American Military University American Public University My experience at American Public University/American Military University Charlestown, West Virginia

I have been attending American Public University, the branch of American Military University for two years in a masters program. Before attending there, I attended Pennsylvania State University for my bachelors degree. I received a top notch education at PSU and wanted the same for my masters program. I began my masters program at a local brick and mortar college which seemed to have the required credentials to be considered good. As a mother, wife and working 30+ hours a week, I found it difficult with the driving back and forth that I researched online schooling.

For my desired degree, the college must meet rigorous national standards, which American Public University meets. By the way, the brick and mortar college I started at- does not meet those national standards even though I initially was led to believe they did. Anyway, is the work easier than a traditional college, absolutely not. I spend more time doing papers, numerous research papers- than I ever did in my bachelors program and the two semesters at the brick and mortar college. My professors at APU/AMU have been very involved in my education. Do they hold your hand and teach you everything there is to know in their subject area? No, because it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the adult taking the course to take the material provided by the instructor and learn by researching on your own. I find this kind of learning to be better than having everything spoon fed to me, just my personal opinion.

The intent of online learning is to allow adult learners the freedom to choose when they study and eliminate travel time. My degree requires numerous assignments which require time within actual settings for my field of study. What better way to learn then by experiencing it out in the field. AMU/APU is convenient for the student that has the drive to obtain an education in a manner that has prepared me for my chosen field. I have not received easy A's and while I have a high grade point average, I had to work very hard to maintain that average. I hope anyone considering this college reads the numerous accounts of positive experiences. It is very affordable when compared to traditional colleges and other online colleges. Check the facts...for me, APU has been wonderful. Online education is the direction our world is going in as even brick and mortar colleges are adding online courses to help busy working people.

Consider this, parents homeschooling their children do not require seven hours of class time as do public schools. What is the difference? Homeschooled children study only needed material without the films, movies and extra things that come with school. Am I knocking public education, of course not as my kids are in public school but my point is that homeschooling is often shorter in time because of eliminating the extras. Most people I know that homeschool are as educated as their public school counterparts or even better. The same for online education with AMU/APU, you get all the education you need to succeed and determine your own course. I recommend this college to my friends as I believe it is an awesome school and better than some traditional universities.