Complaint Review: University Of Phoenix Online

I received my Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Rider University in May 2003. After working in Sales and Marketing for a little over a year I decided that I wanted to become a high school English teacher. In October 2004 I enrolled as a graduate student in University of Phoenix's Online Campus to complete a Master's degree in Secondary Education program.

While working full-time in the Sales industry I maintained a 3.0 grade point average at the University of Phoenix and by September 2006 I had completed the 26 credits necessary to student teach. However, in order to student teach I had to pass the Praxis II: English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge exam. Unfortunately it took me longer than expected to pass the Praxis II.

In the meantime, I kept in touch with the University keeping them abreast on my Praxis II endeavors. I bought several books and CD's to help me pass the Praxis and purchased an online program as well. The advisors at the University told me to call them as soon as I passed.

In August 2008, I finally received the news I had been waiting for. I passed the Praxis II on my sixth attempt. I immediately informed the University of Phoenix. I was told that the University of Phoenix had switched versions. I was enrolled in the version three program and since I had not taken any classes in over a year the University withdrew me from the program. I was extremely surprised at this information and mostly because no one advised me about changing versions. Since I was not a student for over a year I am not allowed to enroll back into the version three program. I was told that I can only enroll in the new version five program to complete my Masters degree. Unfortunately, the state of New Jersey does accept the new version five.

I was instructed to write and submit a student appeal to the Office of Dispute Management (I have attached my appeal for you to view). I submitted my first appeal on September 4, 2008, which took the University over two months to review and deny. My academic counselor told me to submit the appeal again in late November, which I did, and on December 12, 2008 I received a letter from the Office of Dispute Management that my appeal was denied again because of New Jersey not accepting University of Phoenix's new version.

You can only imagine my frustration at this point. I have worked very hard for this degree and I have spent $13,000.00 of my own money on classes. University of Phoenix is denying me of my degree solemnly because I was not enrolled in classes during the time it took me pass the Praxis II. I was misinformed and bounced around to several different academic counselors and was never forewarned about the consequences of not being enrolled for over a year and that New Jersey does not accept version five. It is not my fault that it took me several times to pass the Praxis.

The University of Phoenix has not provided me any solutions to my issue nor has the Office of Dispute Management returned my calls. I am only eight credits shy of my Master's degree. I have begged and pleaded with individuals at the University to please let me finish under version three and no such luck. I have rightfully earned this degree and I feel I have been misinformed and mislead.

Thank you so much for taking the time to review my situation.

Rachelle
burlington, New Jersey
U.S.A.