Have any current govt/defense contract workers heard of AMU? (credit, schools)

[Nemesis16]

I'm currently looking at AMU (American Military University) for their MA in Homeland Security or MA in National Security Studies. I'm well aware that it's not a brick and mortar and is strictly an online institution. Just wondering if anyone with pertainence in the above fields have heard of such degrees being an asset. Thanks for your time.

[VRE332]

what does MA in Homeland Security studies entail ?

[GoHokiesGo]

I don't think any of the online university degrees are really worth anything. You'll spend a lot of money for a piece of paper that doesn't open any doors. I think you'd be much much better off spending your tuition money at a state/recognized school since most of them offer online degrees nowadays. A lot of the top elite schools (including ones with in-state tuition) offer multiple online masters degrees and work around your schedule.

I work for an Aerospace/Defense contractor (in the Propulsion field) . Most of our employees have degrees from well-recognized schools (most from highly ranked, elite schools in our fields). I think a lot of defense contractors look for a well-known school so that they know the caliber of the individual they're hiring; if you worked hard enough to get a degree from a good school then they'll take a bet on you being a hard-working employee also.

That's not to say that no one will hire you with an online degree, it's just that most individuals I've worked with don't place any extra weight or qualification on a degree from an entirely online school.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by GoHokiesGo

I don't think any of the online university degrees are really worth anything. You'll spend a lot of money for a piece of paper that doesn't open any doors. I think you'd be much much better off spending your tuition money at a state/recognized school since most of them offer online degrees nowadays. A lot of the top elite schools (including ones with in-state tuition) offer multiple online masters degrees and work around your schedule.

I work for an Aerospace/Defense contractor (in the Propulsion field) . Most of our employees have degrees from well-recognized schools (most from highly ranked, elite schools in our fields). I think a lot of defense contractors look for a well-known school so that they know the caliber of the individual they're hiring; if you worked hard enough to get a degree from a good school then they'll take a bet on you being a hard-working employee also.

That's not to say that no one will hire you with an online degree, it's just that most individuals I've worked with don't place any extra weight or qualification on a degree from an entirely online school.

Should we weigh our workforce by the school we attend, or by the degree we have? I think it's a mistake to do such a foolish thing by looking at the college names. There's group of people out in the workforce who did not attend college -or- have gone to a small community college, who are doing better than their big school counterparts. If I were a hiring manager, I would take a look at the person's resume first.

[ZakAttack]

I have a friend who got his degree from AMU (Masters in Strategic Intelligence), government paid for it. I think the only good thing about the online grad schools is you usually don't have to take the GRE/GMAT entrance exams.

It is supposedly both regionally and nationally accredited, so that is good. Having a masters in anything will let you start as a GS-9 instead of a GS-7.

Other than that, yes I would agree that a more reputable brick-and-mortar school would be a better option, and in this area you have a ton of choices with online courses available as well. Research GMU, as well as Virginia Tech and UVA both have NoVA satellite offices/programs.

[dod236]

Nemesis16, I can give you first hand info, because I'm an adjunct instructor (Mathematics) with AMU. From what I know they are very reputable when it comes to government jobs.

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by GoHokiesGo

I don't think any of the online university degrees are really worth anything. You'll spend a lot of money for a piece of paper that doesn't open any doors. I think you'd be much much better off spending your tuition money at a state/recognized school since most of them offer online degrees nowadays. A lot of the top elite schools (including ones with in-state tuition) offer multiple online masters degrees and work around your schedule.

I work for an Aerospace/Defense contractor (in the Propulsion field) . Most of our employees have degrees from well-recognized schools (most from highly ranked, elite schools in our fields). I think a lot of defense contractors look for a well-known school so that they know the caliber of the individual they're hiring; if you worked hard enough to get a degree from a good school then they'll take a bet on you being a hard-working employee also.

That's not to say that no one will hire you with an online degree, it's just that most individuals I've worked with don't place any extra weight or qualification on a degree from an entirely online school.

I think it depends on what area of focus your job is in. Obviously, for technical expertise in aerospace, mechanical,etc. engineering, a well-known degree will be handy. But as you probably know, most defense contractor jobs have military experience of some sort because these private corporations are less-inclined to shell out a lot of money for security clearances.

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by VRE332

what does MA in Homeland Security studies entail ?

This degree focuses on an interdisciplinary set of topics in the new graduate discipline of homeland security. The degree is designed to provide broad coverage of the major homeland security threats, organization, and challenges through course study in homeland defense, intelligence and homeland security, terrorism, consequence management, and interagency government issues. Students may select courses based on their professional, personal, or research interests, to include weapons of mass destruction, crisis management, narcotics as a homeland security issue, international homeland security, general national security, terrorism, security management, intelligence methods, transportation security, information security, emergency management, and public health.

and the MA in National Security Studies:

The Master of Arts in National Security Studies prepares students for mid and senior level positions in national and international security policy, security and intelligence analysis, and related fields. Graduates of the program can be found across the national and international security community as civilian and military policy-makers, action-officers, analysts, instructors, and consultants. The program is an excellent substitute for military or civilian personnel unable to attend a staff or war college, but who require a strong background in the substantive knowledge and analytic skills required of security specialists. The program is also excellent preparation for those who will eventually attend a staff or war college as it incorporates instruction in advanced security analysis not normally taught in senior military schools.

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by ZakAttack

I have a friend who got his degree from AMU (Masters in Strategic Intelligence), government paid for it. I think the only good thing about the online grad schools is you usually don't have to take the GRE/GMAT entrance exams.

It is supposedly both regionally and nationally accredited, so that is good. Having a masters in anything will let you start as a GS-9 instead of a GS-7.

Other than that, yes I would agree that a more reputable brick-and-mortar school would be a better option, and in this area you have a ton of choices with online courses available as well. Research GMU, as well as Virginia Tech and UVA both have NoVA satellite offices/programs.

UVA doesn't offer anything remotely close to this major and Tech's programs are lacking depth.

[akorosdc]

From the people I know interested in National Security jobs, it seems like most of them get an entry-level job with an undergrad degree and then get money to go to a school like the National Defense Intelligence College. Most of the people in the program are military or government employees in places like the FBI.