I might have misstated that Touro University is in the process of AACSB accreditation. I was thinking of applying at Touro, so e-mailed their admision department about accreditation, and specifically on AACSB. They said they were regionally accreited, but were seeking AACSB, with one requirement being a graduating class. The first class graduated sometime last month, so I inquired again to Touro, who said they are now on mark to get accredited, but the process is now 1-3 years from the intial screening. I e-mailed the AACSB agency, and received word back today that Touro is not in the process, or a member. Not sure what to do now, but wait to see if they are accredited in a few years, but something is fishy! I was flagged to this by another posting here on the boards that said they were not a member, and wasn't sure why. Just wanted to clarify, Kristie
Fishy? Perhaps not ... Kristie, Did you ask the person you contacted at TUI as to an exact set date for the "initial screening"? There's a vast amount of work required before such steps can take place. Related posts on here by Andy & others have indicated the challenges that any school, DL or not, must be prepared to meet. The world of academics moves VERY slowly at times ... Your calling a school "fishy" for the reasons you suggest seems a bit extreme and quite inaccurate. Looking at your posted comments, TUI told you that they were 1 - 3 years out from the intial screening. What's wrong with that statement? And, if the time frame is of such length, then WHY should/must TUI be a member TODAY? The response from AACSB also seems very accurate. In fact, TUI not being a member might be an advantage, so that there would be NO possible confusion as to AACSB and their status of being only a 'member', yet not approved? Yes, I am a TUI Ph.D. Student, and one among many who constantly keeps asking about AACSB. Such is part of their future plans, but with no exact set date ... nor any promise that they will achieve AACSB approval. I see nothing "fishy" about that. Billy Disclaimer - TUI MBA graduate, Ph.D. student
Go ahead and call it FISHY Kristi, I agree. If they are serious about AACSB then they would be moving in that direction by requiring the GMAT and having minimum GPA scores. I think someone at TUI is misinformed. When they get serious and have a timetable it WILL be published as a marketing tool. You can bet on that!
Re: Fishy? Perhaps not ... I don't think there's anything wrong with that statement =provided= the person at TUI meant they were 1-3 years out from =applying= for initial accreditation.
Fishy, misinformed, whatever the correct word is..... I don't think anybody is malicious at this point, just miscommunicated. Maybe I did, not sure. I was told most schools become members, then go onto accreditation. TUI is not a member, not in the "process". TUI has been very responsive and helpful in getting infomation, while AACSB gives me very limited information. I would give creedence to TUI, but there is some disconnect somewhere. I know how difficult my employer is about technicalities on accreditation, I just wanted to clarify if I did misspeak.
Howard, Check TUI's web site, you will find that min. GPA scores are required. Eli ABD, Touro University International
Kristie, As one of the old (if not the oldest) TUI student on this forum I would like to give my point of view. TUI is considering AACSB accreditation. Couple of points: First, they DO have a minimum GPA requirement. Second, they do not require GMAT maybe because it is worthless. That test is NOT an indicator of performance and I think TUI is fundamentally opposed to any kind of testing. From my experience over the years, they do not give tests and consequently do not accept tests. More importantly, AACSB has some serious problems. They require a certain curriculum. Philosophically TUI is opposed to the heavy quantitative approach they require. They would have to take ethics and IT management and more out of the required curriculum and put in more statistics, math, finance and accounting. I do not feel that this best serves the students. Let us not forget that TUI students (in the CBA) are managerial students. As such, a heavy quantitative required approach will be damaging; they need the organizational behavior and management approach TUI offer. In my opinion, they could not do that with AACSB. So there are limits to it; though it is good PR. That is the basic thing. TUI is thinking about AACSB, but it is a ways off and the only accreditation that counts anyway is the regional one. Kristie, rest assured that there is nothing “fishy” about TUI. If (in your case) AACSB is more important then regional accreditation then I advise you to lookup schools that already are AACSB accredited. Eli ABD, Touro University International
Eli - I appreciate everything you have said, I agree with the rational as well. The unfortunate part is that I agree with TUI's approach to their program, as well as their forum (DL). I am being pulled between my employer only reimbursing AACSB and the education I want. As well as the CSU system here requires the AACSB accreditation to teach full time, which is what I aspire to go to eventually. I am starting to look for scholarships, and hope schools will get more educated about TUI.
Re: Re: Touro Misstatement Eli, Eli, AACSB only accredits RA schools, so your statement is somewhat hard to accept. I admire that you feel so strongly about TUI but they must either change their curriculum or forget AACSB accreditation.......they can't have it both ways. So TUI is philosophically against tests; so I am, but when I decided to pursue my MBA at UAB I took the test. We don't always get everything we want, but with a little persistance we can get anything we want. Kristie, take the GMAT and go to a school that is AACSB, then take some postgraduate courses to complement what you really want.
Howard - I already took the GMAT, twice!! I am finishing my MBA next semester at TU (AACSB MBA DL Program). I am deciding on my PhD by mid Jan. I am stuck between about 5 schools. TUI fits best, as well as a great RA rep, but I really am looking for an AACSB, but none offered in my area..... so now I am looking for the next alternative.... nothing will be ideal. I could: 1. Move away for 9 months to an AACSB (from mortgage and husband) to schools like ASU or Drexel. After 1st year my employer will reimburse. Not an option, but still investigated. 2. Go to TUI (Non AACSB, and have to pay for the ride). Probably can't get teaching position with this degree in my area. 3. Go to an executve program, which is travel every month for 2 years, , across country. Probably can't get work to pay for this option fully. 4. Wait until a School comes to my area that offers a AACSB. No option is ideal, but I need to decide soon.
Have you looked at the following ACCSB accredited programmes, all of which offer PhD by research. Henley Management College London Business School The University of Manchester University of Warwick
TUI AACSB deal As a Program Director and Instructor at a small private junior college in New England, I know the difficulties of these accreditation dilemmas. We are a RA college and I have been putting together self-study to acquire more accreditation. As a learner I decided to earn my Ph.D. from TUI. I have enrolled recently and enjoy it very much. I know Kristie's situation is different and difficult concerning the location and schools she would like to teach at. My choice of TUI was specifically about the quality of instruction and choice of courses that key on executive management students. I feel YUI concentrates on learning, rather than attaining prestige next to competitors. Colleges, I've found look to select innovative and experienced business individuals as instructors. My personal selection of TUI doesn't matter whether they do attain the AACSB accreditation or don't. I am happy with my choice.
Mike - I looked at all four of these programs, and I'm not convinced that any of them can be done totally at a distance. Henley had required courses that had to be taken on-site. London Business school described itself as a full time four year program. Manchester and Warwick also talked about the "taught" portion of their programs. Granted they are all "research" programs - but that doesn't mean you can do these totally remote. Do you know of anyone pursuing any of these four programs totally at a distance? They sure didn't read that way when I looked at them. Regards - Andy
Kristie, as Mike initially mentioned, these highly respected schools seem to represent a better way out of your dilemna. Henley Management College. DBA with 3 one week residencies spaced more than a year apart through the program. They also offer a PhD. http://www.henleymc.ac.uk/henleymc02.nsf/pages/dbasupport University of Manchester "Although most participants undertake the course on a full-time basis, arrangements can be made for part-time study and the School can usually be fairly flexible on how this is administered." It wouldn't hurt to ask. http://www.mbs.ac.uk/programmes/research/html/doctor_of_philosophy__phd_.cfm Warwick? "Note that it is not possible to study for a doctorate at WBS at a distance. There is no distance learning study option." oh well!! LBS? LBS doesn't look good either! Good Luck! Honestly though, could these UK schools design better websites? It seems to be some maze-like graduate entrance exam. Tony
Re: TUI AACSB deal I'm with Ed on this one. Even as a part-time faculty member at a university and a community college, I have no need for an AACSB accredited degree. I have only seen it required of a very few business school faculty positions. And, of course, in the business world, people care even less. (If they even understand it.) Kristie: It looks like you're in a tight spot. I really feel for you. I thought my full-time employer was strict by limiting tuition reimbursement to RA schools. National accreditation (even DETC) isn't enough. I can't imagine having reimbursement limited to a program with a business school accreditation, like AACSB. I wish I knew the perfect answer for you. Good luck!
Touro MBA I've been following this discussion, and am in the process of selecting an online MBA program to complete my degree (which I started many years ago, and never finished). Touro has just jumped up about 1000% in score given the fact that they are apparently not as focused on the quantitative elements as most of the other MBA programs that I've had experience with. The last time I dabbled with my MBA I was very disappointed because it seemed that if I had a proficiency for higher math (as in a Math undergrad) I would have sailed through the program regardless of ignorance of business and logic, and come out knowing only a few general business topics but REALLY good at derivative calculus. It seems that Touro has recognized that higher-level math, while important for some emphases, is not the overall driver behind a solid master's level business education for executive decision making. Given that fact, they are almost assuredly my first choice.
MBA Decision Carl: As a current TUI Ph.D. student, I highly reccomend TUI to other learners choosing a program. I feel as being in the executive business world and now being in academia, it is essential to have more than the study "number crunching". Touro in my program, provides a wide variety of courses. I wish you good luck in your choice.
