Hi, I am new to this discussion board. I have read some answers in response to some questions posted and found them very informative and helpful. I have a few questions that I have posted below. I would really appreciate any response in this regard to give me some clarity. I am in the process of evaluating universities for my MBA. I have short listed 3 of them so far. One is a recognised university (University of Maryland University College - UMUC) but they only offer a general MBA though, the other one is one of the largest private universities with the specialization I need (Univ of Phoenix Online - UOP) and the last one is Capella University (CU) which has a good curriculum, close to what I am looking for but not as recognised or heard as the other two. What do you think is more important to consider before picking a University ? 1) The name of the University even though they don't offer a specialization - UMUC. 2) A University that offers a specialization although their curriculum is not very impressive to me - UOP? 3) A University that has a physical setting - both UMUC and UOP have a physical setting backing. 4) A University that does not have a physical setting, that is purily online but has a good curriculum. 5) Will the recognition for a University with a physical setting generally be more than one that is purily online? Thanks in advance for your responses. Regards Krishna
The reputation of the school is paramount. I would consider this much more important than the contents of the curriculum. There are three levels of name-branding: national, regional, and local. National schools have a solid reputation (or, at least, name recognition) all around the country. Schools like Harvard, Chicago, Wharton, and the like. No matter what region or locality you're in, they're going to be well received. Regional schools are those that are well-regarded in their area, but are not particularly well-known outside that part of the country. Schools with a local reputation might be of value if you take a degree from such a school and are employed in that same locality. (Regional and national reputation is not to be confused with regional and national accreditation, another matter indeed.) If you cannot take your degree from a nationally known MBA program, then consider whether or not you can take it from a well regarded school in your locality and/or region. But if you take such a degree and then move, don't expect it to have any particularly powerful rep. A great local school and a mediocre local school will seem the same. For example, I took an MBA from National University, a school with a just-okay reputation. If I'd stayed in San Diego, I would have been better off graduating from the U. of San Diego or San Diego State. But I now live on the East Coast; no one around here could tell you the difference between the three schools. As far as the rest of your questions, I'd say that brick-and-mortar schools with DL programs are going to be better regarded--if anyone even knows the difference--only because they've usually been around for longer. The all-DL schools are pretty new. UMUC is a good school, but taking your MBA there may not be of much more benefit than one from U. of Phoenix if you live outside the Baltimore-Washington area, IMHO. And one from a DL-only school like Capella or Jones International isn't going to wow anyone, but it might be less regarded in some people's eyes if they have a bias against DL. Rich Douglas
Hi. Without knowing your specific needs, my suggestion would be to attend the program with the best reputation. In terms of DL MBA's, there are a few(Duke, Indiana, I forgot the others)that are nationally recognized and they would be the best options. If you must choose between the 3 mentioned, I would go with Maryland. Although UMUC is separate from the nationally ranked Smith School at the Univ. of Maryland College Park, when people ask where you got your degree, you can say you went to Maryland. The other schools you mentioned will not likely have any reputation in the business world at all.
It should work like this Step 1: Filter on brick and morter schools that offer there degrees via DL... the standards should be the same and the curriculum should be the same/similar to on-campus offerings. Step 2: Pick up some MBA rankings and slot all the schools into "tiers". Step 3: Research the top "tier" and try to find a program that meets your needs... if you don't find anything, go down a tier. As far as your choices... these are not exactly the most prestigious schools around (I am being diplomatic). UoP is notorious... look through the archive. According to an archived thread, UMUC is not accepted in Germany although US degrees and DL degrees generally are. Of course, you might say "who cares what Germany thinks" but fact that my degree is not accepted by a member of the EU when most of US degrees are... is not exactly a vote of confidence IMO. The Economist has a book called "Which MBA? A guide to the world's best programs". They include 100ish programs from brick & morter universities and about a dozen or so which can be completed via DL. I would be surprised if you could not find a program that meets your needs from this group of the "world's best DL MBAs".
I could say I have climbed Mount Everest, but it would be intentionally deceptive. The degree from UMUC is not from Maryland (Ranked #25). It is a different school altogether as you say, but more importantly only UMD-College Park is allowed by the General Assembly to be called, simply University of Maryland with no qualification. A government official recently was admonished for claiming he got his MBA from Penn State. Problem is, he didn't finish the institution name. Turns out he did not go to Penn State's Smeal school of Business at all, but rather got his MBA from Penn State Grand Valley. If you go to UMUC, better say that. You can get in big trouble for passing off the degree as one from UMD-Smith when they check the transcripts. Risky stuff lying about where you went to school.
