I am looking into starting my mba in Australia mid-2004 and have Deakin University at the top of my list due to their a) flexibility b)content & specilisation and 3) quality of distance learning materials. I am wondering if anyone has either studied there (esp. for an MBA) or if they have any useful reviews. I mention at this point that I am Australian (so am not looking for US schools) and also that I don't wish to do an MBA at either of Melbourne Business School or AGSM simply because of the fees and structure of the course.
You would do this community a singular service were you to name these ne'er-do-wells, Gavin. Which programs and which universities?
One very positive feature of Deakin is its pioneering role in the development of distance learning for its MBA programme. Deakin was the first place I visited when Strathclyde (Glasgow) did a feasibility study for its own distance MBA in 1982. Deakin was then fairly advanced down the track with its distance MBA. It was based around textbooks selected for their coverage of a subject - I inspected the Economics course - supported by audio tapes of live lectures (including the question and answers sessions between students and faculty). Technically the quality was good. I also inspected the administration support and interviewed the faculty behind the initiative. I gave it a strong recommendation on my return and kept in touch for some time afterwards. At the time they were way ahead of anybody else. Of course, this says nothing about their current performance only about the past. But unlike many who followed, with 'distance MBAs' which were sloppily oput together, under resourced, dumbed down and inadequately examined (if at all), and mainly seen cynicaly as sources of easy money for easy degrees, Deakin were hardy pioneers as dedicated to the mode of delivery as they were to excellence in their product.
Lawrie I'd love to oblige but you know the laws of libel and the snares one could get into in arguing that case here. I find it safer to identify the criteria by which one of these less than wonderful accredited Schools can be spotted than to name them and spend time arguing with their lawyers in what boils down to opinion and the premises upon which opinions are based. Kind regards
What criteria would you use to cull "less than wonderful" business schools from the consideration set? Thanks in advance. Curious, Dave
I believe that Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada and Deakin University in Australia are in the process of developing a joint DL (with some residency) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. I know this program is to be offered at Athabasca. It only makes sense that it is offered at Deakin too.