Polymerization of sodium salts of several acryloylaminoalkanoic acids was studied in aqueous micellar solution and in non-micellizing aqueous dioxane solution in wide concentration range. Some new observations in polymerization kinetics were made using UV–Vis-spectrometry, MALDI-TOF, and real-time conductomerty measurements. Conversions, polymerization rates and reaction orders were determined, mechanisms of initiation and termination are discussed. In micellar state monomer conversion close to 100% achieved in 3–5 min after polymerization starts whereas in homogeneous conditions conversions do not exceed 60% in two hours. Microemulsion mechanism of polymerization suggested for monomers capable to micellization or aggregation in solution. Semi-empirical model of micellar polymerization is discussed taking into consideration Kaler-Morgan model of microemulsion polymerization.