Hi ya'll,
I started talking about AMU in another discussion, so I thought I would start a new discussion if anyone else was interested.

I'm about to finish my first two classes next week. Although I would not recommend taking two classes at once; they don't leave much time to do anything else.
Anyway, I was able to enroll one night on while I was on watch and I registered for classes a few days later. There is a $50 enrollment fee, which is reimbursable (see your ESO).

If this is your first time going to college since you joined the CG you need to do a credit assessment and the a transcript request through the Coast Guard Institute (see your ESO).
AMU lets you take courses prior to receiving your transcripts, but they must receive them with 15 weeks of enrollment.

Your first class would be Foundations of Online Learning which helps you with time management, learning styles and online schools. This class is mandatory for any AMU grad/undergrad student. DO NOT think this class is BS like I did and think you can just wing it. That is what I thought and received more than I bargained for. It requires work just like any other course.

The professors work with you if you are underway, deployed or have a fast operational tempo. You can check out the website at www.amu.apus.edu Any other questions just ask!

Here's my .02 on AMU.

1. Books are FREE. Once they receive your TA payment they will either mail your books to you or give you instructions on how to download the e-book if available. One draw back to this is if your TA is delayed, your books might not arrive in time and you'll have to drop the course.

2. The courses are only 8 weeks long, some offer the option of a 16 week version. I would usually spend about 4 hours a week per course on homework. Like OS_MM said two classes at once is a pretty good work load. I started a third class half way thru my first two classes. It was tough, but its also doable.

One draw back (?) to AMU is you can use up all your TA for the year in 6 months if you take two classes at once ($750 per class).

I've been really pleased with AMU so far. Im working on my MA right now so it's a little different. Books aren't free and TA does not cover the full cost of each class. I have to pay $75 per class. Well worth it!

You DONT have to take the Foundations of Learning class for a graduate degree.

I took 2 classes at once the first semester and hated life. One class at a time is the way to go, unless you are in a time crunch to get everything done and earn your degree faster.

Best Of Luck to everyone!

Oh ok, my bad!

I didn't take Foundations of Learning for my BS because I just applied for a waiver (I had already taken apx. 60 credits online through other institutions and considered myself to have enough experience to not need to waste my time with that course).

I also staggered my classes by enrolling in a new one each month toward the end of my degree. All in all last spring I took 35 credits and consider AMU to be almost ridiculously easy in comparison to other schools I've taken coursework through.

For years AMU jumped between many states in order to earn regional accreditation (which is the only kind of accreditation that is transferable to nearly any school in the nation). They were denied multiple times due to failure to meet basic academic standards of their faculty and curriculum. However, it appears that of late 2006 they earned their regional accreditation after aligning with APUS. Quite a business move.

AMU is a known cash-cow, run by former brass from the various services that raise their tuition rates in accordance with the hike in TA and GI Bill payments.

You can get military specific education (MA in Intel Studies), which for my purposes would be great. But I'd rather attend school online through a more established university (UNC Greensboro)

I would stick with AMU only if you plan on continuing with them through your graduate work.

AFPerling - Care to back up your statements with any sort of references? I have never heard of them being "denied multiple times due to failure to meet basic academic standards." I have heard, from an insider w/experience in the accreditation process at several schools, that they got their regional accreditation a year earleir than most schools.

I started taking classes at AMU 8 years ago. Finished up my BS with them and now almost complete with MS.

I have never heard about them "jumping" between states. Pretty silly thing to do if you know a damn thing about accreditation.

Here are some FACTS about their accreditation. They were nationally accredited for some time, and around 2006 they earned regional accreditation. You would think national acc would be better than regional, but it's not. Regional is the gold standard. For further info, go to the Department of Education website.

Yes, AMU (and most other schools) raise their tuition rates to be the maximum allowable by the predominate payor - in AMUs case it is TA.

You can also get non-military specific education at AMU. Go to their website for full details.

I have stuck w/AMU for my first graduate degree, but I have already confirmed with several other universities the FACT that they will gladly accept a BS (and MS) from AMU for admission to additional graduate programs.

Ok, I'll bite.

quote:

Originally posted by Disinherited:
AFPerling - Care to back up your statements with any sort of references? I have never heard of them being "denied multiple times due to failure to meet basic academic standards." I have heard, from an insider w/experience in the accreditation process at several schools, that they got their regional accreditation a year earleir than most schools.

Serving as my unit's education liaison for 3 1/2 years, the local ed office would not process the TA forms because they were in a constant state of flux for regional accreditation. Wouldnt process the forms.

quote:

I have never heard about them "jumping" between states. Pretty silly thing to do if you know a damn thing about accreditation.

Wow, did I hit a nerve? I may not be an expert, but are you?

(Courtesy of LexisNexis, paraphrased) From 1991-(officially) 2002, AMU (prior to being known as AMU APUS) was originally located in VA. Based on their regional location, they had to meet the regional requirements for accreditation under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which has more stringent requirements for accreditation. Denied in 1994, but earned DETC accreditation at this time. In 2001, they had made their temporary move to WV (under the NCA) to attempt regional accrediation in 2002, and their efforts were "delayed". Keep in mind that up until this time they still employed "adjunct faculty"... which means a majority of these teachers did not have extensive or significantly advanced education (MA, MS, MALS, etc) within their fields. Thus, the merger with APU while perm located (finally) in WV, ultimately becoming known as the APUS (S=system) in 2002. Applied again in 2004. Not until 2006 did they finally receive the regional accreditation. They couldnt meet the resources requirements and couldn't MAINTAIN qualified faculty for accreditation. Even now, all undergrad professors have masters degrees, but are only required to have 18 SHs in the targeted discipline. Overloading classes before you get your accreditation is NOT a way to earn it!

quote:

Here are some FACTS about their accreditation. They were nationally accredited for some time, and around 2006 they earned regional accreditation. You would think national acc would be better than regional, but it's not. Regional is the gold standard. For further info, go to the Department of Education website.

LexisNexis... live it, love it. Especially as a fellow grad student...

quote:

Yes, AMU (and most other schools) raise their tuition rates to be the maximum allowable by the predominate payor - in AMUs case it is TA.

I pay tuition out the nose but for a stellar education, no need for a reminder about tuition hikes here! But the very institution that touts its support of military students bleeds their TA dry. For a school that has significantly LOWER operating costs because it is a predominantly (no, entirely) online program, where does the money go? 41,00 students enrolled worldwide @ AMU is the equivalent of the main USF campus in Tampa, and the tuition is roughly the same on average (taking into consideration relative costs as most mil-students do not traditionally live on campus and thus wouldnt pay for housing). So the tuition is roughly the same for school sans walls, and all the school needs to pay for are servers for the network and the faculty salary - which would be less comparatively than the standard institution because they have fewer faculty members for the same number of students. AMU has a little more than 100 FULL TIME faculty members (I just counted them, give or take a few I may have missed). Part time faculty are not salaried employees, but are paid based on the course load they are teaching (I have friends who are adjunct faculty members for programs at ITT, St Pete College and Eckerd, so I have an idea on how little they get paid.)

In addition, another hit for the servicemember is the new GI Bill.. since AMU offers courses entirely online with no in-class option (or classes offer via Education offices), you lose the full benefits option under the new GI Bill "Veterans enrolled in distance learning can use the tuition benefit under Chapter 33 (the new, post-9/11 GI Bill), but do not qualify for the living allowance."

This is why, while yes, I attend grad school online, I will only do so if the school has an established program (i.e. the school has been around longer than me) and a physical campus.

quote:

You can also get non-military specific education at AMU. Go to their website for full details.

I know. I elected to attend elsewhere.

quote:

I have stuck w/AMU for my first graduate degree, but I have already confirmed with several other universities the FACT that they will gladly accept a BS (and MS) from AMU for admission to additional graduate programs.

That's the real stinker: only if you earned the degree AFTER it attained regional accreditation. If you earned it prior, it will not be honored unless that particular institution accepts nationally accredited programs anyway, or holds the same regional and/or national accreditation from the same accred. body.

Example: Southern Illinois University (a popular school with classes available on many military bases):

"American Military University became a candidate for regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools in February of 2004 and was approved in May, 2006. Transfer credits will be accepted from this institution
as of February, 2004. NOTE: Course substitutions are valid only for courses taken during the time period covered by the catalog edition indicated. [which means, only classes taken AFTER Feb 2004]

ARTICULATION: The Associate degrees from American Military University will not fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements required for general graduation purposes at SIUC. Students should refer to the SIUC Undergraduate Catalog to determine if their major requires any specific University Core Curriculum courses."

If you found programs that will take your stuff anyway, well, good for you. No - GREAT for you. Spread the word to others that attend AMU. But I'm sorry if I don't like your school. Take it personally if you want, but there are plenty of reasons to be leery of the institution.

AF - My understanding of the regional accreditation process, and again this comes (firsthand to me) from someone who is specifically hired by new colleges/universities to get them through the accreditation process, is that it typically takes 6-10 years to meet regional accreditation. This person became involved with AMU around 2002 and was impressed with how quickly they became regionally accredited.

About the education level of the professors - Most of my prof's have had Ph.D or M.D., with some having Masters. I would argue that AMU is on the cutting edge of many degree fields, so there are few (none?) professors available with graduate degrees in the field (specifically emergency management).

Fortunately my degree is post 2/04. I was taking classes v e r y s l o w l y through them until they got accredited for just that reason.

I too encourage folks to attend brick-and-morter schools, even their online portions of such schools, if they at all can. There is still a decided bias against online education. If your sheepskin says "University of Michigan" then nobody has to know you got it entirely online. Fortunately few people know that American Military University is entirely online.

I have to agree with AF. I stayed away from AMU because they just received their accreditation and are soley online. To me regional accreditation isn't what it used to be-University of Phoenix is the perfect example. I encourage people to go with an established school that has an actual campus.

I started with AMU in 2001 (I think) and took classes there pretty steadily through early 2008. I earned my Associates JUST before they git Regionally Accredited. Now, my job allows me to take regular classes at the local University, so I enrolled and applied for transfer credit.
All of the "core" (AA) classes did not transfer because they were only Nationally Accredited. All of the classes taht I took after my AA (Management classes) do transfer, but hey qualify as elective classes. I don't believe that the School of Management at my current school would count them as anymore than that.
So, after many years of school and many thousands of TA dollars spent, I have an AA from an online school that was only Nationally Accredited at the time and a bunch of credits that don't add up to a whole lot.
The kicker is that I can petition for my core credits to be further reviewed and probably applied since some transferred after the Regional Accredidation, but I can't petition until I have at least 30 credits at my current school. I can't get accepted into my major until I have some prerequisites done that will undoubtedly eventually transfer, in effect wasting more TA dollars.
It's a vicious circle and big education seems to win at every turn. I argued my point based on the Educations Dept's Joint Statement on Transfer Credit which sys accreditdation should never be the sole basis for awarding transfer credit, but lost. I argued it to my State Veteran's Dept who seemed interested at forst and then seemingly dropped it.
I think that these online schools just don't have the respect of traditional bricks and mortar Universities and will never be given the same weight (at least not in teh forseeable future). I don't regret my time at AMU because I wasn't able to go to school any other way at the time, but it's unfortunate that military members who are put in that positionthrough the nature of our service, and put forth the effort to continue our education, can't get some special consideration. In my case, all I'm looking for is the right to petition to have my credits applied. I'm going to continue the fight, but I don't see a way around the money they have piled up in front of them.
In retrospect, I would have searched more and found a school that has live classes and online classes. I would have also made sure that my school had Regional Accredidation. My real reason for switching schools is taht I just don't think an online degree (especially one that says "Military Institute") will have as much credence as one from a recognized University. I don't disparage anyone for taking classes at AMU, because they have a place in our education system, but I just don't think everyone has agreed on what they place is.
Just my opinion based on my own journey...

Downoutlaw,

You make a lot of good points that should be listened to. I had a lot of concerns about online only schools and instead chose a traditional one and I'm glad I did. Too bad you are going through this but hopefully some people will listen to your advice.

M

Bottom line is they now have regional accreditation. That is frustrating to learn of your experience, but memebers that are taking classes now or are researching schools should not let this fact waiver them.

Every school has to start somewhere and AMU is still new and growing. I have been more than pleased with the process and the education. I can honestly say having come from an internationally ranked "brick and mortar school" earning my BA that the only differnece of the caliber of education that I am now receiving for my MA is that I am not sitting in a classroom. The teachers credentials are impeccable and the school works hand in hand with military and are understanding of deployments/duties etc.

Of course if someoene has the ablilty to attend a traditional school/classes, that will always be a better option. But for most of us, that just is not feasible and AMU provides an excellent opportunity.

The current class that I am taking now, has officers from all branches of the military, a DEA agent, and personnel from the FBI, NGA, and EPIC. When you have that type of caliber of student attending the class taught by a woman that has earned her PH.D through U. of Maryland and also boasts a MA from AMU, the school cant be nearly as bad as some of the posts are making it out to be.

Just my .02

For the record I'm on my third class with AMU and have enjoyed it. AMU is accredited and that is what matters.

I believe it is what you make of your education that matters and every college is a cash cow. Someone could attend Yale University, graduate and not learn a doggone thing.

Currently, I am taking Spanish I and the Rosetta Stone materials are used instead of a textbook. For anyone thinking about Rosetta Stone it is a really good program. I am only one week into the course, so I don't know if Rosetta can make me a fluent Spanish speaker, but so far so good!

Anyone else get their 2009 AMU calendar in the mail? It's pretty nice.

you guys should check out Saint Leo University, in Florida (with online programs). I've been working on a Masters in Criminal Justice with them for about a year (half way through) and all my classes so far have been online, but they offer on campus classes as well. They have a full undergrad program, a beautiful main campus in Florida, numerous satelite facilities, and have been accredited since 1967 by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, same as University of Florida, FSU, Miami, UCF etc.

I have been very pleased with Saint Leo. I take two 8 week courses per 16 week semester, and it is pretty managable. My professors have all been PhDs or JDs, with experience in the field of law enforcement as operators...state, local cops, DEA/FBI retired agents etc.

Very good program, TA pays for most of it. Check it out.

AMU and St. Leo both have great programs and I know many current FLEOs that have or are pursuing degrees through them. Just a shout out for my own Alma Mater (UCF) that has an online CJ MS program. FSU does as well. The key point is to work towards a degree, preferably regionally accredited.

my wife did her undergrad in aerospace eng at UCF. Navy (she's a civilian tech) paid for her masters at San Diego State University. Always good to have someone else pay!

Graduated with a MA in Homeland Security from AMU in 2006 and working on a MA in Security Management from AMU. The school has been outstanding and instructors/facilitators are second to none. Whats even better is TA covers most everything. Will also finish MBA through them as I only have 4 classes to take. They accepted 15 credits or 5 classes of my MBA material. Outstanding institution!!!!!

Hammer48

quote:

Originally posted by LEDETOIC:
my wife did her undergrad in aerospace eng at UCF. Navy (she's a civilian tech) paid for her masters at San Diego State University. Always good to have someone else pay!

Definitely, the county school system my wife used to teach at paid for her masters. I don't know if your wife has been back to UCF within the last two years, but they've really done a great job on the campus with the addition of more student housing, new stadium and arena, and other building projects.