These types of schools represent the worst in online education. Giving a product that will most likely show no return on investment. In all realty-where can anyone go with a degree from APU. Stick to an online program offered at a traditional university [Univ of Illinois-Springfield] or some other state school.
ajaxof FL11:55PM November 20, 2011
What difference does it make if you have a Walmart degree? They (degrees) are all worthless scraps of paper, a testimony that you, or more likely your parents, paid a chunk of change to get you your paper-scrap testimony to years of beer swilling and carousing. There is no "higher" education in this country, I know way too many retards with degrees to prove else wise.
D. Suess, PHDof MO9:34PM September 16, 2010
definitely caught my eye. Interesting story too. Thanks US News for keeping your readers intrigued and coming back for more.
EHof FL9:38PM September 02, 2010
So, is APU based in China? From what I can tell, WalMart doesn't use any American products.
There have been a number of articles about these for-profit online schools being total ripoffs. I don't know APU, but all WalMart does with everything else is say "what's the cheapest piece of crap we can call a (fill in the blank)".
Employers laugh at the degrees (there's a lot of competition from 'real' schools), the credits aren't transferable, there's no academic or job-seeking help, and the money spent with these diploma mills is generally wasted.
The purpose of a for-profit online school is not to educate. The purpose of a for-profit online school is to make money. The least they can do in exchange for taking your money is what is best for the school's bottom line, and that's all they really care about.
The only thing I wonder is whether WalMart is doing this for positive headlines, or do they get a kickback from APU? Anybody that thinks they are doing it to help their employees hasn't been following WalMart's activities over the last couple decades.
jimatmadisonof WI7:47AM September 02, 2010
it is most certainly a marker of a new trend towards cutting the cost of higher education. There is no reason for young people to start out in life with tens of thousands of dollars of debt just for a basic under-graduate degree.
Walmart is famous for driving a hard bargain. You can bet that they will put pressure on APU and all the on-line schools by the ripple effect. Can't happen soon enough.
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ajax of FL 11:55PM November 20, 2011
D. Suess, PHD of MO 9:34PM September 16, 2010
EH of FL 9:38PM September 02, 2010
jimatmadison of WI 7:47AM September 02, 2010
Muser of NM 8:56PM August 29, 2010