University of Phoenix Works With Leading Community College Systems to Bring Affordable Higher Education and Degree Options to a Broad New Set of Learners

El Camino College (ECC) is a Los Angeles County-based college founded in 1947 that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). ECC offers two-year programs and serves over 30,000 students every year. The college holds roughly 2,500 classes in 200 programs and awarded roughly 4,000 degrees in 2019. 

ECC has entered into an educational alliance with University of Phoenix to offer community college students an affordable option for earning a bachelor's degree in a variety of high-demand disciplines such as nursing, IT and healthcare.

The 3+1 Transfer Program allows ECC students to complete three years of general degree requirements before applying to transfer their credits to University of Phoenix, where they can then complete the rest of their coursework and earn a bachelor's degree. Students can complete the 11 courses needed for graduation from University of Phoenix in as little as 14 months. The University even waives all fees and tuition expenses for each eligible student's first course. University of Phoenix offers all transfer program students a special Associate Degree transfer tuition rate for their remaining courses. With this special rate, students can enjoy an average of $144 in additional savings per course.

The alliance makes strategic sense on many levels, and launching the program was an easy decision to make. Both ECC and University of Phoenix share a commitment to offering students the best way forward in their educational journeys, and they both relentlessly focus on preparing students for life in the workplace. Context-based coursework, a focus on industrial applications, workplace scenarios and realistic modeling of issues and challenges provide students with first-hand training that can help them excel in their jobs, whatever their line of work may be.

ECC President Dena P. Maloney stated that the College is pleased to work with University of Phoenix and happy to help their students earn degrees they may never have imagined were possible. All it takes is for ECC students to transfer their eligible credits - up to a maximum of 87 - towards a bachelor's degree with University of Phoenix. The remaining 33 credits needed to graduate are then completed at the University in 11 courses that are taken one course at a time every five weeks. Students can earn their degrees in as little as 14 months and benefit from lifetime access to the University's alumni network, learning resources and placement office services. 

University of Phoenix Provost John Woods echoed the sentiments of his ECC counterpart, saying how exciting the new arrangement with ECC with the many opportunities it opens for students to earn degrees in popular growth industries such as nursing, IT and healthcare. Together, ECC and University of Phoenix can help students focus their energy toward earning a bachelor's degree and starting their careers on the right track.

University of Phoenix launched a similar initiative with Houston Community College (HCC). As a member of the 3+1 Transfer Program, HCC's alliance with University of Phoenix will provide students with a smooth and clear pathway toward bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields. HCC representative Zachary Schroeder stated that HCC aligns very closely with the University when it comes to their vision of how to prepare students for the workplace. The 3+1 Transfer Program not only provides prospective students with cost savings but also a richer, wider target market that can help them - and the organizations they join - meet their business, personal and professional goals.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix has pioneered the concept of flexible, user-focused learning tailored to the unique goals and challenges of today's busy working learner. The University provides a wide range of degree and certificate programs designed to help students excel in the workplace. Self-paced, interactive learning ensures no student is left behind. Learn more about programs, offerings and benefits at https://www.phoenix.edu/. 

About El Camino College

El Camino College has trained the best and brightest minds of Los Angeles County for over 70 years and provides roughly 2,500 classes in 200 programs to 30,000 students every year. With an award-winning faculty, the college is a leader in the region and is committed to student success and attainment. Learn more at https://www.elcamino.edu/. 

About Houston Community College

Houston Community College operates in Houston, Missouri City, Greater Katy and Stafford, Texas. The college actively recruits internationally and has open enrollment policies that do not require English proficiency since the college provides an 18-month English proficiency program and remedial course to all eligible students. Learn more at https://www.hccs.edu/.