University Of Phoenix Recruiter LIES To Undercover ABC Producer About Job Possibilities (WATCH)

Following the recent revelation that for-profit college recruiters often use deceptive tactics when reaching out to potential students, ABC News decided to go undercover and see if that was still the case at the University of Phoenix.

Short answer: Yes.

A University of Phoenix recruiter guaranteed an undercover producer that, after completing a bachelor's of science of education program at the school, he would be able to find a job as a teacher in New York or Texas. Additional research by ABC proved otherwise.

University of Phoenix President William Pepicello responded to the sting: "Can we do better? Absolutely."

WATCH the full report:

Comments

[Jebus Chris]

05:00 PM on 09/13/2010

Never trust a college that advertises during The Jerry Springer Show.

[adventuregnome]

10:39 PM on 09/09/2010

I teach at an accredited for-profit University - not UoP, but one of their direct competitors. Many dilettantes on The Huffington Post claim that the degrees we offer are worthless, and employers refuse to consider candidates unless they've graduated from "traditional" schools. It's simply untrue. Since I began teaching four years ago, I have watched nearly all of my students, one after another, land jobs in their field within a year of graduating (the fastest turnaround was five days). And they're all making good money, too - I only know of one student making less than $40k, others are as high as $75k.

Here's the truth: it doesn't matter where you go to school. If you work hard, know the material, and represent yourself well in job interviews, you'll likely get off to a good start in your career. For many people, for-profit education is the best fit. For others, community colleges or state schools work better.

[Rachell Jackson]

05:56 PM on 09/02/2010

I just want to start off by saying that a "traditional" college does not work for everyone, and that is where Universities like UOP come into play. I can only speak from my experience, but I am currently a student at UOP (ground campus) and have not had any problems as of yet. I work full time and that is the way it is when you have adult responsibilities, and do not have mommy & daddy to depend on for help, or anyone else in your family for that matter. You have to decide what works for you, and where you want to go in life. Every individual is different and how can anyone on here judge because of someone's decision to go to a private college opposed to a "traditional" college. Sure I could have gone to a community college, but I would be spending at least 3 years, if not more on a general education because I would only be able to attend part time, and even when I did attend community college for a short period of time they did not help me one bit in any way, shape or form. All costs came from my pocket. My advice for everyone is do not let people knock you down or discourage you about the choice of college you attend. A degree does not guarantee you a job, it will simply open up doors, and the hard work is up to you. Don't give up! :)

[adventuregnome]

11:00 PM on 09/09/2010

Rachell, I teach at a rival for-profit school that operates similarly to UoP. I've read a few of your comments, and your story is familiar to me. Many of my students are the first in their families to attend college. The challenges they've had to overcome in their lives are staggering. They don't often have strong support from family or friends. For many of them, for-profit education is the best option they have to improve their lives.

I read some of the comments on The Huffington Post regarding for-profit schools and I marvel at how uninformed some people are about how for-profits operate. Do these people not realize how invested educators are to their students? My students are like my children, and every day that I get up and find myself behind a podium, I deliver the best education money can buy. I'm not some sleazy capitalist scheming ways to bilk naive kids out of their hard earned cash. That stereotype does not reflect any of the faculty, administrators, or corporate leaders within our University, by the way.

Keep pursuing your education, and don't let anyone stand in your way. I've watched graduate after graduate land amazing jobs in their field. In fact, very few of my students (maybe ten percent) have not found industry work within a year of receiving their degrees. Stay focused on your goals, Rachell, and don't let anything (or anyone) stop you from achieving them!

[Leanna Fain]

12:03 PM on 08/27/2010

Why do my comments keep getting deleted?

[Trojansarah]

08:27 AM on 08/26/2010

Anyone else amused by the advertisement for Western Governors University at the top of this page?

[Leanna Fain]

12:12 PM on 08/27/2010

Why? Here to bash them too? Wait! You worked for THEM too, right?

[sheera691]

09:13 PM on 08/24/2010

Getting really aggravated here. Many people who attend UoP have real degrees that earn them REAL money. I did the research before I signed on. My enrollment counselor was nothing but professional. She was in no way pushy. I was told I could start when I was ready. I cannot believe these people are actually commenting on a school that they have not attended! You can't discuss a school when you have no first hand knowledge of it. A recruiter was bad, ok, got that. But let me just say that I attended a local technical college and got NO response from my instructor. It usually took him a week to respond, and by then, I either gave up, turned in the assignment, or just attempted to figure things out on my own. I had ZERO help. My husband also attended the same college, and needed to take a break because his father was diagnosed with brain cancer and had no one to take care of him. My husband got permission from the school to take a break for this purpose and was assured that he would be allowed to return with no problems. Guess what? He was denied! They would not let him go back and he had to pay the full amount of his loans. Everyone needs to take a step back and re-evaluate their position. This is not just a "for profit" school problem!

[Amy Luedke]

03:12 AM on 08/23/2010

I am a student of UOP and I too was told that I could no longer pursue a carrer with them in Early Childhood Education. But only after a year and a half of going to there school for the Paraperfessional degree to become an Assistant Teacher in Pre-school. Before my sixth class in Februray I decided to go for the Lead Teacher degree that's when they sure you can change your program but not intill June 2010 did I learn it was never changed and Wisconsin no longer allows me to get an education for a EC Degree through UOP. Nice. So I'm still prusuing with UOP the Paraperfessional for Assistant. Now seeing this is everything a lie?

[AccuracyInReading]

04:42 AM on 08/23/2010

It may be for the better in your case Amy. You will now have the opportunity to choose a profession where the ability to spell correctly and express yourself in written form without multiple errors of grammar and usage isn't as critical as it is in the field of education. Alternatively, you could invest your time in improving your writing skills at a less-expensive public school and at some future point pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.

[berserk]

10:04 AM on 08/23/2010

I bet you are the loneliest person in the world.

[berserk]

10:08 AM on 08/23/2010

I wish you success Amy but I will say that my sister is attending UOP and she love it. She has nothing but positive things to say. I also have another sister who teaches at UOP and she love it as well. I really believe each case varies from person to person. But seriously I wish success.

[Adam Warrenchak]

01:44 AM on 08/23/2010

ScReW the system and college, just graduated with a dual major in political science and english. i didnt learn anything there i couldnt have learned in a public library. had a job all 4 years and am still empoyed with the state. the only reason i have that job is bc i used to skip class to work instead learned the system and aced some placement tests. i just started a company with a couple of friends and were doing pretty good. if people spent the amount of time in a library or even day dreaming and slowly workin on their goals as they do on pointless papers and group projects... you'll be successful. thats the truth, you want something go get it. dont listen to these critics telling you that you need a B.A. for this or a PhD. for that loans loans loans blah blah blah. were reaching a crossroad where my generation is starting to realize the value of the dollar. and for those that dont know... it counts for n0thing. its a representation of an inevitable transaction. Native Americans didnt use it and they were fine before you know who showed up. so the moral. education has been free forever, dont let anyone say otherwise. people will always have ambitions, and they will always work towards a way to achieve their goals, how and why would you want to put a price tag on that??

[AccuracyInReading]

04:50 AM on 08/23/2010

It is not clear where you graduated with your dual major in political science and English, but it is clear that spending your time working instead of going to class didn't improve your ability to write in a clear and correct manner without spelling and punctuation errors.

[EarDrummer]

06:37 PM on 08/22/2010

snake oil, anyone?

[angrypatriot22]

05:44 PM on 08/22/2010

If capitalism is to continue as the prevailing medium for exchange, certain constructs must be socialized to insure a basic standard of living is met all across the board. If this doesn't happen, we are destined for oblivion. The perversion of healthcare and education, the means by which we advance as a nation, as a world, by the almighty dollar has hindered us for too long. It hasn't gained us anything as a human race, but has changed the ways by which we survive. Our relationship with the planet has been severed by a worthless piece of paper. We must restore what has been lost and reconnect with the earth. This article clearly demonstrates the inherent evil in capitalism and that healthcare and education should not have anything to do with profit. The country will profit off of healthy and educated people once they have the means to achieve and become productive members of society.

[masterprogrammer]

03:50 PM on 08/22/2010

In addition, you spoke to the same person at Phoenix U that the woman who wanted to be a teacher did. It sounds like a problem with one recruiter, and perhaps a problem with oversight, but I don't really see a smoking gun here. That said, I do believe that full disclosure by the recruiters is appropriate. As the woman who wanted to be a teacher so eloquently pointed out, "Do your homework first."

[masterprogrammer]

03:46 PM on 08/22/2010

You could have done better with this story. The sting suggests that the recruiter withheld certain requirements to become a teacher, but the article does not say what those requirements might be. In the end, I don't really know any more now than I did after I saw the video, except that the President of Phoenix University says they could "do better."

[Leanna Fain]

02:19 PM on 08/22/2010

I attend University of Phoenix, am working on my AA in Healthcare Administration. How can you claim to know anything about this school unless you are a student? Even if you graduated in the past, alot of things are different now. I was never misled about anything. My FA advisor did not "con" me, neither did my enrollment advisor. However I, unlike some people, did my research on U of P BEFORE I agreed to anything. This is something that works for me because of responsibilties that I have right now. As the single mom of three young children, two of which have special needs and one very busy toddler, U of P offered me the option of staying home with my children (where they need me) as opposed to going to Niagara County Community College, which doesn't offer the program I want anyway! For those of you who say that going to community college would have been cheaper, I say to you: BULL! You don't know what you're talking about. If I chose NCCC, I would be paying over $400 per week in childcare, $150 per month for transportation, hundreds of dollars for books and other education related expenses! Since my books are on-line, I only pay a $70 e-resource fee for my books each block and I don't have any of the other expenses I would have if I went to NCCC.

[Iraqnophobia]

06:21 PM on 08/23/2010

true, but you also wouldnt have a $25000 student loan when you finish your AA either.

[formerroadie]

02:03 PM on 08/22/2010

When will conservatives in this country realize that greed produces lies and corruption at all costs. Look at commercials. Advertising is all about telling half truths or over exaggerating which are both lies in my book. Everything is the best with "our product" when all the products in that category basically do the same thing. It's nonsense.

[Andman0121]

10:31 AM on 08/22/2010

I dont mind that idi0ts are drawn into these for-profit universities. If they cant do sufficient research or have enough common sense to realize they are throwing away their money then that is entirely their fault. What I DO have a problem with is the fact that these universities recieve federal student aid and assistance. Heck, these same people take out federal loans and have difficulty paying them back since most employers laugh at your "credentials" and wont hire you!

Thats the rub with capitalism. You will have snake oil salesmen on every corner but you need to be smart enough to avoid them. Grow a brain.

[formerroadie]

02:05 PM on 08/22/2010

I do have a problem with it since it takes away from proper university incomes and budgets. It also dumbs down our workforce. I do have huge problems with federal loans going to these schools. They basically rip off the students by taking their loans. It's really gross.

[Leanna Fain]

02:27 PM on 08/22/2010

The funny thing is that as a student of U of P, I was given the OPTION of using student loans, my Pell covers my tuition and leaves me with a little refund. Some students DO choose to use student loans. I did but my counselor advised me to take some of my Pell and pay on the loans so that once I get out of school, my loans won't be so high. So, while my loans pay my tuition, half of my Pell disbursement goes toward my loans. With the other half of the Pell money, I buy things that I need for school such as supplies, and upgrades for my computer and printer. People really need to look a little further. I feel this story was one-sided and unfair. Just because ONE counselor did this doesn't mean that there is some HUGE conspiracy.

[adventuregnome]

11:18 PM on 09/09/2010

Many for-profit schools share the same accreditation as state schools and community colleges. That employers laugh at degrees from for-profit schools is an uninformed statement. At the for-profit where I work, ninety-percent of our students find work in their field of study within six months of graduating, making an average of $40,000 a year.

Ross University, a for-profit school, graduates more primary care physicians into the US than any other institution. Graduates from Becker, another for-profit school, consistently achieve the highest scores on CPA and CFA exams. Graduates of Keller, another for-profit, hold positions in every Fortune 500 company. Yes, clearly all these people need to "grow a brain," as you put it.