Online "Tech" MBA Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by Beagle412, Sep 8, 2010.

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  1. Compare your question to what I said then try again.
     
  2. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    You evaded the question :(
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 13, 2010
  3. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    OK. You said:
    So I'll try again. You really think that professional accreditation is an irrelevant issue to employers in professional fields?
     
  4. No, I don't think that.

    In regards to this question:

    Does his degree have professional accreditation in accounting, or does it have business accreditation, or does it lack professional accreditation entirely?

    If it doesn't list the accreditation, then HR could presume it doesn't have or it could ask. Right?

    I know if my program had a certain valuable accreditation, I would list it to make sure there were no questions. If you're saying this is a good idea, I agree with you. I conceded the point earlier that in some instances it benefits PSU grads to distinguish their program/campus.

    The broader practice of just listing "The Pennsylvania State University" as your university is the issue. I think there's nothing wrong with it. Did you have any comments on that?
     
  5. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Or they could just throw it away, and look for other resumes that don't have question marks. Right?

    Let me first pose another question. Why not simply include information that is as complete as possible? What exactly is the rationale for failing to specify which of the 20 or so PSU campuses was attended -- given that significant differences may exist in terms of selectivity, prestige, accreditation, etc. ?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2010
  6. I don't know the exact rationale and I can't speak for the hundreds of thousands PSU grads that do it. One possible explanation is that Pennsylvania State University has a strong solidarity among its various campuses. There's a not as much a fractured identity as in other systems. This could have to do with sports and the fluidity of some resources and instructors across campuses. Even at the doctoral level, PhD and other doctorates are often (mostly?) listed as just being from PSU generally.

    In the end, I don't see myself as a Penn State graduate of X campus, just a Penn State grad. Other grads might not feel this way but I would guess they're in the minority.

    Remember:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck


    [​IMG]
     
  8. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Very inspirational. Yet you have also stated that, in some cases, it may in fact be advantageous for PSU grads to be more specific:

    Could you elaborate on this point? Because if we can determine why some PSU grads might want to specifically identify their campus, then maybe we can also figure out why other PSU grads might want to do the opposite.
     
  9. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I would still like to see the survey results regardless of whether they could be considered scientific or not.

    I would guess that most people don't see a difference between the PSU, the UC or any other state system regardless of how a state decides to organize it's education system.

    How do you currently list your education on your resume? I only ask because I have always been told to include the city and state location of the universities I've attended on my resume. I suppose it wouldn't be a huge issue especially if you were applying for positions via online applications as those systems always seem to ask for the city/state of the university you attended. I assume you would list the city/town of the PSU campus you earn your degree from and not University Park in that instance?
     
  10. Beagle412

    Beagle412 New Member

    Continuing the discussion - Online MBA Reputations and full disclosure

    Man, has this thread taken on life in the last 48 hours! Great to see this exchange - this is exactly why I hold a high regard for the opinions and experience contributed in this community.

    I've personally never fudged my resume and am proud of that fact - mostly because I am proud of my experiences and accomplishments (and equally of my failures and what I've learned from them) and wouldn't compromise my personal or professional integrity by putting anything on my resume that could be construed as misleading. With that in mind, I guess that I do actually care to some extent what school and program I declare on my resume. Sure, the PSU iMBA is granted by Penn State, but like many have posted, it's NOT a Smeal MBA, and after talking with some folks (managers and execs in my local area as well as greater PA and the Mid-Atlantic), a surprising number of them, some of whom are active Smeal or PSU alums, indicated that they do recognize the difference on an incoming resume, and some indicated that it would be enough to sway a hiring decision, especially if one didn't specify that they were awarded an iMBA and intentially omitted that on the resume in hopes that HR or hiring managers would assume it was from Smeal.

    Oddly enough, everyone I spoke with had a positive reaction and recognition of Auburn as well, but only a few were even remotely familiar with the quality of their business school. Goes to show that a good SEC football program can go a long way in marketing an academic program as well. I continue to be impressed with the AU online MBA program as well and since I have ties to Auburn (used to live in the area and still have family there), it is ranking high on my list.

    The Kelley Direct program is a close second. Numerous colleagues I've spoken with are IU alums and have fantastic connections that extend nationally. Like PSU, there's chapters in many major cities across the US, and there's no distinction really between online and full-time alums in the network as there are with PSU.

    I'm researching more programs that fit my criteria but that have more "backyard brand" recognition in the markets in which I live or would consider relocating to. I've greatly underestimated the power of alumni networks and also of brand recognition between online and full-time programs within a regional area that can make a big difference in the program one chooses.
     
  11. cravenco

    cravenco New Member

    So I am assuming there is not a standard format?
     
  12. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Just go with UF's MBA if you can make it to Florida once a semester. The online version is from the Warrington College of Business and ranked high. I think it is about $25K

    Master of Business Administration
     
  13. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Glad to hear that Auburn has some recognition in your neck of the woods. I truly love Auburn, some of the best years of my life were spent there. It's a great place with a tight knit alumni network (my girlfriend always chuckles when I pass someone in Boston wearing an Auburn hat or shirt and we exchange "War Eagle"'s) It sounds like the MBA + MS combo would serve you well.

    That said, as much as I love Auburn, I would still recommend Indiana strictly for the MBA. As much as I hate the Swamp, their b-school is highly regarded and I would likely consider it ahead of the online Auburn MBA IF it actually only costs $25k. I did some research and it turns out that UF's online MBA is actually $47k. For the price differential I would go with Auburn unless your company is footing the bill.

    From the UF website:

    Costs
    All amounts are based on current estimates of fees, tuition, and expenses. These amounts are expected to increase each year. A non-refundable deposit of $2700 is required upon admission.

    Total Program Fees: $47,150

    Note: Program estimates do not include the cost of travel expenses (e.g., airfare) for campus visits or the cost of the hotel stay while in Gainesville. The Florida MBA Programs will coordinate hotel reservations on behalf of students, however, students must pay the hotel directly. Special rates have been negotiated with area hotels. You will receive more information on the hotels after being admitted.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2010
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    You are right - for some reason I had $25K stuck in my mind from looking at this one -
    Master of Science in Management (MSM) Distance Learning Health Programs
    $25.6K Degree Programs - Master of Science: Management (MSM) - Warrington College of Business Administration

    Sorry
     
  15. Arch23

    Arch23 New Member

    Since when did writing exactly what's written on one's diploma/transcript, per the FAQ item, become a lie?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2010
  16. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    If you list something on your resume that could confuse or mislead the person reviewing it, then it's your responsibility to clarify that point. Otherwise, your action may be perceived as unethical -- even if it was technically legal.

    For example, here in California, the name "Penn State" means the University Park campus -- period. Most Californians could not name any of the other PSU campuses. In fact, most Californians probably don't know that any other Penn State campuses even exist.

    Furthermore, here in California, different campuses of the public university systems are always distinguished. They are completely separate institutions. No one ever omits UC or CSU campus names.

    So if a person applies for jobs here in California with a "Pennsylvania State University" degree, then it will probably be assumed that he went to University Park. If it turns out that he actually graduated from PSU-Altoona, then a California HR Dept. could easily conclude that he lied about that degree when he applied for the job.

    It could be argued that everyone in Pennsylvania understands that PSU incorporates multiple campuses, and that it is therefore perfectly acceptable to use the PSU term generically. And maybe that's true -- in Pennsylvania. But in other parts of the country, those points are not generally understood. If a generic "Pennsylvania State University" resume circulates outside the Pennsylvania area, the potential for confusion and misunderstanding is real. In this case, it is the job applicant's responsibility to ensure that degree information is spelled out clearly and unambiguously.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2010
  17. HikaruBr

    HikaruBr Member

    That's ridiculous - so someone must be a Jedi to know what the fuck everyone is going to "assume" about their resume?

    If it were my resume I'd definitely put the compus along side Penn State, but that's just me. There's nothing wrong putting just Penn State.

    What would be unethical would be something like writing a campus you didn't attend in your resume or refusing to tell which campus you went to when asked.

    That's not much different than not writing in your resume that your degree was a online degree.
     
  18. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Okay, so lets just make it easy on everyone and list the campus. It would literally take you 10 seconds to add that to your resume, would erase the ambiguity and eliminate the chance of someone in HR thinking you were trying to be unethical.

    I think if you earn your degree online/via distance you should list the campus it was earned/awarded from. So if the OP chose to go to Auburn he could list the degree as follows (or something similar):

    Auburn University-Auburn, AL
    Master of Business Administration

    If someone graduated from PSU-Global it should be listed in a similar format:

    Pennsylvania State University-Global Campus
    iMBA

    Obviously people have opinions on both sides. It just seems to me that it is being purposely vague and in this instance it seems the only benefit would be to have someone assume when you say PSU you mean PSU-University Park. I would want to be as forthcoming as possible on a job application or in an interview. I've said this previously, if you're so ashamed of the school you attended that you are purposely vague or misleading when presenting it then you should have chosen another school.
     
  19. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I said it seemed like a "lie by omission" to me. I don't care what the FAQ sheet on PSU's website says, if you don't list the campus on your resume anyone outside of PA and I would bet most in the state would simply assume you mean PSU-Univ. Park.

    This argument is going in circles. Anyone who is of the opinion that listing the campus isn't a bit shady is entitled to that opinion. Just please know that you're wrong.
     
  20. I have to laugh at "vague or misleading". This whole conversation has become a joke. Next Tiger will want you to list all the professors you took.

    Tiger is essentially arguing that Penn State is not one university and that it somehow compares to the California UC and CSU systems. It doesn't. It is a single entity composed of geographically dispersed campuses. It is comprised of a number of departments that share 24 campuses.

    No matter what anyone thinks about who is right in this argument, here's the final verdict:

    The majority of graduates will probably just list "The Pennsylvania State University" as it says on their diplomas and as the hundreds of thousands of graduates before them have traditionally done since 1855. To call all these graduates misleading, liars, dishonest, not forthcoming, etc. is completely misinformed.
     

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