Is Phoenix the future? "Central components of the for-profit model such as increased use of part-time faculty, intensive formats, standardization, distributed and distance learning formats, an emphasis on assessment are all increasingly used in traditional universities. For-profits have come to symbolize the great transformation that is occurring in higher education, but are not the sole cause."
Comment: University of Phoenix enjoys an interesting position - rapid growth, strong revenue, and better branding than many traditional universities. Its model of delivering learning is praised and innovative and responsive...and criticized for lower standards and functioning without academic leaders/stars. For many traditional academics, U of Phoenix is everything that is wrong with education - an image that Phoenix appears to enjoy (the article highlights their combative spirit and self-perception as "anti-establishment").