American Public University for Masters?

[rebel100]

I am thinking of taking a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) at APU/AMU. APU Degree Program: Master of Public Administration-Capstone Option

I was all set to attempt the online MBA at Chadron State, but I'm just not excited about 12 Grad level courses in Business right now....It's not really where I see myself going, though the MBA is undoubtedly a versatile piece of paper. Chadron also has 8 week semesters...Huge plus for me, I can muddle through anything for 8 weeks!

I then looked at a Masters in Public Health at the University of West Florida, it's interesting, I can fit several classes in Emergency Management in, but I'm afraid of the Statistics requirement, the classes are not offered very often meaning the process gets drawn out, and I fear the degree might be too limiting. Classes are 15-16 weeks long.

That's when I rediscovered APU, I nearly went with them for my Bachelors before I discovered IC and found COSC/TESC/EC. APU offers several Masters Programs that are designed around 8 week classes, they start each class basically every other month so you can get in and get done. I'm considering the Masters of Public Administration. It's management, albeit government/non profit type Mngt, but nonetheless has leadership features. There is little to no math. and I can rack up about 12 credits in Emergency Management. I really would like to teach Paramedicine/Emergency Management at the CC level one day and I think this program would help make that possible. APU/AMU is regionally accredited though they mention no special accreditation for the MPA. I have some concerns though...

APU/AMU is a very young, strictly online, for profit college/corporation. I see mixed reviews regarding the validity of the school. I definitely don't want to waste my time gaining a credential that won't be taken seriously by employers. I sometimes hear APU mentioned alongside UoP....thats just about a deal breaker for me right there. I associate UoP with nearly stealing from unsuspecting students (no offense meant to anyone). I would hate to find myself with a "weak" masters. Yet AMU/APU is accredited, cheap, easy to get into, great format, I think it's well within my ability to do well, and I can't find anything really wrong with it....except this nagging bad feeling about the place.

Any insight is welcome

Perhaps I'm just thinking too much. I sat in on a discussion the other day for a $75k job and no one even mentioned the candidates education...they really didn't seem to care, it was all experience and interview/people skills. Perhaps I'm wasting my time, I dunno.

I really need to make a decision and do something in the next week or 2.

[rebel100]

Well, after a PM from Professor Alleycat I more closely inspected the AMU MBA. Turns out they have the same ACBSP accreditation as Chadron State but they will allow a "Homeland Security" concentration within the Masters. ........I think I have found the program for me AMU Degree Program: Master of Business Administration

All the versatility of an MBA with industry specific courses that I'm actually interested in and it's arguably the equivalent of my other choice. APU is easier to get into (no Test or core competencies), and they have classes starting in just about all classes every 2 months.

Thanks to all who PM'ed me!

[alleycat]

Reb I am so glad that I sent you that PM. Good for you. I am glad you could look at all of the pro's and con's of the degrees.

Professor Alleycat

[Gooberman11]

This forum is sooo great, but what promted Prof. Alleycat to PM instead of post for us all to see her insight? Probably more personnel info-I understand. But, I would have loved to hear (read) peoples pro's and con's for the options Reb was considering....

Glad to hear you found your plan Reb!

[marianne202]

Rebel, I too considered an MBA, but had no desire to work in a strictly business environment. I knew I wanted to use my healthcare background and stay somewhere in healthcare. What I did was look at any possible professional accreditations that I might want to pursue in the future. Then I looked at what they required in a degree. I also looked at job listings from a variety of sources of the jobs I would like to possibly pursue ie: hospital management or teaching at a university in a healthcare related program. That led me to the MHA degree. I then found AUPHA which is an accrediting body for MHA programs. I found one that was affiliated and I was off and running. I will tell you that I was also afraid of the healthcare statistics class, but it was actually one of my favorite classes so far. We didn't spend time learning formulas we learned how to use various statistical programs, that do all the brain and math work!!! I did waffle between an MPA or MHA, but when I looked at the actual courses in both programs I gravitated towards the MHA courses. I don't think you can over think a choice like this. I knew I wanted something totally online that I could finish quickly. I will graduate March 5th with my MHA and I can't believe how fast the 18 months flew by. I only have 2 more classes and I'm done! I spent about 6 months researching programs, schools and student feedback and for the most part I'm very happy with my choice. You will find the perfect program that fits all your needs, just spend the time you need and really think about what you need in a program and about your end goal. I was asked last week to head a new curriculum program in conjunction with another school so I would be over both school programs. That would result in about a 50% raise. So I went from no job and no degree when I arrived here almost 3 yrs ago to this point professionally, because I took the time to research and think about what I wanted and where I wanted to be in the future. You will find your best fit, but look at all your options and think about your future goals and just go for it! You will succeed regardless of your choice!

[rebel100]

Marrianne, is it correct that a cc will want 15-18 grad credits to teach a subject? Do they generally require educational training to teach say end or emergency mngt. ?

[marianne202]

Rebel the 18 grad credits is for college transfer classes, so think things like English, math, sciences etc. Most CC just prefer a master's in the subject or related area. So to teach EMS you will find that they will accept a bachelor's with a certification such as state certified EMT-P or NREMT-P. If the masters is in another subject area that opens up your options for teaching other courses. If you want to teach gen ed classes you can always add grad credits as you have time. As an example my BSLS has a focus in psychology, so I could teach some non-transfer classes in psychology, but I would need 18 credits at grad level to teach anything transferable. Basically, for transfer classes they have to be taught at the same level as at the university level, so just look at the university requirements for classes in that category. For my area of specialization the university programs consider an MHA a terminal degree, as opposed to other areas where the terminial is a doctorate. So for me the MHA and a certification is terminal and sets me up to teach at either level. Specific educational training is not required. I have seen grad certs in CC education, but have never done one. If you want to move up to Dean or VP you may benefit from Doctorate in education, but I have no desire to get into admin. Too much paperwork and not enough student contact for my liking! Plus I'm not known for my political correctness in all situations!

[CLEP101]

Marrianne, is it correct that a cc will want 15-18 grad credits to teach a subject? Do they generally require educational training to teach say end or emergency mngt. ?

Rebel, That is the reason I'm doing a Grad certificate in American History with AMU/APU. It is 18 SH towards a Masters and I spoke with CTC and said I can teach History with them once I complete the certificate. Masters is preferrable but they will take 18 SH in a subject are in order to teach.

[rebel100]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies, your assistance means a lot to me! Marrianne, in many ways I sorta think of you as my personal college advisor...you had a big part in getting me where I am, I value your wise counsel!

I am interested in being able to teach, in fact I have taught EMS/Paramedic at a local branch of a career college that is no longer in my area. I enjoyed it so much that i have tried to get back in, but there are a few issues that seem to prevent that locally at this time. I am wondering if I could work 18 credits into a masters that would allow me to pursue a more pure academic course of study such as politics/history. To that end I have discovered yet another option.....(the whole bord rolls their eyes )

I just found the Master of Arts in Independent Studies at Western New Mexico University. I have to say it's the first program I have really been excited about. Virtual Campus - Online Programs The biggest benefit is cost, if pursued part time on a 2 year track the degree should be < $7000 That aone makes it a strong contender...but there is so much more!

There are 18 credits in stuff that I might read just for fun in the History Dept. I could bang out half of this degree essentially studying a hobby! While i sneak that in there, I justify the validity of the program to my employer for reimbersment by taking the other 18 in a combination of business and criminal justice (I sell it as security/emergency management) My employer will pay for nearly the entire degree, my out of pocket something like $1000. I can begin to market myself now as an instructor in EMS/EM (read try again) and in the future I would be qualified to move into the History Dept. Heck, if nothing else i can retire to some out of the way spot that needs instructors and have a blast teaching in several different areas. ANd not have to slug my way through a bunch of boring business classes that I don't really want to take anyway. Here in Fla. you can even go the Administration route with "any" Masters degree, so there is another fallback justification.

UGGHHHH.....I'm trained to make quick thorough assesments and act upon them....this personal indecision is just killing me!

[ryoder]

Rebel, I have also considered that same path due to the low cost. There is actually a lot more info on the other degree message board on options like this for masters degrees. You should check it out.