So, I have a career in IT that has spanned over 15 years. Recently as some that read my blog may know, I started the path to having a college degree. I chose the University of Phoenix just because it seemed to be the best way to get in right away.

The UoP and the Axia branch are really fast at getting you enrolled. There is no proficiency exams and the pressure to sign a MPN is intense. The enrollment counselor was relentless in getting me enrolled. This does not mean the college is bad alone, just merely that they wish to have as many students possible.

I had a ‘facilitator’ that I could call during classes but only during certain hours of the day. There is an email address for personal and also internal communication. I will note that my last facilitator, Crystal McFall would take vacations during the class and not be able to respond to emails or phone calls. That was the straw on my so called educational back that broke it.

One thing bothered me in my last classes:  proof that the facilitators are real. Just words about their lives and a phone number that was at times even posted wrong. I for one did not let that bother me, I learned a great deal and made a good grade at most of what I did. After I had done several assignments, I had a past teacher read the syllabus and the grading sheet. I was assured it checked out to her academic standards.

I am a Franklin University student now due to the problems that Axia will simply not address. Counselors and even facilitators are not punished publicly since you are not told what the result of any investigation is. Yes, you will not even be told that the employee was punished. Even the local school systems have public meetings to discuss this type of problem and there is no hiding.

In closing, my first Franklin class has already impressed me. I logged in since the classes are available a week before they start and much to my surprise…. a PICTURE of (get this) my Professor!  I was already impressed with the CD material that arrived in which I was getting offline guidance for that class… the University of Phoenix does not do that.

I was happy at Axia until I started to realize that if the problem occurred again, I had no recourse. Switching to Franklin just might be the best thing yet. Axia is more expensive and a whole lot of problems that just are not addressed. Call Franklin if you are considering a degree and then call Phoenix. All my credits should transfer, which is good. What is bad? I do have to attend a couple audio chat or video sessions with my Professor.

Axia facilitators discouraged the use of voice chat in any way due to “overwhelming” students. Franklin does it right off the bat. You decide which one is better.

Feel free to post your comments with how you feel. I do not wish to discuss how you lost money at Phoenix as there is many ways a student can fail and slip through the cracks due to being helped so much to get enrolled.