Hello - After a long hiatus from my studies, I just recently finished the requirements for my BSBA Mgmt at TESC. I am interested in hearing any fresh info on the Heriot Watt MBA exam program, particularly what order to take the 9 exams. I really enjoyed the "delivery" method of education involved in passing 16 CLEP/DSST/TECEP exams. It looks like EBS exams would be a logical continuation of that process. As I am 54 and have been a business owner for most of the last 30 years, I am not looking to go to work for a Fortune 500 company. It will mainly be to help me find the best solutions for problems facing my businesses today. However, I may have some consulting opportunities on the horizon- an MBA would certainly enhance my credibility. DL teaching/mentoring is also an intriguing possibility for later. Any input, esp from Drs. Bear and Kennedy would be greatly appreciated. If I am overlooking a particularly good small business/entrepreneurship program, please feel free to add to this discussion. Thank you, Greg Johnson
Greg, You might find the University of Florida's MS in Entrepreneurship programs attractive, especially if you can afford the trips to Gainesville for the "Professional" version of the program. I'm a big fan of cohort-based programs, and I actually sat in on a class in this program when I was visiting UF to check out their MBA programs. This is not an MBA-lite, but a program that focuses on what's important to people who start and/or work for or with early stage businesses. Good luck with your search!
Greg: "...particularly what order to take the 9 exams." John Bear: During the 9 years that my company handled marketing and student affairs in the US and Canada (1991-1998), we used to advise people (in part based on feedback from our first thousand students) to begin with two (or possibly three) courses that are of the most interest, the most relevance to you, and where there is some experience. In other words, getting toes wet with the best chance of passing. And the very strong recommendation was to take Strategic Planning last, since it is/was the only exam that builds, in part, on knowledge gained from other courses. This is a topic that is, I think, often discussed on the still-vibrant EBS "watercooler" site, where EBS MBA students discuss many matters. http://forums.delphiforums.com/hwmba Greg: "...an MBA would certainly enhance my credibility." John Bear: Indeed. And many people used to tell us that simply being enrolled also enhanced credibility, putting on their CV, "Currently enrolled in the MBA program of EBS; degree anticipated in [year]." Looking, just now, at the EBS site, I was delighted to see that they are offering their extraordinary "compensatory pass" programme. I had never run into anything like this. If one has completed 7 or 8 of the 9 required courses, but failed one or two by a narrow margin, one can be granted five percentage points to apply to one or two exam scores. A passing score is 50. So if one, for instance, got a 47 on one and a 48 on the other, those five points could be utilized to turn both failures into passes. I wonder if anyone knows if this is unique, rare, or common in UK schools?
I can sure agree with Dr. Bear! I sat for three exams, two "soft" ones (Org. Behavior and Negotiation) and one in which I had 25 years' experience (Proj. Mgmt.). Let me advise you, go over and over the sample exam questions because for some reason the questions are somewhat abstruse and very subtle in their nuances. This program is extremely difficult but very highly regarded all over the world. An aside, at the time I bought all the course materials (mid-90s) they had only the nine required courses, no electives as I recall. I found Negotiation really unusual, fascinating and quite unlike anything I had encountered other than the touchy-feely Zenger-Miller leadership classes. The Negotiation course is not like that! I highly recommend Negotiation for an elective no matter what your business interest. It's kind of like a theory and techniques course on getting what you want from a business situation while not squashing the other party. These days it's called win-win but that's still too touchy-feely. This course is deadly serious and all business.
You are correct that nine courses are required. Seven are core courses, and there are 2 electives you choose from. Negotiation is an elective course. As for the compensatory pass program, there is one more caveat. You must have earned higher scores in the other courses to make up the points needed. For example, if you make a 47 in a course, you must make at least a 53 in another. Also, you can only be granted 2 compensatory passes, and the total number of points can not exceed 5. So if you make a 47 and a 48 (and you at least made a 55 in another course) you are okay. If you make a 47 and a 47, you will have to retake an exam. For those of you in the Tri-State area, EBS is considering hosting a information/networking event for alumni, current, and interested students. If they do decide to host one, I'll pass along the information. -Ed (EBS East Coast Regional Ambassador and UF Gator)
EBS Modules I have not heard back yet from this person's private message, but does this sound legit? Any input is appreciated. Thanks, Greg clotho 06-24-2009 07:20 AM clotho Greg, I saw your post that you are interested in starting the EBS MBA program. If you decide to and are interested, I have 2 course modules that I am willing to sell. They are the paper based Economics and Accounting courses complete with green sheets (registration sheets). I spoke with EBS Americas a year or so ago and they said as long as the registration is unused, the courses can still be used. I would be willing to sell both for $500 ($250 each). Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks! Angela gregjohnson Yes, please contact me at [email protected] out of curiosity, what changed your mind? Have you completed any of the modules? Thanks, Greg"
cost Does anyone know the cost of HW's Distance MBA ? I looked on their website but could not find it. Peace123
You'll find costs here. You choose your country and it tells you the cost per course and the delivery charge. http://www.ebsglobal.net/programmes/mba-distance-learning-fees Currently $1,395 + $50 in US. During my eight years of selling courses, we had the right to set our own prices, make deals, offer incentives, etc. Programme founder Keith Lumsden really believed in free market economy, and supported this approach. At various times, we offered every fourth course free; free shipping; a substantial number of airline miles with each purchase, etc. Also (see 'Free Market Economy') agents had the right to sell courses to anyone not in their territory, and students had the right to shop around for the best price. I see from the current site that there are some significant differences. Courses are 800 British pounds in most of the Commonwealth, and 550 British pounds in Nepal and South Africa. Since £550 = US$914, that would be a dramatic saving over the US price.
The question is if someone needs a snail mail address in these countries to receive the correspondences. The lowest so far seems £400 in countries likes Yemen & Sudan.
Again, during our time of involvement, we could send courses to any country on the planet. The courses require no communication with the school. And one can take the necessary nine exams in any country where they are offered (which is a great many). There used to be much flexibility in this matter; don't know if there still is. We had more than a few clients who took their exams in prison. A submariner who was to be underwater for months got permission for his Captain to be the proctor. A seriously ill student took his exam in his hospital. That sort of thiing.
Financial Times UK (when they were involved) always seemed to have a "buy two get one free" promotion or similar towards the end of the year. Also, students used to be able to sell their courses as long as they haven't registered for an exam (or used up their "green sheet".) I bought a few courses from students who had to drop for one reason or another off eBay at a substantial discount. Between promotions, eBay, a much better exchange rate, and lower course prices, I spent around $9,000 for my MBA. This included taking three courses as a full-time on-campus student in Edinburgh, and a trip to Hong Kong to take an exam there. If I stuck with DL only, the cost would have been less than $5,000. Not too shabby. Unfortunately, prices are a lot higher now, students cannot resell their courses, and there are no longer any "promotions" (at least that I'm aware of.) Once in a while you may still come across a course on eBay or the watercooler. There are still a few of the older courses still out there, just make sure they still have the green exam registration sheet with it. Also, a word of caution about buying courses from outside the country: you might get hit with a customs/import tax. This depends on what country you are ordering from, and what country you are sending it to. This happened to me once and a few other students I know in Canada. You'll have to check your country's regulations.
