Enrolled in WGU MBA-ITM program

Well, here goes nothing. I enrolled in the WGU Master of Business Administration - Information Technology Management program. I don't think I'm going to blast through this like I did for my undergrad degree, and that's the way I want it. In many respects I will be starting right back at the bottom (accounting, economics, finance, etc) so that I can build a business foundation. From what I've read of this school. one must master the competency areas to graduate. I think this adventure might be more interesting than the last since I know so little about MBA-related topics, and thus have so much to learn.

 

Well,I'm not in there MBA program,
just the BS Bus MGT.I felt I was
kind of misled by the enrollmnt
counselors,but they are a pretty tight ship.

Not much more to give you,without more
specific ?'s.

 

How so? What specifically do you mean?

 

Sean;

Hat's off to you, buddy! Since we both took the same degree track through Bellevue (several months apart), I was wondering where you would elect to do your graduate studies. Looks like WGU has a very challenging program, and one that piqued my interest.

I keep waffling between a "pure" IT focused masters, and the MBA with emphasis programs. I'll let you know which way the coin flip goes. Best of luck!

Dave

 

I am very happy with having chosen WGU

Badproduce:

Why do you feel you were misled?


My experience with the enrollment counselors (many years ago) was not exactly positive, either. I don't feel I was misled in any way, but the counselor with whom I initially spoke seemed unable to answer any of my questions adequately. In fact, she seemed almost disinterested in whether I enrolled or not. In contrast, the faculty of WGU are excellent!

Aside from my initial enrollment experience, and a few minor issues in my first months, I found the school exceptional in nearly every way.

Spmoran, I think you have made an excellent choice. I whole-heartedly recommend the school.

 

Just a mish mash of promises they
had made me,the biggest being they
coud help me advance through the
degree program faster via my
previously earned knowledge.

Instead of 2 years it looks like all 4 if not 5
will be needed to get my degree.

But on a good note my mentors
Greg Gough and Dr. Bari Courts
are fabulous.

They are a good school,but have to be a
bitmore honest when you enroll.

 

Badproduce, I too have heard from another student of an enrollment counselor who was said to have downplayed the amount of work required, and level of rigor involved in completing a degree program in a shorter time-span. It is likely that those who have finished a degree program sooner than expected, may have been allowed some advanced standing due to previous education, and/or credentials in prerequisite areas. It is also possible that they had plenty of spare time to study, or extensive knowledge and expertise relevant to their degree-major. More than likely they possessed both. Yet there have been people who’ve completed a bachelors degree with WGU, from beginning to end, in less time than the four to five year Estimated Program Completion span listed in their AAP. It is difficult, and requires a SUBSTANTIAL amount of work and study, but it CAN be done. I know several people who have completed their degree at an accelerated pace. However, expecting to be able to achieve and demonstrate mastery in all required domains of such programs, in less than half the time expected, is a sizable undertaking. I think any potential student should be made aware of the commitment required before enrolling.

If I were you, I’d send an email to the administration, and make them aware of the enrollment counselors practices. I doubt the admin wants any kind of deceptive practices going on, either. As you have noted yourself, they “are a pretty tight ship.”

I haven’t spoken to Dr. Courts, but have spoken to Greg Gough on more than one occasion. I have not had him as a mentor or facilitator, since I am in the Teachers College, not a business program, but he did help me resolve a learning-resource related issue, once. He seemed to have a very pleasant disposition.

 

It does indeed look challenging. One of the reasons I chose this route over a more technical degree is that I'm getting older (42), and see where there are plenty of choices that IT managers can make regarding technical people. They can insource, they can outsource. I don't know if our two countries politics will ever allow it, but I can foresee a day when the H1B and L1 Indian outsourcing will be eclipsed by the Chinese. They are growing a very powerful software market.

So, to me at least, it makes sense to get out of the way of the technical cross-fire and move to an area where I may not necessarily be impacted the same way. I think that this will require a full understanding of business and management, more I got in my undergrad studies.

I have also seen such poor management in the IT industry over the years, and I think I can do it better. Since I don't ever intend to let my technical skills rust, I will be able to bring those to the management table for a long time to come. I think that everyone who reports to a manager deserves a good manager, and it is my intent to be a damned good manager. To do that, I will need a much broader business education than I have now.

Keep going, Dave. It feels great when you finish!