an independent body and one of only seven institutional accreditation agencies in the United States that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
To be accredited by the HLC, an educational institution must meet all five HLC Criteria for Accreditation, among other requirements and obligations:
HLC Criteria for Accreditation
- Mission: The institution’s mission is clearly and publicly articulated, guides operations, demonstrates a commitment to the common good and provides opportunities for civic engagement.
- Integrity: The institution follows procedures to ensure ethical, responsible and fair conduct. The institution is committed to academic freedom and the freedom of expression in the pursuit of teaching and learning.
- Teaching and Learning: The institution provides quality instruction, no matter the method of delivery, as well as resources and support to students.
- Evaluation and Improvement: The institution takes responsibility for consistently evaluating its educational programs, learning environment and support services, and it continuously strives to improve.
- Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning: The institution demonstrates that its financial resources, structures, processes and planning are sufficient to support growth and fulfill its mission.
Accreditation from the HLC underscores the fact that a degree from University of Phoenix is legitimate and respected.
Programmatic Accreditation
In addition to HLC institutional accreditation, certain programs at University of Phoenix hold programmatic accreditation, which is an extra level of assurance that can add value to University of Phoenix degree programs.
Programmatic accreditation focuses on the quality of course content and how applicable the course is to the world outside of academia. This accreditation is peer-reviewed, which means experienced professionals in the field conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if the program meets industry standards.
Several University of Phoenix programs currently hold programmatic accreditation.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has accredited the following programs offered by the College of Business and Information Technology or the College of Doctoral Studies.
- Associate of Arts with a concentration in Accounting Fundamentals*
- Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Business
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Management
- Master of Science in Accountancy*
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Management
*These programs are not available for new enrollments.
For additional information, visit acbsp.org or call 913-339-9356.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
8101 College Blvd #100
Overland Park, KS 66210
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
For additional information, visit cahme.org or call 301-298-1820.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
PO Box 911
Spring House, PA 19477
The Master of Science in Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Phoenix Campus is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP®).
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
500 Montgomery St, Suite 350
Alexandria, VA 22314
For additional information please visit cacrep.org.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , 655 K St, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
When a student completes a degree program from University of Phoenix, employers can be confident that the applicant graduated from a quality program that’s evaluated against specific quality standards. This can help applicants enter the workforce with conviction and feel prepared to use their skills in their chosen industry.
Experienced Practitioner Faculty
University of Phoenix students benefit from the instruction of experienced faculty. These practitioner faculty members often have decades of combined teaching and professional experience. In fact, the University’s faculty has an average of 29 years of professional experience and 16 years of teaching experience.
Possessing real-world knowledge allows instructors to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice. A low student-faculty ratio paired with an online learning environment also allows for focused, personalized attention and guidance that students can experience from the comfort of home.
Career-Focused Resources
In addition to receiving a high-quality education from industry-leading professionals, University of Phoenix students benefit from a number of career-focused perks, such as:
- Career Services for Life® commitment: Active students and graduates receive access to free resources, including resumé building, interview preparation, networking and career coaching.
- Career Navigator™: This tool helps students explore careers, track their goals, assess skill progress and browse job openings.
- Career Interest Assessments: These help students choose careers aligned with their interests and degree programs.
- Career Resources: University of Phoenix offers an online repository of guides and templates to help students and alumni optimize their job search.
These additional perks are yet another way University of Phoenix works to provide a supportive learning environment.
Rigorous Online Coursework
By designing rigorous degree programs, University of Phoenix offers an excellent, quality education at a flexible pace. Multiple start dates throughout the year offer students the freedom to begin their education when it’s convenient for them.
University of Phoenix was among the pioneers of remote education, offering its first remote courses as early as 1989, providing greater accessibility to higher education for busy working adults.
Over the past three decades, University of Phoenix has improved the online experience, allowing students to feel as engaged online as they would in a traditional classroom. In fact, during the pandemic, University of Phoenix lent its expertise to K-12 teachers by training educators on virtual teaching and the remote learning environment.
Earn a Valued Degree From University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix strives to teach students useful skills that prepare them for the career they want. The institution offers valuable degree programs designed with input from experienced faculty and industry leaders. Students at University of Phoenix focus on developing professional and personal skills that prepare them for their chosen career paths. Learn more about earning a degree from University of Phoenix.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
McCeil Johnson serves as the University of Phoenix Vice President, Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance. She has 20 years of professional experience in the areas of compliance, diversity and legal affairs. She currently provides leadership and management of the University’s institutional and college-specific accreditation and regulatory initiatives.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
Read more about our editorial process.
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