I have recently been looking into the online degree programs at AIU and UoP, but am a little confused as to which of these to pursue. I do know they are both expensive (AIU more so), but I need to finish my entire upper level curriculum (2yrs traditional) and time is more important to me in those regards. I currently work full time as an Engineering Technician, so the convenience of these courses is also helpful. UoP has a program for Bachelor of Science of Management (BSM) and said they would emphasize this degree with my AASEET. This curriculum I could finish with less credits, but will this degree have limitations in comparison to BBA-Management? I plan to later pursue my MBA and wonder if my options would be more limited with the BSM. Another thing is credibility. I haven't found much of a comparison between these two schools, but it seems that UoP is much more controversial than AIU and comes under fire quite a bit. One last question. I live in Kentucky so was wondering if attending AIU (being that it is SACS) would give me a better edge getting into a local MBA program than UoP. Any help is appreciated.
I have looked into those schools, but I do still need several courses to finish. On a personal basis, I would rather take the classes than attempt to CLEP them.
Have you considered Excelsior College, Thoman Edison State College, or Charter Oak State College? If time is important to you, then you could test out of much of the degree or even all of it. This would save time and a lot of money.
Whit Good Morning, Maybe I can be of help regarding AIU. AIU online is based in Hoffman Estates, IL. A Chicago Suburb. The main campus (brick and mortar) is located in Atlanta Ga. I completed my AABA with AIU and just about finished with my BBA. Once finished, I will need to wait a couple of months then I will start my M.Ed. either with AIU or UoP. I would suggest to begin AIU and complete your AABA with them in a short period of time. Granted it is an Associates degree but you will still have a 2 year RA degree in as little as 6-8 months. Once completed you can merge into the BBA program. I cannot give you your class assumptions for the AABA since it sounds like you have some credentials to remove credit requirements. For the BBA you will need to complete 20 classes over a 13 month timeframe. All core, 300 and 400 level courses. The AIU schedule is rather tough. One must remember they are not dealing with a degree mill but an RA University. As I stated you will be cramming 20 courses into this timeframe. Assignments will be 2-3 per week. All assignment are APA or MLA format 4-6 page minimum if you wish to maintain an A average. Group projects equal 1-2 per class. Discussion boards are mandatory with one posting (basically another researched project) and multiple responses to your classmates postings along with answers from your Professor's questions. Each Class is 5 weeks. In the BBA program you can expect two classes at a time with 10 straight weeks for 4 classes total before any break. Basically, if you work full time both work and school will be your life. Time management will be your key to success. AIU in my opinion is a good school. They have some great professors and one's that are real doozies, however, they are a minority. The staff is responsive, the content delivery is excellent. Yes, they seem expensive, however, it is a fast paced format. Once you tally up a brick and mortar school, the admin fees, the book fees, etc. you will find AIU and UoP are in line with the others. I have two friends, one who completed a BSBM at UoP and the other his MBA with UoP. We talked and had similiar stories between the two schools. UoP does seem to lack the customer service that AIU has, this I would place the blame on size. UoP will garner bad press. With the growth of AIU im sure it will come to them soon. In my opinion the brick and mortar are becoming scared. Education is a business and with the advent of high tech, individuals are looking for a better way. I would gather most adults over 30 would rather use online than spend days and evenings at Penn State for example with a group of 18-20 year old kids. I also feel that most online school instructors have real world experience compared with many professional educators at traditional brick and mortars who live only theory. This is no means meant to be an insult to those individuals for I have learned much from them also. All in all it's an open mind issue I guess. Good Luck, Hope this helps
Are you strictly pursuing a management curriculum? There are a few DL BSET degrees out there (a couple that are designed to use your AAS fully for transfer credit) BS in Industrial Technology From East Carolina University This is not an engineering technology degree, but they have a concentration in electronics and they have some articulation agreement with AAS degrees. Old Dominion University They have a bunch of different types of BSET's (including one tailored to military MOS's/rates). You can minor in engineering management if you wish to still receive some sort of management curriculum. Weber State's CEET program There are more (including another online computer and electronics engineering technology degree.. can't find it though) Hope this helps, Bill
One good thing is that both programs are going to admit me into their Bachelor programs. I have my AASEET and about 66 hours of general studies credits from local B&M colleges (University of Louisville and Kentucky). I suppose one of my main questions would be if the Bachelor of Science in Management is looked as as a lower degree than the Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I have not heard much of management degrees that are lacking the Business title, and UoP statred it was indeed a new program to them. Thank you for help
I agree with veteran 101. However I would also note that a technology degree will probably bring you better career prospects than a business degree. In my last employment, at a west coast Fotune 20 company, many of the secretaries (sorry, administrative assistants) earned business degree (company funded) so a business degree was not not really worth much unless it was from a top school.
whit, In addition to the BSM program you mention, UoP also offers a BS in Business - Management (BSB/M). Why don't you ask them about it? From UoP's Curriculum Guide: I am a UoP graduate (BSIT, 2002) and my experience with them has been similar to what Veteran101 said about AIU. Undergraduate courses are 5 weeks with multiple assignments due each week and required participation at least 5 days per week. There are no exams, per se, but with 1 to 3 weekly individual assignments, weekly discussion questions, daily participation and the group project (usually due on the last week, some instructors require weekly "deliverables") you'll be busy. I had a couple of lazy professors, but for the most part I was very pleased with the level of interaction and the experience they brought to class. What I did not like about UoP was the "customer service." I had eight different academic advisors in two and a half years. As to the credibility question, I haven't had any issues with my degree. My former employer paid for most of my tuition and my current employer does not have an issue with it being "online." Most people ask me about how is it possible to earn a college degree online, I simply explain what was required to complete the program, the level of work, the interaction I had with professors and students, and that it is accredited by the same agency that accredits Arizona State University. Nobody, to this date, has ever told me that my degree is not valid or good enough. UoP is "controversial" because it is different and big (over 100 campuses and learning centers, and nearly 175,000 students) and it no longer flies under radar. Good luck,
Has anyone heard any negative feedback on AIU, besides the cost and strenuous schedule? I have looked through most the posts, and these really seem to be the only negative remarks I have heard. In comparison to UoP, the cost will be approximately the same. One thing that is kind of swinging me toward AIU is the Pre-Admission counseling. The counselor at AIU put me through somewhat of an interview/screening process (not to say that is not a marketing technique, I don't know the validity of the screening), whereas the UoP counselor basically just said I could go ahead and start classes right away, and my first class was free while they went through the admission process. All they wanted me to do was fill out the application and get going. This kind of makes me wonder about the type (and number of these) of students I would be required to be in "Learning" groups with. Does anyone have any opinions of the student body at AIU from previous experience?
The answer is no. BS is BS at least in my company. The main thing is accredited vs. non. If the person has a BS from an accredited school it does not matter rather Managment, Business Management, or Business Administration.
Hi, I cannot vouch for Tiffin University in any way but they also offer a "fast track" BBA for people with at least 2 years college credit: http://www.tiffin.edu/academics/distance/bba.info.htm
Tiffin University Perhaps a more informative site: http://www.tiffin-global.org/index.learn?action=Undergraduate
