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Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

Last post 10-29-2009, 11:18 AM by SteveFoerster. 27 replies.
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  •  09-22-2008, 3:38 PM 15231 in reply to 15224

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    I'm in the same boat as you, 7 years in law enforcement and I'm ready to quit it for almost anything else.  I'm burnt out with a capital "B".  

    That being said the most universally useful degree you've listed is the MBA.  The MPA is likely to see almost just as much math as an MBA but with a different end result in mind.  The MBA is often substituted for an MPA in government sector work but rarely is an MPA an acceptable substitute for an MBA in private sector.  An unfair double standard but there you go.  The MBA is one of the few degrees where the credential is almost universally respected regardless of actual applicability to the respective job.  

    A MSCJ would be a mistake if you want out of LEO work.  Very few cops I know have ended up teaching college full time and usually those either have a doctorate, have been a police chief or the like, or both.  Adjunct work would be about the best you could hope to get to start off with but who knows from there.  I still recommend something else.

    I checked out HR too, just be prepared to take a substantial pay cut and start from the ground floor.

    Unfortunately when I mention law enforcement on my resume people either glaze over when looking at my application or start immediately sizing me up for a security uniform.   

    I recommend an MBA if you can possibly swing it, then try to get into municipal government work where your LEO contacts work to your advantage.  If not a Master of Science in Management would be a good interdisciplinary option.  Later when you specialize in your new career you can get a more specific degree or certificate if you prefer.

    Also you should check out my blog since your experience and need for change is so very similar to what I have been going through.   

  •  09-22-2008, 5:39 PM 15237 in reply to 15231

    • trigg is not online. Last active: 05-04-2009, 10:55 AM trigg
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    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Yeah, I know what you are saying about being burnt out. I don't mind (too much) a pay cut as long as I build back up fairly quickly. My BA actually started out as Public Admin and then dropped out, became a cop, went back, and the advisor said that I could get a CJ degree without some of the PA requirements that I was missing and the PA classes would just count as CJ. That was the biggest mistake of my life. People see the CJ degree and throw my resume in the trash. What is your blog, and link to it?  I don't think I am ready for the MBA just yet, and The MPA is not going to happen for me considering I am having flashbacks to my undergrad and feel like I am going to be sick. I am leaning heavily toward the APU Management Degree, but may go general instead of HR. Thanks.
  •  09-22-2008, 8:00 PM 15239 in reply to 15237

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Once you get a grad degree you don't really have to list your undergrad major, I don't.  It's like having a BA in Liberal Arts or something.
  •  09-22-2008, 8:41 PM 15241 in reply to 15239

    • trigg is not online. Last active: 05-04-2009, 10:55 AM trigg
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    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Thanks, I found your blog under your name (duh). I hope I am doing right by going online to get a degree. My dept actually gives 5000 dollars a year for on campus in county colleges. The problem is the cost. If I was going to take forever and take just the few classes a year at their rates I would be all over it. If I want to finish in a year and pay the difference, I go cheaper paying my own way at APU. That is not even figuring in gas. I luckily am working a permanent desk type job where I have to oversee our dept's prisoners in the hospital ward before they are given over to county jailers. Right now I read books, play video games on my laptop, and watch movies for 8 hours a day. We rotate this job and you can only stay in it for a maximum of 1 year. I have two months here now, and have to get started quick. APU does 8 week courses for 36 semester hours. Max of 12 hours (4 classes)  every 8 weeks. With all this said; How many classes did you take at one time for your MBA (I can pretty much go full time while at work, I know you didn't have that option, but still)?
  •  09-23-2008, 12:00 PM 15253 in reply to 15239

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Cajun:
    Once you get a grad degree you don't really have to list your undergrad major, I don't.  It's like having a BA in Liberal Arts or something.

    I do, because my concentration at Charter Oak was in Information Systems, and my Master's program was in Educational Technology Leadership.  Since they're not the same I think it makes me look stronger overall.  But no, you don't have to do so.

    -=Steve=-


    B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
    M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
    Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress
  •  09-23-2008, 9:41 PM 15267 in reply to 15241

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    I took one at a time.  But at work I generally have to.... um.....er..... well..... work.  I did do 2 classes at once one time and it hurt, a lot, but I suppose if you dedicate yourself full time you can get it done.  Be forewarned however that the quantitative courses, accounting, finance, managerial econ and quantitative methods can be brutal and should only be attempted one at a time or in conjunction with a non-quantitative course. 
  •  09-24-2008, 10:34 AM 15272 in reply to 15267

    • trigg is not online. Last active: 05-04-2009, 10:55 AM trigg
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    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Thanks for the info
  •  09-24-2008, 12:56 PM 15278 in reply to 15272

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Glad I could help.  Also be aware that most Master of Science in Management degrees generally only have 1 or maybe 2 quantitative courses and in my opinion play a close second to the MBA.  Certainly they are more applicable than an MPA in private sector work and I frequently see "business administration" and "business management" thrown into an alternate qualifications list to an MBA for positions like business analyst for a city or county or some such.  It ain't an MBA but it is one of those interdisciplinary degrees where it has almost universal applicability towards management regardless of the industry.
  •  09-29-2009, 10:28 PM 23939 in reply to 13315

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    HI - I am an IT Web Development .NET student at APU and love it. They are regionally acredited and nationally as well - so your credits can go anywhere. The professors in my program are top notch and very helpful. It was less than half the cost of DeVry and very flexible - you dont have to take classes in some strange order like DeVry and Colorado Tech require - also no group projects where you are waiting on others who may have poor performance. Also the books are all FREE and are shipped to arrive the day before the course starts. Easy registration, inexpensive, no administrative drama what so ever.. highly recommend. I will graduate in June of next year - having taken a few CLEP classes to opt out of some general education classes and will be finished in just over 18 months!!

    Its worth a look.  There are many choices.. one tip - before registering for classes - check ratemyprofessor.com to find a professor that you would like to work with. Most of the faculty have been reviewed on that site extensively.

     Good Luck!

  •  09-30-2009, 2:24 AM 23942 in reply to 23939

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Hey- just caught this thread and wanted to throw in my .02. I am in my first class at APU right now in the MBA program. It is definitely a lot to do if you have not been a student for 13 years like me :)

    That being said although it may be possible to take 2 classes at one time I would strongly recommend not giving that a shot until you have gotten used to the online experience.

     As far as my experience so far: Application - no problem, Registering for a classes - no problem, online library - pretty good (nothing to compare it to other than my B&M school from way back).  The actual class experience- no quite what I expected. I am doing fine- have 100% on all assignments so far but I seriously spent about 30 hours per week the first two weeks on top of work and a new baby. Some of that was learning how to be a student again, and getting used to the library etc.  Now I am closer to what I expected at about 8-10 hours per week. 

    I chose the MBA for it's utility, similar to what Cajun mentioned it is probably the best general business graduate degree you can get. 

  •  09-30-2009, 8:07 AM 23947 in reply to 23942

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Thanks for the updates guys.  It's good to hear success stories and this just further confirms what I've heard about APUS in the past. 
  •  10-28-2009, 9:45 PM 24579 in reply to 23947

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Hello All:

    I'll graduate from APUS in Jan '10 with a BA in Emergency and Disaster Mgt. I highly recommend this University to those who need to use a non-traditional approach to education. The APU/AMU University system is accredited and accepted, especially by the government/military. For many of us who are working parents and usually beyond the traditional age of college, schools such as this one are a blessing.

    As far a federal student aid, I cannot help anyone. I paid out of pocket with my funds and about 1/3rd paid for out of special fire funds and grants. They are liberal in transfer credits. Most of my instructors have been excellent and several work for the same agency as I. No class had been easy, just some are easier due to interest. These classes are for self starters- if you like to slack off and try to catch up-life will not be so good.

    Another great feature of the online classroom is that my hearing is not an impediment. Sam Colt may have made all men equal, but the internet classroom is great leveler also. The instuctors are extremely helpful and I have had no problem with the staff either. E-mails and phone calls are answered readily and help is given readily. I'm sure that with over 20,000 students that not everyone is completely happy, but all my experiences have been positive.

     

  •  10-29-2009, 11:18 AM 24596 in reply to 24579

    Re: Considering American Public University- Anyone graduate from there?

    Hi William, and welcome!

    APUS gets good reviews from students here.  I'm glad to read that you're no exception!

    -=Steve=-


    B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
    M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
    Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress
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