American Military University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by OHIOMAN, Apr 27, 2001.

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  1. OHIOMAN

    OHIOMAN New Member

    Would like to know if anyone on this board has had any experience with AMU (www.amunet.edu) or considered it as an option. I just completed my first class through them and can say I'm very satisfied with the experience. I have two A.A.S degrees (CCAF), earning the credits through a combination of traditional and non-traditional methods. I can say that AMU's method of instruction combined the best of both worlds. You are a member of a class, there is regular professor interation, and the work is challenging. I will never do 'sit time' in a traditional classroom again if I can help it. Currently they are accreditated by DETC but are seeking regional accredidation.

    Thanks .......
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    Please note the usual concerns about the marketability of degrees from schools accredited by DETC. Also note that no DETC-accredited schools have gone on to regional accreditation. Finally, please note that degrees from nationally accredited schools enjoy significantly less acceptance when applying for admission to regionally accredited schools. That said....

    AMU is one of my two favorite DETC-accredited schools. (ISIM is the other.) I like their business model for a couple of reasons. First, they've really gone after the military market with their tuition policies. Second, they've done a good job of combining PME with academics to form viable degree programs, just as CCAF combines technical training and general education.

    Rich Douglas, Capt, USAF (Retired)
    Former education specialist and CCAF grad. [​IMG]
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I echo most of Rich's sentiments.

    The main drawback to a DETC degree is the potential for marketability problems. RA is the accreditor of the majority of universities and they appear to prefer RA.
    I do remember someone who posted on aed that they had been accepted into the Capella University Ph.D. on the basis of their DETC Masters. The other side of that is that I knew a graduate of an AABC accredited college who went on to get his M.Div and then was sent to K State for their M.A. program. He said he was told that he had to take more classes because his undergraduate degree was *unaccredited*.

    I also am aware that some state regulatory agencies will specify RA for licensure purposes.

    I have never heard anything negative said about AMU. In fact only positive things. What are you trying to get your degree in? There are many people here who could give you some RA options to think about.

    North

     
  4. OHIOMAN

    OHIOMAN New Member

    Thanks for the comments. No DETC school ever achieving regional accredidation was something that I'd never thought of. I wonder if AMU could be the first? Under their FAQs, they address their quest for the upgrade in detail, even going so far as to say they 'will' achieve regional accredidation. I know its a possible red flag when a school says that but since I'm going to go on and go for an MA there, I'm not overly concerned with acceptance at an RA school. Even if they remained a DETC school and never got the RA (maybe due to not meeting enrollment requirements)I'd still feel comfortable going for a job when I fold in my military experience. A free BA degree in management (books included) is a perfect situation for me [​IMG]

    Another point. I think the reason that many education offices may try to dissuade customers seeking their degree from AMU is (allthough they won't say it) is the expense to their TA moneypot. AMU's tuition is expensive on paper but they charge right up to the hilt on what they can get from TA, then pay the other 25% if you maintain a 2.5 (I believe). Then, they include your books. Just a conspiracy theory to throw out there [​IMG]
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I agree with this SOOOOOOOOOOO much! (The part about Education Services' reluctance regarding distance education.) Having served in that very role, I've seen it first-hand. When I earned my first Regents bachelor's, the civilian Education Services Officer (my supervisor, no less) encouraged me to "cover" it with a master's in a hurry because it wasn't worth much on its own. Um, except admission to many graduate schools, commissioning in the Air Force, placement on faculty at two universities, employment in the private sector....

    There is a "lemming" mentality in those places. They're staffed with too many (although certainly not exclusively) burnouts who don't put forth the effort to really learn what's going on in the field of distance education, even though it really meets the needs of their customers.

    Caution: Even though you plan to go on to a DETC-accredited master's, there are still pitfalls ahead. No one knows how marketable your DETC-accredited degree(s) will be in the civilian sector. And while AMU may make a good run at RA, the task may be insurmountable. Just food for thought.

    Rich Douglas
     
  6. Guest

    Guest Guest

    If you are military you can get a free Regionally Accredited degree undergraduate and M.B.A. through Touro University International. Basically, they give you a scholarship for the part that T.A. does not cover. As I said it is RA, frre to military, 100% on line, and texts are included (they are also on line). Touro has a Ph.D. as well but that is not discounted for military. If you were to go elsewhaere you would have an RA BS & MBA. Then you could use your GI Bill for your doctorate.

    http:/www/tourou.edu

    North


     
  7. Guest

    Guest Guest

    oops. The site is http://www.tourou.edu

     
  8. OHIOMAN

    OHIOMAN New Member

    I'll look into this! [​IMG] Thanks!

     
  9. jnate

    jnate New Member

    I know AMU is doing things a little differently. If you are in the military and complete Amphibious Warefare College (a correspondance program for Captains, primarily USMC), then AMU will give 1/2 credit towards their Masters degree. Pretty generous.

    j nate
     
  10. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    Nope. The Center for Degree Studies (CDS) in Scranton, now part of Harcourt, was at one time RA accredited. I had completed the ICS diploma course in Electrical Engineering Technology back in the early 80's. In 1982 I then signed up for the first semester of the degree program in order to earn college credit and just had to take the proctored exams. I earned 12 sem. hrs. of credit and had them transferred and applied towards my Regents College B.S. degree. My transcript from that time clearly states, "The Center for Degree Studies is accredited by the Middle States Association of College and Schools." I also believe they were DETC accredited at the time.

    John
     
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    On the other hand, graduates of the 10-month (or so) Naval Warfare College receive a master's degree. I worked for an Air Force major who went there instead of Air Command and Staff College for his Intermediate Service School and received his second master's as well.

    Does anyone know if AMU awards credit for the nonresident version of Marine Command and Staff? I wouldn't mind parlaying that into part of one of their master's programs. I did it when I was a lieutenant in the Air Force.

    Rich Douglas
     
  12. jnate

    jnate New Member

    Rich,
    Currently, AMU gives 1/2 credit for their Military studies master degree for non-resident Amphibiuos Warfare School. I think the format of the school is a little different now. They only let O-3 or above take it and it is in 2 parts. I took it and AMU sent me an unsollicted letter about enrollment. I would say it took about 4 times the amount of effort SOS did.

    j nate
     
  13. Eli

    Eli New Member

    Why go with DETC when you can earn a regionally accredited BS, MBA or Ph.D. for Free? Touro University International is your best bet www.tourou.edu. Check it out.
    My experience with TUI was excellent (earned my MBA and now joined their Ph.D. program). I know they have great deal of military personnel enrolled. You can study courses in either Live conference or CD based formats. Usually Ph.D. core courses are not CD based but live using e-board technology.

    Eli
     
  14. Eli

    Eli New Member

    Why go with DETC when you can earn a regionally accredited BS or MBA for Free? I think that Touro University International (branch campus of Touro College NY) is your best bet <www.tourou.edu>
    My experience with TUI was excellent (earned my MBA and now joined their Ph.D. program). I know they have great deal of military personnel enrolled. You can study courses in either Live conference or CD based formats. Usually Ph.D. core courses are not CD based but live using e-board technology.

    Eli
     

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