Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Lawrence, Master of Public Administration
Flexibility, Quality Key to Educational Draw
Name: Lawrence McKeough
Age: 57
Marital Status: Married
Children: Four
Current Location: Missouri
Advice to Online Students: "..don't interfere with family time, and everyone is happy."
School: American Military University
Target: Master of Public Administration in Disaster & Emergency Management, 2008
As for the classes at American Military University, he is equally as pleased. Courses taught by Professor Reynolds, (EM-504, EM-505 and EM-516) have been the best so far.
“He's a great instructor and very personable and easy to deal with—great guy. He always gave very positive feedback on papers and even weekly homework assignments. He is from this profession and his comments and feedback show he's a true professional.”
One thing that drew him to AMU's program was the school's flexibility. Now working in public health as a Bioterrorism Emergency Response Planner for the city of Joplin, Missouri, he has had to be out of town or on the road, frequently covering six counties and 225,000 square miles.
“AMU understands this and has accommodated my schedule any time I need them to do so—they are great,” he adds.
In total, the degree, including books, will cost about $10,000, and the G.I. Bill paid for about two-thirds of the program. Another third was covered by a grant from the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home.
Consequently, one of his AMU instructors left his entire estate to the orphanage as an educational trust fund to help former pupils and their dependents receive money to pursue an education. Each time Lawrence gets the paperwork ready to start another class, he applies for a grant from the Rooney Fund; he has never been turned down.
With Chad in the Marine Corps and Julie in college, he and his wife decided to do foster care. They soon welcomed Karina and Robert into their family. In 2002, the family moved to Joplin to be close to Chad (now 34), his wife, and their grandson. Julie (now 32), is also now married and has three children of her own. Karina is 12 ˝ and Robert is 10 ˝.
Lawrence plans to use his degree to serve city government as a manager or work within another disaster and emergency management outlet.
“Both areas I really enjoy and would like to pursuit further. I don't plan on ever retiring, so working until I can't work anymore is my plan.”
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