MBA w/ HR focus ... Which School

Hi all,
I've been lurking for a while now and have really enjoyed the conversation here.

I'm hoping y'all can help me out with some opinions of the following schools offering DL MBAs with HR focus:

Keller
Baker
Liberty
Regis
Western Gov. University - (no HR focus but I can use several of my courses to focus in on HR matters).

I looked at Aspen and U of Phoenix but felt the admissions people was more interested in getting me to enroll then anything else (According to my caller id, the UOP guy would call three or four times a day!)

Currently I’m working as a litigation paralegal (defense) and have spent the better part of six years going through companies' human resource files, policies, and procedure manuals. I've become very interested in this field and I'm hoping that the degree would help me land a new position in an HR capacity without a pay cut (entry level positions pay next to nothing!) or further my career as a paralegal and become an analyst.

If someone has a GREAT experience with a certain school that I did not mention please feel free to let me know.

Thanks much!

 

Siddielou,

First of all, I just want to let you know that is a normal routine for University of Phoenix. They used to call me everyday, until I told my troops when they call me...tell them that I was on deployment. So, avoiding University of Phoenix if you can....

Aspen University is a good school as far as most people have a great experience with them. If you have a financial problem, you should go to Aspen University....on the promotion $4,200.00; cannot beat at anywhere else.

If you are looking for a recognition school; then University of Wisconsin at Whitewater is a better choice. The institution offers Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management. (URL: http://onlinemba.uww.edu/) . The school is accredited by regional and AACSB. It is only $550.00/credit compares to $650.00/credit at Keller School of Management.

In order for us to help you; I have serveral question.

1. Does the name of school sound important to you?

2. Does it have to be AACSB, ACBSP?

3. Does national accredited instution matter?

4. Are you looking for low cost tuition or doesn't matter?

 

I want to follow up with these stuffs:

Baker College is accredited by IACBE; which is not recognized by the Department of Education, nor CHEA.

Western Governors University, Keller School of Management, Liberty University, Regis University’s programs are accredited by Regional body, but not business accredited agency.

Regional & AACSB (Top Business Accredited Agency)

University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management
URL: http://onlinemba.uww.edu/

Penn State University – University Park
Master of Business Administration in Human Resources
URL: http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/iMBA_curriculum.shtml

University of Connecticut
Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Management
URL: http://continuingstudies.uconn.edu/onlinecourses/

You should go with AACSB, or at least ACBSP school.

 

Columbia Southern University is a highly reputable nationally accredited school, with many affiliations with traditional schools, government agencies and corporations.

CSU offers an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management:

http://www.colsouth.edu/programs/mba_hrm.html

Tuition is $250.00 per credit hour, which totals to be $9250.00 for the entire MBA program.

Although ACBSP is recognized specialized accreditor for business programs, you'll find schools that have ACBSP charge quite a bit more. I had a difficult time justifying the higher cost for an RA/ACBSP graduate program. It would be interesting to see how much more vaulable an RA/ACBSP really is or if it's only perception.

My MBA from CSU has suited me very well and I've incurred no student debit. I've received promotions, pay increases and teaching positions with my MBA. My MBA did not have to be RA/ACBSP, but the school did have to be from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.

 

Thanks for the prompt replies!

To answer your questions

1- to a certain extent. The name should sound like a "real" school based in the US - I'm trying to avoid some of the Bible colleges that offer degrees just because of the name (i.e., those that have the word God or Lord in them)

2 - Nope - has to be at least RA though.

3 - Nope

4 - I'm very cost sensitive and I'm trying to balance cost and reputation of the program. I'm prepared to spend more for a better school or a program with a great track record but I don't think shelling out $30,000 to attend my local state university's blended online and evening MBA program is worth it (the school has a so-so middle of the road reputation).

Ultimately, I hope to start a family in a few years and I'd like to be able to use my degree to teach at the community college level.

Thanks!
Sid.

 

Well, it is tough to find the best one for you. What state do you reside in? or Are you oversee?

 

Thanks - I thought it was just me having an early senior moment

I live in NJ and work in NYC so the number of B&M schools in my area is staggering BUT my job doesn't really offer me "normal" hours. Also, the firm frowns upon outside activities that cuts into your ability to work for hours on end. In other words, it's a law firm

Online would work best until I'm able to get a new gig, preferably in HR. Also, I have an hour or so train commute each way which is perfect for reading or watching class video on my Palm.

Thanks for all your help - I'm enjoying the Napoleon Hill mastermind atmosphere...

 

Most of the MBA program costs between $12,000.00 - $25,000.00 average. Unless there are certian schools that offer instate tuition, or National Accredited schools. As you mentioned that you are looking for at least RA. And since you live in New Jersey, and work in New York. I recommend you to check out Ellis College of New York Institute of Technology @ http://ellis.nyit.edu/schools/mba.php . The institution offers Master of Business Administration - Specialize in Human Resource Management. Ellis College NYIT is accredited by regional and IACBE business agency body (Rember IACBE is not recorgnized by the Department of Education nor CHEA.)

If you have lot of money, you can go with Penn State University; but the cost is somewhat pricey. It is also good to attend school around your area, or region. The reason I am saying that because when you try to apply for a job. The employers might have a red flag in their head (i.e: how did you attend National University (CA), but you worked and live in New York?).

For example about my situation. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. And I completed my degree from Troy Unviersity in Troy, Alabama (Florida). When I went for interview for a job, the employers look at both time frame are the same; but my college education is in the other side of the country. They did not ask me that question, but I knew they really want to.

 

If HR is your passion, you want to look for an MBA that is recognized by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Their website is www.shrm.org.

Best of luck.

Shawn

 

I looked at Ellis initially but discounted it because of the price (no pun intended). But, after doing lots of looking and phoning the past few days I'm starting to think that Ellis is very reasonably priced for their reputation and program. I plan on giving them a call tomorrow to get the full scoop.

I also looked at the Penn program and for that amount of money I can quit my job and go to a campus based program...

I also looked at Ashton (www.ashton.edu) and was impressed but they don't offer an HR concentration. Grrrr :|

Thanks for all the help - I'm hoping to narrow the field down a few schools very shortly.

 

Your link seems to have been broken; let's see if this fixes it.

 

NYIT/Ellis Here I Come

Thanks for all your advice - I decided to go with NYIT and Elis College.

I'm excited but scared - its a big $$$$ and time investment but I can't keep doing what I'm doing and expect different results (after all that is the defination of insanity).

I was very impressed with the folks and program at Ashford www.ashford.edu but they don't have an HR concentration. If anyone out there is looking for an MBA - check them out. I dealt with Debra Oliver in the admissions office and she's a gem.

Thanks again y'all!

 

SHRM doesn't really "recognize" MBA programs, but they do list on their site schools with MBA programs with specializations in HR. The link is here http://www.shrm.org/foundation/directory/search.asp

If you are wanting to work in HR, I recommend getting your PHR designation then the MBA. I've seen many employers hire someone with a bachelors and a PHR certification over someone with an MBA in HR with no PHR certification.

 

Couldn't agree more.

Shawn

 

I can tell you from experience that the Ellis M.B.A. program is great! While I'm not specializing in HR, I am specializing in Technology Management and have had nothing but a positive experience. I can answer just about any question, within a student prospective...

Rich

 

I know I'm a little late with this, but I am a Baker Online grad student and thought they were Regionally Accredited - so I checked their site.

When I checked their website, it seems the graduate programs are Regionally Accredited in addition to the IACBE accreditation (Although, admittedly not AACSB).

I chose Baker because I wanted a RA Masters and the program was convenient for my needs. As I am not interested in teaching, I didn't rerquire a AACSB accreditation.

From https://www.baker.edu/departments/admissions/grad.cfm

"All graduate programs are accredited through The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The MBA program has additional international accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)"