Search Results matching tag 'American Military University'

American Public University (APUS/AMU) on Mad Money Last Night

Cajun — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:26:00 GMT

Okay I have a confession, I am an occasional viewer of Mad Money. Most of my readers know by now that I do not have television at my house (don’t want it, don’t need it) but whenever I’m at the gym Mad Money seems to always be on T.V. I have to say I’m somewhat fascinated by the self made millionaire, hulking around hunched over in a room that looks like a stock broker’s office mixed with a toy store, with a necktie that’s way too tight and sleeves rolled all the way up to his biceps. It’s a funny image but the guy really has a nose for the market.

That being said last night he had the president of American Public Education, the parent company of American Public University and American Military University. I’ve been keeping tabs on this company since way back in their days be being first granted DETC accreditation and have always been impressed with the amount of and unique types in many cases of the offerings their schools have. Where else can you study Counter Terrorism Measures online? Needless to say I’m a big fan of their work, especially since they did not jack up prices after gaining regional accreditation as many schools have done. They still hover around $250 per hour with books included at the undergrad level and $275 + books for grad programs, pretty darn reasonable.

So why then am I talking about their tuition costs? Simply put, Jim Kramer last night pointed out the very reasonable cost of the school yet their student growth and profit margins are steadily growing. Why? Because more and more students, many in the military have discovered APUS or AMU through word of mouth as being an excellent value, a biggest bang for the buck type of thing. Jim also noted that APUS/AMU have done with private investment dollars and no expense to the government that which public universities seem to have never ceasing problems with, providing quality, accredited education for a very inexpensive rate, without walking around tin cup in hand begging the government or their alumni for money. Jim praised their model and even speculated if the federal government will take note of their success and perhaps use APUS/AMU as models for what successful education will look like in 10 years from now, especially with the governments impending need in the future to cut expenses (they just don’t know it yet). He even speculated that online education in the future may serve as the standard rather than the exception in an effort to cut down cost and get the most value for your (the student and investor's) dollar. What a novel idea... Too bad I haven't thought of that and said it 100 times before...

Well I am proud of APUS and AMU for all they’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time and more than a little impressed. Of course American Public Education is a “buy, buy, buy” according to Jim as he believes that these innovative pioneers in distance education have set a new standard. I tend to agree.

Too Many Choices?!?

daveS — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:33:59 GMT

I'm attempting to choose to go back to school and complete a BS, probably in Business Administration or perhaps Marketing. I travel frequently as part of my job. My goal is to complete my BS to ensure I have the paper necessary for future promotions. However, I am equally interested in completing a Masters a few years down the road. I am currently 30 years old. Have Lots of military education through the Air Force (currently out of the military) and 21 credits earned through a community college.

- It is important to me that I have the ability to complete my Master's a few years down the line.

- Receive as much credit as possible for CLEP or equivalent testing options

- Able to complete my degree sooner, rather than later (Accelerated or otherwise - I am not afraid of hard work)

- Be affordable (I have a limited budget - However payment plans etc may open up the possibilities some. I would also qualify for GI Bill if accepted, but the modest amount paid probably won't cover 100% of any program)

- Last the degree come from a generally respected institution...it doesn't need to be Harvard. Just respectable.

I've narrowed it down, but have difficulties deciding and was hoping you might have some thoughts. Any suggestions outside of these are welcome!

Columbia Southern University - Conflicted because only has National Accreditation (Everything else seems to fit the bill)

TROY University - Seems more expensive and perhaps slower with only 30 Semester Hours accepted via CLEPs or examinations

Baker College Online - Seems reasonable, concerned about pace. Plus it appears I would first have to enter the Associates program and complete an Associates

Fort Hays State University - Max 30 Semester Hours accepted by examination, VERY inexpensive at $161 an hour, Accelerated Offered

American Military University - $250 per credit hour for undergraduate-level courses and $275 for graduate-level courses, Accelerated, Regional & National Accreditation, Up to 90 credit hours transferred and/or earned from examination...not sure of max from examination allowed though

Have you heard or know anything about any of these? Any other you might recommend?!?

Independent Interviews with Online Students of American Military University

Victoria — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:05:56 GMT

Click on any of the photographs below to read interviews with online students who have studied at American Military University.

Lawrence, Master in Public Administration in Disaster & Emergency Administration

Dave, Master of Arts in Military Studies

Check in regularly for updates!

APUS Crowd?

MPA2010 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:35:42 GMT

Where is everyone at? I start graduate classes at APU on August 4th and I'm really excited. Anyone else working on their MPA there?

Re: TUI vs. AMU

NedtheWino — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:59:28 GMT

Dave, I will have to agree with ProfessaX on this one. Also, I never had any problems with the financial aid office at AMU

Re: Networking @ AMU

NedtheWino — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:41:30 GMT

damajer, networking is huge at AMU and is a big resource of the school.

Ph.D & Distance Learning

boyd — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:10:27 GMT

A FEW WORDS ABOUT DISSERTATIONS AND DISTANCE LEARNING

The most rigorous part of the dissertation includes the

Methods Section

Study Design
Research questions and hypothesis formulation
Development of instrumentation
Describing the independent and dependent variables
Writing the data analysis plan
Performing a Power Analysis to justify the sample size and writing about it

Results Section

Performing the Data Analysis
Understanding the analysis results
Reporting the results.

When you enter this phase of the program, you are nearing the end of the journey. Given the difficulty of this phase, one often wishes they had previewed what was to come.

Many Ph.D candidates seem to hit a brick wall and feel disarmed when called upon to work on the methods and results section of their dissertation.

This is the point where many students diligently search for help calling on their advisor, peers, university assistance and even Google.

This is also the time when the student asks themselves the question" HOW MUCH HELP IS TOO MUCH".

Surely no one will deny that having your dissertation written for you is very wrong.

On the other hand, it is not unusual for doctoral students to get help on specific aspects of their dissertation.(e.g. APA formating and editing) It also is not unusual for advisors to encourage students to seek outside help.

If you are a distance learning student it is almost essential you seek outside assistance for the methods and results section of your dissertation. The very nature of distance learning suggest the need for not only outside help but help from someone gifted in explaining highly technical concepts in understandible language by telephone and e-mail.

Distance learning, and the avaiability of programs, has increased exponetially over the last few years with some of the most respected institutions (Columbia University, Engineering; Boston University and others) offering a Ph.D in a variety of fields. If you are enrolled in a distance learning program, or considering one, you will be interested in reviewing the reference sites listed at the bottom of this page.

As stated above, many students hit their dissertation "brick wall" when they encounter the statistics section. Frequently, a student will struggle for months with that section before they seek a consultant to help them. This often leads to additional tuition costs and missed graduation dates.

If I were to name a single reason why a PhD candidate gets off track in their program it is the statistics and their fear of statistics.

So, the question is whether or not it is ethical to get help at all. If so, how much help is too much.

I don't know if there has ever been a survey of dissertation committee members who were asked this question, however, I know many advisors take the following position when they suggest or approve outside help:

To a large extent the process is self controlling. If the student relies too much on a consultant, the product may look good, however, the student will be unable to defend his/her dissertation.

It takes a committed effort on the part of the student and the consultant (resulting in a collaborative/teaching exchange) to have the student responsible for the data and thoroughly understand the statistics. The day the student walks in front of the committee to defend, there should be no question as to his/her understanding of statistics.

When their defense is successful, the question of "was the help too much" is answered.

If you are a Ph.D candidate and would like additional information, you may email me at:

Boyd

boyd67@comcast.net

Reference sites:

http://www.usdla.org/

http://www.cgsnet.org/

http://www.statisticallysignificantconsulting.com/

Re: looking for distance ed school that is cheap and regionally accredited for health information technology

NedtheWino — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:15:18 GMT

psylark, try American Military University

Re: Value of Online BA (American Military University) in application to traditional graduate programgs

NedtheWino — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:07:09 GMT

Count, I earned a bachelor's degree from AMU and I was accepted into several graduate programs to include: U of Ga., U of S.C., Troy Univ, U of Miami, and K-State. I settled for U of Hawaii. Also, I have many, many friends who have bachelor's degrees from AMU and attend/attended very well known, respected universities.

Re: Now open for business!

NedtheWino — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:50:40 GMT

thanks helenh for adding the specific forum. come on APUS, represent!