I need advice

I will complete by BS in 6 weeks at Empire State College.

My original plan was to continue at ESC, it was an easy application and I am already established at the school. However, they are only RA.

Touro on the other hand is RA and IACBE.

In the long run, which would be better. To obtain my MBA from a RA school (I live and work in NY so the SUNY system is well known) or obtain my MBA from a RA, IACBE and possibly AACSB school. (the name Touro is also known in NY because the law is is located on Long Island)

In addition, the MBA at ESC is 60 credits (with a possible 28 you can assess out of) with a cost of about 25,000 excluding books. My out of pocket cost (including tuition reimbursement, excluding books) would be $19,000. Touro is 44 credits, with a cost of $13,200 including books. My out of pocket would be $7,200.

Any opinions on which would look better on a resume?

 

If I were you I would explore all AACSB options first. You will find a list of several business schools that have AACSB-accredited MBA programs if you visit Jonnie's distance learning Page.

Jonnie's Distance Learning Page (DL MBA programs)

Ike Okonkwo, Ph.D. - (CIS)

 

I forgot to mention that I am not interested in taking the GMAT. I beleive the being AACSB required that all students take the GMAT.

 

This idea of AACSB accreditation is ridiculous as I read it on this forum. The most important thing for a school is RA accreditation or perhaps national accreditation but my preference is RA accreditation every other thing is additional and offers no assurance of better program.

No one cares about AACSB accreditation except of course those who attended such schools. Two children of a friend just graduated last year from a non AACSB school with degrees in business and they both found jobs at a big five auditing firm. They never asked for AACSB. I can go on and on. I used to remember people telling me and friends that because we went to certain undergraduate school we may never find jobs. Several years later, not only have we found jobs, we are doing extremely well and some might add leaders in our chosen professions.

My advise go with the school you can afford. At the end of the day, you will be surprised.

Godwin

 

You are right. Most (if not all) AACSB graduate programs require GMAT. However, there are some schools that may waive GMAT requirement for you. GMAT may be waived for you if you apply for WebMBA at the University of Baltimore regardless of the fact that it is listed as one of the requirements. I know someone who is currently in the program and this person was admitted without being required to submit GMAT score. There are several other IACBE-accredited MBA programs that are cheaper than Touro's program. Touro is a good choice but since you are looking for cheaper IACBE-accredited programs, you may have to extend your search. Some of the IACBE-accredited programs that are cheaper than Touro include the following schools:

1. UMUC ($214/$399 per credit) University of Maryland University College

2. Baker Colleg ($228/credit)
Baker College

3. Bellevue University ($260/credit) Bellevue University

Ike Okonkwo, Ph.D. - Nova Southeastern University (CIS)

 

Two issues, you said that you received your BS in 6 weeks. Wow, is Empire State College accredite? I am not sure if that would be recognized at an AACSB school (if I am wrong, please board, let me know). When I applied for my master's, it had to be from an AACSB, since they were.

I see AACSB only being crucial if you want to go into academia at an AACSB school (most state schools and all high tier schools).

I don't think employers in the business world look that closely, but RA is important.

Also, many employers only reimburse only AACSB, like mine, so if that is a driver, make sure you look into it.

Gosh 6 weeks, I spent 8 years as a night student, I wish I knew about DL sooner, but the accrediation is mattering more and more because of this.

 

To see a list of DL business programs recommended by US news go toUS News DL listings

By the way, the University of Maryland Program is very expensive over $600 a credit. Its good, but I think if you're going to pay that much you should go to an AACSB school.

 

Hi Kristie7,

I believe 9Chris meant 6 more weeks. In fact I am sure of it. I looked at ESC and, although they allow credit for many standardized tests and portfolios, you must earn at least 32 credits in residence (taking course from them that is, not necessarily on campus.)

Also, if someone could test out of an entire degree in 6 weeks (or even 4 weeks ) at one of the big three, I believe that there are quite a few AACSB accredited MBA programs that would be willing to accept the applicant.

Although employers may or may not care about AACSB accreditation, licensing boards do care (at least in my state, UT.)

Hi 9Chris,

Is there any specific reason you don't want to take the GMAT? It might be worth it to suck it up and torture yourself for a half day so you can get into the best program possible.

Good luck,
Tony

 

I had posted a reply but i see that it did not go through. I have SIX weeks left to my degree I did not obtain it in 6 weeks. Yes, ESC is RA. No I am not interested in taking the GMAT as I am also currentyl studying for ther CIA exam as well as the CFE exam. No time in the schedule.

 

Sorry, I misread.

 

I think Touro will be a good choice for you. I also used to live at NY and Touro is well known for its law school there. I am just finishing my MBA from Touro within next few weeks.

Touro MBA is 100% research based. Before choosing Touro be confident that you can carry out extensive research. You should have very good writing styles for Touro MBA program. According to current MBA degree requirements you have to complete almost more than 100 research papers (i.e. Case Assignments and Session Long Projects). In my case each paper was about 9 to 12 pages on average and sometimes more... (though the page length requirements were little less... but for getting an "A" you must demonstrate your real creativity...) Besides these research papers you also need to participate in continuous Threaded Discussions with your other coursemates (Your participation in the threaded discussions are also counted towards your final grade for that course).

Dont get scared with the above requirements, if you are falling back, the GAs and Professors will put their best effort to pull you up! They return phone calls or emails in less than 24 hours... The video lectures, presentations, and other course materials in the CDROM, Proquest, Touro Cyber Library and Net Library have very good references and sufficient information to gear you up.

I had very good experience with Touro. I would highly recommend Touro MBA program.

Good luck with your studies.

MFH
MBA Final Semester
Touro

 

"By the way, the University of Maryland Program is very expensive over $600 a credit. Its good, but I think if you're going to pay that much you should go to an AACSB school."

Yes it is expensive, but not only is the University of Maryland AACSB accredited, it is ranked among the top 25 MBA programs in the nation.

www.rhsmith.umd.edu

Its tuition is now about $24,000 a year though and since you say they now offer distance learning you should consider such a program from UMD-Smith over UF Warrington's DL program and just below Duke-Fuqua.

 

You never cease to amaze me. Are you going to claim that you didn't know the post you quoted was referring to UMUC? It would be difficult to believe, given that it was in response to another post which listed an incorrect tuition rate explicitly in reference to the UMUC MBA program. Why do you seem so intent upon trying to confuse innocent people who probably don't care about your agenda? Why not channel your effort into a polite clarification, or just post a link to one of the threads that have already discussed the issue? Do you really think that it helps to be such a smartass about it?

I'd like to reiterate my suggestion that you create a simple "UMUC is not UMD" web page, and post a link to it when you feel that it's necessary. Try being constructive, rather than disruptive.

 

Any other suggestion for me?

 

Chris,

The one thing I have not seen asked...that is part of the "critical path" of your decision-making is: what are your plans for the future?

What is "good enough" for one situation is not necessarily "good enough" for another.

Dave A

 

Myoptimism wrote:

"Although employers may or may not care about AACSB accreditation, licensing boards do care (at least in my state, UT.)"



Can you quote the particular cite or section in your state law in Utah that says that someone has to graduate from AACSB accredited institution to be licensed or to be eligibel to take a licensure exam? We have to ensure what we are saying in this forum is relatively correct. I stand corrected if you can quote the cite or section.


Godwin

 

No I can't, but that hardly matters as it isn't what I said. You quoted me accurately so I am not quite sure where in the encoding-decoding process you came to that conclusion.
I stated that they care about AACSB. If you read the education requirements to sit for the CPA examination, you will notice that the requirements are much easier to meet with a degree from an AACSB (or ACBSP) accredited school. Here is a link to the requirements.

Tony

 

Myoptimism wrotes


"No I can't, but that hardly matters as it isn't what I said. You quoted me accurately so I am not quite sure where in the encoding-decoding process you came to that conclusion.
I stated that they care about AACSB. If you read the education requirements to sit for the CPA examination, you will notice that the requirements are much easier to meet with a degree from an AACSB (or ACBSP) accredited school. Here is a link to the requirements".

Tony

It is incorrect that it is easier to meet the requirements for CPA with a degree from AACSB accredited institutions. The new requirements for CPA requires MSA - Master of Science in Accounting or something similar from a regionally accredited institutions which may or may not be AACSB. I have friends who graduted from non AACSB institutions (two of them) both passed CPA at first attempt both worked for great private sectors in DC area and both are now in private practice doing incredibly well. I am not against AACSB accreditation. It is an option which may be over rated. That is all I am trying to say. As far as I know, no state requires AASCB exclusively for licensure examination requirements. If any one knows a state that requires it, I would like to know and learn.

Godwin

 

I am currently in the path to become the Director of Internal Audit for my company, although many Auditors are CPA I have no desire to sit for the CPA exam, and it not a requirement to become one for my job. I am currently studying to become a CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and a CFE ( Certified Fraud Examiner). Getting my MBA is strictly something I WANT. However, if I ever leave my current position would another company care that I have an MBA from an AACSB school or that I just have an MBA? Touro or the SUNY system are both welll recoginized in NY. (I have no plans to relocate out of NY)

I like the program at ESC, but have not come across anyone would has gone through the program (except talking to the Student ambassodors at the school). What i am not likeing is the 5 residencies that I have to attend. (I am spoiled that I do not have to leave my home to go to school).

If I pursue ESC I have to make a decision within the next week as I have essay to write (for admission and fellowships)

I like Touro because of the no book issue. I also like that I can get a concentration, which can not be done at ESC.

 

Chill out

"Why do you seem so intent upon trying to confuse innocent people who probably don't care about your agenda?"

Please inform me where I was factually incorrect in my post. If the poster was refering to UMUC, than I apologize. It was not readily evident from the post since it stated "University of Maryland".

At any rate, anyone who spends 600/Credit Hour to obtain an MBA from UMUC is well served to understand that they are NOT obtaining an MBA from the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business.