Eric
Mesa,#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, January 22, 2008
In your report you state that you want a degree that is "fully nationally accredited". I just wanted to advise you that Regional accreditation is higher than national accreditation. Check the Department of Education website if you don't believe me. Likewise, before you began in your degree program, you should have done more research into what the program has to offer and what job you are looking for. UOP degrees are not for everyone and the degree itself is not going to get you a job. Many individuals fall under making the mistake of believe that a degree in itself is going to get them the job they want, but work and life experience are the most important things employers look at, then the degree. The degree is nothing more than a supplement to what you are already presenting during your job search. A lot of companies are not going to accept an online degree based soley on the format in which it is given. Business, IT, Nursing and Education fields are huge industries that fall into this category. Most students that come to UOP already have the job the want, or are looking for promotion, and the degree is the supplement to that. Look at companies like Boeing and Xerox, among others, that send their employees to UOP to obtain their degrees and pay 100% tuition. Those are very reputable companies, and if they can accept the degree, then that should tell you something about the quality of the education UOP offers. Yes, UOP is in a world of hurt with shareholders. Yes, I am a UOP employee, but my bias is towards higher education, not companies that will look at the name on the degree and formulate an opinion without looking at the whole package. Take into account that at UOP you are learning a lot on your own, this is true. If you are successful, shouldn't the employer take into account your discipline, hard-work and determination in obtaining your degree? UOP is not perfect, nor is it for everyone. If you were mislead by your EC, I am sorry to hear that. I myself always give students the full-scoop before enrolling them. Not every degree from every university fits every need. Unfortunately, with taking classes already, you are not going to get out of paying for anything. I'm sorry, but it's true. My best advice to you would be to drop at the end of your first disbursement period, if you want to drop, so you only owe part of the loan you've taken out, not all of it.