Time to decide on my MBA...please help!

I have spent hours and hours looking around for the right MBA for me.

Any advise would be appreciated.

I have bounced back and forth between being a business owner to working in sales, sales management, and business development. Because I thoroughly enjoy being involved in start-ups and developing things from the beginning, I would imagine that my career will stay on the same track. I could see myself moving into a consultant/business owner type of a role with the occasional start-up going on at the same time.

My plan is to sit for my PMP in about 1 month and to start my MBA within the next few months.

In all, I want to continue to strengthen my credentials and further develop my skills as an entrepreneur.

I'd like to save a buck or two on my degree, so keeping it in the 10k range would be nice if possible.

No GMAT would be nice.

I have looked over the DETC programs thoroughly and have almost decided against them. There are some great DETC programs, my undergrad is CCU, so I have nothing against them at all. I just don't want my degree to ever encounter any limits in the future.

So far here are some of my choices:

CSU - http://www.csuniv.edu/academics/graduate/graduate_mba_cirriculumoutline.asp

I really like this school from what I can see. The Christian ethic slant is appealing to me, but it's not absolutely necessary.

At $365 per credit hour for 30 total hours it seems like a good deal.

-------------------

UNA -

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

At one time these guys were my absolute favorite until they dropped the New Venture Management program and went to the 16 weeks format. They had 8 weeks course at one time

Still,at $365.00 per credit for 33 total hours it's not a bad deal.

-----------------

Texas A&M Commerce -

http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/graduateprograms/Programs/online.asp

Not the bargain it once was, but as a Texas residence I would never have to explain my degree. The school has a very strong name in Texas. I would love to have the A&M name on my resume (even though I am a Red Raider at heart).

The draw back is the price and the strong leaning towards more of the financial and analytical side of things.


----------------

Bellevue -

http://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/mba_new.asp


Don't know a ton about them, but they have been a consideration of late. The price seems right.

Feedback on them would be nice.


----------------


AMU -

http://www.amu.apus.edu/Academics/Degree-Programs/plan.htm?progid=3488&concid=3490

I like the idea of being able to transfer 15 credits if I wanted to. This would give me the option of taking a few course from different sources. I like the idea of being able to experience a few different schools out of curiosity.

Again, the price seems right and you can start classes every month.




So, what do you guys and gals think?

 

Out of the programs you have listed, my vote is TAMU-C. For the reasons you listed. Seems like a no brainer if you live in Texas.

 

Oh, and If you are going to be a business owner or consultant to start ups, the financial/analytical slant at TAMU-C would be an asset. Nothing wrong with adding it to your repertoire.

 

I generally work with financial people in all of my projects.

It is just an aspect of business that I find absolutely not joy in.

That said, I know it would be good for me, I just don't know if the benefits will be enough since I will never specialize in that area of business.

Certainly I will take what you said into consideration when making my decision.

I plan to at least apply to see if they will accept my undergrad degree.

 

I've been told that A&M will not accept my undergrad, so that one is out.


I have considered West Texas A&M as well. It is definately low cost.

 

Best buy MBAs

You might want to consider:

http://www.geteducated.com/rankings/best_mbareg.asp

If you are looking for AACSB:

http://www.geteducated.com/rankings/best_mbaaacsb.asp

Good luck.

Shawn

 

WTAMU is applying for AACSB accreditation, if memory serves me correctly. Pricing is very good, no doubt.

You are aware that TAMU-C offers MBA developmental classes online, right? Anyway, I'm looking at a nearby evening MBA program after completing my current master's. Gotta have the local connections.

You might also give Tarleton State a look. Two things, the horrid WebCT interface and recent online class fee increases (from $300 to $400) kinda stink, although the faculty is very accomodating. Plus, the school just raised grad tuition for the first time in ten years. Online TSU grad class costs went from $789 to $910.

 

Jacksonville State University is where I plan to go for my MBA

 

If you like the "Christian slant" you may want to consider Liberty University. I believe their MBA is offered in an accelerated format...possibly 12 months as I recall. I've heard only positive things about the quality of the education and the distance learning format at Liberty. The only real negative I've heard is that there is a Christian slant, but it sounds like that might be a positive thing for you.

Pug

 

I always post a plug for the University of Wyoming's online executive MBA program when the "which MBA" thread comes up. It's $540 a credit hour, but only 30 hours, so it's just over $16K for the entire program from a AACSB accredited b-school with one of the longest distance education histories in the USA. My business admin undergrad is from UW, and I was very, very pleased with the quality of my education there. Good luck with your decision!

 

Can't go wrong with the choices you listed...

I would add Chadron State College in Nebraska ... great pricing, program seems solid, I wanted the ability to mix class & distance learning methods...otherwise CSC is where I woulda signed up with...

good luck

 

I always always always steer people to regionally accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees for this very reason: to prevent them from running into obstacles like this. I am not 100% certain, but it's possible that Northcentral University will conditionally accept an undergraduate degree from CCU. There are a couple of other regionally accredited schools that may also conditionally accept a CCU undergraduate degree. Good luck.

 

NCU will accept "A bachelor's degree or its equivalent (120 semester credits of college level coursework) from an accredited or approved institution".

http://www.ncu.edu/admissions/graduate_admissions.aspx

I think it's safe to say that a NA degree would qualify.

 

All of the schools above that I noted, accept A&M, will take may undergrad for their MBA programs.

There are MANY more that will as well.

NCU will absolutely accept my degree without any conditions.

 

I was hoping for some feedback on the list that I provided. I kinda have it narrowed down to that list. Not that I am opposed to any suggestions.

 

Hi Skidadl,

There are many great online MBA programs and it really depends on your objectives.

While I'm not familiar with the schools that you've mentioned, my only suggestion to you is "Who do you want to network with during and after the program?"

If you pick a school that's mostly made up of military students, you probably won't get too much industry insights.

If you pick a school that's mostly made up of local students, you probably won't have much exposure to International business/culture.

If you pick a school that's tough, you probably get upset because the professors only give you Bs and Cs.

If you pick a school that's not well known, you probably have to spend time explaining why you opt for that program instead of the more common ones.

Afterall, it really depends on your goals. Schools may have similar curriculum, textbook, and even case studies, but each school has its unique mix of students and I think that matter the mosts.

If I were you, I won't put too much focus on the GMAT requirements, AACSB status, and program costs.

- Lucozade