University of Phoenix Releases 2011 Academic Annual Report
February 02 2012 - 11:00AM
Business Wire
University of Phoenix today announced key findings from its
fourth Academic Annual Report, illustrating its commitment to
higher education fueled by constant innovation. The report shows an
increase in modified graduation rates for associate students and
positive student satisfaction. University of Phoenix is
consistently working to build degree programs that directly address
the shifting economic needs of a skilled workforce and the academic
challenges faced by working learners.
“Education must evolve to help students succeed in the 21st
century economy, and University of Phoenix is at the forefront of
this movement,” said Dr. William J. Pepicello, president of
University of Phoenix. “For more than three decades we have been
drivers of innovation within higher education by developing
adaptive methodologies that help our students achieve their
educational and professional goals. This Academic Annual Report is
our own report card, providing a transparent measurement of how
well we are serving our students’ needs and guiding our continuous
improvement.”
Key Findings
Modified Graduation Rates: University of Phoenix’s degree
graduation rate is assessed by the federal government’s Integrated
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The University
modified graduation rate, which takes into account the entire
University student body, is defined as the percentage of students
who completed at least three credits and went on to be
degree-complete within 150 percent of normal degree completion
time. Data are collected on the number of students entering the
institution as degree-seeking students in a particular cohort
year.
University of Phoenix’s modified graduation rates for associate
degrees reported in 2011 were 34 percent for those graduating
within three years and 36 percent within four years, up from 32
percent and 35 percent, respectively, reported in 2010. Bachelor’s
degree modified graduation rates declined from the 2010 Academic
Annual Report to 31 percent for students who graduate within six
years and 33 percent within eight years, both down by 3 percentage
points in 2011. Most of the decline can be attributed to an
increase in the number of students transferring in with zero
credits.
At the master’s level, University of Phoenix’s modified
graduation rate is 60 percent for students who graduate within
three years and 64 percent within four years.
The University noted that the IPEDS methodology is designed to
assess the progress of “traditional students” – those who go
directly from high school and study on campus. These “traditional
students” make up only 27 percent of the undergraduate population.
Working adults and “non-traditional students” make up nearly
three-fourths of the U.S. undergraduate population and comprise the
majority of the University’s student body. IPEDS only considers
“first-time” college students who complete their entire college
program at the same institution. However, many University of
Phoenix students enter the University with transfer credits from
other institutions.
Student Satisfaction: The University regularly conducts
student satisfaction surveys and uses the results to implement
change within the school. At the end of each course, the University
surveys student satisfaction with the University overall, their
instructor, the feedback the instructor provided, the curriculum,
and their learning experience. In surveys conducted for the 2011
academic year, using a 10-point scale, students rated all five
categories higher than an eight. Additionally, End-of-Program
Surveys indicate that students feel their experience at the
University was a positive one in all services. The University also
uses an external measure of student satisfaction, the National
Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
Information Literacy: Using the Standardized Assessment
of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS) methodology, University of
Phoenix senior students compared favorably to senior students at
similar institutions in all categories.
Academic Proficiency and Progress: University of Phoenix
senior students slightly underperformed senior students at other
institutions, according to the ETS® Proficiency Profile (EPP),
which measures students’ academic proficiency and progress.
Student Salary Increase: Many University of Phoenix
students are employed full time while enrolled. Internal research
shows that University of Phoenix students’ average annual salaries
while they are enrolled in their program of study increase at
higher rates than the overall national average salary increase.
Continuous Improvement
In November 2010, a free University Orientation workshop was
implemented to ensure that students with limited prior college
experience better understand the time and effort required to be
successful in University programs prior to actually enrolling in
the University. University Orientation is three weeks long and
delivered in the same format as existing classes. Students must
complete assignments in a manner similar to the way they will be
working in class. Of those who start University Orientation,
approximately 80 percent enroll in the University of Phoenix, while
approximately 20 percent opt out before incurring any debt.
Students who opt out are generally leaving with a positive
experience. For students who went through University Orientation
and then enrolled in the University, first-course completion rates
were higher than prior-year levels.
Some of this retention success can be attributed to the
First-Year Sequence. The First-Year Sequence was introduced in
February 2010. The First-Year Sequence was designed using a
laddering approach to the sequence of courses. Concepts and skills
introduced in early classes are reinforced with work in later
classes.
Diversity: University of Phoenix’s student body remains
diverse; as an example, 18 percent are African American, compared
to a national average of 12 percent. Additionally, female students
make up two-thirds of the total enrollment at University of
Phoenix, as opposed to a little over half of the overall enrollment
in colleges and universities nationwide.
In addition, the University’s more than 35,000 faculty members
are more diverse than national averages for American colleges and
universities. One-third of University of Phoenix’s faculty is
non-white. More than 18 percent of University of Phoenix’s faculty
is African American, compared to an average of over 6 percent at
universities nationwide. Women now make up more than half of
University of Phoenix’s faculty. The percentage of female faculty
at University of Phoenix rose to 57 percent in 2011 from almost 54
percent in 2010. In comparison, female faculty members make up
approximately 47 percent of the post-secondary instructional
population nationally.
University of Phoenix’s complete 2011 Academic Annual Report is
available at www.phoenix.edu/academicannualreport.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating
to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing
world. Flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive
learning can help students pursue personal and career aspirations
without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship university
of Apollo Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse
student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and
doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across
the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more
information, visit phoenix.edu.
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