The University of Phoenix (UoP) is a for-profit eucational institution that specializes in adult education. The largest private university in the world, UoP claims over 280,000 students. Founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling and owned by Apollo Group, Inc., the university has now expanded to include physical campuses in 38 states, as well as in Canada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The university offers more than 100 degree programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels in various fields of study.