What's your opinion of Online Universities such as American Military University, etc.?

2015-08-17T10:28:24-04:00

I had posted a thread a couple of weeks ago, about going back to school. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/looking-to-complete-my-bachelors-degree-what-resources-are-out-there-for-veterans-and-federal-employees.

Upon asking around and talking to my federal colleagues, I encountered an interesting reaction. I was told to avoid online Universities such as American Military University, Kaplan, etc. I was told that hiring managers don't give folks with degrees from those schools the same weight as a traditional school such as Virginia Tech, Howard University, etc.

Has anyone else encountered this mindset? Has it been a hinderance to you? When I asked this question I asked my Division Director and the Assistant to the Administrator (my agency head). Both of which are PhDs. Is this their mindset or is this true?

Thank you in advance

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, SGM Private RallyPoint Member, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, 1SG Michael Blount, CSM Private RallyPoint Member 1LT William Clardy, CPT Private RallyPoint Member MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, COL Private RallyPoint Member, LTC Scott O'Neil

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 17 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-08-17T10:32:13-04:00

They are good but you must have self discipline in order to be successful. Distance learning can be difficult but you can do it on your schedule

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 17 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-08-17T10:33:06-04:00

Personally, I would avoid those type of schools because I been told the same thing. Now, is it true? I don't know but I would hate to find out the hard way.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:36 AM

2015-08-17T10:36:32-04:00

It all depends on their accreditation. If they do not carry any, or carry the wrong type, their credits will not transfer to any other school. Not only that, but degrees obtained from these locations are not necessarily held in as high a view as those from accredited colleges/universities.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-08-17T10:38:33-04:00

I have heard similar things, but do not know for certain. Personally I would say it should come down to accreditation. Also, times are changing and traditional colleges are no different. More and more colleges are offering some or all of their programs online. I am currently half way done with my doctorate at a mostly online school, hope that the program accreditation will speak for itself in the end.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 17 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-08-17T10:40:27-04:00

I have to agree.
Brick and Mortar / Traditional 15-week, in-class and day-light-hours schools have way more pull than they are due.
If you want a traditional job, a traditional education helps get the spot.
Now, if you are self-employed and need to know business administration then an on-line school can be of benefit.
I taught at a JC that wanted to get into the on-line business. There was a HUGE pressure from the Admin to pump the classes to 100 seats. The only way a Prof can keep up with paper that 100 students generate is to form teams and then score the team (finals are graded by computer so numbers don't count). If you get stuck on a poor performing team (eg a couple of FOs on the team) then your grade suffers.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 17 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-08-17T10:43:25-04:00

Lisa, a lot of the bad wrap is because some on-line colleges/universities are nationally accredited and are only pass/fail grades. You want to look for one that is regionally accredited and offers actual letter grades, especially if one does not have a bachelors degree already. If you have a bachelors from a brick and mortar college/university, there is almost no issue with an on-line degree bachelor or masters being accepted even if it is pass/fail. The difference being you already have the first degree from an established college/university. Still you need to choose wisely. Some of these on-line schools have been called on the carpet for their practices and quality of education. The other thing is make sure the school and degree you are seeking are accepted by the company/organization you are getting the degree for. My wife is doing an on-line degree for her teaching certificate at something like Northeast Governors University - can't remember if that's the exact name but the school and its degree are accepted by the RI Department of Education the same as a degree form a brick and mortar school. And get that IN WRITING like she did. She already has a bachelors with a concentration in education from the university of RI. Ask the questions upfront to make sure of the acceptance and career impact if in fact people are questioning where the degree is coming from.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Aug 17 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-08-17T10:50:07-04:00

When I was a hiring manager (and when I will be again), online vs. brick and mortar made no difference to me. I've posted at length on this topic, but briefly put I care if:
1. It is a "name" school (Harvard Business School, etc)
2. It is regionally accredited in whatever.
3. It is a specific school with a bad rep (online or not) - very few, actually, once you move away from the specialized area of academic counselors.
[ 4. While I don't care, some will care if it is a "regional name" school (in my area, the University of Washington) ]

That's it. Especially given your length of an employment record, I would not worry much. Degrees are more important with lack of life/job experience. The more things you can show me you've done, the less I care about the specific piece of paper.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Aug 17 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-08-17T10:53:04-04:00

My issue with some of these online universities is they ask you to sign a contract. Now, they won't use that word, but that's what it boils down to. Basically, you're committing to a course of study in ___________(fill in the blank) which will cost ____________(fill in that blank, too), and you're on the hook for that full amount whether or not your employer, VA or whomever comes through. I'd have extra pause for thought when an employer says they provide tuition reimbursement, then says no. I put my neck in that noose once. Employer didn't come through and ate about $2 grand for the PMP Boot Camp. I'd hate to see you make a far worse mistake.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 17 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-08-17T10:54:31-04:00

I have talked about this before on here.
If it is a private for profit school ESPECIALLY if it is online, a lot of places wont give it much weight regardless of if it is regionally accredited or not.

If you want the best degree "value" for you buck while still doing an online program. Find a PUBLIC school that is brick and mortar that has an online program. The sheepskin isn't going to say Penn State (ONLINE), it is going to say Penn State. The added value is that you have a school with a KNOW reputation, long stating accreditation, proven track records, etc.

If you want to go Private, go with some of the more long standing respected private schools. If they advertise on TV or web-ads as a private school, you probably don't want to go there.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Aug 17 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-08-17T11:07:17-04:00

I've been in a couple of these schools and no matter how convenient they are. The level of idiots that are "instructing" them and participating in there is very high.

Example: I was taking a pop culture class for a core requirement when someone who obviously didn't read anything decided to respond to the weekly discussion board. The question was, what are antiheroes is and give an example. They said an antihero is a villain and gave the example of the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz. I blew up explaining how they should read the required chapters before doing any work and maybe ask questions if they still didn't get it.

I recommend a balance of online for fillers courses but if you actually want to learn something and have a degree worth anything go for a traditional school.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 17 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-08-17T11:28:39-04:00

I would be very careful of these schools. Do your homework on these schools and make sure they are the right fit for you. Make sure their credits are transferrable and so forth. Bottom line is that you are fully responsible for your education and you want the most for your money. Good luck!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-08-17T12:17:44-04:00

From the individuals I have talked to and dealt with, it all comes down to who is doing the hiring and what they are actually looking for. Online schools are viewed as buying a degree, while in residence schools are viewed as education for a degree. What is more important? Having a degree or the education associated with the degree. Would you want a surgeon who got their degree online? I'm not saying that you can't learn as much or more online, just looking at the perceptions. Also take it with a grain of salt, as I have had nothing but horrible experiences with AMU and they have turned me off of online schools completely.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-08-17T12:56:23-04:00

The way I look at is this- what is your best option at the time? For most active duty personnel, there's no way you can go to one of the big schools while serving. If it's not because of the time constraints, it's the financial constraints. A lot of times your choices are between doing nothing for college, attending an online school consistently or sporadically attending a school that's colocated on the base.

It's all about what your long term goals are. With some degrees, it makes no difference online vs resident. Psychology is a good example. Others should stay away from being completely online. Sports degrees and programs where you need clinical practice (EMS, nursing) are good examples of that. Taking your general education classes online wouldn't cause any harm.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-08-17T13:08:09-04:00

You should recognize that a degree from a brick and mortar university is usually going to carry a little more weight than one from an online institution. In either case, what you get out of it will have more to do with what you put into it than the medium through which you attain the degree.

If you do go online my advice is to find one with regional and not just national accreditation. That should make it easier to transfer credits in case your plans change.

The bottom line though, is that having the degree/education is far more important than where you get it (as long as where you get it is accredited). I would also add that coupling a few good certifications with your degree can more than make up for the fact that you got it online.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-08-17T13:56:56-04:00

I am a huge fan of American Military University. I got my BA from them. I was started a Masters with Liberty but quickly found that they weren't as focused on the students as much as AMU. I plan on going back to AMU for my masters. I also think they have more degrees in my areas of interest. I would like to master in disaster management.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 17 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-08-17T14:21:32-04:00

Name recognition is going to have more weight than online/classroom.

A school like Phoenix is viewed as a "diploma mill" and hence it's relative value compared to Penn State (who also offers online programs) is going to be less. (Using my wife's BS and her MPS degrees as examples).

But when it really boils down to it, on your resume, you can choose trade-in on the name of your school, or leave it off. Putting BS - Focus - Date under education is acceptable. Nowhere is it going to ask whether it was online/classroom. When you submit proof of education (if asked), the name becomes important.

But when it really boils down to it there are hundreds of schools, and the degree is the important piece. The name is secondary. The program "method" distant third.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-08-17T15:30:42-04:00

Look for accreditation and such. I received my Bachelors from American Military University. As part of the American Public University System setup it's regionally accredited (which, from my readings then, was the one people looked for). University of Phoenix and some others, at least before, weren't accredited so people were arguably throwing money away.
I think the classes were pretty good that I was in, and was nice being with so many military/military-affiliated folks. The class discussions were typically interesting and frank. I'm not worried about people doubting the quality of the degree if they have a clue what they're talking about. Early online university setups looking to make a quick buck regardless of the value of the product paid for made a bad name for online schools in general, but it's getting better.
This is especially becoming more the case as more 'brick & mortar' schools are introducing online courses/degrees. Several public universities and some private offer online (and some on-base) classes to military, but the degree is still from that school. UCCS here (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs) has a Masters of Engineering degree specializing in Space Operations I'm interested in. It's a bit heavy on the math and physics side of things and they only offer it online, and would be a degree from that school like any other.
Anyone who rejects a degree off-hand simply because it's an online school/course is really out of touch these days, and I might go so far as to lodge a complaint if there was enough evidence if there's no other reason than their opinion (accreditation, wrong field, etc).
Do your homework in regards to accreditation, look for something that has a program you want and fits you, and go for it.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 17 at 2015 5:37 PM

2015-08-17T17:37:35-04:00

My experience on both sides of the hiring process in corporate America has been that:
- Some jobs "require" a degree... and in order to get past the 1st step HR screening process you have to have one... it doesn't matter where it's from.
- If you can make it past that first step, it's all about how you present yourself, and what your track record is... all degrees are out the window and forgotten.

- Some PEOPLE (usually in small companies) favor someone who went to their Alma Mater, but always look for talent first.

- People are only impressed with a "pedigree" from an Ivy league school for the first 30 seconds... after that it's all about "what can you DO".

I don't have a degree... but I seem to be able to negotiate a higher salary than my peers (that have a degree) in the same position... maybe it's because learning things the hard way has led to my willingness to work harder than they do.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-08-17T17:44:25-04:00

I have to weigh in on this as a new member of RP; but one who has multiple degrees (Excelsior, Phoenix, Keller) -- all from distance learning/online colleges and universities. I also do quite a bit of hiring these days as a VP and Division Director of a Defense Contractor.
Someone else mentioned the most important piece of advise (IMO): you are responsible for your education and you will get out of it what you decide. I can almost guarantee that there are at least as many "idiots" attending (or skipping) and teaching classes in brick & mortar schools as online.
A degree from a prestigious University is a great thing, no doubt, but having a degree from there does not always equal success. If a hiring manager stops and starts at the education section of your resume based on what school your degree is from, I think it's time for a new hiring manager. Your experience, your skills, your certifications, and references are much more important to me than where you received your degree. Add to the fact that you're showing a great deal of what I'm looking for just by getting your degree while (presumably) working full time.
I think that being enlisted for 25 years, I may look at this a little differently. I had the honor of working next to some of the most incredible individuals who didn't have degrees. Today, I look more at the whole person and I don't think I could tell you which school a single person in my organization attended. I will caveat that with the fact that when hiring I immediately give some extra points to a graduate of one of the Service Academies. I'm sure they have their share of knobs too, but overall, they are truly among the best we have to offer.
Good luck in your education -- just keep after it and get as much as you can from it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-08-17T18:39:43-04:00

I'd agree with others that a public brick and mortar place that has an online program is a safe bet. I went to University of Maryland University College, and it's helped me be successful. I would recommend them...and if they weren't so damn pricey, I'd be looking at going back there for the second Master's degree I'm considering.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-08-17T19:07:40-04:00

I think it depends on your field of study whether to go online or resident. I can only use myself as an example. I received my BS in Construction Management as a resident student from a reputable university. I am currently pursuing an online MBA in Project Management from Liberty University which I feel will keep me competitive amongst other professionals in my field. This online degree coupled with my experience in construction should hold weight if I were to get out and find a job in the industry.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-08-17T20:38:26-04:00

Scams.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Aug 17 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-08-17T22:21:04-04:00

Depends on your reasoning for going. I went to AMU because it was feasible to do while deployed. I received two degrees and it was paid through my finances and TA. Now, I have the full weight of the 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs behind me. I am going to a school that costs 45k a year with no worries.

As far as hiring managers, I didn't even have one blink when I stated where my education came from. There are many types of snobs out there and education-based ones are can be the worst. If you find yourself applying to a place that cares about Harvard vs. your degree, you might be applying to the wrong place.

Hope that helps!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 17 at 2015 11:50 PM

2015-08-17T23:50:17-04:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member First, you need to decide why you need the degree. If the school you are looking at meets your needs, and is accredited, than it works; being accredited is key. I would agree, having hired many for GS jobs... the school does matter. Big name schools carry more weight than the straight online types. But, many big name schools have online programs too.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:17 AM

2015-08-18T08:17:27-04:00

I appreciate everyone's comments and feedback. I'm a web developer looking for a degree in Information Technology Management. I'm looking to advance in govt service, as well as personal satisfaction in getting my degree.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 18 at 2015 8:46 AM

2015-08-18T08:46:52-04:00

I think the on-line university is a wonderful option BUT if you are able to attend a brick and mortar school they will still be considered more highly. I think much will depend on what you are wanting to do with your degree? Most federal jobs require the degree and it just qualifies you for consideration. From a hiring stand point, I do not recall one time where the question came down to: "Where did they get their degree?" but it could? If it did, I think your MA from AMU would not stand up to one from Harvard, Yale or University of (fill in the state) but I think it would be okay with others like Bill Penn, ETC.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Aug 18 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-08-18T12:12:31-04:00

I've heard the same thing. My cousin's wife works in a government office and said she would choose an applicant that went to a brick and mortar over an equally qualified applicant whom attended online university. i fail to understand this reasoning as well.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-08-18T13:40:40-04:00

Its great that you are finishing college. I am finishing mine as well. Online schools are good and serve there purpose as well as traditional campuses. To deteremine if one is better than the other depends on what you are seeking and your learning curve. While its true the schools you named online don't compare to the schools you named for residential study it isn't because they are online. That is like comparing Virginia and Howard to Harvard and Yale. It is a different tier of school. Each university can offer you a good education in specific fields of study. Online schools require a greater discipline (in my opinion) than traditional because you are soley responsible for accomplishing everything required without the assistance of a classroom setting or a professor to address any immediate concerns. The benefit of online classes is you can work ahead and pace yourself(You can actually complete most of the work by the middle of the course except test). I take a mixture of both. Since you are pursuing a science degree may want to look for a school that is noted for that type of degree (ex. University of Texas AM is noted for agriculture). In the area I live in Kaplan is noted for Nursing, Criminal Justice and Education.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Aug 18 at 2015 8:02 PM

2015-08-18T20:02:42-04:00

I have heard of a study that found being in the classroom has an advantage over on-line learning for the student. Several of my family members, all teachers, concur with this assessment.

Response by SSG Darryl Bell made Aug 19 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-08-19T11:26:11-04:00

I am 2 classes away from my associates degree in this fabulous college. They take the GI Bill Stafford loan. I practically had no job. No car didn't think I would make it but I rented a computer then I just applied to this college and took online classes. The staff are great man! The staff even hand signed a christmas card to me...that's a personal touch. The classes come in 12 and 6 week accelerated classes that happen 2 days a week ( required to attend at least one and watch recording to obtain class codes randomly to prove you watch). The instructors are amazing, they are professors and teachers that care and do I great job. If you start to falter they offer free online tutoring classes. 90% of the college are military, some currently overseas, and they do all the work for GI Bills, and all other forms of Education assistance They make the process easy as well as I set Stafford loans and grants like the Pell Grant. They even stress the severity of taking out and student debt. They started a program "100% free tuition" that makes it possible for military to have no outta pocket expense or need to take out loans! This is the most amazing college. I'll be attending through my masters. Look up American Business and Technology University folks!

Response by CW3 David Brownewell made Aug 19 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-08-19T12:51:54-04:00

My experience has been that it does not matter were the Degree (online or B & M, public or private) comes from for a majority of jobs most will be trying to get. It usually needs to be in the field you are being hired into. A lot of jobs will not be open without the degree. The degree is like a prerequisite to get in the door and is like a check box and the hiring managers move on. Honor Societies are a plus. Anything to set you apart helps. People skills as well as technical knowledge and work experience can make a difference when there are many applying. I have an online degree from DeVry University.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-08-19T13:44:32-04:00

The value of your degree has a direct correlation to the increase or decrease of that institution's reputation for excellence OVER TIME. (I'm paraphrasing my late father who had a doctorate in education from Rutgers, a school who's education program still enjoys an excellent reputation.) I would humbly offer that online program of study is still a very untested model. (Harvard was founded in the 1600's, Yale in 1701, Brown 1761, Oxford estimated 1096, Cambridge 1209, and Howard 1889.) I know many people who have rolled the dice by choosing to go the online route who have truly regretted it afterward. (That last part may be anecdotal, yet it is true.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-08-19T21:15:56-04:00

Where you get a degree from may matter when you're 22, but once you've garnered some life/work experience, the institution matters less and less.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-08-19T22:38:25-04:00

I can tell you this mind set is real . It comes from all the people who went out a bought online degrees for $1300 to $1800 from schools like Western Advance Central University That holds no accreditation with it's online school with no classes or instructors, calling the degrees life experience degrees. It dose not take much time at all till every one sees it is just a piece of worthless paper . Or that this person is just as phony as their degree is !

Response by SGT Mary G. made Aug 19 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-08-19T22:41:08-04:00

Thank you for the question PV2 Lisa Wilcox.! I have similar concerns and also appreciate the responses.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Aug 19 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-08-19T22:41:18-04:00

I did some grad work on line thought that it was a great chance to work at home. It wasn't too easy either... Real standards.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 19 at 2015 11:22 PM

2015-08-19T23:22:35-04:00

Just for info American Military University is regionally accredited which is as good as it gets. They are totally legit. You can find out a school's status online from any of the regional accrediting agencies, the dept of education and many state education agencies.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-08-20T09:02:02-04:00

Lisa, it's not unusual for people to justify their bias with unfounded assumptions. Especially if they think they are elite. It is a sad part of human nature among the less enlightened that can affect every aspect of life, including race, religion, vocation, culture, education, etc. It's also not far removed from tribal perspectives when people feared a stranger from beyond the forest simply because they were different, and represented the unknown. For example, I have witnessed internal military bias against non-resident school diplomas despite the fact the military says "they count the same", and despite the fact that some non-resident courses require a competitive selection. Promotion boards however, have cut down on that nonsense. I've listened to senior NCOs without higher education justify "no need for it" via disdain for younger NCOs pursuing higher education "because they obviously aren't spending their time with troops", because that is their view of reality, the thing that props them up. For them to admit otherwise questions their whole belief system. Of course their are many more positive people who encourage further education. When you work among thousands of PhDs you find many who think less of those who didn't attend the same school, or who found an "easier" way to obtain a document. My own extremely rare direct appointment as a concurrent ranked reserve commissioned officer was often viewed by my fellow senior NCOs as somehow "honorary" if they saw it as a threat; many suggested that I was a RIFed officer...yet it had it's own regulation and policies they chose to ignore. Similarly a West Point graduate, proud of his/her difficult achievement might think an ROTC graduate or a battlefield commission with the same rank didn't earn it like they did, despite the fact that a commission is a commission regardless of the source; and yet there exists a pecking order among sources of commissions that affects dates of rank, etc. I think you get the point. The trend today is moving more toward on-line education and combinations of on-line, classroom, testing, credit for military and other experiences, etc. As a member of Excelsior College Alumni Leadership Council I can tell you that Excelsior degrees are more widely accredited and accepted than some others. Key indicators for any serious school or university is accreditation and reputation, perhaps followed by graduation rates and employment. So yes, if the reputation of a school feeds negative perceptions, expect those who hold the perception to question it.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 20 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-08-20T10:24:55-04:00

It nice to do online if you a single mother, or something prevent you from travel/leaving the house, But i prefer campus style then online, You can meet bew friend, get help with homework if stuck, and campus school are mostly known by career profession then online.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-08-20T13:45:06-04:00

I went to Brick and Mortar and Online. Online was exceedingly harder and I learned so much more. Why? Because everyone in the class; present company included, was over the age of 30.

No one had to deal with the spoiled 1982-year old child who was not responsible for paying their who tuition. I graduated from Colorado Technical University and during an interview one of the interviewers said, "Colorado Technical University, that's a great school. " He was a Georgia Tech graduated. I got the job at a prominent company.

Response by MSgt Laurie Kline made Aug 20 at 2015 2:13 PM

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I received my Bachelor's from American Military University and feel that it may have been a determining factor when applying for jobs in the Human Resource field. Some online schools are legitimate and have the proper accreditation, but others are just looking to make a dollar from unsuspecting Veterans. This video from PBS Frontline is definitely an eye opener and worth watching concerning the subject. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/educating-sergeant-pantzke/

Educating Sergeant Pantzke

What's the deal today's veterans are getting from for-profit colleges? The sales pitches promise a high quality degree-- but does that promise hold up?

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-08-20T14:17:23-04:00

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-08-20T14:24:00-04:00

Online universities are merely the wave of the future. However, think from the perspective of a non-military related individual. With a title such as Amerrican "Military" University, many civilians would hold less value when it comes to determining whether a degree from such an institution would be considered valid or not. Many of the more publicized online colleges will have that effect (to include Kaplan). Personally, I have heard nothing but great things from individuals who attended AMU, but the title turned me away as well.

I eventually completed my undergrad studies with Ashford University which has a B&M campus in Clinton, IA. The online program is ran similiarily to AMU. Since then, I have switched over to Columbia Southern University due to lower tuition rates for graduate studies.

I would advise you to find what fits your needs. You will never be able to prove or validate perceptions on utilizing online learning options. Some hiring managers will simply hold their biases. Look for a school which is both nationally and regionally accredited and hope for the best!

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-08-20T15:25:48-04:00

Western governors university wgu.edu is one of the best I can recommend because it's at your own pace, fta pays for this not for profit university and it's regionally accredited in all regions, not just one. Grand canyon university is a great one for PhD. It's cheaper than north central university at about 13k/year.

But at wgu a motivated soldier can earn a degree in six months through dedication and hard work.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Aug 20 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-08-20T17:58:50-04:00

I found that advice incorrect. I have my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeVry in 1995 and my MBA from University of Phoenix in 2006. Devry was not online in 1995, but UOP was.

Employers look for EXPERIENCE over where you went to school. Can you translate the experience you have from the military to a resume and transition that into what they are looking for? Otherwise, my two degrees did not hinder me in the earlier stages of my career but I did not have the accounting experience to get hired until I worked on the fringes for about a year and a half, wrote that up as accounting experience when the company I temped for hired me for my first regular accounting position. Since then, I have taken and passed the CPA exam and attained my FINRA licenses. Watch your costs. Private schools can be expensive but they can also get you a much better education. I actually graduated with 150 credits for my Bachelors program and had a year of Federal Taxation and Business Law which most public universities do not offer as part of a business studies curriculum. Also check alumni networks and Career Services at any college you apply to and check to see that the school has resources and classes to give you the job-seeking tools you need to land a position of your studies in the private marketplace. In my senior year, Devry gave us graduating a 2-credit course, CARD 405. This specifically taught us job skills-the search process, hunting and networking techniques, interviewing, and acceptance. Do not take a class like this online. A valuable part of the class is the mock interview where you are interviewed for a position in class and the class evaluates you and lets you know where you are messing up. In the end, your work product from the course goes to Graduate Placement who blasts your resume across the nation and woos recruiters during your final semester to come to the school and interview you.

Response by PV2 Edward Elkins made Aug 20 at 2015 8:47 PM

2015-08-20T20:47:40-04:00

I found that there was a lot of cruddy tech schools and community colleges out there who were not really going to get me the education or funding I needed to get a good education. After 3 years of a community college and still no degree with hippie doctorate teachers who had long hair down to their buttocks, I decided to look into an online degree. After spending thousands on a 2 year transfer degree that was taking way to long because I changed my training path do to shortage of funds. I started out in flight school through the community college. I turned my GI Bill extension papers in a month to early and they stopped the GI Bill . So I sought more affordable schooling. When I looked online I first found a non accredited resource called universalclass.com awesome courses but you don't get accreditation. If you are looking for business knowledge or to up your general education knowledge for 185 dollars you get all the classes you can take in a year with no time limits on them, for a little over 200 you get all you can take in 2 years unlimited classes. If you go to WGU.edu it is ranked number one amongst the veteran association among veterans. I enrolled with WGU and it is awesome. It is regionally accredited , you pay by the term, it costs 6000 a year for a business degree , around the same for nursing , education, or IT degrees. That is about the same price as you get a Pell Grant for so you don't need loans and don't need a GI Bill. The books are ebooks unless you want to order regular texts. 5 day's a week you have access to tutors who will go over every question on your assignments with you, the grading is all rubics , so you have to get a grade that is considered B or 80's percent on all final tests, your grade is completely based on the final exam of each course not the assignments. You get 6 months to finish all your courses each term, you can finish them in a week which is not impossible, and on subjects you know well you can test out of the class. There is no bull, you get a mentor who calls you once a week and gets you on track, its not a harassment they really help you figure out what you need to do each week to get your assignments done or take the tests. You won't get that attention in any college. You also have Cohorts that are on going for each course with live interactive virtual classrooms, the finals are proctored exams with webcam or you can take them at a local university if they participate in the proctoring program. so basically for free you get an accredited degree and they have masters programs that are very affordable compared to other regionally accredited schools. Western Governors University

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Aug 21 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-08-21T15:33:42-04:00

Make sure they are one of the best schools.

http://www.thebestschools.org/rankings/best-online-colleges/

The 50 Best Online Colleges for 2015–2016 | The Best Schools

This up-to-date ranking of the 50 best online colleges and universities is based on extensive research and familiarity with American online education.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-08-21T18:55:21-04:00

In addition to your question. I plan to take a few classes through AMU so that when I transfer to a 4 year university in Janruary of 2016 I will have enough credits to be a transfer student instead of a incoming freshman. Since i am just using AMU for a few credits would those credits be useless for a hiring manager when looking at them and pretty much be a waste of money or would it not matter in the end because my degree was from a University?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-08-22T13:12:29-04:00

If a hiring manager cannot give me credit for utilizing 2 out of my 4 hours of free time each day to do online classes, then I don't think we are a good fit. I think it speaks more of you that you were able to do more than one thing at a time and achieve success. Anybody can go to school full-time (with the money) and get a degree without any other obligations.

Response by 1LT Ryan Millican made Aug 22 at 2015 10:11 PM

2015-08-22T22:11:10-04:00

There are some managers out there that say they don't like online colleges, but honestly in my opinion and some HR managers that I know, online universities show more self-discipline, since you're pretty much teaching yourself and have to be more self reliant than if you were in a traditional brick and mortar store.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Aug 25 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-08-25T19:04:14-04:00

Because there are "pay the fee, get the B" schools in both traditional and online schools, but I would guess the percentage of subpar schools online is much higher.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 7:51 AM

2015-09-16T07:51:34-04:00

I wanted to give everyone an update. I chose a college. I chose University of Virginia.
I chose it because after talking to a counselor there, I can apply my Associate's Degree and take classes through a satellite campus nearby me and knock my degree out in a year to a year and a half. After speaking to many folks in the Federal Goverment, I felt a brick and mortar school was the best option for me. I thank you all for your very valuable feedback and I apppreciate you all!

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, 1SG Michael Blount, SGT Ben Keen MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, SSgt Alex Robinson, TSgt Joshua Copeland

Response by Capt Craig Gilman made Sep 17 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-09-17T15:18:27-04:00

Look up the website for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). This is the premier, professional organization dealing with human resources, such as hiring managers. At one point I remember reading a survey the conducted of hiring managers in which the percentage that would hire someone with a degree from an online school was in the upper end of the 90% range. A more general, recent SHRM article can provide insight that supports this, What's the Value of an Online Degree? As the article suggests, there are good and bad choices for both traditional and online delivery. A good hiring manager will know what schools to avoid.

I have taught in both traditional, brick-and-mortar and online environments, with approximately 8 years in the later and I am here to tell you that you can get just as good an education from an online as you can brick-and-mortar. In some cases one mode of delivery might be better for particular sub-groups of students. For example, online learning does not lend itself to programs that require significant lab or clinical work. One will not become a surgeon or performing artist at an online university; at least not yet. However, for the working, professional student, the convenience of asynchronous online learning often beats the 3-hour marathon Thursday evening course in which both the teacher and students are at the end of a long day and have no choice in the matter.
In the end, it is not much different than anything else in life, what one puts into their education, one gets out of it. A good hiring process will ultimately lead to a comprehensive interview process during which one who attended an online university and learned will be hired over one who attended a brick and mortar and didn’t.

Response by Capt Craig Gilman made Sep 17 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-09-17T15:21:31-04:00

I have taught in both traditional, brick-and-mortar and online environments, with approximately 8 years in the later and I am here to tell you that you can get just as good an education from an online as you can brick-and-mortar. In some cases one mode of delivery might be better for particular sub-groups of students. For example, online learning does not lend itself to programs that require significant lab or clinical work. One will not become a surgeon or performing artist at an online university; at least not yet. However, for the working, professional student, the convenience of asynchronous online learning often beats the 3-hour marathon Thursday evening course in which both the teacher and students are at the end of a long day and have no choice in the matter.

Response by Capt Craig Gilman made Sep 17 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-09-17T15:32:47-04:00

The Society of Human Resource Management is the professional organization dealing with HR. I read a survey conducted of hiring managers in which the percentage that would hire someone with a degree from an online school was in the 90% range. A more general, recent SHRM article can provide insight that supports this, What's the Value of an Online Degree? As the article suggests, there are good and bad choices for both traditional and online delivery.

In the end, it is not much different than anything else in life, what one puts into their education, one gets out of it. A good hiring process will ultimately lead to a comprehensive interview process during which one who attended an online university and learned will be hired over one who attended a brick and mortar and didn’t.

Response by SGM Ed Mounts made Sep 24 at 2015 6:11 PM

2015-09-24T18:11:09-04:00

Response by SFC James Reeder made Nov 26 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-11-26T11:33:36-05:00

Any for-profit degree is just a piece of paper in my opinion. They are a good check-the-block degree required for many government jobs.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2017 12:21 PM

2017-04-21T12:21:07-04:00

This thread is an older thread; however, I wanted to take a moment to reply as I have a degree from AMU and have experience in the work place. I graduated from AMU with a BA Intelligence Studies with Honors - Cyber Concentration. AMU provided me with the opportunity to attend University full time while working full time. I completed two classes every 8 weeks for just about two years. With credits from University of Maryland, Central Texas College, ACE/CLEP, and CISSP credits transferred to the AMU. They are approved for GI Bill and are veteran friendly. They also are VERY supportive of deployments and approve extensions to complete the class due to the unique mission of the military.

My wife has a PhD from brick and mortar. She was really interested to learn more about online degree granting programs and was amazed at not only the 'required student weekly interaction' through forum posts; but also of the academic rigors to complete the class.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to plagiarize at AMU as all work is submitted through Turn-it In online, which compares your work to other work submitted on line as well as published on line. The university also blocks students from 'recycling' their own papers for multiple classes.

My professors in my program worked full time at DIA and other government agencies, providing 'relevant' information and qualified review of homework and papers beyond academic experience and research.

My employers have recognized my degree as well as my experience. AMU is number within DoD for enrolled service members.

Do not pay attention to the people who do not have real experience with the university. Any one that says 'from what I have heard' do not know themselves. I do. I enjoyed my time at AMU. I am returning for my MS shortly.

BTW: My employer payed for some of my classes at AMU.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 1:56 PM

2017-04-27T13:56:54-04:00

Good luck at your choice! UVA should be a good option.

To toss my 1/2 cent into the mix for any using this in their own decision:

Brick & mortar, at least for now, will likely hold at least a bit more sway than online. But that's changing, especially with so many brick and mortars offering online degrees (and some only online, such as University of Colorado - Colorado Springs only offering their Masters in Engineering with a focus on Space Systems online). So it gets harder to argue that online doesn't count as much. So unless it's a top 10 such as Harvard, Cornell, Yale, etc. or a big name public school such as Michigan, Penn State, UCLA, etc. then there really won't likely be a concern either way.

Make sure, either way, that it's regionally accredited. It's the best way to try and make sure your money and degree will go the furthest. It's the most recognized, and the easiest to transfer credits.

Decide how much time, effort, and prestige you're looking for. It used to matter that your degree matched your field. Now it just seems they want you to have a degree, matching might be a bonus but doesn't matter as much. Some might differ on this but the bulk I've spoken to at schools and for hiring so far have commented in this direction. Masters often still matters that it's the same field, but even that seems to be fading. As some others have mentioned most places are getting more interested in experience and the discipline to finish the degree than what it's in. If you're gunning for the big pay at some major name firm, the prestige of a ranked B&M school could be worth it.

Do your homework, talk to folks, and read reviews. There are quite a few lists, reviews, and articles on 'the best of' for schools. Some for Veterans, some online specific, some B&M specific that work with veterans, others with the best financial aid programs, etc. Check to see if the school you're interested is consistently mentioned. I know many people who've gone to AMU and had great experiences, for Bachelors and Masters. There have been a few in person, and some on here apparently, that didn't have the best experience. That's probably why, although AMU was frequently mentioned in such articles I've read they weren't often one of the top schools. They were generally mentioned as a school that's popular with military folks, regionally accredited, provides a 'grant' for undergraduate books (often using digital books instead to offset costs), and usually works with military folks in situations (but not always apparently from some on here). It's up to you if that's good enough.

Look at cost. Going to Cornell is great, but do you have the time and budget? If going after you get out do you have a backup plan if you're not one of the 25 or 28 veterans they select to receive the Yellow Ribbon funds to cover tuition that GI Bill won't (and it's a chunk)? Can you afford a couple hundred every 8-16 weeks or whatnot for books if going while in (since TA and GI Bill don't cover books/housing while active duty last I checked)?

If needed look at test score requirements. Most schools don't rely solely on test scores, but look at the average for those accepted. Do you have the GMAT score over 700 like most higher schools prefer, or does the one you want accept 650? Or is it needed at all? Do you need to prep for it?

I've probably missed some things but hopefully it helps.

In my case specifically I started in high school with dual enrollment, went to a state university in Florida until I ran out of money, went home, joined the Air Force. As an Airman I took advantage of CLEP and DANTES to max those out if accepted. I have Associates from CCAF in both my career fields, and a Professional Management certification (and working on a Project Management one). I have a BA in International Relations from AMU, that actually had some really interesting classes and surprised me (in a good way) with the difficulty and depth for some of the classes for an online undergrad Political Science degree.

Now I'm considering a Masters degree. I have some ideas for the future so looking at MBAs. I'd love to go in-residence at Cornell's SC Johnson School of Business or Michigan's Ross School of Business, but I can't support my family doing that as I'd have to wait 'til I get out and use Yellow Ribbon. So that leaves me with something online to some extent while I'm still in. Michigan's Ross has a program in LA that's in-person one weekend a month and distance/online with your team of students the rest of the month. So that's the one I'm considering. But I have to prep for the GMAT and take it. Their average accepted score is 700 (out of 800) so I have some work to do, but I'm hoping my experience and possibly military background will play in my favor. But if I can get accepted and finish the 21-month program about the time I retire I should be looking at a very high likelihood of landing a good, well-paying job. So the hassle is worth it to me.

If that much hassle isn't worth it to someone else for their goals, an online Masters from a 'regular' B&M or decent online school such as AMU could be perfect.

In the end do your homework and aim for your goals. Those two bits should put you where you need to be.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 7:52 PM

2017-04-27T19:52:18-04:00

Be sure whatever college or university you choose to attend is accredited and is "named". A lot of these colleges are springing up over night in order to make some money with professors that have doctorates from questionable sources. If you Google some online schools you'll find that some of the professors are teaching courses which they have little to no education/experience in.

I did my MA at Arizona State University online. Cheap, well known, and most of all, legitimate.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2020 11:43 AM

2020-10-26T11:43:17-04:00

Older post, but I find it interesting that so many B&M are now online and struggling with the process if they have never had an online curriculum prior to COVID-19. Students are struggling as well, as the professors are unprepared with how to teach on-line, are using other professor's YouTube videos (often not affiliated with the same university or university system, yes I believe that is plagiarism and laziness), and the university has failed to create an intro to on-line learning course to help students understand the process of online learning.