Columbia Southern/UNA MBA Questions

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Jeff Hampton, Oct 2, 2003.

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  1. Jeff Hampton

    Jeff Hampton New Member

    I've been checking out Columbia Southern's site, as well as the University of Northern Alabama site that it links to, and I can not figure out how their joint MBA program works.

    Through which school does the student enroll?

    Which school grants the degree?

    Are all of CSU's specializations available, or is it just the standard MBA program?

    Anyone enrolled in the program?


    Thanks,
    Jeff
     
  2. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    The official page is here. You can enroll from that page. The University of North Alabama awards the degree. Nowhere on it will it say anything about CSU. The specializations are listed on the page linked above.

    CSU handles registration and provides the online framework.

    No, but I'm enrolled in the CSU/UWA program. The one major difference between the two programs is that the UNA program is all on DVD. It could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you learn. I'm curious how much interaction you would get with a professor using that model.

    It could be a good choice. It is an ACBSP school (if that is of interest to you).


    Tom Nixon
     
  3. jwoody

    jwoody New Member

    I had the same questions about this school, so I am glad I found this post.

    I recieved a catalog from CSU where it indicates that you can earn a "traditional RA degree" through their affiliates UNA or UWA. I haven't called their admissions department yet, but I can't help but wonder how this all works. If one enrolls through CSU, how does UNA grant the degree? CSU quotes tuition, but I suspect that is for their DETC degree, not for the degree gained through UNA or UWA.

    I also wonder, why wouldn't someone just enroll with UNA directly? What is the benefit of going through CSU?

    I am going to call and see if I can clairify these questions, but if anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate the opinion!
     
  4. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    I don't the answer to this question for the UNA program, but the answer for the UWA program is that it's not possible. UWA doesn't actually own the online facilities. One of the reasons for wanting to create this arrangement is that it is a win-win situation for both schools. CSU gets a percentage of the money and UWA gets to provide online programs without the cost of setting up an online program.

    The answer could be similar for UNA. They may not offer the program in that format except through the joint program.

    Yes, you do enroll through CSU, but you are not a CSU student. They are responsible for enrollment management (not unlike industry which outsources certain functions). They do none of the actual teaching. While I've exchanged two emails with CSU, that is the sum total of actual contact. For everything else (academics, financial aid, etc.), I've dealt with UWA.

    If you do have doubts, do what I did. I called the Alabama Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). A little due diligence can certainly put your mind at ease.



    Tom Nixon
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 3, 2003
  5. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    Another advantage of going through CSU is that they are on the quarter system. If you are using student loans, you only have to take one course per quarter to qualify for them. I believe a school on the semester system (such as UWA or UNA) would require at least two courses.

    And, yes, that means that those schools have some students on one system and some on another.




    Tom Nixon
     

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