Hey Folks, Thanks for all that info on the MBA programs! I am now starting to zero in on a few programs, but I have a few more questions.Why dose Heriot-Watt University allow someone into the MBA program without an undergraduate degree? I,having a mother from England realize the subtle differences in U.S.& U.K. accreditation notwithstanding; worldwide we all must jump through various hoops on the climb up the educational ladder. I also feel that Heriot-Watt is no picnic. ( If it was,there are to many H-W grads out there daring others to come on down and have a piece of chicken!) Although is seems like a very good school why dont they demand the U.S. students have an undergradute degree? It seems like a backdoor approach for American students to a MBA, this current method only seems like it could eventually lead to problems with their reputation. Any insight on how employeers and other colleges/universities feel ? thanks once again, Buckwheat
H-W's reputation is not at stake. It is older than all of us. Admitting students without a bachelor's gets to the purpose of the admissions process. It is either to select the best candidates for a limited number of spots, or it is to ensure the admitted candidates can do the work. H-W takes on all comers, so it falls to the latter. H-W ensures this by requiring the matriculating candidate without a recognized bachelor's degree to complete a minimum number of H-W MBA courses prior to being admitted (three?). Unlike some other disciplines, it is not necessary to have an undergraduate degree in business to complete an MBA. Many programs will admit you straight up, others will require you to complete some pre-requisite courses prior to admission to the master's. Still others will admit you provisionally, waiting for you to complete a few courses successfully before giving you admission. It might surprise you the number of programs that will admit a candidate without a bachelor's. It may not be advertised, but it can often be negotiated. H-W is more blunt about it. Pass the tests, get the degree. Rich Douglas
What other programs are you referring to when you state "it might surprise you the number of programs that will admit a candidate without a bachelors? Can you provide some others that do this? I am not familiar with them and would like to research. Any info on this such as reputation, accreditation, etc would be greatly appreciated.
Rich is right on the money. There are several current programs that either do not require or will make exceptions to the requirement for a Bachelors degree. The Open University in England is one example I believe. Also historicly there was no such requirement for most law schools. ------------------ Best Regards, Dave Hayden
Unfortunately, no. This isn't the kind of thing you find in a school's literature; it is negotiated case-by-case. I believe it was John Bear that had some experience interacting with admissions officials about this subject. They said the same thing: that they would consider it, but not advertise it. Rich Douglas
It is a backdoor... unfortunately the back door is 2inch thick steel with a combination lock and is welded shut (i.e. the program is relatively easy to get into and very difficult to get out of). The Times ranked Heriot-Watt 2nd tier over all categories but it actually ranked #1 (above Oxford) on teaching quality assessment... arguably the most important measure. I have obtained numerous opinions of HW and EBS over the years and have yet to hear anything that doesn't range from positive to very impressed... something which cannot be said for many DL programs.
Well, don't confuse being able to order a few courses with being "enrolled" (or matriculated as the say at HW). In order to officially become a student (like if you want to study on-campus), you do need an undergraduate degree, OR, have passed 2 required courses. This 2 exam requirement shows the university that if you can pass these exams, then you are capable of doing the program (even w/o a Bachelor's). This really is not so different from US many universities. Most US schools will let you take up to 6 credits (about 2 classes) w/o officially becoming a student. Sometimes even granting "conditional" admission until you finish whatever other prerequisites the university my have. (GRE, GPA, BA, etc) I knew a guy who started his MA with only an AA. He still had to take all the classes required for a BA before he could get his MA, but they still let him in. -Ed (A HW student on his 3rd and 4th courses.)
Heriot-Watt demands that two "core" courses be passed in order to matriculate if one doesn't have a bachelors. More rigor is engineered into the program by making the courses more comprehensive in many cases than normal MBA courses (for example H-W states that their "economics" course would actually incorporate both an "Economics I" and an "Economics II" as one course. Still more rigor is engineered by very challenging tests. Anf finally, the last nail is placed in the coffin if one fails a test twice - you are out the door - that's it!!. H-W states that if ya can't pass the tests it's not valuable to them or the student to be attempting the degree. Earon
A number of accredited UK & Australian Universities (and a few Canadian schools) will, by school policy, allow you to enter into their MBA programs without a bachelor's degree (placement being dependent on your work experience, employee reference & support, etc.). Many of these schools provide a 3 tiered approach - You must complete the following in order: Graduate Certificate in Business, Graduate Diploma in Business, and MBA in Business (FYI - Heriot-Watt has recently organized their distance MBA program in this manner as well; 3 completed courses earns you a graduate certificate, 6 completed courses earns you a graduate diploma and 9 completed courses earns an MBA). A great place to begin your review is at "Jonnie's Distance Learning Page" at www.geocities.com/liu_jonathan/distance.html Last time I checked, some of the noted (non bachelor degree requirement) MBA programs could be located there (however, you must physically review each university link to uncover those programs). Good luck!
Thanks folks, Perhaps I didnt give H-W enough credit,after some futher investigation along with your convincing replys I decided on three choices. They are as follows ( in order of prefrence) 1. Heriot-Watt university 2. Gardner-Webb university ( online&local classes) 3. Morehead university H-W seems to carry the most " clout" and Iam leaning in that direction! Thanks again, Gavin ( a.k.a. Buckwheat)
