American Public University

In quandry here, looking for some help. Just started working at Walmart(I know, setting the world on fire, right?) and they have a program where I can get discounts and whatnot through American Public University, but I'm not sure if this is a legit program or not. It's a strictly online program, so naturally I'm skeptical.

I really want to get being their Bahcelors of Information Systems Security degree, as I think the field will be a great one to enter given the ever growing need for security.

So, two questions:

First, does anyone have any information regarding APU? Is it legit, a scam, etc? I've done my own research, and so far I'n not finding anything, but that doesn't mean I'm comfortable with the school yet.

Second, if the school is legit, how does the actual program I'm interested in taking look? Here's the course list: Link
Does that look like a solid course in IT Security? Is it garbage?

Really in need of help here. I'm wanting to continue my education, but given my circumstances, online education is about my only option. I want to begin soon, but I don't want to rush into anything that's either going to be a ripoff, or a complete waste of time once I start looking for jobs.

Anyway, thanks for any help or suggestions.

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Comments

rabauer4

I understand your skepticism. I work at Wal-Mart also, and I question the deal also. What I do know is that they are accredited. So I took a shot and applied. I now know that it is legit, they are actully harder than a class room setting, but I am learning a lot. I am going for IT also and checked with people in the field, and it is standard fare for classes. It is worth going back, and the school is a good choice.

Lugz

Alright, well that makes me feel a little better about APU.

Anyone else have any comments on the program or APU itself?

msganti

American Public University (and it's cousin, American Military University) is a well-known, well-accredited and well-regarded university.
APU is one of the handful of universities to have both Regional and National Accreditation (the only other I know of is Western Governors).

I don't work at wal-mart,but I am applying for their Graduate Certificate in Object Oriented Application Development. My eventual goal is to do their MS in Information Technology.

I can assure you that you can not go wrong with APU.

Valsacar

As msganti stated, they are well known and accredited. Their military arm (AMU) is regarded pretty highly within the US Military, I've known many Soldiers and Airmen that have attended and were quite happy with the programs. They did say they are pretty tough for some of the courses, but they also commented on how the books being free (they mail them to you) was a huge plus.

At a quick glance of their program, it looks like a decent program. Seems to cover all the basic aspects.

Mrock4

I studied at AMU with a major in Information Systems Security, but changed my major later on and have yet to completely finish. The ISS program is not bad at all. I would recommend enrolling and working on your General Ed's while taking a course or two in the ISS major to test the waters. If you don't like it, you can always switch to one of the other IT programs.

100% recommend AMU though, great place (but expensive).

Lugz

Mrock4 wrote: »

I studied at AMU with a major in Information Systems Security, but changed my major later on and have yet to completely finish. The ISS program is not bad at all. I would recommend enrolling and working on your General Ed's while taking a course or two in the ISS major to test the waters. If you don't like it, you can always switch to one of the other IT programs.

100% recommend AMU though, great place (but expensive).

Well, I'm starting to feel better about the idea of going to APU. I figured that since Walmart was offering a discount for attending the school, that it must mean that the school is of Walmart quality, ie cheap.

Did you feel that their security program was up to date and challenging? And did you enjoy their class format in general?

Right now, I'm choosing between APU and WGU. It's a tough decision...would anyone that's familiar with both mind doing a quick compare and contrast between the two?

Brain_Power

APU and AMU are excellent online universities! Both are accreditated and have high standards in the online academic community!

Mrock4

Lugz wrote: »

Did you feel that their security program was up to date and challenging? And did you enjoy their class format in general??

I enjoyed their class format a lot- generally (not in all cases), you'll have your weekly quiz, and assignments due either weekly or bi-weekly (paper, reports/etc), and then several discussion postings per week.

I cannot say I felt the security program was up to date, but I also cannot say it was bad either. What I mean is, since I had a background in IT prior to starting it, I analyzed it a little too closely perhaps. I had the same instructor for a couple of security courses, and she was fantastic- really knowledgeable. I then had a class where the instructor didn't know much, and the curriculum for that particular class was a bit outdated. I'd say when it comes to curriculum, from what I've heard, WGU *may* have the advantage here. I have no personal experience with WGU though. I ended up moving into a non-IT major, and I've really enjoyed it at AMU. Don't let that scare you though, I only went non-IT so that someday I could have a fallback plan if I get tired of IT.

Overall, I'd still say it's worthwhile, because a degree in ISS alone won't prepare you for a job in security, but if you get the degree in conjunction with some certifications, I think you'd be pretty marketable. Just my $.02 though.

petedude

One of the cool things about AMU/APU is their liberal transfer policies. . . IIRC, you could conceivably transfer a third of your required credits in for a master's, and they will allow nationally as well as regionally accredited courses.