The American Martial Arts College

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Abner, Aug 28, 2008.

Loading...
  1. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Yes, I know. They are not accredited yet, but they are up front about it, and I hope they really do achieve accreditation in the future. This seems like an interesting, innovative and comprehensive program.

    http://www.amaconline.net/bachelor.html


    Abner :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2008
  2. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Right now it is just a guy with a website. I wouldn't call that innovative and comprehensive. Would be interesting to see what it becomes of it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2008
  3. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Which is why I plainly said it is not accredited. The site plainly states they are new, and are not accredited. If the written curriculum comes to light, it will be innovative and comprehensive. There is no way to know this at this point though. I posted it because it is something to keep an eye on.

    Abner
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2008
  4. macattack

    macattack New Member

    The link does not work right now... looks like the site is down.
     
  5. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

    I may take this on as a second bachelors...

    "So gimme that finance job or I'll karate-chop you in the face!!"

    Who wouldn't hire me??
     
  6. recruiting

    recruiting Member

    GROWING PAINS!!! :cool:
     
  7. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    I find it interesting the AMAC requires all general education courses be completed at a regionally accredited institution or through testing out, but excludes credit hours earned at nationally accredited institutions. Surely, the academic standards in a subject taught at a nationally accredited institution are at least as high as those for the various testing-out options.
     
  8. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    This isn't my cup of tea, but I suppose that martial arts ae as worthy a subject for a university degree as some of the other things that universities teach.

    Yeah, it does look like a guy with a website. His bio is here:

    http://www.amaconline.net/biographies.html

    Is he actually offering his classes and awarding his degrees? Or is he just talking about something that he'd like to do? How real is this?

    The curriculum is on the page that you posted, isn't it?

    http://www.amaconline.net/bachelor.html

    Class descriptions are here:

    http://www.amaconline.net/courses_fees.html

    $350/unit x 60 units = $21,000. Plus the cost of doing the 60 general ed units. Apparently his degree program isn't actually teaching any martial arts, though he requires and gives credit for advancing to specified ranks in an approved martial arts school (which would no doubt involve still more costs).

    Mr. McLendon writes this:

    "There are no other programs in existence (known by us) that have attempted to provide the curriculum and authentic accreditation this institution is seeking.* In addition, there are probably many other people who are much more qualified than Jason McLendon to do this, but they aren't doing it!"

    I'm not sure why this is something that needs doing or what utility these degrees would have. But as an old philosophy and religion major, that's not a new problem for me. One of these degrees might look good on a martial arts instructors' resume or something, I don't know. McLendon will have to make his school real first though, something more than a dream.

    If Mr. McLendon's dream is creating an accredited martial arts degree program, then it might make more sense to offer it as a new program at an already accredited college, rather than by starting an entirely new school from the ground up. That way he could avoid all the problems of finances and institutional governance and devote more of his attention to his program.
     
  9. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I assume The American Martial Arts College is operated from a garage.
     
  10. RobbCD

    RobbCD New Member

  11. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Especially considering it appears he's targeting ACICS (NA) for accreditation, although I used to teach for a NA school and they would only consider faculty with RA credentials, so go figure.
     
  12. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    This is the kind of program that would benefit greatly from a shift in focus, and these types of programs raise my blood pressure. Like culinary arts (sorry), many of the "practitioners" aspire to open their own restaurant/dojo. Why a focus on BA instead of business???? Wouldn't someone who has studied martial arts for a dozen or so years already have a deep understanding of their own style? Wouldn't they continue to study under their own sensei? Why attend this "college?" And why exactly would anyone care about another style or the history of anyother style? Again, like culinary, a degree in this subject doesn't really advance your competency in any way- yet we are talking about a competency based field. What would be the PURPOSE of this type of degree? Clearly, there is a rank system in martial arts already..... so it's not like you can do this instead of actually enrolling in a martial arts school and working on your belts. This type of degree (like culinary) tricks people into thinking that they can go AROUND the industry and land somewhere at the top when in reality they end up right back a the bottom....confused.
     
  13. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    I am not quite sure I understand your post, perhaps I am dense. In my case, I have expert rank in different Martial Art systems. Will this program make an advanced martial artist more proficient in his art/arts? Probably not. It would quantify the Martial Artists credentials in a manner that his cohorts would not have. What do I mean? The lineage of Martial Arts rank is in part determined by the legitimacy of ones master/masters, and there is no accreditation per se. My expert ranks can easily be traced in the MA community, and my rank comes from world renowned experts. This sets one apart from the McDojo, that merely sells rank.

    In the case of a Martial Arts school, a degree would merely give one a boost up. Why? It is unusual for a Martial Artist to actually have an accredited degree in Martial Arts. Does he need it to teach? No. Can it hurt to have the degree? No. To use Bill Dayson's example, I guess it would be similar to having a philosophy degree. I think an accredited MA degree would look good if one wanted to teach at a State U, for example. An accredited degree would lend credence when dealing with someone (prospective employer) ignorant of the Martial Art ranking system, and how to determine its legitimacy.

    As far as your comment about tricking people into thinking they could just start from the bottom and go straight to the top? I don't think any degree can do that. If someone is tricked into to that, they could probably be tricked into just about anything.

    Thanks for your comments!

    Abner :)

    P.S. As a long time DL student, I am not endorsing this school. My only intent was to opine that there curriculum concept is of interest (if it ever becomes reality), nothing more, nothing less. If there are any newbies reading this, I would recommend always going to an accredited school, no matter what the discipline.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2008
  14. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    Yeah, I know...I'm just too tired today to condense my soapbox rantings into a few cohesive paragraphs....but I'll try.
    I'm not a martial artist, but I have 3 sons who are. So, my experience is limited, but none the less, this is something I have been involved with for 8 years (as a parent) My children's training happens at their dojo. For them, karate will either a) fade away b) continue as a lifelong hobby and fitness activity c) a stepping stone to owning their own dojo. In options a and b, their needs are already being met. In option c, a business degree would be very appropriate (while continuing with option b). I don't understand who the BA in Martial Arts (absent business courses) would actually benefit? As you know, each style is different, certainly a general program on "martial arts" can't provide the depth as well as the study they can get from their own (well paid) sensei. HE is the expert, and his sensei before, and so it goes.

    An accredited degree would lend credence when dealing with someone (prospective employer) ignorant of the Martial Art ranking system, and how to determine its legitimacy

    Mmmmm.....I'm not buying that. What prospective employer would care about a martial arts degree? How would that add any more credence than your black belt? (which actually IS impressive)
     
  15. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    That's fine. We can disagree. However, the fact is, we live in a credentialist society. Are my Black Belt Certificates/Diplomas credentials? In the MA world, yes. Can non Martial Artists decipher the sometimes complicated lineage tree system of rank? Probably not. I do not understand why a Degree in Martial Arts does not seem feasible to you. Well known RA Universities offer degrees in this discipline, so there is an obvious need for them. Many of the McDojos in existence today only show a few feel good aspects of sports martial arts, without touching upon all of the aspects a true Martial Artist should possess. This is where a University curriculum comes in. Many assume a Black Belt means a PhD level of study in the Arts. Is this the case today? Sadly, many times no. Presently, we deal with "Black Belt Academies" which bestow BB's upon children, and declare them deadly experts. After 32 years of study (I started at 10), I only now consider myself to be at the PhD level of Martial Arts, though a humble student at the same time.

    I would therefore submit, a degree in MA is no different than the study of any other number of disciplines. What can an accredited degree do? It can give a martial artist an extra credential to supplement his rank/ranks. It can increase his chances of being hired for a job that requires credential verification aside from how many Grandmasters one has studied under. Do I personally need it? No. I don't teach for the money. I merely want to pass on a legacy.

    Once again, thanks for your comments. I wish your sons well, and I hope they continue onward.

    Sensei/Sifu Abner :)
     
  16. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Hi Bill,

    At this point it looks like he is taking surveys to research whether or not he wants to even start this venture. I am curious as to whether he will ever get it off the ground. He already has some well known RA Universities to compete with.

    Abner
     
  17. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    Thanks for the encouragement for my sons.
    I do understand your points, and the premise of getting a degree for the purpose of credentials is very valid. Much like the person who CLEPs their liberal arts degree at TESC...I get it; I support the concept and I understand the utility - I'm 100% on board.
    My disagreement is with degrees, like this one and many others, which attempt to override a system that already has a meaningful system of rank/competency in place in the name of "education." I can name several examples, I'm not picking on martial arts.
    I didn't mean for this to pick up momentum, I'll go center my chi.
     
  18. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Students that graduate from universities in other parts of the world (Asia in particular) with a martial arts degree are also certified to teach K-12 PE. That would be one reason. In the US it would probably be tied more to a business or asian studies program.
     
  19. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>


    Ok, ok, ok. :rolleyes:
     
  20. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I see martial arts as a perfectly valid field of study, especially when approached like this school wants to do; integrating Asian languages and culture into the degree program.

    However, I see the DL study of martial arts as more a validation of existing skill; it's one of those things you really need to do "hands on" rather than by videotape. ;)
     

Share This Page