Two MBA Programs - Opinions Wanted

Ok, here's the scenario. I am nearing the end of my BA and have narrowed my school search for the MBA to two. I plan to do the MBA in the classroom so I am ruling out online options. Both are roughly equivalent in terms of convenience, cost, and proximity to my home. One is AACSB accredited, the other is not. However, after talking extensively to the MBA program directors at both schools, I am convinced that the non-AACSB school offers the superior program. For those of you who are influenced by rankings, the AACSB school is not ranked, the non-AACSB school is ranked well every year as a Northern Master's University, though not specifically for business. This doesn't impact my decision, but I know it might for someone else.

I am 40 years old and already in an executive position, so I am not looking to be recruited. I have little-to-no-desire to teach FT anywhere, but I may want to teach PT as adjunct at some point in the future, possibly an online gig (I am aware that I may need additional credits beyond the MBA to meet the 18 hour requirement).

So the question is...would you choose the AACSB school even if you felt that it offered an inferior program?

Pug

 

Pug,

No. I could have attended several schools that hold AACSB accreditation (including one in the local area). I picked a DL program locally (driving distance) so I could meet my professors, visit campus, and if I wanted to, attend to a football game. While DL is convenient I still prefer a more traditional school.

I'm not overly impressed with AACSB and as one of our more astute posters has pointed out do the schools need AACSB more than AACSB needs the schools. Probably not.

If you intend to adjunct you might want to look for penetration in academia from graduates of the schools. (When I researched this I found a business school dean with a UNA MBA.)

You might also want to check on where these folks went on to doctorates (for those that went on). If you find good acceptance at traditional, including AACSB accredited, business schools then you should be comfortable with the program.

Lastly, pick the school that fits you best, regardless of the specialized accreditation, unless you are enthused to complete the program it won't matter which school.

Best wishes,

 

No.

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Hey Pug,

I would choose the program that I felt was superior. I looked at Frostburg's program and it didn't have any specializations. Bowie State University's (I am guessing what the other program is and this is a close fit) MBA does look superior with more specializations. The specializations had 18 credits so you could at some point become a part time adjunct professor. So I wouldn't choose the AACSB school even if I felt that it offered an inferior program. In the end, it's really about getting the best education you possibly can, and feeling proud of the choice you made. I hope this helps.

 

UNA has a very well rounded MBA program.
I took 2 classes there before moveing to Texax A&M Commerce. I can tell UNA Courses/Professors were onpar with TAMUC's.

 

No way - I have an AACSB MBA, but I was living in Akron, OH and the University of Akron was 5 minutes from my house. It was all about convenience and an Evening MBA program.

Remember that while the degree is important - your experiences are just as important, if not more. Schools DO look at experience when making hiring decisions.

Go where you believe you will earn the best education. Good luck Pug.

Shawn

 

Diesel,

Frostburg is one of the two schools that I am considering, the other is Mount Saint Mary's University. MSM offers 3 concentrations, and if a student has solid undergrad experience in one of the core classes offered in the MBA, the core class can be substituted for another elective, thus offering the possibility for an even more intense concentration. Beyond that, I was very impressed with the instructors and the program format. Rather than the instructors being career academics, each of them have a tremendous amount of real world experience that they incorporate into the program. For example, the professor that teaches economics was a consultant to Russia during the period where the country was transitioning to a capitalist system, the accounting professor is a CPA that still owns and operates his own firm locally, etc.). The program is delivered in a case study format using case studies borrowed from the Harvard Business School. So instead of writing papers in an academic format from a theoretical perspective, a real business environment is simulated as much as possible. The writing assignments are memos, reports, briefs, and projects, that are drafted in response to correspondence given to the student from his/her boss, government organizations, and clients, rather than the typical 15 page APA style essay.

I think Frostburg runs a quality program, but I think I'd get far more out of the one offered by MSM.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. You are all helping me to confirm my intuition.

Pug

 

Wow. I checked out MSM's for the MBA. I like their 8 week format and accelerated program. Concentrations look pretty solid as well. When you mentioned they use the case study format and various real world alternatives to the 15 page APA essay, I was sold. To me, it looks like you know the answer. Good luck Pug.