Columbia Southern

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by WillieJoe, Feb 7, 2009.

Loading...
  1. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    I'm looking at going to Columbia Southern to pursue my bachelors degree online in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Everything I've saw has been pretty positive. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Ruble

    Ruble New Member

    I currently attend CSU and other than the lack of regional accreditation (which I knew before hand) I have nothing negative to say. I will complete my MBA in July and to this point the rigor is much like that of a B&M school. I have experienced relatively easy courses and a few very difficult courses; it all depends on the instructor imho. If you have any particular question feel free to PM me.
     
  3. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    How does CSU classes work as far as exams? I have talked to them in the past because I was considering going to UWA. I was told by the people at UWA that I could transfer credits from CSU into UWA's bachelor programs because of their partnership. This is another option I plan on looking into since I live within a few hours of both schools.
     
  4. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    I graduate from CSU with an MBA in Finance and I know someone doing a BBA in Finance (almost done):

    The Good:

    1) Accredited by the DECT
    2) Title IV for financial aid
    3) Reasonable price
    4) Many concentrations
    5) Support is good sometimes
    6) Military and law enforcement friendly
    7) Books included with each course
    8) Self Paced
    9) Maximum Credits

    The Bad:

    1) The Finance program at least at the Master level did not have qualified instructors and if you need help you are by yourself. I manage to handle due to my accounting background.
    2) The format of the course can change while you are taking it (this is at the BBA level).
    3) The curriculum is someone generic and is out of date in some courses.

    The Ugly:
    1) DETC accredited degree have limitation both in academia and in some jobs.
    2) You can find similar programs for the same price of CSU.
    3) The bookstore is very inefficient and you have to be on top of them to get your books on time.
    4) When you register in a course you have to check constantly to see the registered in the correct course.

    Welcome to the Board.
     
  5. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    Thanks. I'm starting to learn of how DETC has it limitations. I'm still looking to find a good place to go. What else are the possibilities that could benefit me in the long run for the same price range that is nationally accredited?
     
  6. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    There are many Regional Accredited options that have much more utility than a Nationally Accredited degrees. Why you want to pursue an NA degree? What other specializations would you consider?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 8, 2009
  7. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    Not reserved to NA. I just want to get a good education feel like I learned something and be marketable as a employee in the end. I also want to feel like my degree has some power not just a piece of paper.
     
  8. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    I'm just getting really started in the research of looking for a place to go. I've got two associates degrees. One in Computer Engineering in 1992 and the other Architectural Computer Aided Design Drafting in 1995. Transfer of credits are important to. I think some of the terms I've come into contact in the past couple of weeks I'm pretty unsure of. It seems like I'm learning all over again. Thank goodness for google where I can look them up.:D
     
  9. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    These are "supposedly" the most marketable degree majors online:

    Top 10 Online Business Degree Majors:

    1) Business Administration

    2) Management

    3) Leadership

    4) Project Management

    5) Information Systems Management

    6) Finance

    7) Technology Management

    8) Entrepreneurship

    9) Human Resources

    10) International/Global Business

    Although accounting is not listed it is a very marketable degree ( I am Bias) and you can find a job almost anywhere.

    If you decide for accounting instead of finance, Peru State College(RA) is a good place in my book.
     
  10. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    Researching I saw where actuaries or financial advisors were going to be high in demand in the future. I really like number crunching though. I play with baseball and football stats all the time.
     
  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    With your associate degrees have considered the Engineering Technology degrees offered by Excelsior, TESC and COSC (the big 3)?

    https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_of_Business_and_Technology/Technology_Programs

    http://www.tesc.edu/2308.php

    http://www.charteroak.edu/Prospective/Programs/concentrations.cfm

    Technogists often earn higher salaries than those careers suggested by Vinipink. Then later you can then pursue additional degrees in business.

    With the big three you can earn your credits at any university or college then, after accumulating sufficient quantity, transfer them to the big three college of your choice. Regular posters are always willing to suggest low cost courses for you.

    Incidentally the Excelsior BS in Liberal Studies is one of the most flexible programs around - I earned one with many of my transfer credits being in engineering and business. With that degree I was then accepted into two graduate degree programs.
     
  12. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    If you really think about it, most people don't know the difference between NA and RA. People are name-freaks. If they never heard of a school, they will toss it in the off-brand category.
     
  13. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    That is why I added a certificate from the University of Florida to my resume.
     
  14. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    And it sticks out.
     
  15. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    Technologist does sound interesting. I'm really interested in changing directions career wise. The information I've found is that being actuary or a financial analyst is going to be high in demand over the next several years. Is there any other feedback regarding Columbia Southern?
     
  16. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I used to know an actuary – she had degrees on math plus she had to pass professional exams. Her pay and benefits were outstanding.
    Here is a web site on the Society of Actuaries
    http://www.soa.org/education/landing.aspx

    A good start to this profession might be to earn the Excelsior degree in insurance – insurance is also a good career choice for someone who is willing to work hard. That way you will make contacts in the industry. My wife worked in insurance for many years as a broker to various industries and agencies.
    https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_of_Business_and_Technology/Business_Programs/BS_in_Risk_Management_and_Insurance
     
  17. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    My brother-in-law is an actuary with a Masters from Penn State. He is now 35, works for a large banking institution, and makes about $80k per year.

    Pug
     
  18. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

  19. WillieJoe

    WillieJoe New Member

    I have tuition reimbursement where I work at. Ironically enough TESC is being pushed on the company website. I'm amazed of how many different programs they have to chose from. They have a physical campus and are regionally accredited. I haven't heard too many negative things. My H.R. person told me they would go if they were me just because if I don't like it then you're not out anything. I think because the company reimburses for your tuition and application fee I'm going to give it a go. The only thing I will basically have to pay for is books. I'm going to keep the Applied Science degree as a idea along the way.
     
  20. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

Share This Page