Marketing And Sales Communication Certificate at University of Phoenix

[ladylearner]

My DH is interested in pursuing some kind of certificate like this one offered at UofP: Marketing And Sales Communication Certificate .

Any feedback on earning a certificate at UofP?

Is anyone aware of any similar certificates? Although University of Phoenix has a campus close to us in NJ, I think it's a good idea to explore other options. He said he would love to get an associate's degree in a business-related area at some point. Right now he wants to improve his communication skills for his route sales representative work. But this program appealed to him because it is comprised of undergraduate credits that could possibly be applied to a degree later (especially at TESU).

[mednat]

Not sure about UoP.


TESU has similar certificates. Thomas Edison State University: Undergraduate Certificates

The TESU certificates allow for the use of TECEPs for the residency portion and alternative credits (Exam/Ace/Etc) for the remainder.

[dfrecore]

I personally don't think certificates are worth much in terms of being able to put it on your resume (not counting IT certs, which are quite possibly worth more than any degree). The information LEARNED in the courses might be of great value however. But for what UofP would charge for those classes, I wouldn't pay.

I worked in HR for a long time, we didn't put a lot of stock in certificates. Not saying they're bad to get, just probably not worth the money if that's all you're going to do. Look at a bunch of sales/marketing job descriptions, and I doubt you will see "certificate" as something that they look for. Look at what they are looking for however: do they want a Bachelor's in Business, Communications, Marketing, Sales? What are most looking for in general. Then go about getting that.

If he wants to learn the information, he can just take classes/exams that will get him that same info. Even your local CC will have some of these classes, and for a heck of a lot less than UofP will charge.

TECEP's available for $111 each (and will count towards a TESU BSBA Gen Mgmt degree):

• Public Relations Thought & Practice (COM-210-TE)
  
• Managerial Communications (MAN-373-TE)
  
• Marketing Communications (MAR-321-TE)
  
• Sales Management (MAR-322-TE)
  
• Advertising (MAR-323-TE)
  
• Negotiations and Conflict Management (NEG-401-TE)
  

More courses in those general areas that might be of use to him (and will count in a degree):
Consumer Behavior (CSU-G $250)

Market Research (CSU-G $250)
Advertising Creativity (UnivofIdaho IS $510)
Consumer Analysis and Behavior (LSU-DL $619)
Retailing Management (LSU-DL $619)
intro to Business (SL, saylor.org, DSST, study.com, $25-$199)
Principles of Management (saylor.org, CLEP, SL, UExcel, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Principles of Marketing (saylor.org, CLEP, UExcel, JumpCourse, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Business Communication (SL, saylor.org TCC $25-$220)
Business Ethics (SL, UExcel $25-$199)
Intro to Psychology (CLEP, UExcel, JumpCourse, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Principles of Public Speaking (DSST, TCC $80-$220)
Conflict Management & Negotiation (CSU-G $250)
Communicating and Relationships in Negotiating (CSU-G $250)
Communication Strategies for Leaders (CSU-G $250)
Interpersonal Communication (CSU-G $250)
Strategic Communication (CSU-G $250)

I would look at a plan for getting a BSBA at TESU, and then go about taking those courses that will count towards a degree AND give him the info that he wants.

[rebel100]

I can't really see the return being there honestly.

Either way I would steer clear of UofP. I don't think i would choose to spend my time on their courses if it was free.

CSU-Global seems to have some options: https://csuglobal.edu/undergraduate/prog...completion

[Kire]

I did 4 UoP classes and hated it. Paying a lot of money for little instructor help and having my grade dependent on how well my group performed did not make sense to me. I did learn how to use PowerPoint and the others people in my group probably liked getting As for doing very little work.

[ladylearner]

I can't really see the return being there honestly.

Either way I would steer clear of UofP. I don't think i would choose to spend my time on their courses if it was free.

CSU-Global seems to have some options: https://csuglobal.edu/undergraduate/prog...completion

Thank you for your feedback. Can you tell me what you don't like about UofP? Is it the stigma attached to the school? Or is it lack of quality or some other reason?

DH found this certificate on his own probably by doing a google search for the kind of work he's in and he liked the kinds of classes included in the certificate. He's not looking to get a degree from Phoenix but liked the fact that he could transfer earned credits to a degree program at a later time. Under normal circumstances, I would just say skip UofP but the classes are very related to what he's interested in. If we find that UofP has a good setup, it may well be worth it.

[ladylearner]

I personally don't think certificates are worth much in terms of being able to put it on your resume (not counting IT certs, which are quite possibly worth more than any degree). The information LEARNED in the courses might be of great value however. But for what UofP would charge for those classes, I wouldn't pay.

I worked in HR for a long time, we didn't put a lot of stock in certificates. Not saying they're bad to get, just probably not worth the money if that's all you're going to do. Look at a bunch of sales/marketing job descriptions, and I doubt you will see "certificate" as something that they look for. Look at what they are looking for however: do they want a Bachelor's in Business, Communications, Marketing, Sales? What are most looking for in general. Then go about getting that.

If he wants to learn the information, he can just take classes/exams that will get him that same info. Even your local CC will have some of these classes, and for a heck of a lot less than UofP will charge.

TECEP's available for $111 each (and will count towards a TESU BSBA Gen Mgmt degree):

• Public Relations Thought & Practice (COM-210-TE)
  
• Managerial Communications (MAN-373-TE)
  
• Marketing Communications (MAR-321-TE)
  
• Sales Management (MAR-322-TE)
  
• Advertising (MAR-323-TE)
  
• Negotiations and Conflict Management (NEG-401-TE)
  

More courses in those general areas that might be of use to him (and will count in a degree):
Consumer Behavior (CSU-G $250)

Market Research (CSU-G $250)
Advertising Creativity (UnivofIdaho IS $510)
Consumer Analysis and Behavior (LSU-DL $619)
Retailing Management (LSU-DL $619)
intro to Business (SL, saylor.org, DSST, study.com, $25-$199)
Principles of Management (saylor.org, CLEP, SL, UExcel, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Principles of Marketing (saylor.org, CLEP, UExcel, JumpCourse, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Business Communication (SL, saylor.org TCC $25-$220)
Business Ethics (SL, UExcel $25-$199)
Intro to Psychology (CLEP, UExcel, JumpCourse, study.com, TCC $25-$220)
Principles of Public Speaking (DSST, TCC $80-$220)
Conflict Management & Negotiation (CSU-G $250)
Communicating and Relationships in Negotiating (CSU-G $250)
Communication Strategies for Leaders (CSU-G $250)
Interpersonal Communication (CSU-G $250)
Strategic Communication (CSU-G $250)

I would look at a plan for getting a BSBA at TESU, and then go about taking those courses that will count towards a degree AND give him the info that he wants.

Thank you for your feedback. I do understand what you mean about the value of certificates. DH is looking to improve his communication skills and liked that this certificate was specifically related to his field. So yes, the value for him would primarily be the information learned through the coursework. But maybe I can help him find some classes like you suggested that will cost less and help him get the skills he needs. I think seeing me move closer to getting a degree has encouraged him to go for some sort of en-route milestone like a certificate. He tried college many years ago and ended up in some remedial classes and right now it seems impractical to him to start taking English literature and the like. But he can rack up some skills and credits at a much lower cost. I see on this forum that there are lots of places to get credits in business.

[dfrecore]

Thank you for your feedback. I do understand what you mean about the value of certificates. DH is looking to improve his communication skills and liked that this certificate was specifically related to his field. So yes, the value for him would primarily be the information learned through the coursework. But maybe I can help him find some classes like you suggested that will cost less and help him get the skills he needs. I think seeing me move closer to getting a degree has encouraged him to go for some sort of en-route milestone like a certificate. He tried college many years ago and ended up in some remedial classes and right now it seems impractical to him to start taking English literature and the like. But he can rack up some skills and credits at a much lower cost. I see on this forum that there are lots of places to get credits in business.

I think you will find the cost of UofP classes to be outrageous. The fact that you can't just find their tuition on their website without jumping through hoops should tell you something. A search online will show that they are about $1500/course, which is pretty high (considering the fact that I can take a Advertising or Intro to Management or Marketing for $155 at my local CC). They also have recently been disbarred from the DoD, meaning no military or other DoD personnel will be allowed to get tuition reimbursement there. http://www.degreeforum.net/military-disc...iving.html

Enough about UofP. I think if he really wants to get the knowledge, he could first choose a class, and then decide how he wants to take it.

For instance, TECEP's are easy to study for - you just buy the book. For example, if he was interested in Sales Management, he could just go to the TECEP Test Description (http://www2.tesc.edu/tecep_desc/MAR-322.pdf), and get the book on Amazon. The current 9th edition (2014) is $77 for the paperback, but the 6th edition from 2005 is only $3.49. Read it from cover-to-cover, memorize the bold-words, whatever else looks important, then take the 20-question quiz (from the Test Description).

Saylor courses are free to take, and then $25 if he wants to take the proctored final. Go through the free course, study, take the free final, and then sign up for the proctored final if he wants to.

Things like that. Easy to start with, no upfront cost, and he actually only has to test if he really wants to. But still learns all the material he needs to.

I heard of a homeschooling dad who used the EXACT same textbooks as Harvard to teach his kids. He said they got the same education as a Harvard graduate, without the cost. He just wanted to make sure that he was giving them the best education that he could, and he figured this was a good way to do it. Your husband is free to do the same!