'Duped': Students of UA's new online college can't get jobs, say school misled them o

[smartdegree]

Interesting article.
https://archive.is/Ixfje#selection-411.0-411.103


Some highlights:
"Heather Harris, a first-generation college student from southern Kentucky, completed a master's in psychology in January 2022 with a goal of helping families affected by addiction. But she soon discovered she couldn’t get a job in counseling without experience in the field or a state license — requirements she said school officials never discussed with her.

Harris returned to her previous job: a line worker at a sewing factory, making $9.50 an hour. She’ll soon have to start repaying $90,000 in student loans."



"According to Frazier, a UAGC enrollment specialist assured her that her military benefits would fully cover the cost of the advanced degree she sought — a Ph.D. in criminology — for 14 months.
“I asked her if I was going to be accumulating student loans. And she said ‘no,’ unless for whatever reason your GI Bill payment doesn’t go through,” Frazier said.
Her military benefits successfully went through, according to time logs reviewed by The Republic.
But three months later, Frazier noticed a change in her credit score. When she logged in to her federal student aid account, she was shocked to find a loan for over $8,000 taken out in her name and paid directly to UAGC without her knowledge.
“I saw that, and I was like, excuse my language, but 'What the f---?’” Frazier said."



"Multiple UAGC students interviewed by The Republic described feeling confused and misled by the repeated insinuation — reinforced by branded water bottles, T-shirts and other paraphernalia with UA’s logo — that they were equal University of Arizona students when they are denied the same academic opportunities.
"I just wish they would honor what they say they are,” said Jackson, who said the name change added “another layer of confusion.”
“It made us think maybe they would be different than Ashford, but it was the same thing,” he said.
After trying for months to land a job in his field of study without success, Jackson took a job driving a Frito-Lay truck. In addition to supporting his family, he had to begin paying off his student loans."

[LevelUP]

Heather Harris, a first-generation college student from southern Kentucky, completed a master's in psychology in January 2022 with a goal of helping families affected by addiction. But she soon discovered she couldn’t get a job in counseling without experience in the field or a state license

You need to look at license requirements before entering a career requiring a license.

Sonyee Jackson, an Army veteran from Oklahoma City, graduated from the school in summer 2021 with a degree in supply chain management. When he had trouble landing a job, he reached out to the school’s career services center. Despite multiple calls requesting help, he said he received no response.

As Trump recently said, 'I really don't know what he said at the end of that sentence, I don't think he knows what he said either."  Look, it's your responsibility to look for a job. 

Tracie Frazier, a Navy veteran from Florida, enrolled with the University of Arizona Global Campus in August 2022 to advance her career in behavioral health.

Three months later, she abruptly unenrolled when she learned the online school had taken out an over $8,000 student loan in her name — without her knowledge. She reimbursed for the loan.

So now we are talking about loans? She got her money back, so it's not like they stole her money.  What does this have to do with getting a job?

---

This article is full of strawmans and nonsense IMO. 

Republic reporter Hannah Dreyfus and Miguel Cardona discuss the "culture" of mostly for-profit schools preying on first-generation college students and veterans.

Ya, we know they USED to be a for-profit, but they merged with the University of Arizona, so they are in the process of transforming to a different school.
 Anyone going to that school should realize that the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona Global are two separate colleges.

[bjcheung77]

It's a bit confusing on all fronts, to say the least... People are signing up without really knowing what they are signing up for! You need to research the degree, institution, any certifications or licenses that are required for any that require them. Signing up for college just because an institution acknowledges 'some' options doesn't mean it'll open all doors for you without you doing the 'work' to get to that final goal.

[sanantone]

The first person sounds dumb, and UAGC doesn't offer a PhD in criminology. They offer a PsyD with a concentration in criminology and justice studies. I hate higher education journalism.

[davewill]

I have to agree that someone getting a graduate degree should be able to research the qualifications needed for their chosen field. The crap with being told that their military benefits will cover tuition, then taking out loans behind their back is completely fraudulent, however.

[hector9]

Agree with your point of view. Non-transparent and unfair management of welfare regimes, especially when misleading information directly affects the rights and finances of learners.

[Nukeme3]

I was a bit shocked when I saw the excerpt "Heather Harris, a first-generation college student from southern Kentucky, completed a master's in psychology..." as I went to school with a Heather Harris who moved to southern Kentucky to pursue a degree in psychology.

Different Heather Harris. The one I knew is doing fine relatively speaking.

However, this is absolutely a concern that anyone would have. Buyer beware.
Another friend of mine uses his ITT Tech textbooks as paperweights, door stops, hammers, and exercise weights as a means to, "at least somehow make them useful."

[sanantone]

UA plans to fully absorb UAGC, so it won't exist in a few years.

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, I wonder if it's possible to work on a degree program now, and when they're fully assimilated into UA, graduate with the UA degree instead of the UAGC degree...

[ss20ts]

Sometimes you have to act like an adult and conduct research. There's this amazing thing called Google where you can literally search for anything. Why would an adult think anyone can become a psychologist without some sort of licensing? Did she read any of her textbooks during her 6 years of college? Why is up to the college to inform you about licensing? You're an adult and it's on you.

Student loans require paperwork, documentation, and signatures. You have to go through the entrance counseling for federal loans. Even with private loans, there's paperwork and signatures. So I don't believe that they didn't know they took out an $8K loan.

A diploma doesn't guarantee a job. No one said you'll land a job in a week with a degree. It takes time. It could take months. You also need to network, have a great resume, get on LinkedIn, and apply for lots of jobs. Take every interview you can get and learn from each one.