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Comprehensive document provides detailed overview of University innovations and student achievements

���۴�ý proudly announces the release of its Academic Annual Report, a comprehensive document spotlighting innovation, academic advancements across its seven Colleges, and notable accomplishments by students, faculty, and alumni. This year's document continues the tradition of detailed and transparent reporting, offering insights into University operations and outcomes. The report also showcases the results of the third annual Career Optimism Index® study, a survey and analysis providing a nuanced understanding of workplace trends. The release of the Report underscores the University's commitment to transparency and its dedication to fostering academic excellence.

“This year’s Academic Annual Report celebrates our innovation, commitment and drive in transforming higher education,” states John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer. “We are providing even more value to students with skills-aligned programs, digital badges that allow our students to display their skills in real time, and insights into workplace sentiment from our Career Optimism Index® study. These are just a few examples of how we are shaping a more flexible, relevant, and impactful educational experience for our students.”

As a leading innovator in online higher education, ���۴�ý furthered its accomplishments in 2023 with: 

• Building upon 45 years of continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the University's institutional accreditation was once again reaffirmed in 2023 for 10 more years.

• Expanding its innovative skills-mapped curriculum, focused on the working adult learner, to include 100 percent of associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs open for new enrollment now being fully skills-mapped. 

• Generous transfer credit policies, scholarships, and discounts for qualifying students. In FY2023, ���۴�ý students saved over $100 million in tuition alone.

• Digital badging, which allows students to share their achievements and skills quickly on digital platforms and job boards. As of December 2023, the University had issued more than 450,000 badges.

• University of ���۴�ý Career Institute® produced its third annual Career Optimism Index® study, which revealed key trends in talent mobility and employer and employee perceptions.

• The Career Navigator launched in 2023, allowing students to easily reference their skills profile, explore career goals, search job postings, and navigate their career journey all in one place.

The Report also details how the University continues to improve student outcomes though a variety of support services available to students. In FY2023, ���۴�ý students earned 56,200 bachelor’s degrees, 13,500 master’s degrees and 2,300 doctoral degrees. The College of Business and Information Technology had 13,410 program completions, the College of Health Professions had 3,565 program completions, and the College of Social and Behavioral sciences had 3,181 program completions in FY2023. University students also report high satisfaction with their programs, with 90% of surveyed students reporting that their program aligns to their chosen career path.  

Students and alumni have lifelong access to career tools and resources, including career exploration support, job search planning, resumé reviews, personal brand development, networking and interviewing preparation. Committed academic counselors, the Center for Writing Excellence and Center for Mathematics Excellence, and a host of on-demand resources like virtual study groups, video tutorials and real-time support via the University chatbot, Phoebe ®, round out the robust academic support available to students.

Faculty highlights include the achievements and thought leadership of its more than 2,400 faculty and instructors across all seven colleges producing 1,240 instances of scholarship in 2023. ���۴�ý practitioner faculty bring more than an advanced degree to the classroom. As working professionals who are encouraged to stay current in their professions and participate in academic and scholarly activities, the University’s faculty bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Recognizing the role and value that practitioner–scholars bring to the classroom, ���۴�ý fosters a culture of research, scholarship and professional currency among faculty. 

���۴�ý’s robust Alumni Chapters and the accomplishments of several prominent alumni are also featured in this year’s report. In 2023, the University held 51 networking events for local alumni chapters and organized volunteer opportunities for alumni wishing to give back to their local communities.

Read the complete Academic Annual Report and view the Provost’s video message here.

About ���۴�ý

���۴�ý innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit  phoenix.edu/blog.html.