Considering American Public University

Here's the deal. I graduated in May of this year from my local university with a BBA in Entrepreneurship, and began hitting the pavement looking for a job immediately after. When it was finally said and done, it's August and I still have a few more interviews lined up, but found that I seriously want to go back to school for the higher pay grade.

However, there are some issues. I'd go back to my alma mater, but after having a horrible experience as an undergraduate with the school, and I'm late admissions-wise, that's totally out of the option. I haven't taken the GMAT or GRE (again, grad school wasn't on my mind when I was finishing up my undergrad, or immediately after), and I want to start some sort of education before the grace period of my student loan was up (ends in December unless I attend at least half-time somewhere).

So after much digging, I found an online school that meets my budget. American Public University. It's only $70 more per course credit than my alma mater, so I figured that would do. I've spent the past few days looking into reviews of the school, checked and double-checked its accreditation, and even called my alma mater to see if the grad school here would accept admissions from APU, which they replied "yes" considering it is a regionally accredited institution.

That's great and all, believe me. But I want to hear it straight from the students who have either attended the school for their Masters or received their graduate degrees from the school. How's the program structure? Challenging, fast-paced? Are the problems in regards to Financial Aid true?

To those who acquired a degree from APU, specifically a MBA, either General or within any of the particular concentrations, how has this degree benefited you? Do your employers recognize the institution? Have opportunities for employment greatly increase? Does the program accreditation genuinely matter (AMU's MBA program has ACBSP accreditation, for the record my alma mater's program accreditation was IACBE)? If you just happen to be a hiring manager, would you hire a graduate from APU?

I welcome your experiences and thoughts on the matter, both good and bad, before making a decision. Thanks in advance!

 

I am and I would. It all depends on the other experiences the candidate has.

 

It depends on your experience, but only graduate from APU would be "NO" for me.

 

This may be a little off topic ... but ....

What kind of work experience do you have? If you have a BBA with no experience then an MBA with no experience would not bump up your pay grade in my opinion. I see an MBA as opening up extra opportunities for those that already have experience.

I'm not a fan of people that just got a bachelors degree going further into debt getting additional degrees. Get a job, get experience and pay for the MBA yourself.

 

I concur with Tekman - with no experience I discount graduate degrees - but that said I give high points for someone capable of critical thinking and problem solving. With experience the graduate degree could be a decider between two otherwise equally qualified job candidates. I would have no issue with a degree from APU.

 

Does this mean that you will not hire a person with on online only degree? Or that you would not hire someone from APU/AMU?

 

I agree completely an MBA degree without experience will not get you much. Get at least three to five years of work experience under your belt, then you can start looking for a graduate degree.

 

It means that I would not hire a person with graduate degree and minimal experience. I don't have any thing against online degree. I earned my Bachelor degree through online from Troy University, and 1/2 of my Master from SMU via distance learning. Now, I am doing Ph.D at Nova Southeastern University via limited residency. Therefore, a college degree does not determine your employment and promotion, but experiences play a big role.

 

I agree with you 100% :biggrin: I misread your previous statement. :smile:

 

I am finishing my undergrad at AMU. I have had great feedback on my degree and resume. It has only helped me. My wife is a graduate student at APU majoring in Transportation and Logistics Management with a concentration in reverse logistics. She will graduate this spring. We both have had great experiences with APUS.

As the others said above though, the degree is part of the larger package you present to a prospective employer.

If you have any specific questions about the school, please let me know.

 

My best friend goes to APUS trying to get his Bachelors in Public Health and he seems to enjoy it.

 

In regards to APUS, I have a masters in public health and have decided to do a second in political science/public policy. I have enjoyed the school and think it has great value. That having been said I am already in a job I am not likely to leave unless forced. The second degree is due to an interest in public policy as it relates to healthcare, and my work will pay for it. I found most students at APUS had decent jobs or were military and working towards a degree to go with the impressive qualifications already earned when there time was up. It is putative in our culture that any general masters becomes more valuable if augmenting experience. I would think it is a little different if the masters is geared toward a specific job (engineering, nursing, social work, counseling, physical therapy, physician assistant, etc.).

As far as the courses, most are very good and challenging. I find the instructors to be knowledgeable and helpful. The workload varies from course to course but for the most part, you write. I have only had one class that had online exams, most have several papers over subject matter in assigned texts and articles, you also read. I don't have any regrets obviously over attending APUS and would recommend the school. I would be careful not to wait until the end of the week to start your paper. I found the entire college user friendly and responsive.

I hope you forgive me if I give advice on life in general I give to many students who come through my pharmacy, as well as my children. I turn 48 in a few days so please allow me some latitude as I am now firmly entrenched in middle age.

1. Obtaining more debt without a clear idea of what you wish to do is generally a bad idea. No matter how long you put them off, loans come due.
2. Work experience is valuable to an employer, education is also valuable to an employer. Obtaining both potentiates your value much more than just having one or the other. More of one, without the other may not open any more doors than the ones you see now. Perhaps taking one of the jobs open to you now and getting an MBA would be a better option. You might also find an employer willing to help you on your journey. There quite often is no magical pot of gold at the end of an MBA rainbow.
3. Going back fulltime is much easier if you are young and have no restrictions. Once you have a family, your priorities become set. Time becomes a valuable commodity.

Good luck.