Online/Distance MBAs

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of selecting an MBA. As I've just got engaged to my partner, upping sticks and heading off to Harvard or Wharton for a couple of years is no longer on the menu. Thus I'm looking at either an EMBA (I'm a company director, even if I am also the company's only full-time employee ;-) or full-time MBA over here, or possibly at an online/distance MBA in the USA.

In particular, I'd be interested to know what anybody thinks about the fast-track MBA at Babson and the online MBAs at Indiana, Arizona State (I noticed some earlier posts about that but nobody has mentioned whether they've got in and how the recruitment process was) and Florida.

If anybody has suggestions for programmes other than the four I've already mentioned, do say. For comparison, my UK list currently contains LBS, City, Warwick, Cranfield, Oxford, Cambridge, Cranfield and Henley.

Many thanks

Angela

 

Unless you go to HBS or UPenn then there is no reason to spend $40k for an MBA at ASU, IU or FU. They wont get your further than a cheaper $20-$25k MBA. If you have the money and want to spend it then go ahead. There is no one that is going to say wow Arizona State vs Univ of Maryland or UMass etc. Majority of people dont know the difference.

I would stay away from Warwick as their support is minimal.
Good luck .

PS: Read my previous posts on WBS.

 

Actually, I've read your posts on the DL programme at WBS, but I couldn't actually see anything to complain about ;-)

Only one resit for an exam is standard in the UK, and if WBS changed that you'd hear the screams of the Warwick alumni who had to keep to that standard (self included) from outer space . . . and their DL programme is a relatively traditional format that's only gradually changing towards a more interactive format. If I did lean towards Warwick it would probably be for the modular MBA. As it is, Warwick is not the top of my list for the simple reason that I've done my time there and I don't really want to spoil my memories by going back.

Thanks for the comments!

Angela

 

I actually think it depends on where you want to end up working. (US or Europe)

A top quality program like HBS or Wharton is certainly the best option.

However, I agree with onlinephd that the ROI is questionable with schools like IU, ASU and Florida. Babson looks good but I'm not sure if their program is entirely DL, it's expensive and again, I wonder about the ROI.

IMHO, I think that the best option for you is probably LBS especially since they have a relationship with Columbia U (executive program). LBS is a high quality school and the relationship with Columbia ensures its value and recognition in the US.

 

Your UK list looks pretty good.

 

I agree. There simply is no reason to spend $40K for an MBA from ASU, IU, or UF. Arizona State University’s Online MBA program is a two-year program with a cost of $17,000 per year, or $34,000 for the entire program. Indiana University’s Kelley Direct Online MBA is a 48 credit hour program that can also be completed in two years. The cost of the program is $750 per credit hour, or $36,000 for the entire program. The University of Florida has two Internet MBA programs. Total program fees are $31,900 and $26,500 for the two-year and one-year programs, respectively. Therefore, in many cases, the cost differential is not as great as many assume.

One must be careful when comparing costs. For example, UMass-Amherst’s Online MBA Professional Program consists of courses totaling 37 credits at a cost of $600 per credit, or approximately $22,200 for the entire program. Unlike the other programs, however, UMass’ does not appear to be all-inclusive. For example, in addition to books and materials, the UF program even includes a notebook computer and necessary software.

I do agree that many individuals won’t know the difference between the programs, but then again, there are also many who do know. Moreover, keep in mind that a school may carry more weight in a particular geographical region and may be held in higher esteem by an organization that recruits heavily at, or whose management includes many alumni from, a particular institution. As such, as an example, if you live (or plan to move to) Arizona, a degree from ASU just might be worth the extra expense.

 

I am now doing a MBA through the University of Leicester. I am from the United States and have found the fact that they have a office here to be a big help. The program has been pretty flexable and I have learned a lot. I have completed parts 1,2,and 3 of module one and just got module 2.

One negative is there isn't much interaction with other students they do have a email list for each subject where people email questions to the tutors and a message board (the board was dead and I stopped going). You have books to read a CD about the subject then you do a case study and take a test.

I worked on a political campaign where I talked to a lot of businessmen and they would ask where I was getting my MBA and I told them where and my reasons why and most all have been ok with it. Since I left the campaign I sent my resume to a few places that called me in for interviews that wouldn't call me back before I started the MBA.

I am also from Indiana and I.U. (Kelley school of Business) is thought of very highly here and seems to have a great program. Not sure it would be worth it to you though in the U.K. I also know you have to come here a few times.

Alan
[email protected]

 

This is sortof in reply to a number of posts, so I'll add a bit of background as well.

As you may have gathered, I already have a degree from Warwick, class of 85 -- when Warwick had 1/4 the students it has now. I also have an MSc from Sussex, from a programme that was rated at the time as one of the best in the world (such a pity that AI has gone out of fashion ;-). I've also taught at Glasgow for two years, and for the last seven years I've been either a research officer or a member of a spin-out company at Oxford. As such, apart from my truly atrocious score on the quant section of the GMAT the first time I took it, I would normally expect to get into a top ten b-school here (which explains the top-notch list of UK schools).

However, I am well aware that what my CV lacks is any international element. There's far too much UK education sector and small companies on it for a multinational or transnational to really look at me, except in the kind of information systems specialist role I no longer want to fill. Therefore, an international b-school would be a major plus at this stage of my career.

In addition to the above, I'm getting on in years, soon to be married, and my fiancee has a much better paying job than mine, with much better prospects. Therefore, we follow his income, rather than mine. At the moment that leaves us in the UK, but it's quite possible we'll end up in NY at some point (he's currently specialising in whole business financing), so I need a degree that will have some name recognition over there as well (and yes, I have already had him go through the FT list of European MBAs weeding out all he's never heard of ;-).

The Babson programme isn't entirely DL, but it only requires one to be in Boston once a month, which at two hundred pounds for the air fare plus accommodation isn't so bad. To put matters into perpective, Babson costs $55,000, and the other three programmes I've mentioned cost around the mid-thirties in dollar terms. By comparison (pause to pull up the awfully handy Yahoo currency converter), LBS's EMBA costs $66,000, the EMBA global (the joint programme with Columbia) costs $112,000 (plus air fares), the City EMBA costs $39,160, Oxford costs $61,600 (and it's their first year) and the Warwick modular MBA only costs about $33,000 (assuming only three years of study). By comparison, the ROI of Indiana et al. could look good once their US applicability is weighed in the balance.

As for what the MBA will be used for? Well, it's to get me out of the code mines. Nice place, the code mines, but the view is a little limiting. My particular interests beyond the MBA I would expect to be in either information systems strategy and implementation or in tech investment strategies. As such, the people I'd be talking to, on either side of the Pond, would have a fairly decent overview of the MBA market.

Does anybody have any more (preferably DL) ideas? Otherwise I'm about to a) go berserk practising for the GMAT and b) mortgage my soul to get into LBS or Insead (strangely enough, my fiancee the gourmand and Francophile doesn't mind the idea of me being in Fontainbleau for a year).

Angela

 

Has anyone investigated the possibilities of gaining advanced standing to an MBA in the taking of advanced undergraduate courses? A school generous in awarding such credit could be of interest to our newly partnered (congratulations!) Angela or other readers. Tens of thousands of USD for an MBA is like way far bum, you know?

 

I disagree about the comments about IU. It's been ranked anywhere from top 10 to top 25 for business schools. It also stands out from the other schools you've mentioned as far as esteem and how the school is viewed.

The average person might not know that IU-B is a top business school, but I'd wager that a hiring manager at a top corporation would be able to discern the difference.

 

Over this side or your side? Over this side, the possibilities of exemption are passing small for somebody whose degrees are in History/Politics and Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, exemption is a rare and beautiful beast in the UK, a bit like Roc's eggs!

I have been considering taking an online or DL stats or accounting 300-level course from a US university, providing I can get my act together, but that's got a lot more to do with my relatively un-mathy mind than any expectations of AP.

Thank you!

Uh huh. Although it's the ones with three figures before the comma in the fees that send me really screaming into the distance!

Angela

 

"Majority of people dont know the difference."

Your knowledge of the business world is astounding, Mr. Online PhD.

First of all, UMass isn't even top 50 whereas ASU and Maryland Smith are both solid top 30-40. Neither can compare to the top 10, but then Maryland Smith was actually ranked #19 by Wall Street Journal last week and I think IU was in the top 15--- not that that ranking is particularly useful in a market wher even 30% of HBS grads are looking for jobs.

But you have a point. It is tough times even at the top B Schools (By top I mean HWKCCSM) for recruiting.

Even at HBS and Wharton believe it or not the problems are gigantic, although the truly top tier schools will always have locks on certain employers and industries.

So no school is worth 40K, besides Harvard or Wharton? Well I kind of agree in light of the current economy fadding out.

But here's the thing. HBS and Wharton actually cost well over $100K for the typical investment including fees, books and living, not to mention lost salary. We're talking about a $200K investment typically including lost income. Yet they continually have a sub 20% acceptance rate and high yield. Why? Because lifetime earning potential with such a network is phenomenal.

Can't speak to UMass-Isenberg since I have never seen them rank in the top 50, but stinking to your example both ASU and Maryland (and others like Carnegie Mellon, Texas, Georgetown, Rochester, Indiana etc etc) also have very low acceptance rates despite their status as second tier MBA's (ie ranked 11-25 in the country). They also cost a lot less than HWSKCCM.

Now clearly these schools will not have the same connections to industry the top ten have, but they will have impressive netowrks compared to places like SE LA State or Phoenix. But are they worth going to? Depends on the ROI. To argue any old school that costs 20-25K is better than spending $40K at say Maryland-Smith or Indiana-Kelley is ludicrous.

Maryland and Indiana Grads average first year 80,000 plus bonus versus $40,000 starting offers at the typical unranked MBA program (ie local university's program of a somewhat respectable University). Why do you suppose that is? Well I'll bet it has little to do with whether the average shmoe knows the differences between #15 IU Kelley ($85,000 starting average salary) and unranked UMass (average salary $56,000).

So let me ask you this. Are you suggesting it is better to go someplace like Touro or Phoenix for an online MBA and save 15$K?

IU, ASU and UMD are no Wharton, but they have some of the best connections in the (dwindling) IT market (ie DiamondCluster, AT Kearney, McKinsey BTO etc etc) because both are among the top 5 in the nation for IT MBA concentrations. So if your focus is IT, you could do worse than these two schools. Try getting a job at DiamondCluster with an MBA from any old omline 25K program.

BTW, are the "majority of people" going to know the difference between an online PHD and one from a top school? How about those hiring faculty?

 

Interesting that you can't speak to UMass-Isenberg, since you stated "Isenberg is indeed a quality MBA, and one of the few top 100 schools that actually offers an on line program" in this thread.

Care to explain this inconsistency?

 

Decide what you want!

Of course, I understand you need to look at costs of DL against full-time attendance. If you are staying in the UK and can afford to do so (and can get in!) I'd go for these full-time courses: London Business School, Oxford University Said Business School and the Judge Management Institute at Cambridge. Judge has also just started an on-line (or semi on-line) programme. Oxford and LBS do not offer DL programmes in business management.

All this stated go and look at a copy of The Wall Street Journal Reports (Wed Sepot 17, 2003). You'll see all the 'big time' business schools have big competition, especially from Spain, Mexico and Canada! They are all full-time programmes but the 'big boys' are being knocked off their perches at long last because other schools are starting to do things differently and more internationally.

Of the DL programmes try one or other of the Scottish university programmes or Henley Management College's MBA - they provide a lot of support/materials.

AJJ

 

Re: Decide what you want!

The Judge canned the semi-online six-week block programme almost as soon as they started it, which is a pain, as it would have been my first choice. The Said starts an EMBA in 2004, but like LBS, it'll be a weekend-based effort.

Henley's on the list in any case. Support and materials aren't really that much of an issue: as a member of staff at both Glasgow and Oxford for the past nine years I'm quite at home surviving the rigours of the UK education system ;-)

Angela

 

"Interesting that you can't speak to UMass-Isenberg, since you stated "Isenberg is indeed a quality MBA, and one of the few top 100 schools that actually offers an on line program" in this thread.

Care to explain this inconsistency?"

Nice try. I can speak to Isenberg being a top 100 School. It is most likely that -- it is affiliated with UMass-Amherst a respectable state school and is definitely leaps and bounds better for an online program than a non accredited school since it is AACSB and is a school that appears once in a while in discussions of nationwide MBA programs. That said, this thread, if you paid attention, was about ROI.

Let me repeat that. ROI.

Since UMass is not a top 50 school, I cannot see the stats for employers other than their claimed starting salary. Therefore I cannot speak to their ROI.

On the other hand UMD and ASU both rank in the top 50 and have stats and employers listed.

Go to www.businessweek.com - Click on top 30/50 rankings. UMass stats that I could obtain were not the same format as those top 50 schools have listed.

Hope this helps/

 

Actually, I was just trying to get you to make a post without mentioning the University of Maryland, but it didn't work.

 

Done.

Northeast Missouri State University is in northeast Missouri.

 

The school formerly known as ...

And I hope everyone remembers that it's NOT THE SAME as University of Maryland.