With the advent of the internet as an academic delivery system, you are bombarded with “academic opportunities.” Colleges no longer wait for you to come to them. You are being “pursued.” But the “power equation” changed. Instead of resting with academic “suppliers,” it’s shifted to the “consumer.” Why? By removing the barriers of time and space, technology provides you tremendous access to choices in the academic marketplace. You can select where you want attend, when to schedule classes, and how to learn. Choosing implies the need to weigh options. Doing so requires that you understand what questions to ask and how answers fit your requirements. Mountain State University recognized this “power shift” and re-engineered its programs to meet your circumstances.

First and foremost, ask: “Are you accredited” and “By whom?” The full text to the following can be found here.

“(M)ake sure that your school is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the National Board of Education . . . Find out which state your online program is operating from, and then look to see what regional agency grants accreditation to that state. The following agencies are recognized as being legitimate: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU). If you earn a degree from an online school that is accredited by one of these associations, you can be assured that it will be as valid as a degree from any regular university . . .”

Mountain State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA).

Take a look at the structure of the programs. Is the degree designed with “distance” in mind? It’s one thing to employ non-traditional delivery systems, but sending traditionally-formatted courses “down the pipe” may not answer your needs! Many institutions offer traditional 15-week courses over with web. These may have enrollment caps and are offered once a year. If you miss it, you may wait 12 months for it to come around again. Some degrees have significant core requirements and majors that leave little room for integrating prior learning. There may be severe restrictions on the number of previously-earned academic credits transferable into the degree. Some schools do not offer all degree requirements at-a-distance or may demand that you go to testing centers to take exams. All of these delay time necessary for completion. Further, students often find themselves with new faculty for each course, which is in turn populated with new students. You must then get used to each instructor’s style and find little opportunity to work in teams.

Mountain State University took these issues into consideration in its undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership and graduate degree in Strategic Leadership. These adult-friendly programs meld with web-based delivery. Their design allows students to complete 12 credits a semester. In Organizational Leadership, students enroll in three 5-week courses (one run right after the other) while completing a 15-week project. In its 36-credit Masters in Strategic Leadership which does not require the GRE or thesis, students complete the 60-week academic program in three 20-week semesters. They enroll in four 3-credit courses, each lasting 5 weeks. Taking one course at-a-time, students earn 12 credits/semester.

Mountain State students do not suffer from over-subscribed courses. New cohorts are added every semester to accommodate student needs. Semesters begin every month (alternating starts of the OL and Strategic Leadership). This allows students who withdraw for personal or professional (studying for a promotional exam) reasons to reenter in as little as 4 to 8 weeks.

Studying at-a-distance can be a lonely experience, made worse by having to acclimate yourself to new instructors. In Mountain State cohorts, students stay in the same group throughout the undergraduate major and the graduate degree. They also work with the same instructor who supports them throughout their Mountain State experience.

Time-to-completion is a crucial variable. Mountain State’s Bachelors in Organizational Leadership can be earned in as few as four 15-week semesters. While all Organizational Leadership students complete the 48 credit-hour major, the balance of the degree can be satisfied by transferring up to 84 previously-earned academic credits. 64 of these can be accumulated from professional certifications, military education, and prior learning.

As a fully-accredited private university, Mountain State does not require students to complete all General Education requirements courses demanded by many public institutions. Certain General Education requirements can be satisfied through students’ prior learning. Taken together, these factors speed students’ time to successful completion.

No determination of “value” is complete without a discussion of cost. As a result of your association’s partnership with Mountain State University, you (and your spouse) are eligible for a 20% tuition discount. For the 2004-2005 academic year, tuition for the Masters in Strategic Leadership is less than $8,500, significantly less than tuition at most private colleges and on-par with many in the public sector. The discounted tuition for the Organizational Leadership major is below $9,800. In calculating your total cost, keep in mind that Mountain State University awards up to 64 prior learning credits, at no cost, for previously approved training. It assesses no charge for transferring previously-earned academic credits from accredited colleges and universities. Also, tuition assistance may go farther at Mountain State. Universities often add course fees to tuition which many TA plans do not reimburse. Mountain State does not attach fees to courses in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Leadership. In addition to costs that compare favorably with public and private institutions, students have multiple options for paying tuition. If you choose to personally finance your program, you can arrange to pay on a monthly or semester basis. Most students take advantage of the university’s financial aid program through which they can receive Stafford Loans. Stafford Loans pay tuition up-front and are not repaid until after the program has been completed. The GI Bill also funds education.

Mountain State University bachelor's and master's degrees were developed with paramount consideration of value: your time, effort, careers, and finances.

I.U.P.A. members receive a 20% discount/scholarship on their tution, bringing our Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership costs down to $232/credit hour and our Master of Science in Strategic Leadership tuition down to $260/credit hour. There are no additional fees. Many universities have departmental, student services, etc. fees....not us!

For information on how you can transfer many of your law enforcement certifications and training for free into a Mountain State Bachelor's program, click here! For additional information, contact: