Best way to fulfill MBA prereqs

I'm looking for input on the best way to fulfill MBA prereqs, in terms of cost and time spent. I obviously want to learn the material, however I'd like to learn it in the most efficient way possible, without spending a year or more in online classes before I even touch the MBA courses.

By way of background, U.S. citizen, BS in Civil Engineering (3.35 GPA), GMAT 750, 6.0 AWA (just took it two weeks ago), and I'm stationed overseas in a civilian Federal Government agency.

I'm planning to enroll in an AACSB accredited MBA program, however I have not yet picked the school. The degree will be solely out of pocket, no corporate sponsorship, no tuition assitance, and I have no plans to change careers in the near future, nor will the MBA assist me in getting a raise at work anytime soon because of USG promotion timelines. I'm merely doing it to learn the material and pad my resume in case I do a career change at some point in the distant future (and because it looks like I'll be overseas for a couple more years so I want to make good use of my time).

I see that certain schools have alternate ways to fill prereq requirements for non-business undergrads. For example, UMASS Amherst has a single foundations course that covers everything. Georgia WebMBA has six CD-based, self-paced courses that are very inexpensive. Fort Hays has it trimmed down to four survey courses that are relatively inexpensive. University of Wyoming accepts the CABM as well. Other schools require up to 24 credits of undergrad courses, which does not seem efficient for someone in my circumstance. Some folks appear to use CLEP and DSST but it doesn't appear to be a clear cut system.

Also, I'm looking for input on MBA programs that are AACSB accredited, have some sort of prereq foundation or survey courses for non-business majors, asynchronous (I'll be making an eight time zone jump next year), can be completed in two years, completely online, no DVD delivery (mail takes three weeks here), under 25k USD total, or offering scholarship for high GMAT, but I think that's pretty much out of the question in distance learning.

I know that seems like a tall order. I've looked at Colorado State, Georgia WebMBA, U Nebraska, U South Dakota, U North Dakota, UMASS, Jacksonville State, and several others. A couple of them are close fits, but nothing quite clicks in my brain as THE fit yet, so I'm trying to gather more information.

Thanks in advance!

 

With those kinds of stats and international experience you should really consider looking at some of the top-10 programs. I know they aren't delivered online, but you would likely get a very nice financial aid package. Just my two cents.
If you're dead set on doing the program online, take a look at Ole' Miss's distance MBA.

 

Welcome to the forum. I don't see Kelly in your list. I thought I saw limited prereqs on the site.

There should be threads on this forum about Jacksonville State, which may still be the most economical AACSB program out there. User bmills072200 graduated from JSU in April 2010 and had good things to say, including that they accepted CLEP for prerequisites.

Enjoy your search, window-shopping is fun.

Phillip

 

I missed your price limit-- sorry. Though I agree with AUTiger that you may want to consider aiming higher/seeking assistance with expenses.

 

This is how they do it in the UMass system:

Business Foundations Certificate - UMassOnline.net

 

The University of Memphis offers an online 33 credit MBA.

You do have to attend one three day residency, however.

FCBE MBA Programs :: Welcome :: University of Memphis

No prerequisite courses are required, and it's AACSB-accredited.

 

Price limit is 25k if no scholarship is granted. I see your point (and tiger's point) about going for a better school, but full time study at a B&M school is not an option. The only way I could do it would be to resign my position, which I have no desire to do at this point.

Also, I was under the impression from searches in this forum and others that schools never give scholarships to distance students, am I misinformed?

I just applied to University of Nebraska -Lincoln. No prereqs (except calc and statistics which I had during undergrad), and relatively reasonable cost. It's a 48 credit program, which is longer than many, but with no prereqs it evens out.

I'm also going to look at Ole Miss as the previous poster mentioned.

Jacksonville State just is good and cheap, but has too many prereqs for me (I think 24 credits worth). Plus, as strange as it may sound, I have no idea yet what part of the country I may eventually live in, and I'd like to go to a school that has a state name listed in it somewhere (does that make sense?) I guess even if the employer hasn't heard of the school, at least they'll have heard of the state.

UMASS Lowell, as mentioned, looks good, but it would be $7000 worth of credits (12) and two semesters of study before I would even start the progrm.

If anyone thinks it's worth applying to a Tier-1 school I would, but I can't really justify 50k+ out-of-pocket on a degree with no foreseeable ROI (not planning on changing careers anytime soon.

Thanks again, I appreciate any other feedback.

 

I was recommending that you look at leaving your position to attend a top tier program, not attend online. You've indicated that isn't something you're willing to do, so it is a moot point. You're correct that (most) schools don't provide scholarships to distance students.

I am also the person that previously mentioned 'Ole Miss. It is 36 credit hours and total program cost would be just under $20k. You can apply to begin in the Fall, Spring or Summer. One Intro to Accounting and one Business Finance course are the only pre-reqs. You far exceed the minimum GPA and GMAT requirements.

 

Kelley does offer scholarships, but I don't know how much is covered, if they're one-time or annual, etc.

You have a couple of different options, but should you be interested, I suggest you contact Kelley Direct admissions and ask. You have a great GMAT/GPA combo, and you never know - it could drop your out of pocket down considerably.

Note for this program there are 2 residencies in Indiana, so you'd need to plan for that.

Lastly, you can CLEP/DSST the pre-requisites.

Good luck!

 

This program does look good, and though outside my price range, I would definitely do it if I could convince admissions to offer a partial scholarship.

The prereqs (which are minimal) could be covered with the KD Primer courses, which is good.

As for Ole Miss, from what I saw it looks like tuition is closer to 30k, what am I missing here? Is there a difference in the distance learning tuition that's not listed?

Based on your opinions, I'm guessing Kelley would be the best of the three, but between Nebraska and Miss, which one would have a better name value, or is it just regional?

Thanks again, you all have been helpful.