University of Phoenix is an online-focused university founded in 1976 to serve working adults, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
University of Phoenix was founded in 1976 by John Sperling to provide educational opportunities for working adults. Its mission is to provide access to higher education that enables students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their professional goals, improve the performance of their organizations, and provide leadership and service to their communities. The university's vision is to be recognized as the most trusted provider of career-relevant higher education for working adults. Its address is 4035 South Riverpoint Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85040.
The first class was held in 1977 with eight students in a small classroom. The university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1978. It launched its doctoral program in 1998 with the Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, and today offers five doctoral programs. The university graduated its 1 millionth alum in 2018. In 2024, all ground campuses were closed except the Phoenix, Arizona Campus location.
The university offers over 100 online degree programs aligned with more than 300 occupations, and more than 90% of those programs support careers in growing fields. Its seven colleges help prepare students for their career goals. Students focus on one 5-to-6-week course at a time, which the university says makes it easier to balance work, family and school. The average age of new students is 38. In 2021, the University of Phoenix Career Institute was founded under the university.
The university holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In 2022-2023, accreditation was continued for a 10-year period, with the next comprehensive evaluation scheduled for 2032-2033. Specific programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Undergraduate admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Master's admission requires a bachelor's degree with a GPA requirement, and doctoral admission requires a graduate degree with a GPA requirement. International applicants must provide an English proficiency test, and some applicants can apply without entrance exams. Listed campus resources include a digital library, Student Resource Center, computer lab, Wi-Fi, Life Resource Center, Counseling Skills Center, and Veteran Resource Center.