AMU/APU- Any success in obtaining adjunct teaching positions?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Mike Sherwood, Dec 17, 2013.

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  1. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

    I've been researching online master's programs in history, and the programs at American Military University or its sister school American Public University seem to be the most reasonably priced. My goal is to teach history courses at a community college as an adjunct lecturer. Has anyone had success in obtaining an adjunct teaching position with a master's from AMU or APU?
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hi Mike. A warm welcome to Degree Info. Here's why there is a delay in your posts showing up: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html

    Unfortunately, getting adjunct positions is much more difficult than it used to be. There are so many doctorate holders out there that they are squeezing out master's degree holders who also are new to the profession. If you have experience in adjunct teaching history, your chances are better. But, it sounds like you have not taught as an adjunct before, so you might be attempting to compete against veteran adjuncts yet you would have little experience to offer. Many of the veterans can still get jobs, but the newbies have a tough time.

    Another significant roadblock for new adjuncts is the fact that many of the big online schools, such as University of Phoenix, are seeing declines in their enrollment. There are fewer jobs for adjuncts nowadays because these kinds of schools are major employers of adjuncts. I know you want to work at a city college, so this may not seem to affect you, but the declines in these schools tend to flood the market with out of work adjuncts.

    Getting an adjunct position with a master's degree is not impossible, but it is much more difficult than it used to be. A few years ago, I tried to do the same thing as you, but gave up because of these and other issues. Sorry for all the negative info.


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    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 18, 2013
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I agree with the Surfdoctor and would like to add one point that he did not explicitly state. It's simply this, you could earn your Masters in History from APU and not get that adjunct job. At the same time, you could earn a Masters in History from Harvard and still not get that adjunct job. If you don't get the job it's not a reflection on the school, it's a reflection on the market. Best of luck, whatever you decide
     
  4. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I'm going to echo Surfdoctor and Kizmet in regards to the market. I was fortunate to obtain a full-time history position at my local community college, and I now serve as the discipline lead for history, political science and education. We have more adjuncts in our pool than we have classes for. While my degree from WNMU helped pave the way for my full-tim employment, I had taken courses at APU which allowed me to become an adjunct. So, yes, it IS possible to become an adjunct with coursework from APU, as the school is regionally accredited. You may just want to weigh your options, however. If you are solely taking the courses to be an adjunct, it may not be worth it.

    -Matt
     
  5. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    Congrats Matt. Great going. Yeah, I will echo what Matt is saying. It is VERY hard to get an adjunct position in academia, community college or otherwise. I have been at my community college for 8 years and I am second to the longest tenured person there. It takes that long.
     
  6. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

    Thanks to all! I have 22 years experience teaching history at the high school level (including about ten years teaching A.P. United States History), so I'm hoping that will give me an advantage in obtaining an adjunct teaching position when I retire from the NYC Department of Education in 2-3 years. What I lack is a master's in the subject area- my previous two master's degrees were in liberal studies (Stony Brook University) and school administration (Hunter College). I was thinking that a graduate certificate from AMU/APU might be enough, combined with the history and political science grad credits that I already have. Again, thanks for the advice!
     

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