MBA Online - CSUDH Program Questions

Ok, this is my first post to this forum but I have found the forum to be a wealth of information about several programs I was looking at. It has also caused me to change my mind on a couple programs!

Anyway, I have just about made my mind on the selection of California State University - Dominguez Hills and would just like to hear from a couple people about the program if possible. My BS is in Electrical Engineering and would like to complete my MBA simply to provide advancement into upper management down the road (7-10 years - I love the technical stuff too much right now).

Some of the selection criteria I used for CSUDH were:

1. Regional Accreditation through the Higher Eductation Concil
2. A lot of good posts in this forum on the school
3. Top ten of most economical MBA programs in the nation with Regional Accreditation
4. Program is completed entirely using Distance Learning - no residency required

I have looked at several other programs but most cost significantly more than CSUDH and I cant see paying twice the amount for the same education. Given this information, I would like to find out a couple of questions from members who may be going through the CSUDH MBA program:

1. How much group interaction is required? I have young kids and would like to do as much as possible late at night which could interfere if there is a ton of group activity required.

2. How much online activity is a part of the program (hours per week typically for a course)?

3. How are exams given? Proctored, online, etc?

4. Overall impression of the MBA Online program here?

5. Any negatives that I wouldnt normally hear about?

Thanks all for any responses!

 

1. Group interaction is async - part of your grade is given for posting responses to classmates work. You can do this anytime except between 0300-0400 PST when they are doing backups.

2. CSUDH is a pretty low bandwidth program. So far, I have had to download the assignments, and simply complete them (I am finishing up my second class).

3. No exams so far -

4. Pretty good MBA program. This is my first run at DL learning although I did attend UoP's B&M in SJ for my undergrad degree.

5. Negatives: Slow response time. If you are in a hurry, it seems you are out of luck.

6. Positives: a recognizable public college. According to a HR colleague, CSU is read into Resumix as CSU whether you went to SJSU, Cal Poly, or CSU-DH (DH is one of the lesser known CSU's -- also in a not-so-nice part of El Lay).

Inexpensive when compared to the for-profit gang.

It sounds like we have simular backgrounds. I am an EE in the Valley. I am hoping to utilize the degree to move out of the semi business and perhaps into investment banking for the semi business (use my technical skills to assist business)


Does anyone know if some of the courses employ streaming video? I thought they did but I haven't seen it yet.

 

"No exams so far"

So all the assessment so far has been assignments?

If I may ask, how many courses have you taken so far, and have you found it challenging?

 

I am finishing up my second course in a few weeks. The marketing class hasn't been that challenging but very time consuming (lots to read and analyze). Accounting was much tougher as I had no experience in this type of class ever.

Yes, so far all assessments have been based on assignments. Much like UoP, if you can't write well, you are probably going to have problems.

 

I took my MSQA on campus. One requirement was to pass a graduate writing exam; is this required for the MBA and if so how is it handled?

 

If you are referring to the GWAR requirements, they can be met in the following ways:

1. Get a 4.7/6 on the GMAT essay portion (I beleive that is the cutoff number, I will have to check) - this is how I fulfilled the requirement

2. Go to CSU-DH in Carson (be sure to wear your bullet proof vest - j/k). They give them 4 times a year.

3. Go to your nearest CSU.

4. Fill out an application and have a procter appointed. I am not sure of the requirements for this.

 

Actually Carson is not that bad an area. I spend a lot of time in that area both business and leisure. I frequented the old 7-11 Olympic Velodrome from 1983 until it got torn down a few years ago, and now visit the new indoor velodrome (the only one in North America). It can be a long way to some of the CSUDH parking lots so the campus police will gift a lift to anyone upon request. Like any area, you needs to be aware of your situation at all times.

It would be interesting to hear the views of others who have visited the campus.

 

Thank you for the great information you have posted. I was unaware of the GWAR requirements. After a little searching on the CSUDH site, it looks like a 4.0/6 on the GMAT will suffice. Seems an appropriate goal to be shooting for as opposed to a proctored exam later.

From your comments I assume that you are currently taking your second Bridge course and havent actually started the core courses? Have you chatted with any other students who have experience with the Core courses and how they may differ from the Bridge courses?

Thanks again for everyones time in responding!

 

I too have been to the campus. Definitely cannot be mistaken for Cal Poly or Chico State. Perhaps a little like Long Beach State. (Or Northridge) If I was going to a B&M CSU, I would probably go to Hayward or SJSU (no parking) - or better yet, Chico. (nice river rides).

I am nearly complete with Marketing bridge course and will get another A. I am taking my two final bridge courses along with advanced accounting this quarter. I think I can complete everything by December 2005.