Ok I'm sure that everyone reading this has seem something similar to this request on here before: Is a degree (MBA) from University of Phoenix worth it? I am seriously considering entering the program only because I live in the middle of BFN and there are no universities nearby that offer MBA programs. I have done a lot of research on Phoenix and am very pleased in what I see with the MBA/HRM program. However, what the program can offer is TOTALLY different from what it does offer! I dont have to worry about the money, my employer is willing to cover 100%, however, it is a lot of time and effort to complete this program. I am in desperate need of answers to some questions and would appreciate it if anyone currently in University of Phoenix's MBA program could answer a few questions, either on here or send me an email: [email protected]. - Is the program what its cracked up to be? - Would you do it again if you could go back? - Are the classes just a "show up and get a grade" or is it legitimate, with good workload? - if you have graduated already, do recruiters scoff at the MBA, that it isnt from a brick and mortar institution? - how does it compare in workload compared to that of a brick and mortar institution (if you did your undergrad one)? - Are you currently working in HR and then decided to take the program or hoping to land a job in HR after the program (for those in the MBA/HRM program) Am I being too paranoid here? Is there another discussion board I should be looking at for more answers? I have already checked out teacherreviews.com just to get a feel of what some students think about their professors and the verdict is that its pretty much the same as other schools... HELP!
Although the MBA from UoP is legit, it being regionally accredited, I believe that there are many online MBA programs that are superior. For example, the MBA program from California State University, Dominguez Hills, can be completed for around $10k. The school is also a candidate for AACSB accreditation. Here is a link to some online programs that may be of interest... http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/tables/mba_reg_prof.htm Cy
Legitimate, yes. Worth the time and/or money? An entirely different issue. Personally, I don't know with all of the choices that we have today for MBA programs, why someone would choose UOP. However, to each his/her own. Before making this choice, I would: a. take a look at Bears' Guide to the Best MBAs by Distance Learning b. take a look at Jonnie's Distance Learning Page c. do a search on Degreeinfo for MBA programs One thing to remember with teacherreviews.com, as with all faculty evaluations (which ultimately makes them useless), is that they tend to get the people with strong opinions either way. Tom Nixon
Please, too, consider learning methodologies. Some online MBA programs require a great deal of collaboration. You are on your own in others. Consider whether you need an asynchronous process, or whether you want to be in (virtual) class. Some programs use the internet for communication, but the materials and learning take place offline. Others hardly use the internet at all, or have little or no interaction with faculty. Reputation and cost are important. But so is the subject of learning styles and methodology. Pick the MBA program that best fits all of these.
Thanks for all of the advice so far... I was a little sceptical when I realized that you did not need to write the GMAT for admittance to regionally accredited universities (like Phoenix or Touro). The thing is, I need an MBA with a concentration in HR. It will make my employer happy. I cant seem to find that in too many schools....
I'm far from being an authority on DL MBA programs but there have been enough threads on the University of Pheonix to choke a virtual horse. This allows me to at least pretend that I know something on the subject. Most of the arguments go something like this: Person #1: U of P sucks! I took a course and it was so bad that I think I actually knew less at the end than at the beginning! Person #2: U of P is great! I learned a lot and got a promotion and a big raise just by enrolling! Person #3: Oh yeah? Well blah, blah, blah! Person #4: Oh yeah? Well not-blah, not-blah, not-blah! I think the question you might want to consider is "Considering all the other DL MBA programs, why would the U of P program be preferred over more reasonably priced and, perhaps, less controversial programs? I don't think I've lessened the confusion but sometimes, things need to get worse before they can get better. Jack
I completed my MBA from the University of Phoenix Online several years ago, so I am not too sure how much it has changed in the last few years. I enrolled prior to their huge growth to include their own IPO, etc. In response to your questions: - Is the program what its cracked up to be? Yes and no, all education is dependent on the effort you put into it, the quality of each and every instructor, the applicability of the education to your own life, etc. I had quite a few good instructors and only two or three really poor instuctors. Most of the quality ones had prior bricks and mortar experience or military instructor experience. The best instructor I had though had no prior teaching experience, but provided the best course I have ever had in quality management. - Would you do it again if you could go back? I am not sure, at the time that I started there were only a handful of online programs, now there are over 100 other online accredited MBAs out there. Some of the other specializations and my current goals may have changed my focus. - Are the classes just a "show up and get a grade" or is it legitimate, with good workload? Of course, it is instructor dependent, but I had to do a tremendous amount of work throughout the program to maintain my GPA. I have heard others say that its show up and get your grade but I have had a few friends and classmates who confided in me that they didn't get the best grades by using this approach (including a few Ds and Fs which you don't hear of too often in bricks and mortars grad programs either). - if you have graduated already, do recruiters scoff at the MBA, that it isnt from a brick and mortar institution? I am in the military and they have accepted it quite well and have no reservations about it. Some of my supervisors have been impressed with the class projects I did to streamline a few processes and improve a few other procedures while cutting manpower needs. - how does it compare in workload compared to that of a brick and mortar institution (if you did your undergrad one)? I had to do much more work in an online environment. The only way to interact is to type away. During my undergrad it was typically sit through lecture three days a week and take two or three exams. At UOP, you had discussion questions, class discussions, a paper due nearly every week , some classes had an exam, a group project with weekly updates due, etc. - Are you currently working in HR and then decided to take the program or hoping to land a job in HR after the program (for those in the MBA/HRM program). Not in HR, but the other specializations seem to be catching on. I had a friend who completed the MBA in accounting which helped him get a nice job at a large CPA firm. His recruiter told him, that the firm really like that he got the basic business background, but especially liked that the focus was on the accounting field. I am guessing that it would be similar in the HR field.
RE: Still undecided... Is your employer requiring a MBA? Why? Are you working in a HR department? What about a MHRM? That is a Masters degree in Human Resources Management. Many Human Resources professionals have this degree instead of a MBA. I currently work for a Human Resources department and many of my co-workers have this degree along with a PHR certification. Even though I do not currently have this degree I will be researching this information and hope that my money tree arrives for Christmas. There are many different DL institutions listed on this forum that have MBA’s and MHRM’s. Good Luck in your search and I’ll watch your post for additional information.
Actually I want the MBA but my employer is willing to put up the money because it has a concentration in HRM. Anybody out there know why some schools do not require the GMAT and others do??
