Citation:
Humes, L. R. (2006). Higher Education for Those Who Serve: An Interview with Frank McCluskey, Provost of The American Public University System. A-HEC In-Depth 2 (4). March, 2006. from http://www.a-hec.org/research/in-depth_articles/mccluskey0306/mccluskey0306_toc.html

Introduction

The American Public University System gives new meaning to the concept of distance education. Its more than 13,000 students, comprised of military and government service employees, are stationed in virtually every corner of the world, “logging in” to classes everywhere from Pentagon offices to tents on the outskirts of Baghdad. Offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 50 different programs, all courses are taught in an online format.

In this interview, APUS’s executive vice president and provost, Dr. Frank McCluskey, shares some of what has made his institution so successful in providing its students a quality online education.

Interview

A-HEC: The American Public University System traces its roots back to 1993 with the founding of American Military University. In 2002, APUS expanded to include the American Public University. Describe for us briefly the distinction between the two, their evolution and what has been some of your system’s biggest challenges?

FM: The American Military University was founded by Jim Etter, an ex-Marine who had had a hard time getting an education as he moved from base to base and overseas deployments. He wanted a system that was built for the average soldier that could provide students a quality education and also be military friendly. As the university grew in the late 90s, it started adding fields of study like homeland security and emergency management. So the decision was made to create the American Public University to speak to those degrees. Most of our programs are oriented toward the military or the public service community. The two universities operate pretty much seamlessly. Also, it’s relatively easy for students to transfer credits back and forth between our universities and more traditional institutions.

A-HEC: How do your students differ from those found in conventional academic environments and what are their unique needs?

FM: Eighty-five percent of our students are active military and the rest are involved in some sort of public service, such as fire, police, FBI, and CIA. We offer a big intelligence program. One of the exciting things, for example, in some of our intelligence classes, because they’re online, we get people who are doing intelligence in Baghdad, people in the FBI, CIA and military intelligence, all in the same class together, sharing ideas and experiences.

Copyright 2006 Alliance for Higher Education Competitiveness.