Homeland security educationAmerican Military University: meeting the needs of the security community
AMU promises a learning community of like-minded adult professionals with established careers in law enforcement, emergency services, national security, and intelligence; the current student body of 70,000 students worldwide is divided between 60 percent military and 40 percent non-military; in terms of program satisfaction, 98 percent of the 3,631 students surveyed between January 2010 and September 2010 reported that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience at AMU
Established in 1991 by former Marine Corps officer and instructor, James P. Etter, American Military University (AMU) focused on creating an educational program that meet the mobile and irregular schedules of the military while providing service men and women the option of financial assistance. As the university developed, civilian open-enrollment programs began to emerge — primarily for police, fire, emergency management personnel, and national security professionals. In 2002 the institution was reorganized into a two university system in order to establish a non-military market (American Military University & American Public University System [APUS]). This move reflected the institution’s efforts to reach the greater public by offering over 100 online certificate and associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs.
According to Jeff Kuhn, director of public safety outreach at APUS, in 2004 the student body consisted of 8,000 students, with a ratio of 90 percent military and 10 percent non-military. Today, the 70,000 students worldwide are divided between 60 percent military and 40 percent non-military.
The institution promises a learning community of like-minded adult professionals with established careers in law enforcement, emergency services, national security, and intelligence. AMU and APUS make partnerships with professional affiliates such as the FBI National Academy, California Post Command College, USMC Civilian Law Enforcement Academies, National Fraternal Order of Police University, ASIS Security Academic Consortium, and more. The institution does not line up its students with prospective employers. Kuhn mentioned the high percentage of career
attainment their graduates had and according to the 3-year post graduation survey conducted from March 2009 to July 2010 — with 91 percent of the ninety-six students surveyed reporting that they were currently employed full time.
The most popular academic tracks offered by APUS are intelligence and history. In a March 2010 press release, APUS announced they would be introducing ten undergraduate certificate programs in information technology. APUS makes clear that they do not offer certifications but certificates which could then be applied to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree. The newly incepted certificates address concepts in-demand by the IT sector such as: computer systems and networks, cybercrime essentials, Internet Web master, IT project management essentials, and more.
The online class experience involves sessions without the use of live streaming video. The curriculum poses as a discussion thread, as Dr. Frank McClusky, provost, executive vice president elaborates: “At APUS we adhere to the Dewian and Socratic ideals that knowledge must be gained with the active engagement of both teacher and learner.” The classes run about eight or sixteen weeks, with flexible login requirements, and require the students to be involved and contribute to three or four major discussion threads. Their final exam must be completed in-class to receive credit for their course. APUS uses a continuous external and internal assessment process which consists of surveys, rubrics, course design improvements, faculty training and development, and more to ensure the quality of the student’s performance and experience. APUS uses nationally validated measures and initiatives (Integrated Postsecondary Education System [IPEDS], ETS Profile Proficiency Test, National Survey of Student Engagement) to benchmark themselves against outer higher education institutions offering similar programs such as: Phoenix, Strayer, and Devry.
There are 300 full-time faculty members and 1,000 adjunct at AMU/APUS and the average age of their student is 33, according to Kuhn. “The difference at APUS is that all our students are uniquely qualified in their own way which makes for a more diverse and enriching student body experience.” In terms of program satisfaction, 98 percent of the 3,631 students surveyed between January 2010 and September 2010 reported that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience at AMU/APU.
On top of providing textbooks, e-books, access to the library of congress, and other course materials at no cost to all undergraduate students earning credit, the financial aid office helps students with federal student aid, G.I. Bill, and other veteran’s benefits. Active Duty Tuition Assistance (TA), in some cases, can cover more than 80 percent of graduate tuition for up to six courses per year ($250/credit).
