Fact or Fiction About UoPeople

It’s time to dispel the myths about online college. Here is the fact or fiction about UoPeople.

When it comes to online universities, there are a lot of myths surrounding how they are perceived and how students experience earning their education in the modern learning environment online.

As a pioneer in revolutionizing education for the masses, University of the People offers a completely online and one-of-a-kind model, which means there are naturally many questions surrounding the school. That’s why we’ve decided to share a quick fact or fiction about UoPeople. Some of these may be obvious, while others are sure to surprise you!

1. UoPeople is tuition-free. Fact.

This one is true, and one of the major aspects of UoPeople that sets us apart. While the price of university varies by school, location, and program, it typically costs anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000 to obtain a degree from an American and accredited university.

But at UoPeople, we’re not joking when we say you’ll pay $0 for tuition. Instead, you can expect to simply pay a non-refundable application fee of $60 and $100 assessment fees per course ($100 for undergraduate or $200 for Masters). This works out to being dramatically more cost effective than our counterparts as you can earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree for less than $3,000, for the most part.

But don’t be fooled. This doesn’t mean the quality of education is any less than that of a school that costs more. With small class sizes and a reputable team of educators, you will graduate with the knowledge you need to excel in your career.

2. There are 3 degree programs. Fiction.

Speaking of careers, at the time of writing, there are now 4 degree programs, including: Business Administration (Associate’s/Bachelor’s/Master’s), Computer Science (Associate’s/Bachelor’s), Health Science (Associate’s/Bachelor’s), and the most recently added, Master’s of Education (M.Ed).

All of these programs share a common thread of being in high demand. They are also structured by educators and professionals in the field to be designed so that you are ensured you’ll be ready to enter the workforce upon graduation.

3. Online classes don’t give personal attention. Fiction

With our peer-to-peer review structure and pedagogical model of learning, students are very interactive in courses online. Via a forum that is overseen by the course instructor, students also become like the teacher in that there are peer-to-peer reviews where the grades given count toward your overall grade. The theory here is that you need to really understand course material to be able to teach it and/or critique your peers, so this enables more communication and a deeper processing of information.

Furthermore, each student has a dedicated program advisor who serves as their support system throughout their studies by being their single point of contact for any needs. Additionally, since each program is designed for employability, the mentorship program boasts industry-leading professionals who guide students to help accomplish their goals. Along with peers, this well-rounded system ensures that students have the knowledge and resources they need to succeed both academically and upon graduation.

Source: Unsplash

4. You can take classes on your phone. Fact

That’s right, as long as you have an internet connection, you can learn from anywhere, at any time — even from your phone! The only time you’ll need access to a desktop or laptop is when taking an exam. Because of this accessibility, refugees are even able to attend UoPeople from anywhere in the world. In fact, we have students from over 200 countries and territories enrolled.

5. You can transfer credits. Fact

Perhaps you’ve attended school before, but never finished your degree. Or you obtained a degree and want a higher one. Or perhaps you have just decided to change your careers and life direction. Great, we support it all!

At UoPeople, you can transfer your credits so that the time, money, and energy spent on your previous studies does not go wasted. You can even transfer Advanced Placement (AP) credits from high school to apply towards your degree. Additionally, through various university partnerships with NYU Abu Dhabi, University of California, Berkeley, University of Edinburgh, and the International Baccalaureate, you can complete programs like UoPeople’s Associates and then transfer the credits to earn your Bachelor’s at these traditional institutions.

6. The Pope attended UoPeople. Fiction

Well, that one is a little bit of a stretch! However, the Pope did endorse UoPeople’s model and existence when he met with the University’s Founder and President Shai Reshef. Furthermore, the White House and United Nations have all expressed their support of UoPeople. Non-profit organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, and Ford Foundation have all invested money into UoPeople to offer scholarships for qualified students and refugees to advance their education.

7. You Have to Study at a Certain Hour. Fiction

With the online nature of the classes, you can literally study 24/7. As mentioned before, the only requirement is an internet connection (and a good attitude is always welcomed)! This means that you don’t have to forgo other commitments like a job or caring for your family in order to make it to class in time. The ability to schedule your school around your life in whatever way you choose can better set you up for success as you can design how to manage your time.

8. A Current Olympic Champion Studies with Us. Fact

Her name is Simone Biles and it’s a fact that she won the gold medals in the 2016 Olympics for her individual all-around, vault and floor routines. As one of our more than 750 global ambassadors, Simone Biles says that she is grateful for UoPeople’s model because she had previously felt like she was sacrificing her education when she didn’t attend UCLA to pursue her gold medals instead. With UoPeople, she was able to do both, and of course, she does it all superbly!

Source: Wikipedia

Furthermore, there’s even a scholarship named after her — the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund. As she was a foster child herself, she partnered with UoPeople to offer financial assistance to foster children who wish to attend the university.

She shared, “At the end of the day, life circumstances shouldn’t define you or keep you from your goals. I believe in the power of hard work. I know that dedication and desire can make the impossible possible and I want to help remove barriers that keep a college degree out of reach for those that truly want it.”

That’s Not All

While we’ve hit the big ones here, you still may have many questions, and we have answers! You can check out these 5 surprising facts about UoPeople, read our FAQs, explore student stories, or get in touch with us directly as we’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have.