AboutCynthia Wolfe Expertise Let me help you with questions about adult education and continuing education programs. If you are looking for a program or have questions about adult education in general, I can guide you. If you are a teacher looking for new ideas or methods, I can help. I have resources and ideas to share. I am a member of the National Business Education Association (NBEA), a professional organization devoted to the recognition that business education competencies are essential for all individuals in today's fast-changing society.
Experience I am an instructor at the University of Phoenix, working in online and classroom modalities. I am also a student at Northcentral University, where I am working on a PhD in Business Administration, with a specialty in Management. My MBA is from Troy University, 2001, and I have a BS, Environmental Science, from Troy University, 1980. Read about my experiences as an online student at my blog thinkPhD.
Question I am am researching Masters programs and with my husband being military, low cost and flexibility are a must. I am a veteran too but have used all of my GI BILL now. I came across AMU (American Military University) which has numerous choices for Masters' and it is very affordable.
While researching this school I came across message board discussions of various opinions about people who hold degrees from a non traditional school:
#1 There are problems with employers not hiring you if you have a degree from an online college.
#2 If you later want to attend a brick and mortal institution you may not be accepted. (so for me that could mean a PhD if I get that far.
What is the fact and myth of these two ares?
I also read posts by people who had no problems with degrees from this school in particular. My associates and bachelors degrees are both from traditional schools (Park & UMUC), should I even worry about doing a masters from a school like this? Especially since this one in particular is both regionally and nationally accredited and aligned with the military.
Thank you for your time,
Lianne
Answer Hi Lianne,
Thanks for asking a question. American Military University (AMU) is accredited through the North Central Association and the Distance Education and Training Council. These accreditations require schools to adhere to standards set by the accrediting body. AMU has been educating individuals in the Armed Forces for a long time and has a recognizable standing in the education community. Over on elearners a student at AMU has a profile you might be interested in loooking at: http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/online-master-of-public-admin...
Your question delves into an argument that has been going on in higher education for a very long time and the lines have blurred over the years. Initially, many long-standing universities (brick and morter or BnM) criticized distance learning (DL) schools, mainly because this type of education was unproven. The tide has been turning now...you can see this because almost every BnM is jumping on the distance learning bandwagon. Distance learning is a credible and successful method of learning - for some people. Not everyone can be successful learning in this way because it takes organization and the ability to work independently.
Through the years, DL institutions have sharpened their educational methods. If you choose DL, make sure you investigate the school's accreditation. The BnM v. DL classroom debate will continue as schools fight for consumer dollars!
Let's look at your question of employers hiring you with a DL degree. If you are planning on going into higher education, I recommend a BnM degree simply because of it certainly matters in some circles where you went to school. For example, if you were a dean looking for an Economics professor, would you pick someone with a PhD from Harvard or from State U? However, if you will be working in the public sector, the fact that you took DL courses means little. Your degree looks like any other degree - it does not say, Distance Learning Bachelor of Science! The secret is that you must attend an accredited university. If you attend an unaccredited university or a diploma mill, that degree is worth nothing.
If you are planning on earning a PhD you certainly want to look at your choices now. Why not check out PhD programs? Ask the school if they accept a master's from AMU. When I applied to a PhD program, they looked at my transcript and confirmed that my master's was earned at an accredited university.
If your choice (because of cost or situation) indicates that AMU is your best option, then pursue it. I always recommend that students take time to investigate their options. You will be in school for several years, how can you make a decision in one week that affects you for years? Weigh all your options including whether or not you will be working full time or paying for courses as you go. A degree from an accredited institution is worth your while.
DL is relatively new in higher education. However, it is clear that DL is making headway and becoming more accepted. I once had a student that told me he thought DL was easy...until he took his first course and found out otherwise. He told me that he would never again downplay DL. He worked harder in his DL courses then he ever did at his BnM undergraduate university.
You are doing the right thing to investigate all of your options. Choose the option that will work for you both personally and financially. Your education will make the difference in who you are.
