Starting Ashford MBA

I just am struggling with APA and passive voice, big time. I'm a creative writer, which does not translate well to case studies and briefs. I tend to be verbose. I get the terminology and I understand the concepts but when I write about them I struggle to be succinct... Ah well, it's a work in progress

Thanks!

 

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From one passive voice writer to another, I hear ya. Congrats on the A!

 

Another mini update from me... things are still going well, the class I'm in now is Organizational Behavior and it's actually decently interesting and very applicable to work (as in, I can use what I learned in class the very same day at work). Have a 97.7% average and I'm doing better with APA.

I've already realized that I need brushing up on Leadership/"soft" skills and I'm much better with quantitative stuff. That's good, because my Quantitative Methods class starts in about 3 weeks! I'm looking forward to crunching numbers after 9 straight weeks of Human Relations stuff My classmates run the gamut from very intelligent, serious learners to "OMG how did they even pass high school?" types. Last instructor only seemed to care about APA format/no substance, this one cares much more about substance and thoroughly knowing material with correct APA formatting thrown in. Big change!

Still learning a ton, still like Ashford, still would recommend the school with no hesitations to people... not so sure that the MBA was a good "fit" for me, degree-wise, but just having it on a resume will help me out. The knowledge I've already gotten will serve me well, so can't say I'm sorry I decided on an MBA, but I just think maybe an MSA or something in a helping profession (so as to work on soft skills and fill in my perceived gaps in Leadership/helping) would serve me better. Nonetheless, I'm going to finish what I started, so onward I go!

 

Thanks for the update. It's nice to see that you're planning to stick it out until the end. This is exactly the reason why I would never pursue an MBA - it would only be for resume padding purposes. I have absolutely zero interest in studying business! Just thinking about it makes my eyes glaze over! Anyway, it sounds like you'll be pursuing a second masters simultaneously (presumably in a subject that interests you more than the MBA).

Best of luck!

 

Thanks!

It's kind of a consolation prize to myself for studing business I put up with the business courses and get good grades and I get to study my fun theology stuff Yes, I bribe myself. Works, too! lol

 

Just wanted to post a mini update since my last one was a couple months ago. I’m almost finished with my Quantitative Methods class and I really, really like it. I like formulas and ratios and it “clicks” in my brain, so I’m enjoying it. The prof is very strict and very tough, but fair in his grading. Still like Ashford and I still would recommend it in a heartbeat, although it is DEFINITELY not for everyone. If you like hand-holding or a lot of one-on-one interaction, DO NOT get an MBA from Ashford. You are expected to act like an MBA grad student and do everything on your own with periodic help from staff or instructor. It is not the cheapest school but you WILL, most certainly, learn a lot. Even a lazy student is forced to work and learn. This may be why out of the original 35 students in my QM class, there are now only 17 remaining lol… This class has a much better quality of student in it- my last two classes were about 50/50 “real grad” students and “OMG how did they pass high school?” students. This class I would say is more 80/20 in favor of “real grad” students.

The format (6 wk classes) makes it difficult, I won’t lie. I’m your “average American” with two small children 3 and under, work 12 hours a day, etc. so I juggle a lot and the format means I pretty much end up logging in every day to post, respond to a post, submit homework, etc. I was out of the country for 2.5 weeks this class (yes, I went to Europe for almost half this class! Lol) and I still should be able to pull off a B, but I worked ahead a LOT, coordinated with the instructor, and I seem to have aptitude for quantitative stuff. YMMV and it IS a lot of work. I am even more convinced than ever that I would have been better suited for an MSA or MS in Leadership, but… I will finish the MBA to put it on my resume and my reward is studying “fun stuff” on the side. I had to push Southwestern’s start date back to January because I couldn’t handle it and my QM class, too. I look at the MBA as a good degree for ME because my undergrad was English, so it enhances my resume plus fills in the gaps of teaching me general business. If your UG was business-related, then the MBA would most likely be just a repeat, albeit at a higher level.

So I still recommend Ashford, still am proud to be an AU student, and am learning so much it is crazy. The major caveats I have are that you had better be self-motivated and organized on your own to do this program, and make sure you have a decent grasp of time management concepts before starting or you will feel lost. AU staff and professors do not hold your hand, so it is up to you to make it what you will.

 

Hi Heather, my experience was pretty much the same. I did a concentration in Organizational Leadership to work on my soft skills but honestly by the end of the program I was so "used up" that I just did what I had to do to pass the course with an "A" and didn't get to enjoy it much. I also thought long an hard about doing the Master of Science in Leadership from Southwester (my alma mater) but a career transition into IT caused a reshifting of the priorities.

Congrats on all the success!!!

 

Greetings folks.

I had a few questions about Ashford MBA and I'd appreciate if you could post your replies.

First off, How does the entire online classes thing work at Ashford MBA? I've never taken any online classes and I'm even more curious because the website states that it offers classes that allows you to study 24 hours a day - yet, the website hints that you need to pick a day and "sit" for a 4-hour long class.

Does the professor teach you via webcam?

Second off, I also noticed the bit about transferability of credits ( up to 9 ). Does it really work even if you didn't attend Ashford for Bachelor's?

Third off, How are people graded and how are exams held?

And finally, since the classes are offered over the course of 5-6 weeks, how many classes take place? 6 for an entire course?

Also, has anybody taken two classes during the same period as opposed to only one?

I hope some of you good people will help me with my queries.

God bless.

 

"First off, How does the entire online classes thing work at Ashford MBA? I've never taken any online classes and I'm even more curious because the website states that it offers classes that allows you to study 24 hours a day - yet, the website hints that you need to pick a day and "sit" for a 4-hour long class. "

That is not my experience, there are no set times to be "in class" login at your leisure

Does the professor teach you via webcam?
Not in any of my classes, only written lectures and books/articles to read

Third off, How are people graded and how are exams held?
Ashford is writing intensive, 2 posts per week, responses, 1 paper per week and a 8-10 page paper at the end of each 6-week session. All APA. The "attendance" which is discussion and posts counts for about 40% of the total grade.

And finally, since the classes are offered over the course of 5-6 weeks, how many classes take place? 6 for an entire course?
No set classes. You have deadlines for posts, responses and papers. I have not had any lectures or set classes.

Also, has anybody taken two classes during the same period as opposed to only one?
No, but I am going to do that next session - it would be rough, but manageable if you stay on top of things.

 

I have a family member attending and here is their experience:

First off, How does the entire online classes thing work at Ashford MBA ? I've never taken any online classes and I'm even more curious because the website states that it offers classes that allows you to study 24 hours a day - yet, the website hints that you need to pick a day and "sit" for a 4-hour long class.

Pretty much she reads the book, some articles, and a little information from the professor. She can login at any time and never has to sit at a specific time.

Does the professor teach you via webcam?

No. Class comprises of: reading, writing 2 discussion board posts, responding to classmates on both posts, and an assignment.
Second off, I also noticed the bit about transferability of credits ( up to 9 ). Does it really work even if you didn't attend Ashford for Bachelor's?

Transferability of Master's credits for a Master's program. Bachelor credit would apply to a Bachelor program.

Third off, How are people graded and how are exams held?

There are rubrics that the professor follows. She has not had an exam. Class culminates with a final assignment paper, 8-10 pages.

And finally, since the classes are offered over the course of 5-6 weeks, how many classes take place? 6 for an entire course?

Also, has anybody taken two classes during the same period as opposed to only one?

She has not. Working full-time, the one class has been enough.

I hope some of you good people will help me with my queries.

Happy to help, if you have any other questions, ask.

 

Thanks for your replies. I must admit that I'm a bit "disappointed" because I thought Ashford would let me transfer some of my credits from my Bachelor's Degree ( I majored in Accounting ).

I wish someone could enlighten me about the financial aid/ fees aspect..... My entire Bachelor's was paid-for ( I worked plus my parents helped me too ) so I've never taken loans.... what's the payment schedule like? I read a review about the program on a different site and a vast majority of people seemed to be venting their frustrations regarding the entire financial aid deal along with some kinda hidden fees ( tech fees plus other fees that they weren't "informed" about )...

 

You won't find any school that allows this. Bachelor levels stop at 400, Masters credits are 500/600. Since you haven't "learned" anything at a 500/600 level yet, there is nothing they could give you credit for. Hope that makes sense.

 

While I agree that you won't get credit for undergrad courses, at least some schools will let you get an MBA by taking less courses if you have an undergrad business degree. Check out this link for a description of what I mean at Bentley University (fyi, this program is not online). While this is not exactly the same as getting credit, it in some ways serves the same purpose and might be what The Walker is referring to.

Evening MBA Program (Full or Part Time) - Bentley University

 

I should note though that my example is going from a full 54 credits to a min of 36 if you meet all of the qualifications. It looks like Ashford lets you waive 3 for an undergrad course and 36 are required for the degree, so they have a min of 33 graduate level credits. I don't think you are going to get away with much under 30 graduate level credits for any master's degree, so there is not much room to allow other waivers.

 

I am a recent graduate from Ashford with an MBA in Finance. As Jennifer and Mark mention, I do not believe that any school will transfer credits from an undergrad program to a graduate program.

The first class at Ashford for their MBA program is BUS600, which is a class that introduces one to the online technology at Ashford along with an introduction to theories and models, qualitative communication research methodologies, and research writing. If you already have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, etc., they will waive this class and allow you to take any graduate level elective that you choose in its place.

Class attendance is measured by logging on at least two times a week. There is no set amount of time required for one to be on the website. The primary reason to log on is to access the weekly assignments, upload your answers to the weekly assignments, respond to other classmates, and uploading your weekly paper. I usually spent 1.5 to 2 hours a week on the website and spent 6 to 8 hours off line reading and doing research for my assignments and papers.

In terms of grading, there are two discussion topics related to the weekly reading and research assignments that need to be answered by Thursday at Midnight. Additionally, you must submit a weekly paper on the assignment given by the instructor. These vary in range from 3 - 5 pages up to 15 - 18 pages, depending on the class and whether it is a weekly paper or a final paper. There are no quizzes or tests in the MBA program.

Regarding taking two classes at once, I did this twice for a total of four classes. I intentionally staggered the classes by one week so I would not have to deal with two final papers on the same week. I did fine at this but it will consume a large amount of time and one needs to be wary of having enough time in the day to properly do this successfully. By doing this, I finished their MBA program in fifteen months but it was like a full time job all by itself.

The payment program for financial aid obtained via FAFSA is you are obligated to start payments six months after you graduate. They are spaced out over the course of up to ten years. I believe the rate of my loan was 6.25% if I remember correctly.

There are no "hidden" fees as the complainers typically chose not to read the additional costs associated with the degree. It states right on the website "Your tuition is $541 per credit. You will also be responsible for fees to enroll." All you have to do is click on the "cost of attendance" hyperlink and it lists everything sorted by bachelor's or master's degree.

The technology services fee states that it is a one time charge of $1290.00 and is applied to the student’s account on the 7th week of enrollment unless a fee waiver is in effect. The same page also lists the average cost for books, the graduation fee, late fees, etc. So again, by taking the time to read, there is nothing hidden anywhere.

Hope this clarifies some of your questions. Please ask away if you need any other help.

 

Gee, I was getting high hopes of transferring in some credits from my Bachelor's....

I've got one question...

What exactly are "specialized" and unspecialized credits?

I noticed that we need to take 8-9 courses ( 24-27 credits ) as parts of core courses...and if I were to pick a specialized course, would I need to take 3 unspecialized courses too?

 

Specialized courses are your concentration courses (i.e. Human Resources, Finance, Economics, Organizational Leadership, etc.). The "unspecialized" or standard courses apply if you do not want a concentration in any one of the offered specializations. In this case, you would take a course in International Business, Business Research Methods & Tools, and Business Strategy to round out your MBA.

 

Fees

When she started, the enrollment advisor walked her through the application and so forth. It was all spelled out, if you read the documents. We saved them and I read them later on, and it's all pretty much laid out. During the financial aid process, they ask you if you want them to hold your refund till all 'potential' fees are paid or pay it and you are responsible for the 'potential' fees. So if you tell them not to hold the refund, you end up paying the one-time technology fee. As I've read reviews, this seems to be what I understand people complain about. They don't read the paperwork thoroughly and then ask for their refund immediately, and get a bill for the technology fee. So, if you read the paperwork, you'll be ok.