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Online Learner Profiles: Dave C.

Profiles of Real Online Learners

Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Dave C., M.A. in Military Studies

For one law enforcement veteran, taking advantage of online learning to complete his bachelor's degree after seven years—and then subsequently diving into his master's—has been the best way to go.

Dave Coffman, a sergeant with the Sacramento County sheriff's department in California, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intelligence Studies from American Military University in 2005. In April 2007, he began coursework towards a Master's degree in Military Studies, with a concentration in Strategic Leadership.

Dave, who has worked in law enforcement for 23 years, completed an associate's degree as a young officer in 1986. He had wanted to begin a bachelor's degree program, mostly to demonstrate to his children, Andrew and Amber, the value of education.

"I wanted to show my [then] teenage kids that dad reads, too, and the importance of time management."

But like many busy adults, completing the degree was difficult because of his irregular work schedule, and due to the lack of relevant programs in his area. So he continued proving himself on the job, and was selected for his department's full-time SWAT team and then promoted to sergeant five years later.

Still, the lack of a bachelor's degree haunted him.

In 1998, he learned about AMU and its distance learning offerings. AMU, along with American Public University (APU), constitute the American Public University System. AMU was mentioned favorably in The Marine Corps Gazette magazine. Since Dave had served in the Marine Corps Reserve since 1979 and was on active duty during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, his interest was piqued.

That's when he decided to go for the gusto, knowing that the AMU programs would be an ideal fit for his career. He started taking one course a semester, paying his own tuition.

"I didn't want to take out a student loan and found I could afford one class a semester without too big of an impact on my family budget," says Dave matter-of-factly.

He is currently in transition from his position in Internal Affairs and will be assigned to the in-service training unit.

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