Now that my “work” master’s degree is at last finished, or at least in its finishing throes, I’ve decided to start looking for the program that I’ve really wanted to take for my own satisfaction. My goal has been a graduate degree in history since my time as an undergrad, but circumstances to date haven’t been compatible with pursuing such a degree. Since I’m not interested in relocating to pursue the degree and am curious about a degree in military history, I’m probably limited to an online or distance learning program. That is probably not conducive to university teaching upon completion of the degree (or likely even acceptance to a PhD program, though I’m unsure exactly how that works) but that isn’t necessarily the goal I’m shooting for.
American Military University and Norwich University both offer programs for a Master of Arts in Military History. They may not be the most prominent programs, but certainly appear to be the most prevalent from their advertising. I thought I would see how the two programs compare head to head in several categories.
Accreditation.
Norwich: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
AMU: Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council.
Advantage: Even, given that I don’t know enough to gauge which is better.
Program of instruction.
Norwich: Six 11 week seminars (courses) of 6 credit hours each. Each semester consists of two seminars. Seminars include: Introduction to Military History, The Western Way of War, Military Thought and Theory, The Non-Western Way of War, U.S. Military History or Race and Gender in Military History, and the capstone seminar. The seminars are structured in a required sequence, and there are no electives. Normal completion 18-24 months from enrollment date. Program culminates in 1 week residency and graduation ceremony at Norwich in June. Total: 36 hours.
AMU: 4 required core courses on historical research methods, historiography, studies in U.S. military history, and great military philosophers. Selection of one of five areas of concentration: American military history, American Revolution, Civil war, World War II, and War since 1945. Each concentration consists of five required courses and one elective. No residency requirement, but there is a (optional) graduation ceremony in Washington D.C. each summer. Total: 36 hours.
Advantage: Even, depends on a given student’s preference for depth or breadth of study.
Start times.
Norwich: 4 --- March, June, September, or December.
AMU: monthly.
Advantage: AMU.
Flexibility of content.
Norwich: very little, with one choice between two classes during one semester. 6 mandatory seminars, taken in a required order.
AMU: choice of five concentration options. The concentration option most comparable to the Norwich degree is American Military History, which is comprised of five required classes and one elective. Required classes: American Revolution in Context, Civil War, World War II in Context, War Since 1945, and Great Military Leaders. Electives include classes on air power, land warfare throughout history, sea power, special topics and independent study.
Advantage: AMU.
Cost.
Norwich: $657 per hour, or $7884 per semester, plus semester technology fee of $475 and resource fee of $450. Fees include all books and materials. Total: $26,427.
AMU: $275 per hour, or $825 per course. No additional mandatory fees, but students purchase their own books and materials. Total: $9,900.
Advantage: AMU, though there will be those who argue that you get what you pay for.
Exit requirements.
Norwich: capstone paper, similar to a thesis, which is defended during residency.
AMU: two options: capstone seminar/ thesis or comprehensive exam.
Advantage: Even, with a slight edge to Norwich as I favor an in-person defense of the thesis.
X-factor:
Norwich: degree has no mention of online designation. Students receive “the official, traditional diploma of Norwich University.”
Advantage: Norwich, given remaining stigma attached to online degree programs.
Some categories were intentionally omitted, as I had no effective way to compare them, or didn’t think them relevant. Class size wasn’t available for both schools. Faculty comparisons would a very research-intensive study outside the scope of this comparison. This comparison is admittedly quantity slanted vs quality, as I have no data readily available to compare the two qualitatively. Other than, hopefully, commentary from readers familiar with one or both programs.
On the surface of my rather limited analysis, it would appear that AMU is the clear winner. But it’s hard to quantify education, and whether one would be able to progress academically from either of these programs, so hopefully someone will be willing to share their thoughts.
Friday, May 22, 2009
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9 comments:
This is a very interesting comparison as we are investigating Norwich University for my husband's M.A. in History. He is an archeaologist now and is looking for a change of pace, he prefers military history and hopes his B.A. in Anthropology adding a M.A. in History will boost his career choices. We are strongly in favor of Norwich becuase it seems more legitimate and we definitely don't want "online" attached especially in a field such as history where tradition may matter more. Norwich has been around since 1819 so I'm assuming the name has some cache over AMU.
Good point. But does AMU have "On-Line" on their degrees?
AMU Degress make no mention of Online. The only way ANYONE would ever know an AMU degree was earned online is if they knew of AMU. The only time this will ever come up is if you are applying for a PhD (maybe if the admissions board bothers to visit the AMU website), or are dealing with someone familiar with AMU. Employeers care that the degree if from a regionally acreddited University, which AMU is. AMU doesn't have the stugma of a Univ. of Phoenix, Kaplan, or Capella, because they are not widely known. EVERYONE knows Phoenix is an online school only. To most people AMU seems likely nothing more than a Small obscure private school.
FWIW, I'm a current AMU student in the Military History, SOLIC undergrad program. It is fantastic. I have 2 classes left to complete my degree, and I am preparing myself for the Military History, American Revolution graduate program.
For me, it was initially a financial decision. AMU is very affordable. There are days that I feel like I'm getting over on them. For the level of instruction I've received, I would expect to pay far more. A nice bonus is that all undergrad books are free (via a grant). My library is stocked. Graduate students have to pay for books.
In the case of AMU, it's not 'you get what you pay for', it's 'you get out of it what you put into it'. If you can manage your time, read the assignments, write at a graduate level, and contribute meaningfully to the discussions - you will be richly rewarded by attending AMU.
Norwich has name recognition, that's it! AMU offers many course options, scheduling conveniences, affordable tuition, and full regional accredidation! You will get out of the program what you put it into it.
The question you have to ask yourself is: What is the purpose of this degree program? If its personal enrichment then AMU is likely the best program because there are many course options at an awesome price!
Don,
This summer (8/2009), I received my MA in Military Studies with a Civil War concentration, from APU. I attended the grad ceremonies in Chantilly, VA. They were impressive and well organized.
Norwich would have been much too expensive for me even though for some it may be considered a more "legitimate" degree versus an internet school.
I put a lot into all of my courses and did well graduating with honors and joining two honor societies. I completely agree with Mr. Siciliano's comment that a student gets out of a class what he puts into it regardless of whether one is sitting in a classroom or working online.
Interaction with students and the professor can be minimal unless the online professor makes good use of the classroom feature.
This is my fourth college/university degree and the only one, so far, taken online. I've attended five brick and mortar schools and enjoyed the instant interaction of professor and student which is not available online, at least when I attended APU. Still, the use of the classroom feature helped and apparently there is the availability of a chat room which none of my classes used.
Overall for me, APU was well worth my time and money. I haven't tried to find a job so my APU degree hasn't been an issue. I only hope they offer PhD programs in the near future.
Larry Freiheit
Larry,
I was pretty sure that was the route you had taken, and have been hoping you would see this and post. I was very interested in your insights into the AMU program, though I've been too busy lately to email directly. life's been in the way of late, so I won't be making the jump for MA II for another few months.
The resposnses for AMU has been overwhelming, and it seems somewhat revealing to me that no one has responded in defense of Norwich. In military circles, Norwich is much more well-known and receives more prerss, but I didn't see that much difference on first or second comparison (hence the post). This topic has drawn a good bit of attention, so I may attempt to re-open the discussion in a new post.
Oops, sorry, larry. And congratulations on finishing your degree! Any chance I can get a peek at that paper you showed me the reference list for?
Don,
Forgive my poor memory--was that the bibliography for my cavalry during the Maryland Campaign book or some other paper?
I'm continuing work on the cav book but I'm sure it won't be done until next year. It will be at least 200 pages long with maps, photos, etc., but I could e-mail parts of it to you if you wish. I can send you a current TOC. In the near future, I hope to finish the HF escape column chapter--perhaps you would like to review it since you have done a lot of work on that episode? Craig said he might be able to review it, too.
Larry
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