Welcome. We’ll see you through. welcome2uopx.com 2 Congratulations. Welcome to University of Phoenix. You’re about to embark on a journey that will challenge you, inspire you and help you impact your family and community in more ways than you can imagine. It may seem like you have a lot to do to get ready for your adventure. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you through. Remember, a team of advisors is dedicated to helping you succeed every step of the way. I look forward to seeing where this experience leads you. Sincerely, Bill Pepicello, PhD President, University of Phoenix 3 Working and going to school can be challenging. But it’s worth it. 4 Our approach is a bit untraditional. But that’s why you chose us. 5 Online tools to support your busy life Start using these online tools and resources right away. They’re here to help you save time and effort, and are vital to your success: 1. eCampus: Meet fellow classmates and your instructor, and gain access to essential resources, your account information and student email. 2. University Library: Our library never closes, offering thousands of scholarly publications, ebooks and multimedia at your fingertips. 3. University of Phoenix Mobile App: Keep up with your coursework and your classmates on the go. 4. Life Resource Center: Find the resources and articles you need to balance all facets of your life, including health, career coaching, finances, child or elderly care and counseling. 6 Online tools to support your busy life 5. Centers for Mathematics and Writing Excellence: Get additional support from tutors, online tutorials, guides and software training. 7. Academic Support Communities: Find math, writing and learning skills support through our communities on PhoenixConnect. 6. PhoenixConnect® academic social network: Connect with students, alumni and faculty around the world. 8. University Marketplace: As a student, you can always use a little extra cash in your pocket. Earn discounts and cash-back rewards on thousands of items in our marketplace. 7 Be prepared. Coursework will be harder than you expect. And much more rewarding. 8 eCampus ecampus.phoenix.edu How to access your online classroom: Log on to ecampus.phoenix.edu Type in the username and password you created when you applied for admission. 2. Chat Room: Students and faculty can exchange their bios as well as non-classroom related discussions. Explore your eCampus classroom 1. Main Classroom: Here online students will attend class and participate in discussions. Local campus students hold in-class discussions. 3. Course Materials Forum: Find your course syllabus and instructor policies here. 9 eCampus ecampus.phoenix.edu 4. Learning Team: Share messages and work with your team to collaborate on projects. 7. Materials Tab: View your course readings and materials here. 5. Individual: This is a private forum for communication and feedback from your instructor. 8. Help: Use the Customer Support Online Knowledgebase to help you troubleshoot eCampus classroom issues. 6. Assignment Tab: Set at the top of the student page use this tab to submit course assignments. 10 Expect to devote at least 15 to 20 hours per week to your education. That’s what it takes to succeed. 11 University Library Tap into a vast resource. Look under the Library tab on eCampus for your University Library. Here you’ll have access to extensive academic content and support services to enable you to quickly research papers and class assignments. Simply type in your keyword or topic of interest to start your research. ecampus.phoenix.edu 12 Center for Writing Excellence ecampus.phoenix.edu Prepare to write papers for every course you take. Look under the Library tab on eCampus for the Center for Writing Excellence, accessible 24/7. Discover online writing tools and resources to help you with writing and grammar questions like APA style, business writing and more. Riverpoint Writer®. Our best-kept secret. Download the software and it will automatically plug into Microsoft® Word. You can create a document that’s consistent with the University’s Writing & Style Guidelines and the sixth edition of the “Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.” Download it as soon as you can. Plagiarism Checker. Put all your papers through the rigorous standards of the Plagiarism Checker. It will generate a plagiarism percentage for your paper and you can edit accordingly. 13 Center for Mathematics Excellence ecampus.phoenix.edu Rebuild your confidence in math. Log into eCampus and look under the Library tab for the Center for Mathematics Excellence, accessible 24/7. Gain access. – Tips and tools – Videos – Practice math sheets Live tutoring sessions. Join live group classes where faculty discusses topics and questions from your course. You can also receive one-on-one tutoring sessions for personalized attention from a math coach. Live math tutoring is available for selected courses only. 14 Focus on your career goals. We’ve got your back. 15 Phoenix Career Services ecampus.phoenix.edu Your complete career resource. Look for Phoenix Career Services under Quick Links on your eCampus homepage. Jumpstart your job search with this online resource for students and alumni. With this complimentary service you’ll: – Discover helpful tools and expert advice. – Gather the latest intelligence on your career search. – Develop your professional resumé, cover letter and work samples. – Review thousands of sample resumés and cover letters written by professional resumé writers and career counselors for all experience levels. 16 Get your family on board. Discuss how changes over the next few years will make a difference in all your lives. 17 Life Resource Center ecampus.phoenix.edu Balance it all out — your home, work and school life. Find the Life Resource Center under Quick Links on your eCampus homepage. Take advantage of a resource not many educational institutions offer: – Life and career coaching – Being a better parent while going to school – Daily time and study management – Balancing relationships and family with professional – Healthy ways to manage stress and academic goals – Financial advice – Health and nutrition for an alert mind and body – Managing transitions at work and home 18 Student Resource Center At your local campus For online and on-campus students — our Student Resource Centers (SRC) are open to you. Everything you need to get your work done is here: computers, printers, fax and copy machines and more. Reserve a meeting room at the SRC for: – A quiet place to study before class – In-person meetings with your Learning Team – Virtual meetings with your Learning Team – Skype with Learning Team members when they can’t be onsite 19 Own your work. Offer professional thoughts, opinions and experiences. All while keeping it real. 20 Certificate of Originality ecampus.phoenix.edu Show your coursework is original and true to you with the Certificate of Originality form. Look for the form under the Classroom tab on eCampus in your Course Materials. Follow these guidelines to submit your form: – Read, e-sign and save your Certificate of Originality form as soon as you can. – Submit the form with every Individual Assignment due to your instructor. – You can use the form for each course. – If you cannot locate the form, please contact your instructor. – If you cannot open and save the form, please contact Technical Support at 877.832.4867. 21 21 Contact us General Information 866.766.0766 Life Resource Center 866.320.2817 Technical Support877.832.4867 Transcripts800.866.3919 The University’s Central Administration is located at 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282. Online Campus: 3157 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, AZ 85034. © 2012 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | UOPX-01466 22 A personal note from your advisor Congratulations on your first day! I’m excited that you’ve taken the first step toward becoming a Phoenix. And I look forward to helping you throughout your educational journey. I’ll be calling you soon to help you go over this guide and much more. In the meantime, please contact me with any questions you may have. Good luck! Support every step of the way Join us on PhoenixConnect: ecampus.phoenix.edu Friend us on Facebook: facebook.com/universityofphoenix Follow us on Twitter: @UOPX and @AskPhoenix welcome2upox.com I am committed 25 Tip Read the materials. You’ll discuss them online or in class, and you’ll apply them to your assignments. I am supported 27 Tip Get the help you need. If your advisor isn’t available, we have plenty more on hand, just as qualified to help. 28 FAQ for financing your degree Q. What is the maximum amount available for Pell Grants and student loan assistance? A. Maximum Pell Grants eligibility in the 20122013 award year is $5,550. Pell Grants may be awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Maximum federal financial aid loans eligibility for undergraduate students varies by grade level and dependency status. Visit studentaid. ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/ studentloans.jsp for more information. Graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 in federal financial aid loans. Q. How long does it take for loans to be processed? A. Processing times for loans can vary from student to student, depending on individual situations and documentation requirements. On average, loan processing is completed within 45 to 60 days of the start of the first course in a new academic year. For questions or concerns about the timeliness of the award process, please contact your Finance Advisor. 29 FAQ for financing your degree Q. How often are disbursements scheduled? A. Federal financial aid loans and Pell Grants disburse twice during the academic year, at the beginning of each payment period. Please refer to your award letter or contact your Finance Advisor for specific disbursement dates. Q. What other sources of funding are available to assist students? A. There are many sources of funding for educational purposes. Please see our Financial Options page at phoenix.edu/tuition_and_ financial_options/financial_options.html for further information, or contact your Finance Advisor for additional resources. Q. What scholarships are available? A. You may be eligible to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship path and resources, including lists of University of Phoenix and external scholarships, are available at phoenix.edu/scholarships I am driven 31 Tip Be patient. Our instructors teach, work and have families. So detailed feedback on your assignments may take time. I am ready 33 Tip Take as many workshops as you can. You’ll learn the skills you need to succeed in the classroom. 34 Noteworthy I am a Phoenix 35 Noteworthy I am a Phoenix 36 Start out on the right foot Countdown to Day 1. Discover tips, tools and advice designed to help you prepare for your first day of class at University of Phoenix. 37 To do: 5 days before class Pre-walk to class with your advisor. Log on to ecampus.phoenix.edu Walk through eCampus with your Enrollment Advisor. Familiarize yourself with the University Library, Center for Writing Excellence, the Plagiarism Checker and more. Download Riverpoint Writer® today so you can be ready for your first assignment. On-campus students: Find your course syllabus in your Classroom and look it over. 38 To do: 4 days before class Access your textbooks and save on software. Log on to ecampus.phoenix.edu Go to Account and start filling in My Profile. Tell us about yourself and start building your goals. Find your online textbooks for your first course and begin your studies. Use your student discount to save on Microsoft® Office and Adobe® software through the University Marketplace. 39 To do: 3 days before class Start your first assignment. Online students: Write a 200 to 300 word autobiography to introduce yourself to your classmates and instructors, due the first day of class. Tell us who you are, what you do, why you’re here and what real-world experience you bring to the table. Look through the course materials for your first class assignment. Start now. On-campus students: Check your course syllabus to see if you have an autobiography due within your eCampus. 40 To do: 2 days before class Meet your UOPX community. If you haven’t completed your first class assignment, finish it now. Join the conversation on PhoenixConnect: ecampus.phoenix.edu Friend us on Facebook: facebook.com/universityofphoenix Follow us on Twitter: @UOPX and @AskPhoenix Keep Tech Support on speed dial: 877.832.4867 41 To do: 1 day before class Prepare for your first day of class. Print out your syllabus. Follow it daily so you can keep up with your coursework. Take a breather. Have some downtime before the big day. Catch up with a friend or family member who’s going to cheer you on throughout your journey. 42 To do: Your first day of class Begin class today. Post your autobiography to the Chat Room if you haven’t already. Online students: Attend class after your Walk-to-Class with your Enrollment Advisor. Make sure your classroom website is functional and that all links are working. Understand each classroom folder and learn how to post responses to discussions. On-campus students: Attend class at your local campus or Learning Center. Bring a snack or your dinner with you and arrive early so you can find parking. 43 Tip Keep Tech Support on speed-dial. Your new best friend is on call 24/7. 877.832.4867 44 This is just the beginning welcome2upox.com Look through the materials at your own pace, and explore welcome2uopx.com. Click through the links to easily access our various online resources. And while you’re there, download an eCampus Guide for step-by-step instructions on navigating your online classroom and much more.