Hi guys! I have been visiting the forum for years and I have always found your comments and suggestions very helpful. I am now seeking to do a DL MBA and would like to seek for your opinions. I got an undergrad degree in accounting from UBC (a reputable Canadian institution) and I am a financial planning manager at a local financial services firm. I am about to get my CFP soon – but that does not help me much in launching my dream career. I aspire to be a management consultant, perhaps not for firms of McKinsey’s stature, but for a good Canadian consultancy. My budget is $35k max (preferably under $30k). I have just fully repaid my student loans for my undergrad, so I do not want to take another massive loan to finance my education. Manchester (FT ranking 29) & UBC (FT ranking 57) would have been great for, but I simply cannot afford them (they are both around the $45K mark). We Canadians are very protective of their own education system and qualifications, so unless my DL degree is from a world famous school (U of Virginia, Manchester, Warwick, Duke, U of Florida etc.), it might not be very recognized here or be very helpful in terms of launching my career as a consultant. Nevertheless, I am determined to do a good MBA to further my knowledge in the field. My list includes the following schools: US: Washington State University ($30K) Florida State University ($30K) UK: Warwick ($35K) Durham ($32K) Aston ($30K) Strathclyde ($23K) Bradford ($23K) The reason I have WSU and FSU is because they are solid state schools – Canadians might be able to relate to these school better than universities like Nebraska-Lincoln or Tennessee-Martin (don’t get me wrong – they are superb schools too but most Canadians don’t even know where Nebraska or Tennessee are). Can you guys give me some opinion on which 3 schools should I focus on? And do you guys have any other suggestions (great schools that I’ve missed etc.)? Thanks a bunch!!
If you are looking for the answer, I would recommend you to give us a little information regarding to how Canadians look at distance learning degree?
I'm a fellow Canadian who doesn't know much about those schools, but I have done hiring and I would say WSU would probably sound the best. I also know someone who did their doctorate at Stathclyde, and that seems to have been a very good choice for them. For an MBA, though, I think going American is the easier story to tell. Good luck with it!
An additional UK MBA program you may too consider: The Open University Business School: around £16,000 Triple accredited MBA | Open University Business School
University of London-Royal Holloway School of Management: £13,145 MBA International Management | University of London International Programmes Distance learning | Royal Holloway, University of London
Hi Tekman, In Canada, we have very little DL programs. Hence, the average Canadian don't know much about the value of a DL degree and how much we have advanced in terms of DL learning technologies. We do have a couple of MBA programs from lesser known schools such as Athabasca and Fredericton, but they have received mixed reviews and opinions - mainly due to the reputation (or lack thereof). Those schools aren't even AACSB accredited. However, with the right experience, network and personality, even those kind of DL degrees would help. Hence I want to invest in a degree that I can easily explain the value of to my fellow Canadians, and one that is highly marketable. Thanks!
I looked at this programme too, I think it is an awesome deal. Not sure how people would interpret the name "Open University", however, despite the triple accreditation. I'd have totally gone for it if it was AACSB! Haha. Thanks though.
I agree with you, so I am trying to explore more American options as well. I think the UMass programs might be a good fit.
How about a distance MBA from the University of North Dakota? It's AACSB accredited, but only $382/credit, so tuition will only be around $13,000. North Dakota must have some name recognition in Canada, since it directly borders both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. UND is located in Grand Forks, which is practically a suburb of Winnipeg, since it's only 150 miles to the south. For additional Canadian credibility, UND has a top-ranked college hockey team; they are one of the top feeder schools to the NHL. Their 2013 hockey schedule includes UManitoba, UBC, and Simon Fraser. Jonathon Toews, the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, grew up in Winnipeg and then played for UND.
I think it is a great programme, but not sure how my fellow Canadians would look upon the name "Open University". Thanks! I was actually going to enroll into this programme until I realize that is it not AACSB accredited. Nevertheless, it is very good MBA degree, just not as suitable for my situation.
Incidentally, the University of Manitoba business school has an exchange program with the University of North Dakota. So they clearly accept UND as a peer institution at the MBA level. UND has a web page specifically oriented towards prospective students from Canada:
I’m sure most will recognize the University of London brand. BTW, one of the top business schools, and Canadian, is as well not AACSB accredited … Desautels - McGill University (ranked 75th The Economist) MBA | Desautels - McGill University Another AACSB program you may want to also consider that's within your budget: Mississippi State University: online MBA <$16,000 Mississippi State Online Distance MBA/
Have you considered the Dalhousie distance MBA Financial Services? Cost falls in line with your budget and includes all textbooks. Advanced standing available for those with CFP. Residency requirement is 2-4 days at the end of each course with session in Calagary, Vancouver, Toronto or Halifax.
