tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post8821415771047257155..comments2023-10-29T00:42:56.138-07:00Comments on Crossed Sabers: Military History graduate degreesDonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02981364424576706674noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-16005972515597623762012-01-16T18:05:06.142-08:002012-01-16T18:05:06.142-08:00Interesting how the pro-NU anonymous comments are ...Interesting how the pro-NU anonymous comments are on the unprofessional side with little data, where the AMU comments seem to be more professional and the posters are forthcoming with data. So far, I've seen false accusations against a well-respected regionally and nationally accredited institute of higher learning (AMU) and only trash talk from pro-NU writers. As a senior DOD civilian, I can state that at least 6 of the 72 employees in my division have AMU degrees. They fill positions ranging from management to research assistant. Some of the professors from the National Intelligence University under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence "moonlight" at AMU as online professors in addition to their daytime work instructing CIA, DIA, NSA, and FBI. I know some of those professors personally. The AMU degree holds its own, and it it respected in federal and contractor hiring circles. I do know one Norwich graduate, who is also a respected researcher. He is equally competitive with the AMU grads, but there is no difference in the hiring process. It has been a couple of years now, and both Norwich and AMU are both equally known as online institutions because of their advertising campaigns. Honestly, I didn't think Norwich was a brick-and-mortar because I had only seen their name when offering their distance programs on advertisements on the History Channel website and Janes Defence online. It sounds like a great program. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. If AMU ever offers a PhD, I know I would consider it as an alternative to brick and mortar because it would enable learning and accomplishment without taking me as far from my family and my career. (myself: BA History; Masters of Strategic Intelligence)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-56176958148873365062010-08-23T15:43:12.241-07:002010-08-23T15:43:12.241-07:00The AMU degeree is near useless -- AMU is a for-pr...The AMU degeree is near useless -- AMU is a for-profit university that passes anybody and anything. They have faux accred. Also, take a look at the faculty between AMU and NU -- NU wins hands down -- they have some of the best military historians in the world teaching their courses and advising students on their capstone papers. Note that AMU has tried to recruit some of the MMH faculty, but the profs don't want their name attached to AMU. If you want to pay you fee and get a piece of paper that is as useful as a piece of TP, go with AMU. If you want to get a real degree and study with some of the best miltiary historians out there, go with MMH at NU. Note, if you don't have a background in history, don't try to do the MMH program -- it will chew you up and spit you out. Consider that I like baseball, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to play for even the Pirates. If you're a "buff" who likes history, AMU will work for you. If you want a good education, and one that will challenge you, go with MMH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-28579058776568773492010-05-26T00:15:53.019-07:002010-05-26T00:15:53.019-07:00Full disclosure: I am an Army veteran currently fi...Full disclosure: I am an Army veteran currently finishing my MA in Diplomacy (International Relations) at NU.<br /><br />I can't comment on AMU at all. I will admit I did consider it briefly, but only briefly, because if you are going to spend the time, and expense, of pursuing an MA and you don't think that in addition to the quality of the education you receive (the most important consideration), the reputation of a brick and mortar institution and a long history as a private military academy (one of the 6 Senior Military Colleges, along with North Georgia, Texas A&M, the Citadel, VMI, and VA Polytech) doesn't count...you're kidding yourself.<br /><br />My undergrad degree (double major at the U of Minnesota in Russian Language and Literature and Russian Area Studies) was very writing intensive compared to most undergrad programs. It wasn't even in the same league as NU. When NU says be prepared for 25-30 hours a week to devote to studies, they are not kidding, in the least. I thought the first 2 courses in the MDY program were "weeder" courses, courses designed to thin out those who couldn't hack...boy, was I wrong. NU is one of the few online programs that really thought their process through and wanted to keep their curriculum and program above the normal reproach assigned to typical online degrees. A friend of mine is doing his MMH through Norwich, after completing his GMAP at The Fletcher School at Tufts, and he is adamant that the coursework, research, writing and reading demands at NU are just as tough and demanding as at Tufts and GWU.<br /><br />I share something in common with the original poster...the MDY is my "gotta have it for work degree," but I really want to complete a Masters program in Military History, which has always been my true passion...even though professionally, it will not really benefit me that much. I know that the common wisdom is not to go to a school that one has a previous degree from, which is why I am also looking at the MH programs at Austin Peay in Tennessee and Sam Houston State University in Texas. I understand North Georgia should also soon have an online MMH program up and running. But right now, I am so impressed with NU, and have gotten such positive feedback from both academics and military personnel on the value of an NU degree, that odds are I will return to NU for the MMH program as soon as I wrap up my MDY studies.Sean M. Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976388024666446121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-30320664722576194802010-01-11T03:55:27.705-08:002010-01-11T03:55:27.705-08:00AMU has had regional accreditation through the Hi...AMU has had regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association since 2006.(www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 800-621-7440)<br /><br />As for PhD canidacy, I know of AMU grads currently pursuing PhDs at FUI and Penn State.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-86778948427749468582010-01-09T23:17:45.220-08:002010-01-09T23:17:45.220-08:00I am currently enrolled in AMU for a BA in Militar...I am currently enrolled in AMU for a BA in Military History. I intend to continue on to a MA in MIlitary History after completing my BA. Before enrolling I researched the course offerings of several online colleges in history. <br /><br />When I saw that AMU offered degree programs in military history I narrowed my research to that subject. AMU offers the best selection of online classes in military history, and, in my opinion history. The class selections are numerous and varied. Other online and many brick and mortar colleges do not offer the same level of choice in military history classes. From selection alone AMU is superior to Norwich and others. The varied class offerings keep the student interested and engaged in the learning process. Some of our professors have published books in the areas of history.<br />Myself and many of my classmates are in the military. <br /><br />For us, AMU offers an educational advantage we would not otherwise be able to take advantage of until after our service. The advantage of taking AMU classes while still serving is that the tuition and the books are free.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07028062476638255236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-76460834372610581882009-11-29T09:16:27.286-08:002009-11-29T09:16:27.286-08:00This comment is regarding the comment of Anonymous...This comment is regarding the comment of Anonymous dated 16 Nov 09. AMU earned their regional accreditation earlier this year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-29918450569374335522009-11-17T11:11:23.606-08:002009-11-17T11:11:23.606-08:00Anonymous,
One thing I've learned with the in...Anonymous,<br /><br />One thing I've learned with the internet is to never say never. I wouldn't have thought backelors degrees would be offered online, much less graduate work, yet today it's pretty widespread. I do agree that an online PhD program is very unlikely any time soon, however.<br /><br />As long as you complete the degree with the same school, does regional accredibility really matter? If I don't attempt to transfer, what difference would it make? I would think the matter of a completed degree would generally stand on its own merits.<br /><br />That being said, all schools are definitely not equal when applying for PhD programs. From what I can tell from the available literature, acceptance into a PhD program after a MA from either of these schools would likely be a case of both or none would qualify. Whether "online" is a tag on the degree or not, those screening for the PhD program will take a careful look at where you did your graduate and undergraduate work.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02981364424576706674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-33312255795938885572009-11-17T11:05:19.166-08:002009-11-17T11:05:19.166-08:00SCUGrad,
The beauty of the program being online i...SCUGrad,<br /><br />The beauty of the program being online is that your physical location is irrelelvant. As far as your status with the university for tuition and such, you would need to contact the school directly. The same is true for any undergrad make-up work, but I don't think there would necessarily be any. The writing is liable to be the only issue, as a science academic career todate lends itself to a different sort of writing, but nothing that I think would give you too many problems.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02981364424576706674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-36693763133198356952009-11-16T19:42:15.459-08:002009-11-16T19:42:15.459-08:00I forgot to add--nobody is ever going to have a Ph...I forgot to add--nobody is ever going to have a PhD program online. The difficulty and expense of doing that and not having it be a farce would be extremely cost-prohibited if not impossible. As much as I wish it were available, there's no way you can do it, especially with the foreign language requirements, the sometimes national trips to archives, the boards, the prelims.. no way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-51340484803172045042009-11-16T19:39:45.455-08:002009-11-16T19:39:45.455-08:00Ok, not to offend any AMU people, but AMU IS NOT R...Ok, not to offend any AMU people, but AMU IS NOT REGIONALLY ACCREDITED. This means the credits won't transfer over to a lot of schools, and if they won't transfer it's likely for a reason. Regional accreditation is the most respected. I would never, ever consider going to that school for that reason. National accreditation is practically meaningless. You will not get into a rigorous PhD program with an AMU degree....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-9231570409614242892009-11-10T04:33:02.576-08:002009-11-10T04:33:02.576-08:00Folks:
My training has been in physics. I have a...Folks:<br /><br />My training has been in physics. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in physics which I earned in 1987 and 1992 respectively. I have no *formal* postsecondary history experience and my purpose for the program is solely for personal enrichment. Since I live abroad, I would obviously have to take all classes online.<br /><br />What undergrad stuff would I have to make up in order to get into the masters program? Also, how does being overseas affect my status?SCUGradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058951213403258478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-76544412204104198092009-10-07T05:35:12.480-07:002009-10-07T05:35:12.480-07:00Don,
Forgive my poor memory--was that the bibliog...Don,<br /><br />Forgive my poor memory--was that the bibliography for my cavalry during the Maryland Campaign book or some other paper?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />LarryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-76635856469294049522009-09-28T13:38:23.517-07:002009-09-28T13:38:23.517-07:00Oops, sorry, larry. And congratulations on finish...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?Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02981364424576706674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-34604094267572195882009-09-28T13:35:48.029-07:002009-09-28T13:35:48.029-07:00Larry,
I was pretty sure that was the route you h...Larry,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02981364424576706674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-20165092084807400082009-09-26T10:32:41.557-07:002009-09-26T10:32:41.557-07:00Don,
This summer (8/2009), I received my MA in Mi...Don,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Interaction with students and the professor can be minimal unless the online professor makes good use of the classroom feature.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Larry FreiheitAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-29901148141349582832009-09-06T22:39:26.594-07:002009-09-06T22:39:26.594-07:00Norwich has name recognition, that's it! AMU o...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.<br /><br />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!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-6392199784465653342009-08-05T11:22:26.165-07:002009-08-05T11:22:26.165-07:00FWIW, I'm a current AMU student in the Militar...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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.AC Sicilianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06450810329233580610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-23004243136987296752009-07-23T13:38:36.217-07:002009-07-23T13:38:36.217-07:00AMU Degress make no mention of Online. The only w...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-92084658750082766532009-07-17T21:12:11.578-07:002009-07-17T21:12:11.578-07:00Good point. But does AMU have "On-Line" ...Good point. But does AMU have "On-Line" on their degrees?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067579820246795126.post-10603441221547748642009-06-22T22:07:41.705-07:002009-06-22T22:07:41.705-07:00This is a very interesting comparison as we are in...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.<b>mida</b>https://www.blogger.com/profile/09888162322914024353noreply@blogger.com