I just started with Patten University on September 2 to get my MBA in Strategic Management. I already have a Masters of Entrepreneurship but I need some RA business classes so I can teach regular business courses. I started a blog back in August when I first started to consider Patten University and will continue with it until I finish. My plan is to complete the MBA in one four month term. So, I have until Jan 2, 2015. Had several classes cut at the last minute so I have the time. If you want to follow me along on this journey, visit my blog at Four Month MBA | Getting my degree in 123 days.
Congratulations... I'm looking forward to following your blog post and checking on your progress. I just started Patten's MBA program in Human Resources on Sept 8 so your notes and feedback are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Update I submitted my first project to Patten University this morning. It was for my Microeconomics prereq. They say it could take up to 7 days. I go it back in 7 hours. Yes, I got an A!! FourMonthMBA.com
How does it sound sketchy? It's a self-paced school. It might be very difficult to do, but it's possible. People have finished graduate degrees at WGU in 6 months.
As soon as you take away the artificial time barriers (fixed semester start and end dates, lectures delivered in a piecemeal weekly rate, excess busy work) it becomes quite possible. Look at a program like Heriot Watt University's MBA. 9 courses whose only graded assignment is a single 3-hour killer final exam for each course. If someone has either previous knowledge of the material, or can dedicate all of their time to study, I can see them knocking out those tests rather quickly. Even then, one of the biggest impediments is that the test are given on a fixed schedule. Now, such a structure does leave out things that many find useful in an MBA program, such as group projects, extensive networking with your cohort and faculty, etc. It all depends on what you want out of your program.
I don't understand; you took a prerequisite class for a topic that is commonly taught at an undergraduate level. "Microeconomics prereq"? A Microeconomics course is not offered at the graduate level for Patten, but there is one offered for a bachelor degree, BUS220 Microeconomics.
Correct. The Microeconomics course is the undergrad course and is a prerequisite along with College Algebra. I took Statistics and Applied Calculus as an undergrad so I was exempt from the College Algebra requirement. I had Macroeconomics as an undergrad but not Micro, so I had to take that with Patten.
Final Three Week Update I just thought I'd post an update on my attempt to obtain an MBA through Patten University in four months. With three weeks left, I am submitting my project for my 8th class and will take the Final on Monday morning. That leaves me with four classes. Don't know if it's doable or not. I've completed classes in four days from start to final grade. I'm not sure how the Winter Break will factor into it. They are still grading projects and I can take exams. I'm hoping there is less project volume during this time and I'll get a quick turn around. I'm averaging three day turnaround on my projects. I've had one graded in seven hours. I have until the end of the day on January 9. I just have to have the Final completed and the project submitted. So it's doable but the key factor (project grading) is out of my hands. Also, when you are in the last six weeks of the term, the next course doesn't automatically open anymore. I have to email my adviser and have them email IT to open the course. The whole process takes 18-24 hours. Basically, I'm losing a day, even if my adviser response to my request immediately. I took Thanksgiving week off and didn't accomplish much the following week. This week hasn't been very productive either. I did all my research for my project but have to clean it up and write some more thoughts. I think it's a combination of burnout and holidays. The thing that stinks is, if I finish all but the last course, I have to pay for the whole term. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!