Online classes from the University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix was the first online university to become fully accredited and they are one of the largest online universities. The online classes offered by the University of Phoenix cover practically every career field. The online classes are flexible for student's schedules and they have one of the best reputations for online universities. One of the largest reasons the University of Phoenix is so successful is because of their ability to tailor to the needs of working adults.

The University of Phoenix specializes in offering relevant degrees in various fields. They offer associates, bachelors, master's degrees, and even PhD's. The North Central Association is the accrediting agency that has given the University of Phoenix online full accreditation status. A degree is practically worthless if it does not come from a fully accredited University. The accreditation status measures the quality of the degree and the acceptance of the degree in the job market.

Some of the fields the University of Phoenix specializes in include the following:

• Business
• Nursing
• Management
• Information Technology
• Accounting
• Education
• Law
• Computer information systems

The programs that are in the highest demand are the Business and Nursing programs. The thing that helps students gain an education is the ability to plan their own schedule and coordinate study time around their work schedule. Counselors at the University of Phoenix will inform students how long it will take to complete their degree and what courses they should take if they need to complete their degree in a timely manner.

Since the University of Phoenix tuition rate averages around $12,000 per year for full-time students, there are financial aid opportunities available for students. Scholarships, loans, grants, and Federal Financial aid are available. The University of Phoenix also offers flexible fee payment plans to students.

Here are some of the online classes offered by the University of Phoenix:

• Accounting - The online accounting classes offered by the University of Phoenix are designed to help students earn their Bachelor's Degree in Business. The online classes students will take will emphasize cost accounting, finance, individual income tax, government and non-profit accounting. Students that are seeking higher education can pursue an online MBA in accounting. The University of Phoenix recommends the MBA in accounting for students that are seeking a career in the accounting field or for those that are looking to enhance their existing accounting skills. Similar to other online degrees, the accounting courses will emphasize team building skills through a series of PowerPoint assignments and research papers. Students participating in the accounting classes will understand the basic fundamentals of accounting and will enhance their knowledge through a series of challenging assignments. Since most students attending the University of Phoenix are working adults, the course material is designed with the input of working professionals. Receiving input from professionals helps the University of Phoenix achieve a higher standard of academic quality.

• Information Technology - There are several different technology degrees offered through the University of Phoenix. The Bachelor of Science in Information with an emphasis in Web Technology focuses on teaching students technical aspects that are associated with the information technology profession. The online classes will provide information on systems analysis and design, programming, Web technologies, application development, database design, and network architecture. Students are required to complete 45 credit hours and 15 credits in their specified concentration. Depending upon the emphasis, some courses may have prerequisites. Web Technology is one of the most popular Information Technology degrees, but the University of Phoenix also offers B.S. degrees with an emphasis in Business Systems Analysis, Software Engineering, Networking and Telecommunications, Information Systems Security, and Multimedia and Visual Communication.
• Criminal Justice - The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration is one of the most extensive degrees offered by the University of Phoenix. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental aspects of crime, criminal law, and procedure. The online classes will teach basic management skills to students and broaden their knowledge on the American criminal justice system. Students will participate in group projects and individual projects to develop research techniques, and understand new advances in criminal justice. Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration will need to complete 63 total credit hours.
• Psychology - The Bachelor of Science in Psychology teaches students about biological, motivational, and cognitive aspects of psychology. Students will gain a strong understanding of general psychology and they will analyze various processes in the human mind. The online classes will teach students about human development and behavior and the individual human experiences people face. Students will be able to learn critical thinking skills, gain communication skills, and enhance their learning on the human psychology. The courses offered by the University of Phoenix will not lead to professional licensure. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Psychology must complete 54 credit hours in the designated coursework.

Those are a few of the online degrees and online classes students can expect to receive through the University of Phoenix. Online classes are completely different from traditional learning. Instead of attending lectures on campus, students log-in to a secured server and view streamed lectures and other materials. Teachers will post assignments in the virtual classroom as well as the course outlines and syllabus. Students are in charge of having self-motivation and self-discipline when it comes to participating in online classes. There is not a set time for students to log-in to their online classroom; instead they can log-in whenever it is convenient. In order to maintain clarity, there are several communication tools used in virtual classrooms. The University of Phoenix uses discussion boards, chat rooms, and email communication to keep the students up-to-date with information from their instructor.

Upon enrolling at the University of Phoenix, a guidance counselor will lay-out a recommended schedule. Each schedule is designed after the needs of the individual student. The online classes will be offered in 6 week time blocks and students can select which time blocks they would like to participate in. Students will be given access to an online portal that is secured through the University of Phoenix. All information transmitted is secured and only sent to the professor or fellow students of the online class.

Each week the instructor will post 4 different questions in the discussion boards. Students are required to log-in to the discussion board and answer the question; they are also expected to comment on the answers of fellow students. The best way to pass an online class is to participate in the discussion boards and make yourself known. The University of Phoenix recommends that students log-in to their online classes on a daily basis. Logging-in often ensures you are up-to-date with information from the instructor and that you are able to gain access to new learning materials.

The learning materials will vary with each online class, but most instructors follow the same pattern; discussion board questions, PowerPoint presentations, research papers, quizzes, and email communication. Several instructors offer interactive lesson and web resources for their students and they may require students to purchase textbooks. Students enrolled at the University of Phoenix will gain access to the library and other online sources, allowing them to save money on textbooks.

Most professors will require students to work on individual and group projects. These projects test the communication skills of students and their ability to work in groups. The assignments are all completed on the student's time; however the instructor will be in charge of setting the deadline for all assignments. Since testing is rare, most students will not experience it. The school does not have a way to control cheating since all the work is done from personal computers. If a professor does require students to take a test, they usually enforce a time limitation on it to encourage students to use the knowledge they gained instead of looking at the material. Email is the common way for students to interact with their teacher, though some teachers will participate in chat sessions with students. All personal information transmitted to the school is secured and the student's phone number and email address will not be given to others unless it is specified by the student.