Apollo Group, Inc. announces educational partnership with AT&T.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 1995--Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:APOL) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, the University of Phoenix (UOP), the nation's sixth largest private accredited university, and AT&T, the leader in global communications, have formed an educational partnership to provide graduate and undergraduate degree and certificated learning programs to 200,000 AT&T employees worldwide.

"AT&T is committed to providing learning for its employees and organizations via partnerships with world-class universities who offer their services worldwide, and are dedicated to supporting our strategy of using technology to provide learning solutions quicker, better and cheaper," said Dr. June P. Maul, AT&T School of Business Director for Global Operations Products and Services Development.

Key to the alliance is an articulation agreement between UOP and the AT&T School of Business (ASB) which enables UOP to award undergraduate and graduate program credit for certain course work completed through ASB.

According to Richard Pleban, business manager for the AT&T School of Business, more than 100 ASB courses have been mapped to the various degree programs offered through this partnership. "A large percentage of these courses will be eligible for University of Phoenix course credit, based on American Council on Education/Program on Non Collegiate Sponsored Instruction (ACE/PONSI) credit recommendations," said Pleban.

Said to be the largest and most comprehensive alliance between private industry and an accredited, degree-granting university to date, the partnership will provide AT&T managers with various ways of participating in UOP's programs, depending on their own schedule and availability. AT&T working adult students may choose to participate on campus at any one of UOP's 42 campuses and learning centers. Classes generally meet one night a week for five or six weeks per course and students also meet weekly to collaborate as part of a study group.

Tele-education is another delivery option, providing classes that link UOP faculty to selected off-site locations, through real time audiographic teleconferencing.

Students, especially those who travel frequently, may find Online education more feasible. Computer text based, Online education is both interactive and participative with students and faculty communicating electronically, making possible group learning that is independent of time and location.

AT&T students may also choose the Directed Study option, in which they complete degree program requirements independently, completing five or six weekly modules and communicating one-on-one with faculty by telephone, modem, fax or mail.

"This partnership is indicative of how the AT&T School of Business will lead the way to develop corporate training structures and programs that effectively meet the complex and fast-evolving learning needs of a highly mobile global community of professionals," said Dr. Maul.

Headquartered in Somerset, NJ, the AT&T School of Business provides more than 300 individual programs for AT&T managers ranging from individual course work to certificated learning and specialized training programs.

"The University of Phoenix is uniquely positioned to respond with a variety of degree completion options to the complex learning needs of a global corporation such as AT&T," said John Sears, Vice President of UOP's Center for Distance Education.

"The magnitude of this education assignment with AT&T and the fact that we are so well prepared to deliver these academic programs are a tribute to the vision and high academic standards of our founder, Dr. John Sperling, who early in our University's existence, once said: It is only by transforming education from something that is accomplished prior to entering the workforce into a lifelong learning process that our country can regain its competitive position in the world marketplace. Labor is our only renewable resource and it must constantly be improved through education and training.'"

Incorporated in 1976, the University of Phoenix was accredited in 1978 by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). One of the six regional accrediting agencies in the U.S., the NCA encompasses 19 states.

A private educational institution, the University of Phoenix offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs in business, management, technology management, education, counseling and nursing. More than 80% of the University's working adult students are enrolled in business or management.

Apollo Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries the University of Phoenix, the Institute for Professional Development and Western International University, is one of the largest providers of higher education programs for working adults in the United States, with total enrollment exceeding 36,000 students. Educational programs and services are offered at more than 70 campuses and learning centers in 25 states, Puerto Rico and London.

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