Which online MBA program?

Hello,

I am looking into four online MBA programs and am searching for any past or present experiences with schools #2 & #3. Assuming UMASS fell off the grid, how would you rank the other 3 schools?

All four programs are for the general business option and the tuition costs are pretty comparable to each other.


1. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (AACSB) -Am able to locate many good reviews/experiences

2. University of Scranton (AACSB) - Not able to locate any student reviews/experiences with their program

3. Florida Institute of Technology (RA) - Not able to locate any student reviews/experiences with their program

4. University of Maryland University College (RA) - Am able to locate many decent reviews/experiences


Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

No experience with these schools' MBA's, but in my opinion your ranking is about right.

 

From time to time, it seems appropriate to offer my list of, now, 28 factors to consider in choosing an MBA. Some people find it helpful . . . and some people think of other factors to add, which is always appreciated. (I've just added #28 based on GreenScreen's questions.)

1. Specialized vs. General (Generic MBA; in health care; insurance, banking, etc.)
2. Theoretical vs. Practical (How much math, Algebra? Calculus? etc.)
3. Cost
4. World View (international course content or US-focused)
5. Reputation
6. Ranking in US News, other rankers
7. Interactiveness with faculty, other students
8. Lockstep or flexible time
9. Exams: many, few, none
10. Exams: proctored, open book; objective, subjective, home proctoring device, etc.
11. Writing: many papers, some, none.
12. Thesis or major paper required, optional (in lieu of 3 or 4 units), none.
13. Degree title (MBA, MA in Econ, MS in marketing, etc.)
14. Time involved (minimum, maximum)
15. Planning to go on for a doctorate? Yes, no maybe
16. 100% on line/distance or less than 100%
17. Concession for prison, disabled, blind, A.D.D., other special needs
18. Language of study; language of exams.
19. Case study based (the Harvard model; all, some, none)
20. Accreditation: regional, national, AACSB, state approval, etc.
21. School in US or in other country.
22. School also has on-campus MBA or other programs as well, or not.
23. Executive MBA vs. other kinds
24. Credit for prior academic work: much, some, none.
25. Credit for career experience: much, some, none.
26. Cohort groups working together: yes, no, optional.
27. Length of term: 1 month, 8 weeks, 10, 12, 16, etc. Mandadory or optional?
28. Availability of on-line reviews, student and alumni experiences.

 

I have known a few people that have experience with UMUC and all have given good reviews. That said, I would consider Frostburg State University. It's part of the University Sytem of Maryland, as is UMUC, but it has a brick and mortar campus and is AACSB acredited. About $11,500 in-state, about $13,000 out-of-state.

Pug

 

Thanks for adding the review criteria to your list! Having reviews / experiences available for research does help with the selection process.

 

Thanks Pug,

I've looked into Frostburg State's website and was not able to find any information on their online/distance MBA option. Also, do they have a residency requirement? Thanks!

 

Frostburg's website sucks. The MBA cirriculum is the same for classroom and online options. You just need to find the schedule of classes to see what is offered online during the various terms, but all classes are offered at least once per calendar year with the exception of the last 2 in the series, which will be offered online very soon (by the time you get to them in the program).

You can transfer 6 hours into the program, the remaing 30 have to be done at Frostburg. You do not need to live in Maryland.

Pug

 

Is there any reason you've whittled your list to this particular set of programs? Scranton is a fairly small school insofar as I'm aware. I had a friend who went there for her undergrad and grad (M.A. History, I believe). That's the only reason I know of it. Certainly, from a name recognition perspective, I'd expect UMass (Amherst, as it were) to be your most household name.

Mike