Regis University Experience or Advice?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by BugsyB, May 16, 2002.

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  1. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Hello-

    I am new to distance learning and am seriously considering Regis University's MS in Management program. I would be *very* grateful if any of you could share your experience and thoughts about Regis in general or the MS in Management program in particular.

    Any advice? Praise? Concerns?


    Thanks!
    BB
     
  2. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Thoughts on Regis..?

    I don't know about their grad programs, but a firend of mine
    completed her BA through regis and found them very flexible and
    helpful. They are a well repected D & M school in Denver, Colorado
    (Catholic, and Jesuit).
    Ity's also where I test for DANTES.

    --Orson
     
  3. Peter French

    Peter French member

    Re: Thoughts on Regis..?

    St Regis is even MORE flexible...and may I say, Saintly.
     
  4. sdkennedy1

    sdkennedy1 New Member

    I currently attend Regis University. I am pursuing an MBA, so while I can't comment on the MS program, I can say that my experience has been very positive. My student services representative (from the University Alliance) is very good, she stays in touch and answers my questions very quickly (usually the same day). My instructors have also been very responsive and that was a BIG concern of mine when I first began the program. The material is good and the work load is not light. I thought that maybe with an online program, I might get off a little easier in the work department....but not so :) Which is good anyway because I really feel like I am earning my degree. I am in my third class and the format has been generally the same for each. We have discussion questions on the message board that we're resposible for answering, we also have scheduled chat times for real time discussions during the week. We have on your honor quizzes/tests and submit written assigments every week. My only complaint would be that it is kinda pricey at $440 an hour and the books are a little expensive too (Although my teacher this semester told us that we didn't have to buy them from the University Alliance like we were told). Even with tuition reimbursement from my employer, I'll still end up paying out of pocket but I figure it will all pay off at the end!!!

    Also, be careful Regis University is not the same as St. Regis University!!!

    Any other questions, I'll be glad to answer!

    Stacey
     
  5. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Regis thoughts...

    Stacey-

    Thanks for your thoughts. It sounds like Regis is all you hoped for..and perhaps a bit more in terms of the workload! I am still considering it seriously. Glad to hear your profs are responsive. That had worried me.

    Thanks!
    BugsyB
     
  6. mdg1775

    mdg1775 New Member

    MSM Problems

    HI Bugsby,

    I attended Regis last year for a semester in the MSM Program. My experience was completely negative! Getting into the school was a pleasant experience and the program chair/administrators contact you personally to ensure that they get you reeled-in. Once classes started it was all down-hill from there. In fact, for the amount of money that you spend on an education I believe that Regis is not worth the hassle. I have heard good things about them too from other posters in this forum...but my experience (and you will make your own definitive opinion if you take classes there) with Regis is:

    1. The professor who originally had my class was un-prepared and they had to replace her mid-way through the semester.

    2. The policies in regards to grading/assignments changed frequently.

    3. Once you have enrolled...you will never get anyone on the phone again, and the professor is the only point of contact that you will have, and you have a problem with the professor...your screwed.

    I personally did not like that fact that you have a professor for half a semester and get into the flow of things and then suddenly....poof they change him/her out on you.

    Also: Check out your program requirements thoroughly!!! In the MSM Program you have to have a Video Camera among other things because several classes require you to tape presentations and mail them in. This is a hassle for me because I never owned a video camera. Then, they only allow you to take one or two classes at a time...they say so you do not become overwhelmed...I say they do this to stretch your tuition out longer and guarantee them pay for a longer amount of time!!

    But again, as with any school...check them out thoroughly and know exactly what is expected of you and make sure what you expect from the school coincide. I recommend Southwest MO. State's MBA. WWW.SMSU.EDU
     
  7. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Wow, that is pretty strong!

    MDG1775-

    Wow, that is pretty strong sentiment! I had heard only praise for the program until now...although I have not yet heard from anyone who has actually *completed* the MSM yet (anyone out there?).

    I'm not put off by the video camera or limited courseload requirements, but your experience with unprepared and arbitrary faculty is quite troubling.

    Like you, I have found the Regis folks are helpful in responding to my inquiries about enrollment. I am aware, though, that this only proves they have a good marketing department and tells me little about how responsive they will be once they start receiving my (or my employer's) money for tuition.

    I am still undecided and am doing my best to check out Regis and the alternatives. (And I'm eager to hear from others with direct experience with Regis!) It isn't all that easy to gather useful information on these schools. Unlike in-residence programs, we can't simply show up at the campus and ask people how they like it. Perhaps some enterprising soul will someday create lists of people who are willing to be contacted about the DL programs they have attended. Alternatively, perhaps what is needed is a product review board like CNET.com's user reviews of cameras or computers. Both approaches would empower students with more information about real DL experiences.

    Thanks for your warnings. I will certainly keep them in mind as I decide over the next couple of months.

    Anyone else with actual experience with Regis?

    best-
    BugsyB
     
  8. crystal222

    crystal222 New Member

    Hey BugsyB! I too am in the same boat as you. I am seriously considering Regis University, but for an MBA. I hope we can get more input from people actually attending.

    Good Luck!

    Crystal
     
  9. aa4nu

    aa4nu Member

    I have posted on Regis before ... here's a recap of why I took them off of my "short list" ...

    I was IN Denver, visiting my daughters, and drove BY the Regis campus ... thought Hey, while I am in town, I'll go by and pickup the information, and meet the staff/etc.

    I go back to my daughter's apartment and call to see where to go ... I was told that the online MBA program was NOT handled there, and given an out of state contact ... <who was friendly but in Florida!> and that would be my contact source. Sorry, that was an early "red flag" to me ... to be "on-site" and told that support would be "off-site" ...

    On the other hand, I had a great meeting with the staff of Colorado State's online MBA program, via their Denver office who went out of their way to explain their programs and options.

    BTW, I was working with a 12 month time line for the MBA ... I went the Touro UI route, finished the MBA in 12 months, and am now slowly working on the TUI Ph.D ... If I had gone with the Regis or Colorado State programs, I would be about 50 % completed at this time. For me, TUI was the better route.

    Do your research to determine what program best "fits" your expectations.

    Billy Cox
     
  10. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Employers' View of Touro vs Regis?

    aa4nu-

    Sounds like you are very happy with the Touru MBA. I have to confess that until a week ago, I had never heard of Touro. But I see that you and others (based on other discussion threads) seem very happy with it.

    Out of curiousity (and realizing that hirings and promotions usually have far more to do with actual performance, connections, and other issues rather than college degrees), how do you think employers view a Touro MBA vs an MBA from a more established school like Regis?

    Thanks-
    BugsyB
     
  11. aa4nu

    aa4nu Member

    Hi Bugsby,

    That's a great question ... Let me give a bit of background, and you are welcome to do a search on this site to see other more detailed comments related to this from the past from me, as well as others.

    Before I went back to school, I was a Regional Sales Manager for a firm. So I have been in the position of being an hiring authority before.

    As part of the hiring process ... we asked for what degree, when, what school ... those type of questions. Bottom line was ... did they tell the truth (as in did the school confirm the data) and is the school RA?

    Both Regis, and TUI are RA schools, and TUI may be AACSB at some future date ! <even better as you have noted from others posts on here> Both programs, the DL Regis MBA and the DL TUI MBA are off-site settings.

    (BTW, TUI does in fact does have a B&M site on the west coast at Mare's Island, for some business programs, so the comparison actually is closer than you might think.)

    Ditto for promotions, and let me echo what you also noted ... level of education is just ONE piece used as to hiring or promotions ... a Top Ten School degree is NOT going to overcome performance issues (in fact may make it worse!), bad attitude, poor interpersonal skill sets, and other related topics. On the other hand, a "less than wonderful" degree ... would have, at our firm, been viewed as a negative, and might stop either a job offer or possible promotion.

    As to "name power" ... it depends. Example? I used to also be a Regional Manager for a Denver based firm. In speaking with an old friend at that firm recently, he knew the Regis name, but that's about all. Touro was a new name to him, there in Denver.

    On the other hand, in speaking with the owner of the most recent firm where I was a Regional, he did know the Touro name due to it's east coast medical and law schools (he is in the NE sector). Would he have known the Regis name, probably not.

    So it's a variable that depends on where you are located is my point.

    One other data point. In the conversations and interviews that I have had "post-MBA", there have been no questions or challenges as to the TUI MBA, or concerns over the the DL program delivery format. Nor do I really expect any major issues. Again, keep in mind the level of education is only ONE piece of your total profile.

    Now ... does either Regis or Touro "equal" say a Duke MBA ? In reality ... no ... they are not meant to be as such, and for good reason! But allow me to take this a bit closer to home.

    Perhaps the questions for you to ask yourself is which (or what) degree and school gives YOU the MOST utility, taking costs, time, and other life commitments into consideration? That's the basic process I took. I have 27+ years in business settings. I have a proven performance record, yet knew I was reaching a level where NOT having a MBA might limit my future, at that firm or others. I compared the strengths and also the possible (or perceived) weaknesses of the various programs and went with Touro. The fact that TUI also has a 100% DL Ph.D program in business was another plus for me. One that I did decide to enter, while realizing this will be a LONG term goal. That would be something else, if you have any desire at all, at some future date to enter someone's Ph.D program to ask NOW will the MBA you choose be acceptable THEN ?

    OK, that's probably more than you wanted to know. So within the same grouping, both programs are very similar, as to being RA, being 100% DL, and both programs will require you to work!

    I specifically went with Touro due to ...

    I could speed up the timeline to complete the program to meet my 12 months guideline. Regis I could not.

    No books which not only saved me $$$$, but also meant I could work on my papers and projects where ever I had my pc, without having to lug a backpack full of books everywhere I traveled to and from. TUI was cheaper as to total program costs, and then you have to add in $$$$ for books at Regis, which made Touro look even more attractive as I funded my MBA personally.

    I contacted Touro, just as I did each school and they answered all my questions, made suggestions, all with no pressure.

    Into the program, I have to also say "Thanks" to the TUI staff for bending over backwards to help overcome some unexpected challenges. Likewise for other students, many of which are on this forum also, especially Eli. All were helpful to me. THANKS!

    Finally, Touro gave me the possibility of entering into a Ph.D program, something that I had always considered not being a reality. Especially with a MBA, which many schools consider just like the MFA, being a terminal degree.

    Hope this has helped ... do your research, and weigh all the factors there to give YOU the most utility for your situation. My email is listed below if I can be of more assistance to you.

    Billy Cox

    TESC AA, BA
    TUI MBA, Ph.D (JBS) < Just Barely Started!>

    [email protected]
     
  12. menger

    menger New Member

    Bugsy,

    I got my MBA from Regis University about 1.5 years ago and it was an overall good experience. The classes were not as analytical as I would have liked but then again after looking at many MBA programs throughout the country many/most are a little soft in that area. The professors seemed to be well educated from good schools, gave good feedback and were easy to work with.

    I am now looking to get my PhD and will probably go with Touro U.

    AAN4U.... how was the Touro PhD process and have you encountered any drawbacks from having a PhD from an on-line school? I see it as not really making too much of a difference. being in the Wash DC area I continually run into people with advanced degrees from "good" schools that have the intellect of a brick and some from "bad" schools that are incredibly bright.

    DTK
     
  13. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Great Replies

    aa4nu and Menger-

    Great answers. I will keep your insights in mind.

    BugsyB
     
  14. crystal222

    crystal222 New Member

    Menger,

    I am also in the DC area. How well received is your degree from Regis considering we're on the other side of the country? Also, what do you mean by the classes not being as analytical? For example, was the Financial Decision Making class mostly theory or were there applications involved?

    Thanks,
    Crystal
     
  15. menger

    menger New Member

    Hi Crystal,

    I have worked as a business consultant in the DC area for the past 6 years and they all knew my MBA was on-line and not one had a problem with it. Especially since there is often a lot of traveling involved in consulting. On interviews I would show them a print screen from the Regis page where it showed it ranking on US New and World Report and they were impressed. I also tell them that Regis was one of the first and it was such a good idea that Duke and Stanford followed suit. Also to our advantage in the DC area no one is actually from the DC area and many are military and they have had to take classes at a distance while deployed, etc.

    As far as the soft on analytics I was mainly referring to courses like ethics, leadership, etc. I could be biased because my BS is in Economics, which is extremely analytical and that I perform a lot of number crunching (Activity Based Costing, Business Process Re-engineering, Business Case Analysis, financial analysis, and some economic analysis) for the military.

    Bottom line to me is that it is a degree, it is recognized, and what really matters is if you are able to produce outstanding work. And if you are then it gives all the more credence to DL.
     
  16. aa4nu

    aa4nu Member

    "... how was the Touro PhD process"

    No problems with the application process. Check the TUI website for the details. They will need transcripts, etc.

    They have a suggested sequence as to classes, and will ask you to take an on-line review on statistical processes to help you determine what/which sequence of courses to be taken in that area. If you demonstrate a certain skill level, then you may substitute another elective instead for the first course.

    "... and have you encountered any drawbacks from having a PhD from an on-line school? I see it as not really making too much of a difference."

    Not really, but I need to qualify that with I am barely into the program. There's been many excellent posts on this forum as to both perception and value. My reasoning finally went like this:

    1. A US RA Ph.D degree, for me, had more utility than one from outside the USA, given my specific parameters. There are many good options, here and abroard to choose from, so match your needs against all the offerings.

    2. Business-wise, being in a Ph.D program would demonstrate potential past the MBA level. That's where my focus remains for the short and medium term. So far the comments made by others in business settings have confirmed this, especially as many view working on the Ph.D as "long term individually directed research" type of actions, the DL piece actually allows one to remain active in the workplace environment AND complete their research.

    3. Education-wise, things are SLOWLY changing in this arena, and by the time I complete the Ph.D, things may be more open for 100% DL Ph.D acceptance. Right now, the door seems at best barely open. This one is the only real unknown or variable. Regardless if this area changes, or does not change ... the net value of entering into the TUI Ph.D for the first two points stated above remains valid for my situation and expectations.

    Billy Cox
     
  17. crystal222

    crystal222 New Member

    Menger,

    Thanks a lot for your response. That helps a lot. I have been leaning towards Regis for awhile, but then got undecided again when I read a lot of people were recommending Touro. Even though it is cheaper, I prefer Regis' curriculum and method of delivery. Oh and I'm a numbers person myself!

    Thanks,
    Crystal
     
  18. mdg1775

    mdg1775 New Member

    Name Recognition

    Hi Bugsby...

    I hope that your search for an MBA school is going well...remember, its "The Chase" that's the fun part. There is a lot of hard work to be done once your decision is made.

    In regard to Utility of the MBA School you decide to attend my experience is as follows:

    1. In my career field in the organization I work in...you MUST have an accredited Degree to promote past a certain point. Accreditation in their view is an agency that that is governed or recognized by a formal body I.E.

    Regional Accreditation
    The American Bar Assn.
    The American Psy. Assn.
    DETC
    A Cabinet Dept. (Dep. of Edu, Dep of Justice, Defense, Etc.)
    Or ACE

    All else doesn't matter... and if you don't have a degree by one of these bodies you better not plan on progressing because it is nearly impossible to get around this requirement.

    Once you are in this career field and resume's come accross my desk...there are Harvard, MIT, Penn State, Standford, Cal Poly, Etc. , and then all the rest. I have a Bachelor's Degree from TESC, whom a lot of people in the professional world have not heard of, and I supervise a person who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brown Univ.

    The point is, in many cases the name of the school on the diploma is not important...its that little seal embossed on the corner that tells you which body accredits your schools' academic/professional programs.

    Now, if you are in the market for a job where networking will be a strong point, then I suggest you look farther than Regis or Touro. I just recently moved to California and I gave a speech to 200 people last week and nearly everyone in the room was UCLA Alums. An MBA from UCLA and a Blue and Gold Tie gets you into the interview, past the mailroom, and up into a corporate office much quicker than anything I have seen in my life.

    But back to what is the general knowledge in your situation because all of us in this forum has experienced this....you have to look, get comfortable in a program that will give you what YOU want, and then keep your brothers and sisters here in this forum informed of your progress.

    Cheers,

    Mike

    AS Burlington College, NJ
    BA TESC
    MS SMSU

    Entering JD Program @ Chapman Fall 02 (ABA/WASC)
     
  19. BugsyB

    BugsyB New Member

    Mike-

    Some interesting observations on the Bruin connection in your area.

    My situation sounds similar to yours. I need a master's degree to progress beyond a certain point in my organization. I've been assured by people "at the top" that any RA master's will do the job. They want to promote me based on my more than a decade of performance for them. They just need to see that I have some kind of RA master's.

    At the moment Touro sounds like it might be right...RA...sounds like people get through with minimal hassles...my employer will pay the tuition bills so I don't really care about the costs...

    Still, I expect to continue shopping around until I am satisfied. Then I will dive in! And I will let you know what I have learned along the way.

    Thanks!
    BugsyB
     
  20. deepakpareek

    deepakpareek New Member

    Regis is a nice institution though a bit costly but end of the Day is worth every penny. Though I did MBA in regular mode still believe it is good for bachelor level as well.
     

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