Need Help Finding an AACSB-accredited MBA with IT [MIS, IS, CIS, IT, etc., etc.]

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by INeedHelp, Jul 28, 2011.

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  1. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    Hello All,

    I'm somewhat a long-time lurker to this board, and was hoping I could find the information I'm looking for through the forum search, or geteducated.com, or even Google and I am having severe information overload.

    I guess some background information is in order. I am a database administrator that has been in the IT industry for about 14 years. Started out as help desk, worked my way up to being a DBA, and trippled my initial salary. Now I'm about to graduate from Western Governors University with a BS in IT. I now want my MBA from a AACSB school that's 100% online that is "pretty decent" in reputation and price.

    The best school that I have found for this would be UMASS-Lowell. However, I took one undergraduate class with them a couple of years ago (C Programming) and failed it because I could not withdraw. I ran into some health issues and so I took the fail. I am trying to find other MBA programs that fit the bill, but I am finding that most of them are general MBAs. I want one with an IT/MIS/CIS/IS, concentration/specialization so I can put that on my resume. I'm looking to head up an IT department one day, and I feel with my experience AND an MBA I can do that.

    Can you guys help me out? Believe me, I have searched and searched and I'm at my wits end. I even have my three references lined up. I'm not concerned about the GMAT...it will be taken and dealt with. I just want an AACSB school that's online, has an IT concentration/specialization, can be covered with unsubsidized Graduate Stafford loans, or most of it. In other words, affordable. I work for government, so I will invoke the 10 year PSLF program when I'm done with grad school.

    Any help I can get would be most appreciated. Thanks a bunch you guys.
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I know of 2 that are AACSB and 100% online and under $10K but they do not have a concentration. Check out University of Louisiana - Monroe and Jackson State University
     
  3. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Hello INeedHelp -

    I have a question and a statement:

    1. Why do you need AACSB accreditation if you're using it for business purposes?

    Reason i ask is that accreditation is really only useful for academic reasons.

    2. Statement: If you are pursuing a program that has AACSB accreditation because you want to be able to teach, then you don't want to do a MBA as you'll not earn enough credits in any one discipline to qualify yourself to teach business.

    For your stated goals, WGUs MBA would do you just fine and be very inexpensive in comparison.
     
  4. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    When I retire, I do want to adjunct teach and sleep/travel, be it at a community college or undergradute level. While I'm working, I also want to teach an evening class a semester for "beer money." :D I work for a university that offers a AABSP MBA, but not in the concentration I'm seeking.


    I have glanced at adjunct jobs where the requirement was an MBA and a concentration in something. While I love my (soon-to-have) WGU BS, I see no evidence that a WGU MBA will be worth the paper it is printed on. I can sell the WGU BS, it is regionally accredited, etc., but I would find it difficult to sell a WGU MBA. I believe too that community college and some non-AACSB have a lower standard for adjuncts who possess an MBA that teach; I would think that an MBA would be sufficient. In the chance that I am wrong, I suppose I could go back to school to pursue another Masters or even a Ph.D, but I don't think I am.

    I have found that University of Wisconsin--Whitewater might suit my needs. I will continue to do due dilligence and research some more before I add it to my short list. I will say this for sure, if I end up wanting to go to commencement over there, I'm going to do it in the summer. :p
     
  5. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    If you know that your required positions only require an MBA from an AACSB accredited school with a concentration, I say go with Lowell and reconcile the past.

    This said, know that the standard for adjunct teaching in most places is a masters degree with 18 credit hours in a particular discipline, so if you get that IT concentration, make sure that you get the 18 credits because I can assure you that the standards for instruction will get harder as time passes.

    I agree with you in general terms about the WGU MBA. I went to UMass Amherst over the WGU program for the exact same reason you just stated. Now however, after being wholly turned away by the various hiring deans in my area, I'm looking at Harvard Extension for a second, more focused masters so I can eventually move on to a good Ph.D program.
     
  6. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    Are you really sure that it's 18 credits for a concentration though? 18 credits at a local AACSB (Montclair) offers 18 credits for two concentrations. I would think that 9 credits, a conferred MBA plus 14 years in my field would be sufficient to teach a bunch of coeds how to use Microsoft Office in a university setting (instructor-level).

    You and I seem to have a lot in common though. You give me hope that my own BS in IT:NDM will actually get me in a decent school. Especially when you have a MBA from your state's flagship university. It's funny, cause I actually called Amherst today to ask general questions about their MBA and they state that I could only do a general MBA online. So I'd have to go back to Lowell. That would bring my new short list to Lowell, UW-Whitewater, or perhaps NJIT (offline).

    I'm wondering if I should deal with Straighterline.com to deal with some of the foundation courses, or do it within the MBA program. I would like to know if I have other MBA:IT options from other AACSB school.

    I also wouldn't mind hearing more about your personal experiences after WGU, ITJD. I start my last term with WGU on Monday and I'm going to rip through my last courses (the MCITP:EA track and the last two writing courses). I've been reading and labbing like a beast the last few weeks.
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I would not count on it.
     
  8. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    LOL. Well, I have been looking more and more at Whitewater's program. Apparently, they have a 9 credit "emphasis" (I guess everyone has different names for concentrations, specializations, etc.)

    They also have 9 credits of additional electives I can take. I could load up on the IT "emphasis" by taking an additional 9 credits (I'm guessing 3 classes) and I could get my 18 credits that way.

    I'm going to call both Whitewater and Lowell tomorrow. I would have liked to see why you guys are so sure that 18 credits is a must for teaching with an MBA, but I suppose an additional 9 credits in IT can't hurt. As long as I could do either program in 2-3 years.

    As I have said, my primary goal with the MBA is to move up the career ladder. My secondary is to have the easiest part-time job on the planet. (Yes, I do believe adjunct teaching is easier than flipping burgers at a fast-food place...provided of course one's an extrovert that can deal with different personalities. :) Hopefully no one bothers to argue to the contrary of that...
     
  9. major56

    major56 Active Member

  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    The majority of adjunct/teaching positions call for a PhD in the subject to be taught for graduate level, a master in the subject to be taught, or a masters in a different subject plus 18 credit in the subject to be taught for under grad. Do a search for some positions; it is somewhat standard. An MBA alone does not really qualifiy you to teach anything because it is more of a general degree as opposed to something specialized. Unless you get a specialization with 18 credits.

    Most/many posting look something like this-
    Master's or terminal degree in Environmental Science, Operations Management, Production or Renewable Energy or related field. Also, 18 graduate hours of environmental science related courses is required. One or more years of business or consulting experience in the field of sustainability management and prior teaching experience is required. - https://devryuniversity-devry.icims.com/jobs/26830/job

    A master's degree is required for all faculty positions (with 18 graduate hours in the subject being taught for undergraduate teaching). Additional requirements driven by state licensing or accreditation considerations may apply. Faculty must have requisite subject matter expertise and outstanding communication skills. Faculty must also have excellent motivational and instructional skills in a diverse and non-traditional environment. Must be able to work in a collegial manner and facilitate the efforts of diverse groups. - https://devryuniversity-devry.icims.com/jobs/26694/job
     
  11. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    I am absolutely positive that the requirement is 18 credit hours in a particular discipline (like Accounting) and in many cases professional certifications in the field tip the scale even if the candidate has the appropriate number of credits otherwise. My family is academically connected and I've got the in to a number of opportunities, but I'm not qualified yet.

    Don't think that a general MBA without a concentration is any less functional than one with a concentration. At Amherst, I managed to knock down 6 credits in IT through an elective and standard coursework and it's entirely possible to knock down 9 credits in Accounting due to the way the program is structured. If you're getting a 9 credit concentration it's a marketing ploy, not an academic difference between the programs and Amherst is better regarded.

    My opinion is always to do things the "hard way". Remember, as we're both going through school.. other people are too. I'd hazard that most of us have a dream of retiring to academia, but only the top people are going to be able to do that in a world where the Masters is the new Bachelors. If you're to have any hope at all of teaching in 10 years, you can't skimp now. Everyone else with deluded goals is certainly doing that.

    I'll send you a PM with that information.
     
  12. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    Listen, I didn't want you to think I was ----ing on a degree from Amherst. I would definitely respect a well-respected degree from a well-known flagship university.

    You guys have me a bit worried though. My whole reason to even want an MBA was so that I could, later on, adjunct teach. I don't want to waste my time if an MBA isn't going to do that by itself.

    Just so that I'm clear though, say I found a concentration that was 3-9 credits (though most have been 9). Couldn't I just take 9 credits more of electives (even if it exceeded the amount required for the MBA program) before I graduate? I don't have a problem with doing 3 more classes; I just want to make sure it's enough for me to adjunct teach without additional post-graduate work.

    I would like to adjunct teach in either business, or IT. One of my colleagues teaches Office (seriously, who can't do that). Another teaches Cybersecurity and I had to explain to him what the CIA triad was. [No, he was not testing me...he really didn't know.] There is even one colleague I know who doesn't even have an advanced degree (it's a BS in Electrical Engineering from TESC, as a matter of fact) and teaches CCNA classes (without EVER having a CCNA....) at the B&M I failed miserably at because I decided to switch my major to full time partying at my fraternity house.

    Yes, gentlemen, this is what motivates me to make sure I choose an advanced program and do it right. I was a college dropout a year ago, and by this time next year I want to be a graduate student. I just want to make sure that all of my goals are met with the attainment of a graduate degree. I figured an MBA with an IT focus would do that for me and I'm still hoping it is. I don't wish to do post-graduate work after getting the degree, but if I do, then there's gonna be a Dr. in front of my name. LOL.

    If I still pursue an MBA, will adding an additional 9 credits in IT be suitable, or should I look at something else?
     
  13. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Don't read into my commentary that way. I was simply advising that in my opinion the concentration approach that many schools use for their MBA programs is more marketing nonsense than applicable benefit as far as academia is concerned.


    Depends on the program. Most ground schools will allow you to take electives in addition to the coursework. However, you need to be sure that the school offers electives that meet the requirements and that you'd be able to take them within the maximum period of time they allot for a student to complete the program.

    UMass Amherst didn't have the right mix of electives and timing.

    Make sure you find a path and compare your educational goals to the result you wish. Personally, I've taught MCSE curriculum since before I had a degree to speak of. If you're looking to teach certification courseware you don't need a degree at all and depending on your background and the school, don't necessarily need the cert.

    If you're teaching undergrads in general you need a masters with 18 credits in your field. Grad students generally need to be taught by a Ph.D or doctoral equivalent.

    The answer is, you need 18 credits in your desired field at the graduate level plus a masters credential (preferably from a regionally and professionally accredited - if applicable, school). You need to evaluate your programs based on that criteria and like any set of minimum criteria, you should aim higher to ensure best results.
     
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    That should be fine. Ideally, the prefix for the additional classes should match the existing classes (all IT or ITM prefixes). You could always get an MBA and a graduate certificate in the area of focus from the same or another school.
     
  15. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    Maybe most places, but what about this one?

     
  16. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Hey Pete -

    Come on now.. one it's an intro level course on computing and they still want a 30+ credit IT Masters as a pre-req. How does this not reinforce the point you're questioning in quotation? :)

    ITJD
     
  17. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    They didn't ask for that extra 18 units! :D
     
  18. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    :D because the primary masters had 30 in the discipline and wasn't an MBA :D
     
  19. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    I would just like to thank everyone who took the time to answer my inquiry. I can finally concentrate on finishing my WGU degree in fact my mentor has enrolled me in my last remaining classes for my next term, which starts on Monday. This had to be done this way so that I can apply at schools and get conditional acceptences while I'm wrapping up my degree. I will, without question, seek guidance from the schools I'm applying to so that I can meet this 18 credit criteria within the three years I want to spend in graduate school. After much thought, I decided to stay on track and still gun for the MBA, as opposed to a MS in IT, IS, CIS, BIS, or what have you. I do see there are certificate programs from various B&Ms (AACSB) that will allow me to gain deeper knowledge and add to the MBA. In the end, it's not going to be that serious if I can't make $2k-$4k a semester. I will still have an MBA... :)

    Just as an aside, I do not even need a BS, let alone an MBA. With merely "some college" I was able to stay employed in the IT world and grow and expand my skillset. I have reached a point in my career where I have reached the glass ceiling. I'm only working toward school because I can finally afford it, and I want to avail myself to better job opportunities while still gainfully employed. I am under no illusions that the MBA or any degree will be a cure-all to employment (as is evidenced by the current job market). I just figure if I'm going to get a degree, it might as well be in something that is tailored to both my interests and current need to expand my job opportunities.

    Should academia really become that important to me, I can always get a Ph.D later.

    I welcome, as always, any additional input. I really did find that valuable.
     
  20. INeedHelp

    INeedHelp New Member

    I have decided an appropriate course of action in pursuit of my MBA studies.

    1) Finish my WGU degree.

    2) Work on Straighterline's Calculus 1 course concurrently with the start of my WGU term on Monday. The purpose is twofold:

    a) Build upon my weak math skills that I need for the GMAT. My skills were enough to more than barely pass the math courses I needed to do at WGU, but I know Calculus can only help with that. Precalculus probably would have been sufficient, however...

    b) I want to fulfill any Calculus requirement a particular program may require. I understand that a number of schools may not accept ACE credit so I plan on CLEPing Calculus 1 immediately after I pass the straighterline course.

    2) Upon graduation, I'm just going to CLEP/DSST the Business Foundation courses that are required for the MBA program. My goal is to be done with them by the Fall of 2012. (Though I'd like to be done before a Summer session...but I know some programs won't let folks start unless it's the fall or spring.) I don't save time doing this, but I do save money and since I'm going to be using student loans to help with my graduate studies, I figure this will be a safe bet. I don't see a financial benefit to doing those courses at 400-900 a credit. Doing a second bachelors in B.A. is also not an option.

    I think this will be ok....this way I can load up on 18 credits on my emphasis/concentration. :D What do you guys think?
     

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