Just the Facts

University of Phoenix’s Background

In 1976, Dr. John Sperling, a Cambridge-educated economic historian and professor, founded University of Phoenix on an innovative idea: making higher education accessible for working adults.

In the early 1970s, while a tenured professor at San Jose State University in California, Dr. Sperling and several associates conducted field-based research on new teaching and learning systems for working adult students. From this research, Dr. Sperling realized that the convergence of technological, economic and demographic forces would herald the return of working adults to higher education. He saw a growing need for institutions that are sensitive to the learning requirements, life situations and responsibilities of working adults. These beliefs resulted in the creation of University of Phoenix.

Since its founding, University of Phoenix has helped transform the landscape of higher education in widely recognized ways. Many of the conveniences that 21st-century students enjoy ― evening classes, flexible scheduling, continuous enrollment, a student-centered environment, online classes, digital library, computer simulations — were pioneered through University of Phoenix’s efforts. In fact, University of Phoenix has removed many of the barriers to education for busy adults by providing accessible scheduling and rigorous degree programs centered on professional goals.

Today, University of Phoenix is the nation's largest private university, offering more than 100 degree programs at more than 200 locations, as well as Internet curriculum in most countries around the world.

Accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org). University of Phoenix was granted initial accreditation in 1978 and the accreditation was reaffirmed in 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002. The University is currently in the process of completing its 10-year comprehensive evaluation visit by The Higher Learning Commission.

Social Responsibility

In addition to the University’s commitment to academic quality, University of Phoenix is dedicated to social responsibility as demonstrated though a variety of initiatives:

• Green Initiative
• Community Investment
• University of Phoenix Foundation