University Corner: American InterContinental University
Lynn W. Payne, Ph.D.
Vice President of Education
CEC Online Services Group
American InterContinental University
Q: What benefits does AIU Online offer to military servicemembers?
A:
1. Career-Relevant Degree Programs. AIU Online offers degree programs that are relevant to students who wish to continue their military duty and those who want to prepare for civilian careers following military service. Degree programs in criminal justice, information technology and management are popular with military students because they provide education related to both military and civilian career fields.
2. A Portable Education. The opportunity to earn a degree entirely online gives servicemembers a viable option for pursuing an education. AIU Online provides the flexibility to continue school work when military obligations alter a daily schedule or life routine. Military students do not need to transfer to a new school each time they change duty stations—or worry about whether their credits will transfer. AIU Online is available 24/7 from any Internet connection worldwide.
3. Accelerated Degree Programs. The accelerated degree programs offered through AIU Online allow servicemembers to complete their education faster than in a traditional program.
4. A Supportive Academic Community. The education community is an important component to both a student’s academic success and a feeling of continuity and well-being when duty calls. With AIU Online, the student interacts with the same faculty and classmates, and keeps the same program and all earned credit with no need to transfer. We have heard from many servicemembers stationed in Iraq who say they enjoy the relief from the struggles of war that education provides. The online classroom keeps them in touch with home, a life that is just like everyone else’s, and a glimpse at a positive future.
Q: What is AIU Online doing to remain a military friendly school?
A: AIU Online has a Military Student Services Team dedicated to meeting the specific needs of military students. The personnel of this specially trained team act as liaisons between the student and school. By understanding the processes and protocol of the military, the team has a unique opportunity to help the servicemember navigate the procedures of both the military and college worlds.
During deployment, a servicemember’s opportunities for communication are often limited. With a student’s permission, the AIU Online team can communicate with the student’s family members about important school-related issues. This form of assistance can be a tremendous stress relief for a servicemember in another time zone or with communication restrictions who needs to handle school-related issues.
In addition, the academic environment is flexible to address the needs of a servicemember who has a change of station, has been deployed, or has time in the field, air or at sea. When Internet communication is prohibited during special missions, the student need only inform the instructor and academic dean ahead of time so that other arrangements can be made. Early textbook shipments can be arranged, due dates may be extended, and additional chat times may be scheduled. While the academic rigor is the same for servicemembers as it is for civilian students, AIU Online understands the occasional special needs of military personnel in completing their education while on active duty. AIU Online works to meet the specific needs of individuals in the military as they pursue their dream of achieving academic excellence culminating in a college degree from an accredited institution. American InterContinental University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Q: How does the AIU Online curriculum and delivery format differ from other online universities?
A: The AIU Online Virtual Campus is a unique educational environment that brings the features of a traditional campus to people around the world. The community of students, alumni and faculty is built and sustained through the Virtual Commons, student and faculty profiles, clubs, chat and discussion boards. Guest speakers bring their practice and experience to online participants around the world. The Virtual Campus is alive with daily updates, current information, multimedia, photographs, and daily interaction.
Course components include multimedia presentations that provide explanation and modeling; generative learning support, whichencouragesdiscoveryandself-directed learning; and knowledge construction, which drives the learner towards integration, application and reflection. Students can review these components anytime and anywhere they have Internet connectivity. These components can be viewed multiple times, paused, and fast forwarded. The design is non-linear so that the student chooses which method best meets his/her learning needs. ♦