Northeastern, Norwich, or BU online masters

I've been doing some research lately on Masters programs and I think I narrowed it down to Northeastern Masters of Science in Leadership (tuition $24,070), Norwich University Masters of Science Organizational Leadership (tuition $26,070), and Boston University Master of Science International Marketing Management (tuition $39,200... I think, waiting for email confirmation).

Northeastern University
Pros: Good reputation, cheapest of the 3
Cons: Not sure

Norwich University
Pros: I attended there for 1 year long time ago after high school and thought it had a great faculty back then, almost same price as Northeastern
Cons: Probably not as well known as the other 2, outside of military circles

Boston University
Pros: Probably most well known out of the three, like their degree program better, and only 10 classes
Cons: Way more expensive, not sure if the degree is really a BU degree or Metropolitan College degree (still waiting for email confirmation from advisor)

 

I took too long to edit and ask a question. Any experience or thoughts on these programs?

 

I teach for Norwich and I am a huge fan of the school. I believe their online programs are some of the best supported that I have come across. You would be surprised how many people out there outside of the military know about Norwich and it does have an outstanding Alumni network. Class sizes are small and the course platforms are designed very well as they have full time instructional support for content.

If name-recognition is your primary objective, BU and Northeastern will serve you better. I am not real familiar with either program, but to me they seem like they are big programs run through the continuing studies depts. of each school which may be a detractor to some.

 

truckie,

Very cool, I thought you taught at AMU. Maybe I got you confused with someone else. Yeah, Norwich is a very underrated school IMO. When I was there I felt like the faculty and advisors had my best interest. After I transferred to other larger schools I realized my experience there was unique.

I didn't understand the "continuing ed. dept." part. Are you saying the Northeastern and BU program is not really their programs? As far as I know the Northeastern program is taught by their faculty and it will be an official Northeastern degree. And I spoke to a rep at BU online and he told me that the BU degree is a degree from Metropolitan College which is one of the colleges at BU just like the College of Letter of Arts was his explanation, does that make sense? I still need more clarity on the BU part which I am still waiting for an email response.

 

I teach full-time at AMU and adjunct occasionally at Norwich.

By continuing studies depts., and maybe my choice of names was not precise, I was referring to the "professional studies" or whatever you want to term it part of a school that offers degrees that may be offered by other colleges in an institution. Many consider degrees earned through these types of divisions as not being equal to the same degree offered elsewhere in the school. I have heard some discuss a stigma with the Metropolitan College degrees at BU as compared to degrees from BU offered at other campuses/colleges. There are many threads here about the perception of Harvard Extension which is a similar argument.

As for the Northeastern degree, the school has a great name. Personally, I am a little skeptical when a reputable school starts offering programs that are marketed through a third party. USC has done the same thing with their M.Ed and MPA programs. These third-party organizations are carpet-bombing the internet with advertising which many alumni from these schools view as a cheapening of their degrees. Honestly, I think the only people likely to have any problem with them are alumni from their traditional degree programs.

 

To be honest with you, I think I've seen just as much or more advertisement online for Norwich University than I have for Boston University or Northeastern. But then again it could be that I have a history with that school so I probably noticed it more earlier on. Personally, I don't have a problem with the amount of advertisement I've seen for all 3 schools. But if I ever flip the channels and see Shannon Doherty specifically endorsing one of these schools then I will have a problem.

Thanks for your perspective as a faculty member.