University of North Alabama MBA

Does anyone have any experience with these programs.

I would love input that could be useful.

Any surely someone has experience or knowledge about their DVD MBAs.

So far I have read their website and looked into the requirements.

I am interested in quality, coursework and other general feedback that current or former students may have.

If you aren't a current or former student and have other useful info on their programs your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/una/index.html

My interest is in their New Venture Management program.

 

Well, I've never been a student there, but here's a few old threads on the North Bama MBA. Hope this helps!

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14466

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11727

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11269

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10211

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3245

 

skidadl,

search on my user name and there will be some information. UNA is a respected school. Do a google search on "MBA, University of North Alabama" and you will find some interesting folks in academia.

The DVDs are ok but are made in a sterile environment so make sure you are alert before viewing.

I don't have any experience with the New Venture concentration.

However, the management concentration has enough online courses that you can get the required 18 graduate hours for teaching.

UNA is a traditional school and as such the professors act more like B&M professors. By that I mean you won't get a grade you didn't earn and grading takes the normal week or so (since the profs also are teaching on ground classes) as opposed to the quicker times with schools that use adjuncts. Some exams are online and graded immediately by the courseware, others are turn in and wait.

Prereqs are required and UNA closely follows the AACSB programs despite being ACBSP accredited. I'm pretty happy with both rigor and content. I looked at a bunch of schools and selected UNA for rather self serving reasons, I live in the area, want to adjunct after retirement, and UNA students have had good placement in academia.

If I can answer any other questions please let me know.

Regards,

Kevin

 

Fed,

I've been looking at this program myself. I was thinking of something with no prerequisites, since I received my bachelors in 1986, and while I have taken most if not all of the prereqs, I've pretty much forgotten lots of the content. (Bellevue and Baker are on my short list.)

However the price and reputation at UNA is compelling. In your estimation could a person who has been out of school for quite a while and is rusty do well in this program, or would a person need to be real current with the prereq material?

Mike

 

Mike,

The Internet has a wide variety of resources. I completed my undergrad in 1985 and was able to find enough examples and additional material to help me through some of the math. I believe that QM 670 Decision Theory may be difficult if your math skills are weak. Also, if you did not have calculus based stats then you might be required to take the prerequisite. I had to take it and managed a "B". My advice would be to take semester long classes initially so that you have time to swing into the material. I am taking all my problem (read math related) classes up front since I know I will do better with the management classes. The professors are full-time at UNA so they should be reachable, I called during office hours to discuss an assignment and found the prof to be very approachable, so I believe you will have the support to overcome any issues. Since the core classes are a different level than the prerequisites a refresher might help but I suspect that a few extra study hours may overcome any issues. You might be able to get one of the professors to send you a syllabus so that you can make a more informed decision.

I looked at Baker and Bellevue and like Bellevue better. However, neither of these schools has the history or accreditation of UNA.

As a disclaimer of sorts, I completed an MBA at Columbia Southern University and did some PhD courses at Northcentral. There is a different "feel" to UNA from these other schools. I did transfer in a couple of courses from Northcentral but could only count these towards the prerequisites. My CSU MBA got me out of another. So I didn't go into the UNA program cold and had a good background for online coursework.

After a lot of thoughts on where I wanted to get to I decided to regroup and look for state schools that had longevity and programs that were solid. I enjoyed my experiences with CSU and NCU but since I want to adjunct I decided a more traditional school would suit me better.

I couldn't justify the additional cost for Auburn, but they use a similar method to UNA.

Holler back if I can answer anything else,

Regards,

Kevin

 

Kevin,

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for. I forgot to ask about accelerated vs 16 wk and you answered that as well. I'm looking to get into teaching part time, and yes my stats was pretty basic so probably the prereq would be in order. I appreciate the information.

Mike

 

Mike,

I noticed that some of the courses are offered in both 16 week and 8 week versions, others only in a 16 week format. With that thought in mind I have been mapping courses to semesters. If the school believes they can teach a course in 8 weeks then I ought to be able to learn it. However, the 16 week classes do provide some breather to do extra studying if you know you have a weak area. Also, take a look at all the courses for other prerequisites. I found a couple of the CIS courses that I plan to take as electives required prereqs not listed on the main page. I looked at the individual courses and they list the approved prereq. Fortunately, I was ok in this area.

You're welcome for the info and good luck on your decision.

Kevin

 

Kevin,

Thanks for your help on this.

How far along are you in the program?

Have you take Decision Theory yet? If so, was this one tough?

If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me what courses you have taken so far and what you thought of them?

Thanks for your help.

 

Skidadl,

I'm only on my second semester at UNA but did transfer in some classes so I am about a quarter done. I will take Decision Theory this semester. I also plan to take several additional classes beyond the MBA for teaching and to transfer into another program so I will have a significant number of credits(by my count around 60) when finished. I have only taken EMB 504- (stats with calculus) and EMB -502 Economics at UNA. (my previous stats classes did not have calculus and my economics classes were so old that I needed the refresher)

The Econ class had 9 exams that varied up to 4 hours in length, most around 3 hours. Basically about one exam every other week (for the math folks, some every week). The stats class varied from simple to "what the hell am I doing?" and consisted of take home exams (two and a final), homework, problems, etc... Both profs were good for contact. The EMB courses are leveling courses and encompass two undergraduate classes worth of content in some cases. Other than being extra classes the refresher is worth it.

Some professors grade on a curve and there were some smart folks in the stats class (I wasn't one of them). Keep in mind the EMB classes are 500 graduate level so the pace can be brisk.

There is a threaded discussion area as well as topics for the courses that include an online interactive component.

I suspect that Decision Theory will be tough but from the course description I have had a good portion of the material already so hopefully I'll stumble through.

Good luck on your decision,

Kevin

 

Thank you, Kevin.

I was reading a thread and there were a few comments (from Anthony Pina I believe) about the students not really knowing the material needed. The post went on to explain how some of these MBAs are consumer driven and how it has hurt education.

I gotta say, I sunk in my chair with a little guilt after reading this.

I must be one of those consumers that the post was talking about.

I do feel like I am walking into no-mans-land everytime I start one of these courses.

Really, I have a pretty solid career that could lead many places. I have always had an entrepreneur's heart through and through. This has had me involved in multiple businesses and various project along the way just about all of the time. Too many to be honest.

My imagination is always bigger than my abilities and my time capabilities for that matter.

My desire is to become I little more rounded as a person and hang a shingle on the wall getting to that place.

Academic excellence is not so important to me.

Learning a little is.

Sorry, I know this was a ramble and a rant here at this point in the thread.

Maybe someone can relate...




To make a long story a little less longer, (huh?) that Decision Theory class scares the poopy out of me.

 

And a few more North Bama threads:

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6662

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6378

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3245

 

Rest assured you wouldn't be the only person in your position. There are a couple of us who post here attending UNA and I have found that misery loves company. Don't be leery of jumping in with the rest of us. I wouldn't let one course stop me (and in fact actually faced both the calculus based stats and Decision Theory). I figure worse case I get a "C" (UNA allows 2 during the program) and have to make an "A" somewhere. We should know when and how to seek help. Too often we all want to be 4.0 students. I prefer to get whatever grade I earn and live with the result knowing I did the best I could at that point in time. We can't all be smart, nor knowledgeable in all areas, but we can be diligent.

Good luck with your decision.

Kevin

 

Kevin,

Thanks again for all the good information.

What do you think about the option to take 2 courses at CSU then transfer them to UNA? Do you think it would be possible to do an end around and take say econ and operations management at CSU, thereby possibly eliminating the need to take cals stats prereq? (It looks like CSU doesn't have prereq's and I'm guessing CSU isn't requiring calculus skills to succeed in their courses) For that matter would OM substitute for dreaded Decision Sciences?

I'm thinking a person could save a few thousand bucks by careful planning.

Mike

 

Mike,

UNA will ask for the course syllabus and compare apples to apples. While CSU advertises the two class transfer you would be wise to contact UNA and find out exactly which classes they will transfer before taking any. I was not able to get out of any of the core UNA MBA classes, only the prerequisites, despite having the classes from Northcentral to transfer in. I didn't ask UNA because I don't mind taking the classes (since I am after the knowledge and currency of the information) but you might ask about CLEP. I don't think you would have a major issue with bartering the econ or accounting prereq since these are pretty standard but UNA was insistent on the calculus based stats.

I agree with the premise you could save money but do take the time to make the inquiry prior to following this route. You might also end up sending multiple sets of prior transcripts as you would need to provide CSU and UNA a set for the application process.

There may be a little light if you can get hold of the admissions dean at CSU and negotiate with them. He will handle your initial application to UNA, after that you will need to deal with the UNA graduate school. I would bet that you could find a way to satisfy the stats prerequisite and might be able to negotiate QM 670. Keep in mind though that without the RA credits from UNA you might have a tough time should you need these classes later in another program. If, however the MBA is the end goal you might well find a solution that works.

Give a call to CSU and let me know how it works out.

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin,

I'm on my way out on assignment but before I head out I thought I'd drop UNA a note asking if they have a listing of CSU courses they will accept and their corresponding UNA numbers. If no success there I will give them a call.

Thank you.

Mike

 

I would have responded to this thread sooner, but I had a tough time logging in (even had to create a new username).

Fed and I were in EMB504 at the same time and it appears we will be in Decision Theory at that same time.

I agree that you shouldn't be leery about jumping in. Many of us are in the same boat. When I took my only required undergrad Statistics class back in the dark ages, I had just loaded Lotus 1-2-3 on my IBM PC XT at work. To be able to use Excel to manipulate the numbers was an awesome thing.

Every instructor thus far has been very responsive (even to some questions I have had outside of the coursework). In my mind, the key has been to make application of the material to what happens in real life.

UNA has been a good experience for me. I imagine it is like most things in life. You are going to get out of it exactly what you put into it.

A different Kevin

 

I received this response about the open enrollment option:

The two courses UNA wants the CSU students to take is MBA 6053 and MBA 6081.

Which I see on the CSU website are Economics for Managers and Corporate Finance.

All in all this doesn't look like a bad option.

Thanks

Mike

 

Please don't flame me for asking this question.

Does anyone know if this MBA program requires a lot of project driven work or extensive writings?

I'm looking for a RA program that doesn't require a lot of projects or writings due to work and family obligations. I really would like to get my MBA but it is difficult with my work and family obligations. I only see my problems getting more difficult in the future with family and I can't seem to get promoted or locate a better position without an MBA.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Quiltlady

 

Quilt Lady,

Nearly all of the RA programs I've looked into required quite a bit of papers and writing, however some are lighter on the projects/group work than others.

Even though its not RA perhaps the Edinburgh School of Business MBA might work for you. It's completely exam based. You buy the course, study it and then take the exam. No projects, no capstone courses, no thesis. I know that a few people who post here have done this and have gone on to RA doctorate programs. If you're doing this for promotions sake and not to become an adjunct instructor this may answer well for you.

The B & M courses I attended were pretty light on the writing. If there is a local MBA program available to you it might be your best choice if you can break away from kids for a night a week. Kids change everything though. I know that I had to pretty much put schooling aside for many years on account of family obligations.

Good luck to you.

Mike

 

I don't want to discourage you but I recently had a finance class that required a paper. I have come to accept at least one paper per class as a norm, more depending on the class. I actually like the papers since these I can schedule better than having many exams or continual homework assignments. If you can just use a masters degree as opposed to an MBA then take a look at this program:

http://www.mountainstate.edu/majors/onlinecatalogs/graduate/programs/IDS.aspx

A large portion can be self designed with approval or the Leadership Studies is laid out as an example.

Back to the MBA. Go to www.geteducated.com and download the freebie for business programs and then holler back with your same questions on a program of interest. Hopefully somebody can respond. As for UNA I have not had any project based classes and don't see any listed in the course descriptions.

Good Luck,

Kevin