Wal-Mart employees get discount at APU

Disclaimer: Current APU MBA Student

While there are some relavent comments on those articles, most of them are either uninformed, stereotypical, or biased toward a fear of the unknown and a hint of territorialism in the traditional educational system. Some of the comments state " undergrad credits cost $1000 a credit hour; they are missing the point of the "traditional" university experience" blah blah blah. There is nothing new about an employer partnering with a college to offer credit for certain on the job training. What about CLEPs or DSSTs? What if you learned that information on the job? They are only giving between 6 to 24credits toward an associates or bachelors depending on the job description. It's also only a $50 discount or so. They are regionally accredited and also a candidate for ACBSP, how does this make them a "scam"? What about doing portfolio credit at a school? I just don't know why this is such a big deal. Yes, I do agree the big store juggernaut stereotype can carry a less than ideal connotation, but let's judge the education by its rigor and content, not by the opinion of the uninformed. If they graduate people by the hundreds of thousands and someone can document a dumbing down of the education provided, then people can pass judgement.

 

I think the spin on this is out of control and judgmental at best. It is not like Wal-Mart will issue the degree. AMU is still the same and has the same courses, content, and level of difficulty. Now you are judging the school by the company they keep? By the business deals they make? Well, let's throw Excelsior under the same bus since they partner with McDonalds and offer credit for Hamburger U. How many times have you heard, "Oh, Excelsior....that is the McDegree school..."? Let's not lose sight that the Wal-Mart works still have to apply and do the work to earn the degree. It will not be passed out to them with their paycheck at the end of the week.

 

+ 1

What he said!

 

I think this is much ado about nothing. I used to work at Home Depot part time (for the medical insurance) and had to take 60 hours of online and classroom training before they would even let me on the sales floor. Did you know that some of that training is reviewed by ACE? A lot of it was safety related, since Home Depot stores are considered working warehouses.

I may be alone here, but I think Sam Walton State College has a better ring to it than American Public University. I don't think that will happen, just sayin'.

 

You know, you are beginning to change my mind on this issue. Walton is one of the most astute businessmen in the US. I just might want to go to the business school he would sponsor. Hmmm, food for thought.

 

Well, Sam Walton passed away in 1992. His family still owns a good chunk of the business, but it is actually run by a CEO and board of directors. Still, if you're going to name a business school, why not name it after one of the most successful businessmen of the 20th century? Before Bill Gates came along Sam Walton was the wealthiest man in the U.S.

 

Puzzled AMU/APU student

Had to register for this single unhappy rant. Just finishing my 7 and 8 course through AMU/APU and have another 10 or so to go. This my friends may be a game changer for me. I looked hard for this school to avoid exactly this type of scenario, had to fight to have my B&M Associate credits admitted, not all were. I also really like the classes at AMU/APU. BUT, this does not sit well with me. It may turn out to be nothing down the road, just a PR stunt from Walmart, however, I probably will research other online schools not affiliated so publicly with Walmart types, and make some contacts first thing Monday.

 

I wouldn't take all of this too seriously. That alliance does not mean that Wallmart is taking over your school, which I hear is a good school. If I'm not mistaken, they are just sponsoring employees to attend the school. I think Randell is right, the spin on this thread has gotten out of hand. We all just love to rant!

 

It's a DISCOUNT people. A DISCOUNT, not a merger. (not even a great one at that)

 

Isn't Wallmart subsidizing the discount? That is what I was assuming.

By the way, my PhD in Microwave Cheffery has not arrived yet.

 

I love it - simple and to the point.

 

Very true. I don't even think Wal-Mart offers tuition reimbursement to employees, so in the end how helpful is this?

 

I do not see any problems with this. None.

 

That's true, this Wallmart program is not really an issue. Like you said though, it does point to an alarming trend. Will what you say ever happen? It really could, but it is not a foregone conclusion. Especially if the bubble pops, then there will be no motivation to take over a school.

 

The NY Times article states Walmart said right up front they are not interested in being involved in online education in any broader of a sense than this partnership. This of course can change, but I would take that for face value at the moment.

 

"...This of course can change..."

Things do. Wal-Mart (during Mr. Sam's time) said they would never sell liquor, and never open till after church on Sunday.

 

The Costco MBA

During the nine years that I was doing marketing for the on-line MBA for Heriot-Watt University/Edinburgh Business School, we had several students who were executives at Costco. Needless to say, the notion arose of a collaboration of some sort, such as one of their "traveling road shows," where pianos or awnings or something are featured in a given store for a few days. Representatives from the university would be present to discuss the program with people who could then buy the courses there. There was serious interest from Costco, but, not surprisingly, the university said no. But the notion of selling courses in retail establishments intrigued some people there . . . and subsequently, a test was arranged with a major bookstore chain in Japan, which would sell the courses 'off the shelf' for 50,000 Yen each. (I was not privy to the results.)

 

Home Depot offers a discount plan at Kaplan University for its employees, and there was never any discussion of HD taking over Kaplan. It's just an employee perk.