Hi All, I am new to this discussion board and have looked at the previous messages and have got a lot of information about MBA online education. I am planning to pursue my higher studies and I had done some research and found Columbia Southern University to offer a good and flexible MBA for a very good price. Appreciate if some one could give me some feedback or more information on the adavantages / disadvantages of this MBA course Thanks in Advance I am also trying to collect data on the Touro University (still looking at their website)
Arbhat, Columbia Southern University is not regionally accredited which is the top accreditation in the United States. It is accredited by the DETC which is a national accrediting body. The MBA is in partner with the University of North Alabama so I really don't know how that works with accreditation since UNA is regionally accredited. I don't know where the MBA and transcripts would come from, Columbia Southern University or UNA? Maybe someone else knows more about the CSU/UNA relationship and how the MBA is awarded. I'm currently attending Touro University International for my undergrad studies. I'm very pleased with the school so far because it is so flexible on when I work on it. I can't tell you anything about the MBA program since I'm in the BSBA program but would be happy to answer any specific questions about the school that you have. edited to add..... after looking at the CSU website again it appears that they offer their own MBA as well as a online MBA through UNA. If that's the case then the CSU MBA would not be regionally accredited but be accredited by the DETC. I'd look at some other programs that are regionally accredited and similar in price/length: Bellevue University City University California State University Dominguez Hills Touro University International As well as many others.
Arbhat, do a search on the forum for Columbia Southern University and you will see additional posts regarding the school. The biggest disadvantage is their accreditation (National versus Regional) and the utility of the degree. However, CSU has articulation agreements with several RA institutions. In my opinion (I received an MBA from CSU) there are only a couple of good reasons to use this route. The program is self-paced, and the learning discount (a discount based upon GPA). Recently CSU cut the learning discount percentage. If dollar is your only criteria weigh it well. Also UNA went to an 8 week course so that really makes it attractive. I was concerned about moving at my pace so the program worked for me. It is important to note that the CSU and UNA MBA programs are distinct from one another and you will get transcripts and a diploma from the school you attend. CSU handles many of the online functions for UNA, including the marketing, but UNA courses are from UNA. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. Regards,
My survey of registrars, reported to their convention in 2000, suggests that DETC-accredited degrees are accepted regularly by about 20% of regionally accredited schools and sometimes by 20% more. DETC schools that have had their programs independent assessed by the American Council on Education logically would have higher acceptance. While many DETC schools have chosen this option (http://www.detc.org/ACEcredtRecomm.html), Columbia Southern has not. Acceptance percentages are almost certainly going to be higher in the corporate world. You might want to have a look at my "Eleven vital factors to consider in choosing an MBA school" -- a free excerpt from Bears' Guide to the Best MBAs by Distance Learning, on the publisher's site at http://www.degree.net/guides/mba_guide.html.
Thanks for the replies. I had looked at the CSU website and was good with their curriculum. I am trying to compare the curriculum with some other universities. Mr. Bear, I looked at the ACE website and found CSU listed in their membership directory, is a membership equivalent to the independent assesment you have mentioned? I have also sent some inquiries to Touro University admission dept. Thanks again and if you have more information please do post or send me a pm
Something to bear in mind in regards to ACE is that you could have all of your courses evaluated by ACE as acceptable and it still won't get you a regionally accredited MBA. ACE evaluates courses. While you certainly could find a school that might accept a few of those courses, I'm not aware of any RA school that would accept all of the CSU MBA courses and give you one of their MBAs. Tom Nixon
To better assist you can I ask what attracts you to CSU? Have you already made up your mind regarding CSU? Do you already have your BA? If so, from a RA school or DETC? Pug
"I'm not aware of any RA school that would accept all of the CSU MBA courses and give you one of their MBAs." Tom, you are accurate and I believe this argument would apply if you tried to take all the credits from any masters degree and apply them to another school's degree. However, NCU, RA, will accept 30 credits from CSU towards their PhD based upon an established, and published on their website, articulation agreement. While not a perfect solution it does provide an avenue.
CSU The University of West Alabama, also a state institution and RA also works with CSU on some of their DL programs.
