I'm totally confused. (MBA question)

Seems like the more research I do, the more my head spins.

I was doing an MBA at UOP, but the more I read, the bigger "scam" it seems. I use the term scam loosely because I think it's both good and bad. So I decided to quit after two classes.

1. Degree mill it aint.
2. Worked by bag off for an A- and B+ (I have a master's degree in chemisty to begin with)
3. There are good people and bad people there. I consider myself pretty good. Some are legit and intelligent while some seemed inbred and illiterate. That ends up hurting us good ones and our rep.
4. My efforts carried the lazy inbreds, which pissed me off.

So, my question is, where the hell do I go from here?
What's a truly legit and respected on-line school for an MBA?
Mass commercialization and letting in almost anymore who can get the money has hurt UOP's rep and I don't plan on working my bag off, actually learning what it was I was supposed to learn, just to be looked at down some a$$hole's nose because my ticket doesn't say Harvard.

Ellis?
DeVry (Keller)?

Help a brother out. I'm lost here. Thanks.

 

This isn't my area BUT U of Phoenix IS accredited. It IS legitimate, even if it has relatively little prestige.

But academic prestige is a real pain in the tuchas anyway. If you came here to New Mexico State University and earned your MBA, I guarantee that your degree would be recognized as legitimate by everyone in the business world and academia. You would experience a solid curriculum and acquire all the critical thinking skills and tools necessary to function as an MBA executive.

But, some positions in some companies would not be open to you as a practical matter because your degree wouldn't have come from Harvard or Stanford or Wharton or wherever.

The same thing is true (with a vengence) in the law. If you are REALLY concerned with prestige, take the time off, borrow the vast sums it will require, and go to Harvard or Stanford or wherever. If you aren't willing to do that (and I wasn't) just know that your degree just won't open to you the top opportunities.

 

Yes it is accredited, I understand, but a lack of respect is what I fear. What will it get me in the end, you know?

I'm simply trying to find a school that doesn't have much smoke around its name. Thanks for your feedback.

Quick example:

Took a mareting class. Did an audit...30 pp. Gave a presentation. Got an A. A girl in the class, when questioned about what she would change about the product or company to meet the changing market demands goes, in this lame ass childish voice, "nothing. They're Johnson and Johnson. They don't have to change anything." She completely missed the f'ing point of a the marketing audit. And why? Because she's a moron who'll end up having an MBA from the same school I would. She has no business in an MBA program, but still got in to UOP. That's my concern. IDIOTS get in that place. It does nothing for it's own image and in the end hurts those who actually are capable of doing the job.

 

That reminds me of when I took a graduate-level class in management from UoP. There were two of us who did all the group projects -- and I mean all of them.

No one else ever volunteered to help. No one else lifted a finger. Yet those who did nothing got the same grade that the two of us did all the work for.

In retrospect, it pisses me off that lazy lards can get away with that. I'm frankly glad that I don't have a degree from UoP because it would be embarrassing. If you have the cash, then you can float through their curriculum with a 4.0 without doing a commensurate level of collegiate work.

Cash + enrollment = UoP degree

 

Wow, another MSc in chemistry here on the board. I did my MBA through the Edinburgh Business School of Heriot-Watt University. No group projects, and you succeed or fail entirely on your own merit.

 

God I hate chemistry. lol. That's why I have to do something to get out of it. I figure an MBA will allow me to build on it rather than having to start over.

 

Oh gee and I am about to teach there in January. I dont know what to say on this one. Cowboy, you are two classes into it, right? I guess I would say let your conscience be your guide.

 

If you have the cash for UoP, then you can check out National University'MBA program. They have one online. It is around the same tuition, and a 1-month format. I was scared off UoP for the same reasons you enumerated. I am taking the NU MBA in-situ at the MCRD here in San Diego, and costing me 50% less, but I hear that the online instruction is solid as well.
Currently, they are IACBE-accredited, but my marketing professor (he's full-time faculy) told me that they are in the process for applying for AACSB accreditation.
Good luck

 

Have you checked the Cal State U Dominguez Hills MBA?
They may give you credit for your U of Phoenix courses.
I understand that the CSUDH MBA is tough (based on comments from two co-workers who attended campus based courses) but there are other members of degreeinfo taking this program who could offer more insight.

Excelsior is also offering an MBA starting in 2005 that sounds very atttactive, however the cost may be aound $20,000 based on the cost of their first course.

 

Were I going for an MBA then EBS would have much appeal for the reason you've given.

If I may...

Was recognition of the school a problem for you?

Did you use it "in-house" or for a new job?

 

ASU

Have you looked into ASU's (Arizona State University) MBA program? They have one that is completely online.

http://wpcarey.asu.edu/mba/online/index.cfm

Their MBA program is ranked pretty high by several different sources.

http://wpcarey.asu.edu/mba/national_recognition.cfm

 

It's not the curriculum or faculty.. those seemed fine. But UOP does nothing to show it's students post-degree placement/salary survey statistics. That, combined with some students who can barely put a sentence together, doesn't do too much for the school's image. That's what concerns me. It just seems like UOP is more concerned with revenue rather than quality education and prestige.

 

If you want an MBA that is fairly well-respected, then there are a lot of choices. I prefer a program that is professionally (AACSB) and regionally accredited. There is a good list at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/tables/mba_reg_prof.htm

You can't go wrong with any of the schools on this list.

Good luck!

 

tana

Hey Cowboy,
I had a couple of friends who had a similar experience at UoP. They're are a lot of great DL MBA programs out there. \\

I am currently in an MBA program at www.Amberton.edu . I love it. It is RA accredited, affordable ($600 per 3 unit class), flexible payment options, great class selection, also has a B & M facility, and fully online. I am extremely glad with their program, check it out.

www.Amberton.edu

 

Thanks, Gildeer! Appreciate it.

And to Ultimale!

 

If anything, the cachet of the school being Scottish probably helped. So I had no problems with recognition.

And I used the degree both to advance at my old job, and help me get a new and better one, in May of this year.

 

That's good info. And a clink of glasses over your advancement.

 

MBA at Colorado State University

You might take a look at the online/DVD program at Colorado State University. It is AACSB accredited and you can take either a two year or four year lock-step program. It runs about 500 per credit plus books.

I started my first course in August and we're just getting into the group project. There's a "no free rider" policy and there are disincentives.

The distance program is integrated with the evening program and distance students get the lectures about 3 to 5 days after the Monday evening lecture.

Again, it's my first course but I'm liking it so far. Does require a GMAT.

 

Good site, BUT it is not complete!

Colorado State has a DL (mostly by VCD and WebCT) that is AACSB accredited as do many of the other AACSB accredited schools. Find one in your home state and ypu may even save some money.

 

UoP... Not

I used to teach at UoP. When my wife considered an MBA, it was everything BUT UoP. When I went for an MBA, UoP was not on my radar screen.

Why?

For many reasons listed here. Low prestige. Actually, NO prestige. AND, a cost out of whack with what you get.

Only go UoP if your employer pays for it and all you need is a college degree from ANYPLACE.

Otherwise, there are tons of better and cheaper options for you.

My MBA: Morehead State University (AACSB accredited)

Her MBA: Touro International University