Ivy League Advanced Certificate Vs DETC Approved MBA Project Management

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by skywire, Feb 18, 2005.

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  1. skywire

    skywire New Member

    Here's the deal. I have an MS Ed in Online Teaching and Learning from Cal State Hayward. I've been teaching ESL for 10 years (military for 10 years before that) and want to make a career change. (I'm mid 40's).

    I'm currently taking a 3 hour certification Human Resource Mgt course from Southern Columbia University (DETC Approved) to get a feel for the school and get this information and certification. I'ts been a couple of years since I've been in school and this is a good warm up class as well as a subject I'm interested in.

    CSU has an MBA in Project Management which I am interested in, but have not started. Human Resource Mgt and Project Management overlap in some areas, so there is no loss of time--except I can't use the 3 hour cert class for the MBA program. But I wanted to do it anyway, so this is not an issue.

    http://www.colsouth.edu/distance_learning/Certifications/chrm.html

    I was also looking at Stanford's certificate program in Advanced Project Management as well. Which is about the same price as CSU's MBA program. From their webpage:

    http://apm.stanford.edu/certProgram.html

    "Individuals who complete a total of six courses, including the program¡¯s three core courses will receive the Stanford Advanced Project Management mastery certificate. With this certificate participants receive the professional credential of Stanford Certified Project Manager (SCPM). The SCPM designation may be used on business cards, business correspondence and resumes. Records will be archived in the Stanford Advanced Project Management program office and will be available for verification upon request."

    My question is, when changing careers, which would be the better choice? A DETC MBA or an Ivy League Advanced Certification in Project Management? I'm really interested in getting input from people like TomC who are in this field. Thanks!
     
  2. bo79

    bo79 New Member





    Stanford U is a very good school, but it is NOT Ivy League.
     
  3. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    My advice is to go for the Stanford certificate, you already have a MS and I really don't think a DL MBA will do anything for you. If it was a well known B&M school, that might be different.

    However, before even doing that, you need a PHR certification.

    I recommend:

    1) Joining SHRM. (www.shrm.org) They have some great member-only forums. People on there are HR managers for some big companies and will give you some great advice. The SHRM magazine will also keep you up-to-date on all things HR.

    2) Go to www.hrcp.com and order the PHP study guides. They are much cheaper than all the other study guides.

    3) Test for your PHR.
     
  4. skywire

    skywire New Member

    Re: Re: Ivy League Advanced Certificate Vs DETC Approved MBA Project Management

    Whoops! My bad!:eek:

    What I'm looking is changing careers with some good credentials and bang for the buck while doing it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2005
  5. Dan Cooper

    Dan Cooper New Member

    If you plan to change careers and the type of positions you are going for require an MBA, then the Certificate won't do you much good.

    If you decide to go the MBA route I would choose RA over DETC if at all possible. An RA degree has far more utility in the workplace.

    A suggestion: Mississppi State University has a Distance MBA in Project Management. It's a very good and respected program. Also it is relatively low priced, and AACSB Accredited.
     
  6. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    While I understand your thoughts, for me, the choice isn't even close. It's Stanford, baby! If you're looking for something to get your resume pulled out of the pile, which do you think will do it?

    As for Columbia Southern and getting an MBA, why not consider a regionally accredited school? The module tuition at CSU would be a total of $6300 and if a student opted for the unit rate it would be $8100.

    For a couple thousand dollars more, you could have the RA version of an MBA.


    Tom Nixon
     
  7. TomICAVols

    TomICAVols New Member

    Two thoughts. One, I have beaten out Princeton grads for jobs one more than one occasion, and my school is hardly name brand.

    Two, I keep hearing about these 9K and 10K RA MBA programs, but they're miniscule in number and may not fit the needs of all.
     
  8. bing

    bing New Member

    I did the California State University-Dominguez Hills MBA back in 1999. It was totally on-line and it cost me about $15K then.

    I would not say that the CSUDH program was exceptional. You put into it what you wanted to get out of it. However, I know I beat some people out of jobs who came from the likes of Duke and Indiana brick and mortar MBA programs. The kicker for me, I believe, was my EXPERIENCE first AND an MBA.

    My company does recruit people into the fast track from Duke MBA. However, I have seen some come in and fizzle fast and others who do well. I've seen the same with the Stanford MBAs here. I have seen the same with Indiana State MBAs here, too.

    Bing
     
  9. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    really look hard at any certificate that is not academic credit, Stanford's is not, further I would (and do) recommend the Stanford certificate as follow on education or for folks who do not have a desire or ability to complete programs for academic credit. The PMP is the standard for this field. The money spent on the Stanford certificate would go a good way to funding a degree.

    I completed the Columbia Southern MBA-PM in about 8 months and did it for less than $6300 including books and fees. That was several years ago. I completed this program because at the time it was quicker and less expensive than non academic options. I needed the project management classroom hours for my PMP. (I also used the MBA as a springboard to several other programs). I would not recommend this program today because there are RA options that provide more utility. The only advantage the CSU program holds is the timeline to completion.

    Several aother programs have come up that are better options, even if more money. Hands down the cheapest PM graduate certificate (academic credit) is at Amberton University.

    Several other threads are on this topic if you care to search the forum.

    The Mississippi State program is probably the best bang for the buck for a MBA with a project management concentration and the one I would recommend since you are looking to change careers. Western Carolina is the best MS in project management if you can get resident tuition. Keep in mind that changing careers to project management might be more difficult than you anticipate and I would recommend that you look at the requirements for the PMP at: www.pmi.org

    In any instance, good luck with your efforts,

    Kevin
     
  10. little fauss

    little fauss New Member

    Re: Re: Ivy League Advanced Certificate Vs DETC Approved MBA Project Management

    You're right, but they might as well be.

    I wouldn't do the CSU MBA. I'd either do the Stanford Certificate or do an MBA from an AACSB-accredited online/DL school like Nebraska or Auburn or Colorado State or UMass. What's your budget per cr. hr?
     
  11. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    One, I'm sure you're very happy with your successful career. Given that he is looking to change his career, I think that there is a decided difference between a certificate from Stanford and an MBA from a DETC-accredited school. Since he already holds a master's degree, it made more sense to add something different to the mix.

    Two, miniscule in number, yes, but do you really need more than one? :)

    As for the comments from others (AACSB, etc.), I only looked at his parameters (choice A or choice B).




    Tom Nixon
     
  12. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I agree with Tom.

    Especially since skywire is making a career change from ESL (something I did for a few years) into HR (something that I also did for a few years.)

    I don't think he is eligible for a PMP even if he passes the exams because he doesn't have the work experience. He is eligible for a PHR because training does count for work experience in HR.

    So given those two choices, the Stanford certificate is the better way to go..but he really should do the PHR (or even better the SPHR) first, and ideally an on-campus or a limited residency RA MBA program. That way at least he can network himself better and get access to recruiters that visit the school.
     
  13. Tom57

    Tom57 Member

    Re: Re: Ivy League Advanced Certificate Vs DETC Approved MBA Project Management

    Technically true, but Stanford is the equal of any of the Ivies.
     
  14. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I should also add if I was forced to choose a DL program for someone making a change into HR, that would have to be Cornell. www.ecornell.com

    For around $5000 you can do their HR certificate (12 courses). It would add nicely to the MS you already have, and that school IS Ivy League. Other than that, I would consider one of the California DL law schools, even if you didn't do the bar.

    Forget project mangement certifications/degrees/specialties whatever. They might have some relavence to HR, but they don't prepare you for dealing with unions, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, compensation plans, and a countless other regulations that HR managers have to deal with.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2005
  15. morganplus8

    morganplus8 New Member

    I'm completing the Cornell program in two weeks and can state that it is extremely well presented and professionally done. I have asked that they continue to develop a serious program for us diehard students to challenge for. I have an MBA and just wanted to add to my resume but I ended up really enjoying the program and might take on another one! I will also look at the Stanford Cert. as well.:)
     
  16. skywire

    skywire New Member

    WOW! I had no idea that the PMP would take so long to get. As I am in my mid-40's and not getting any younger, it seems the best move would be into HR. Now, I need to look at HR options.

    With my background, would the Cornell cert have much of an advantage over an MBA? Which would give me bang for the buck. I'm currently living in Korea and am paying out of pocket. Thanks.
     
  17. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Are you planning on staying in Korea, or are you planning on coming back to the US? Will you be working for a Korean company, or a foreign one? What kind of visa are you on? Are you fully bi-lingual in Korean? I was in a similar situation when I was looking for a degree program when I was living in Japan and all these things were a factor.

    With the MBA, it gives you some versatility, but you are at risk of becoming a "jack of all trades, master of none." If you are planning on staying in the ESL feild, it could make you more attractive to companies as a business English instructor, or maybe even some consulting work. I new a guy in Japan that was making a very good living just helping Japanese companies negotiate with western ones, maybe you could do something similar in Korea. Maybe you could work in recruiting of other ESL teachers in Korea.

    However, if you are planning on coming back stateside, I don't think the MBA will help all that much. The Cornell ceritificate would be the better way to go.

    The PMP would most likely not help you any. Most companies that use them require a background in engineering, IT, construction, or economics in addition to the PMP.
     
  18. Casey

    Casey New Member

    Re: Re: Ivy League Advanced Certificate Vs DETC Approved MBA Project Management

    I actually agree with TC. I like DETC schools, but a Stanford credential in anything will set you apart from the rest.
     
  19. TomICAVols

    TomICAVols New Member

    Tom Nixon:

    Yes, you do need more than one cheap RA DL MBA because it's not a one size fits all thing :)

    Thank you!
     
  20. skywire

    skywire New Member


    Actually, I want to get something more on my resume before I return home. I'm tired of ESL, but like the field of teaching/training. Actually, the best and most cost effective program I've seen so far is the Amberton MS Human Resources/Training. As well as the www.hrcp.com/HP study guides and to test for the PHR.


    It seems to be the most reasonable stretch into another career. If I was 15 years younger, I might consider the PMP, etc... I wasn't that informed about it and I'm glad I didn't go down that path. Thanks for the input, guys--you saved me lots of time and money on that one! ;)
     

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