About University of Phoenix

John Sperling, PhD, a Cambridge-educated economist, professor and entrepreneur, founded University of Phoenix in 1976 in response to the changing needs of the workplace. It was part of his commitment to provide adults with the higher education they would need to fill those needs and for forty years, that’s exactly what we’ve done.

The times have changed, but our objective has remained the same – to help people enhance their lives through education. Together we will keep working to fulfill Dr. Sperling’s vision, improve the lives of our students and strengthen our communities.

We are proud to provide students access to quality education, ongoing support and a range of resources to help them succeed. Through innovation and dedication we can continue to work toward a better tomorrow.

We invite you to learn about our University and see how we can help you pursue your education and follow your dreams.

An innovative approach to education

As an institution always focused on the needs of an adult learner population, our Instructional Framework reflects the instructional strategies most important for this population.

University of Phoenix was founded upon the vision of making higher education more available, even if you’re a professional with a full time commitment to work and family. With 40 years of experience, we continue to focus on meeting the needs of adult learners. Malcolm Knowles identified the characteristics of adult learners as differing from the classic 18-22 year-old college students; through areas such as the learner’s need to know, self-concept, experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning and motivation. These characteristics influence the instructional design process – shifting our framework from content-driven to context-driven and reinforcing relevant application to the real world.

Developed by faculty who are practitioners in their field, our curriculum integrates academic theory, lifelong learning and professional practice – and is designed to support the needs of adult learners. We strive to help students develop relevant skills that can be easily applied to their current work and life experiences.

Our convenient classes, offered online or on-campus at selection locations, make going back to school a real option for working adults. Access your class online, study on your own schedule and earn your degree.

Although you might not be on campus, you’re never alone. We’re here to guide you from enrollment through graduation.  As a student you have access to our innovative learning platform, career services and wealth of educational resources such as an online library, writing and math labs and a university-wide academic social network.

We offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and a variety of certificate programs so that you can match your education to your interest and professional goals.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you create the future you deserve.

University of Phoenix Mission and Purpose

University of Phoenix provides access to higher education opportunities that enable students to develop knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their professional goals, improve the performance of their organizations, and provide leadership and service to their communities.

Purpose

To facilitate cognitive and effective student learning—knowledge, skills, and values—and to promote use of that knowledge in the student’s workplace.
To develop competence in communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and information utilization, together with a commitment to lifelong learning for enhancement of students’ opportunities for career success.
To provide instruction that bridges the gap between theory and practice through faculty members who bring to their classroom not only advanced academic preparation, but also the skills that come from the current practice of their professions.
To provide General Education and foundational instruction and services that prepare students to engage in a variety of university curricula.
To use technology to create effective modes and means of instruction that expand access to learning resources and that enhance collaboration and communication for improved student learning.
To assess student learning and use assessment data to improve the teaching/learning system, curriculum, instruction, learning resources, counseling, and student services.
To be organized as a private institution in order to foster a spirit of innovation that focuses on providing academic quality, service, excellence, and convenience to the working student.
To generate the financial resources necessary to support the University’s mission.

Degree