American Military University : Master of Arts in History Reviews

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Just Got 10 More Years of Regional Acceditation

By: john.marshall445 (In Progress) on July 20, 2011

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I am a fairly new graduate student at APUS but I am very impressed.  I wish they had a stronger lecture component  - but otherwise it is probably how school should be done - lot's of writing, writing, writing and reading.  I'm in a class right now that has 5 required books.  Also, many students possess one or two masters already or even a Ph.D.  I am telling you from real world experience that that is NOT common in the brick and mortars.  Oh - the staff - - talk about accomplished people - I never had a professor write books before until I started at AMU  - now I've had 4!  One wrote 10 books.  And online learning?  Harvard Exten. School has an online program with a 15% or so residency requirement  - - and they don't discriminate between online or on-campus on the transcript.  Online is the real deal folks - - just make sure you get a regionally accredited school.  APU/AMU were just renewed regional accreditation for 10 years (through 2021).  And have you see the costs here? Unbeatable.  And free books for undergrads...  What's not to love?

Good school

By: oneilm (In Progress) on November 5, 2010

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I am enrolled in American Public University. I have mostly positive comments to say about the school. The quality of people who attend the university are amazing. People who already have other Masters and PHDs, people who are teachers, doctors, lawyers, work for NASA, the government, etc, all attend this school. That speaks highly of the school. I have zero issues with admin or the VA people at the school. This school is for adults, who are self starters, and can comprehend learning somewhat on their own, An online professor can only do so much. So if you want one on one attention eveytime you are in class then go to a brick and mortar school. I can gurantee you that even there you won't get the one on one attention you think you will get. Do what you feel comfrtable with. This school is highly accreditied with the same profesors you would find at any major college or university (same skill sets). You will work hard at this university. If you have no inititaive and are still a baby don't attend. If you are disciplined, need flexibility, and want a challenge, then enroll. Statistics show that online learning will grow in the next decade with 50% of all graduates in America earning an online degree. That number will increase and the brick and mortar schools of the past will fade into obscurity in the next 50 to 100 years.  I have learned more online than I ever learned sitting in a classroom because it forces me to do research and go through the website, etc. Mike O'Neil

Great Degree For Bragging Rights Or Not?

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on September 7, 2010

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I am a "Graduate" student at AMU. I don't plan to use this degree for employment purposes, as the value of this degree doesn't appear to be very high, so this is more like a hobby. The personal value I have for this degree is enormous, and I plan to show others my degree with pride. 

AMU has done right by me. No problems with my financial aid so far. The instructors are professional and appear to be among the best in their respective fields. The material is challenging and relevant. The classroom technology is annoying, but they have plans to change it. This university is geared towards military, and people who need a quick degree to get a promotion. Graduate students are not treated as budding academics and there is very little support given to students who wish to pursue a PHD. Students who have a poor idea of what pursuing a PHD entails are looking for AMU/APUS to start a PHD in History online program. They will probably be waiting forever. My advice is... if you want to eventually get a PHD, you are better off going to a traditional university. There are teaching, research and funding opportunities there and you won't have to worry about whether a PHD program will accept your M.A. or not.

Overall, AMU is good for those who like to earn degrees for fun. It is an excellent value if you are able to get your employer or Army to pay for it. I wouldn't pay more than $10,000 for a degree from here. For those looking into the institution's professional programs, beware of the accreditation of the program. The university may be regionally accredited but it may not have the actual accreditation for that profession.

AMU is no "free ride"

By: Justin (Graduate) on September 4, 2010

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I received my BA in History from Excelsior College and while working towards it, I took classes at a half dozen schools (online and in person) and transfered credit to Excelsior.  I just started with AMU and am working towards an MA in History.  Comparing the two History classes that I took at AMU versus Excelsior, U of Idaho, Cal State Northridge, U of Texas at Arlington and Brigham Young, the classes at AMU were (hands down) the most challenging - academically and the challenge posed by the professors.  Idaho was a close second.  I can say this: the online classes were harder than a class I sat in at the Cal State schools.  The Excelsior classes were easier than AMU and the Brigham Young were mid-way but required more discipline as they were "at your own pace" classes.  The AMU classes not only required a lot of writing, the STANDARD was very HIGH in that no amateurish work was allowed.  Each paper had to be to standard: documentation, thesis, logical and FLOWING argument, punctuation, etc.

AMU is no "easy way" out - really, the only advantage in going the AMU route versus your local "brick and mortar" school is the 8 week class length & the ability to work from home (or in my case, Afghanistan).  You aren't getting a "free ride" by going to AMU and I can't imagine ANY school or entity not taking the degree seriously if they know the crucible that the student must pass to finish a course.

Oh, and 8 week classes are no joke; expect 200% the work load of a 4 month class.  And only take 1 at a time; I took two once and it was near academic suicide.

Typical AMU 8 week course consists of reading 3+ textbooks cover to cover, writing at least one 4 page paper + a ten page research report, weekly discussion boards (and no "simple" posts - you are required to post a 250+ word argument that is backed up by documentation and reference to the texts and/or outside sources), TWO answers to other students that also require documentation and reference to the texts, a mid-term - usually a term paper), a final exam (another paper), bi-weekly quizes, etc.  Yeah, its a lot of work.  You should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours OR MORE in front of your computer each week.  Its like having a part time job.

Education that is Well Earned

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on December 2, 2009

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AMU is Top-Notch school that delivers its promises. I enjoy being challenged to learn from Professional Teachers. The books are well rated and correspond to the subject matter itself. I will say that there are a lot of Poor Students who say that AMU is terrible, but they are just quitters who never gave this school a chance. All in all, if you value a high quality education and value hard work in achieving those goals, then AMU is right for you.

great school but other depts are awful!

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on October 14, 2009

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I have almost completed my Masters in History.  AMU is nowhere near a "diploma mill" or a scam (like former posters have said) - they are regionally accredited and the instructors have top notch credentials.  Regionally accredited means the credits are the same as you would get a any normal University and they transfer with no question.  However, the other departments are not really that great.  I have had a couple of complaints about certain instructors and they fall on deaf ears.  Oh, they say the right things but that is it.  But my biggest complaint is with the financial aid department.  I have attended several Universities and so have my children.  None of them..let me stress that...NONE of them wait 30 days before even getting a person’s financial aid...then if you are lucky they will actually process it in 14 days.  They have no way for you to see your own student account so you could get an idea of what is going on with your disbursement.  Most Universities have direct deposit of refunds for students but AMU is not even close to that.  For all the professionalism of the rest of the school - the financial department runs like a diploma mill place - If they would establish a way for students to see their account it would eliminate hundreds of phone calls to the office and then maybe they could actually do some processing.  For a place that has as many students as they do, all over the World, you would think they would get an updated financial aid system that benefits them and the department.  I know the employees are working with what they have but they are so stressed that they do not seem to care about the students.  Your financial aid department is an important part of your school experience and in this area AMU fails miserably.  In fact, they come real close to violating the federal rules of distributing financial aid.

Great Online School

By: robalvarado (Graduate) on October 5, 2009

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I went to AMU for the past 2 years, and recently got my MA in American History.  I had a few reservations at first with going to a 100% online school, but the professors and expectations were great.  Plus, most "regular" Universities have already started offering online, distance education courses.  Cinncinati, UCSB, UCLA, etc., all offer some degrees online.  AMU is one of the best because they offer many programs.  All I know is this:  I'm a teacher and the last thing my district wants to do (especially right now) is pay more money for a MA degree.  My district verified that the credits earned at AMU were legit and no different than my credits at a "brick and mortar" university, and I got a pay raise.  As far as I'm concerned, that's all the confirmation I need that AMU is a great school!!!! (That and the quality of the courses as well...)

Great School

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on July 14, 2009

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I have no complaints about AMU. One day this school will be known for its quality. And, no I don't work for AMU. I work in the entertainment industry and I just love history.  I hope they get their PhD program one day. My only wish is that I wouldn't have screwed up my GI Bill and paid into it when I was a LT.

Go AMU!

WWII History

By: corvus37 (In Progress) on November 17, 2008

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AMU is a great school. I am studying for my master's degree in Military History and the courses are great. AMU does not require most of the stumbling blocks that Brick and Mortar Universities do. AMU has great professors and the discussions are excellent. The workload is alot, but if you want a reliable degree, then AMU is the right school for you. I just hope someday they will offer PHD programs in History.

Great

By: tireman4444 (Graduate) on May 22, 2008

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Great program. I love it. I have enjoyed my time there.

Solid School

By: Anonymous (Graduate) on November 28, 2007

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Their faculty in military history is truly unique and outstanding.  Nowhere else can you go for Civil War or European Military History and find courses and faculty like this one - and it's online.  They need a Ph.D. in Security Studies to top it off.

Civil War History

By: scoontz (Graduate) on August 20, 2007

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I was very please with my AMU experience. Very hard work, but well worth it. Professors were uniformly excellent and demanded your best. I am looking at taking additional CEU courses, as I am very pleased with the variety of courses - many of which are not found anywhere else.

AMU IS EXCELLENT

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on July 18, 2007

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I did my research for a year. AMU is without question the finest online institution, frankly I was planning to attend the Harvard Extension but they do not offer 100% distance learning therefore I decided to distance learn via American Military University. I did an Audit class at the Graduate level at AMU and it was the finest experience I had in a college setting (AMU was my first online college.) The instruction was superior, far beyond what I ever experienced via a 'regular' college. AMU is highly recommended across the board and holds both regional and national accreditations, and trains the military. AMU is the ticket if you want to avoid children and lengthy slow pace learning. It is simply a terrific institution. If you are planning to go to Graduate school and must complete your Bachelors, AMU is the ticket.

I'm happy with AMU

By: Anonymous (In Progress) on February 20, 2007

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I have to say AMU is a solid school. I have done hours of research on distance learning and think AMU is the best. If you have a GI-BILL or use active duty TA your school is free. Books are included and they even buy most of them back from you when your done. The customer support such as financial aide office, and academic advisor's are solid people.

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