Another Regis U (Denver) post

I am interested in Regis Unversity's (Denver) MBA program so I'm calling all grads or current students who are enrolled to give me some insight to the program. It appears to be a good program but I'd like to find out :

1) Addmission process. How smooth?

2) Classes, how rigorous is the program? (can't be taking the easy way out, you know)

3) Generally, any positive or negative statments regarding your experience. I'd like to hear both.

4) For you grads, has your new MBA helped you in the market yet?

Please note: I searched the database for "Regis" and had to wade through postings about a school called St. Regis, which I take to be, um, less than accredited. So I thought I'd create a new Regis thread. This should be for the Regis U in Denver. Thanks for all the input.

 

Hi,

I graduated from the Regis U MBA program just a little over a year ago. The admissions process wasn't too bad. I had a phone interview with a faculty member and that went okay. I submitted GMAT scores instead of doing the essays and they were okay with that too.

The Regis MBA classes are by far the most rigorous I have ever taken. My undergrad degree was through Excelsior which means that I had an opportunity to take DL courses through a variety of universities. Regis courses have them all beat. It's not that these classes are overly difficult so much as they are time consuming. Research papers are the norm in this program. Be prepared to submit at least one research paper per week. I had a class in international business which required a research paper each week plus the class members were broken down into teams of four each and we had to submit a major research paper at the end of the term. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it was to coordinate such an endeavor via DL between students who have never met. At the end of that term we submitted a 50 page paper on starting a business in Russia. Keep in mind that we were also submitting 10+ page research papers each week as well.

Overall, my experience with the Regis U MBA program was very positive. I did have one instructor who had a nasty habit of issuing failing grades for the entire class. However, after numerous complaints from myself and other class members to the dean, that situation was corrected and as I understand, that instructor is no longer teaching at Regis.

The employer I work for requires that I be in my position for one year before I can apply to other positions within the company. I just completed that one year a few days ago. I've already started to apply for new positions so we'll see how the MBA does in giving me an advancement edge.

Cy

 

Thanks for the info, Cy. I have eyed the Regis program for several months now. I'm looking for a fairly rigorous program; however, the only thing holding me back from Regis is the cost. I'm paying out of pocket and there appears to be several schools who are AACSB certified (a much discussed subject here!) that are cheaper than Regis' $525/hr. University of Baltimore comes to mind (not much cheaper but hey, a buck is a buck). How much time did you find yourself spending per week on research for your papers?

On the positive side, they seem to have a good reputation as I have not heard much negative press. I'll certainly take your info to heart as I continue my search.

 

The time I spent per week researching/writing varied widely. One week I might put in around 10 hours and another I might put in two or even three times that much. My evenings and weekends were usually devoted to course work.

You are correct about the Regis University reputation. As with any Jesuit university, you can fully expect the program to be first rate and rigorous.

Although it's true that Regis U is not AACSB, this standard of accreditation is generally not required if you are planning to use your degree to advance in a corporate environment. Most HR personnel don't have a clue as to what AACSB even is. However, if you plan on going on to teach after completing your MBA, you may want to consider a program with AACSB accreditation.

Cy

 

Here's a question I don't here often asked. How did the coursework (i.e. difficulty, etc) compare between undergraduate and gradute work?

 

Regis is Unbelievably Hard

I made great grades throughout my undergrad work, although it was mostly through DL, the work was challenging and I learned a lot of of information!

Regis, on the other hand, was too much! The work wasn't too difficult in that the assignments were do-able...but the amount of coursework for a given class was probably the equivalent of 5-undergrad classes combined. There were three or four term papers, 6 or so 1000 word essays (that required cites from at least 6 outside sources), a group project, Video Project (which required me to invest in a video camera), and a book review for MSM 621 Project Managment.

And to top things off...I received a "C" in the course....I feel because the instructor and I had problems with each other and she felt that I went above her authority for getting permission to do a specific part of the project from the Degree Chair instead of her. She gave me a 79.999999 Less than a millionth of a point from a "B" and basically applauded herself for her vindictiveness. The same went for other members of that same class. About 80% of the class complained because of low marks. The Degree Chair, the Dean, and everyone else in the administration stuck by her grading...but I think they sent her over to the MBA side of the house.

I would recommend from my personal experience with Regis that, a student has a better chance of maintaining their good academic track record and their sanity by trying another school! That "C" was uncalled for and left a poor mark on my academic record...and grades "do" matter to some of us...especially when I was interviewed for Law School and they asked me to explain what happenend.

Southwest Missouri, on the other hand, has MBA and other Masters Programs...that are very challenging and fulfilling. I think that any student that is serious about earning an RA Graduate Degree in Business via DL...for only about $300 per course (They were about $245 per course from 2001 through 2002 when I started there), and with the option of taking 12 semsester hours per term; I would definately check them out if I were still looking for a Masters Degree Program...you can't beat it!!

Regards.


Mike
AA Burlington College, NJ
BA Thomas A. Edison State College, NJ
MS Southwest Missouri State Univ.
JD Chapman University (On Hold)

 

Re: Regis is Unbelievably Hard

Um...like I said, they ARE rigorous.

Cy

 

Speaking of rigorous, I was reading a news site today and something about an ad hit me the wrong way. It said, "earn your degree in your spare time." Spare time? What's that??! I'm curious if anyone out there who has earned a degree, either DL or otherwise, that thought they were only committing spare time to completing their degree? I'm about to start my final semester for an undergrad degree and I find myself sacrificing family time, work time, and almost every minute of personal time studying, writing, etc.

I'm not complaining because I EXPECT to work hard (heck, it's college, right??). But I've seen several schools touting their degree programs as if studying was an afterthought. I suppose I shouldn't be suprised, however. "Spare time" advertises so much better than "bust your rear-end and sacrifice almost every waking hour to earn your degree."

As far as Regis goes, that's the kind of program I'm looking for. One that throws me to the wall and slaps me around a bit!

 

I'd just about bet money that you were looking at an ad for the University of Phoenix. I think that UoP does make such a marketing claim that you can "earn your degree in your spare time." There was a UoP alum who posted recently about the program. She completed a graduate degree in education and stated that she found the program to be very easy. I have a feeling that some of the for-profit DL schools such as UoP might not want to be quite so rigorous so that they can attract and retain paying students. Although this method certainly increases the bottom line, it does nothing to add to the reputation of the school.

Cy

 

I wasn't going to name the school but, yes, it was UoP. I'm not slamming the school but that ad annoyed me. DL has come a long way; however, in my opinion, statements like "earn a degree in your spare time" only set things back. If DL degrees are perceived as "easy" then it threatens the entire lot.

In my unofficial survey of potential employers, about 3/4 of them were either indifferent or in favor of DL degrees (as long as they were accredited). I don't know if that is consistent with national averages but I'd like to see that number increase.

 

Well...they will certainly challenge you! Like I said earlier, I am all for being challenged and having a meaningful degree ( I wouldn't want a Lawyer trying to get me off of death row who didn't earn a quality education that taught him how to interpret and research in law) because everyone who invests time and effort into furthering their education DESERVES to be challenged.

I totally disagree with the ads "Earn an Accredited Degree in your Spare Time!" My TV Stations here are inundated with them...and when I was coming back from a business trip a few weeks ago I saw a UoP "Wrap-Around" add on an airplane at the airport! Where does it stop?

Look, Regis is a great school for someone who can meet their expectations and put up with the extra's! I admire CY for sticking it out...but I am an executive with a demanding career and 3 Kids...I can't possibly afford to be overwhelmed by school work...especially when one class has the amount of work as 2 or 3 at another school.

 

I am reading this thread with interest. I graduated from Regis this year with a MSCIS (now MSCIT) earned entrirely online. I agree that Regis is very rigorous, far more rigorous than any other school I experienced, and I attended 9 other colleges and universities, including 2 other graduate programs (all residential).

Regis University's programs are not designed to be quick and easy. I went with Regis precisely because of its reputation, and I know I did real work to achieve my degree from a quality program.

I sincerely hope that Regis continues to maintain high standards and doesn't sacrifice quality for quantity. Being a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, they will likely do so . I'm sure that most Regis alumni feel the same as I do.

 

mdg1775,
I hope you have found a program that meets your lifestyle. Even without a demanding career the three kids would be enough to challenge even the most strong of heart!

Mitchell,
How long did it take you to complete the program?

 

Two years and 9 months, one class at a time. I took 2 breaks in between of 8 weeks -- once to write my thesis (called a project for the MSCIT program) and another just to take a break. The thesis must be nearly complete before signing up for the thesis writing course (for polishing). The thesis presentation is a separate course. Because the classes are intensive, few are able to successfully complete 2 at once. I know of only a handful that tried and I don't know how successful they were, but I heard a lot of complaining from them.

 

Looks as if one class at a time is the best way to take these courses. Darn! There goes all my "spare time."

 

Masters students have 6 years to complete their degrees. The MBA is designed so it can be completed in 2 years. I assume this can be done by taking one class per 8 week term for the MBA program. Cy can answer that question better than I can.

 

Mitchell is correct. The program is designed to be completed in two years by taking one course per 8-week term. I completed the MBA at right around the two-year mark.

Cy

 

I wouldn't use the Jebbie affiliation as a signpost of anything anymore. I taught at a Jebbie university for several years, spent several stultifying years in a grad program at one, and can only say that if Regis is rigorous (actually, "Regis is rigorous" is rather hard to say) it's because of Regis' own commendable initiative, rather than any ongoing oomph in the deliquescent Jesuit tradition.

 

Uncle Janko,

Thanks for that information. You are correct, like anything else, each should be judged individually on its own merits.

 

I must say that after reading all of the post about the rigor of Regis' Programs, and knowing that it is a Jesuit Institution, it feels my heart with a certain warmth

I did 8 years with the Jesuits, 4 in high school, 4 in college and grew to love being overwhelmed with work and learning using a more Socratic Method. Granted, there are a few of the Jesuit Universities that are nowhere near as rigorous (and if you went to a Jesuit high school or college you probably know which ones they are ) but by in large, I think many, if not most, of the jesuit learning institutions try to keep up the practice of academic rigor.


Jon