Best MBA option for military

Discussion in 'Military-related education topics' started by jcush, Apr 23, 2011.

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  1. jcush

    jcush New Member

    I am full time military and looking for some guidance concerning online MBA programs. I am looking for a decent list of regionally accredidated, most recognizable MBA programs out there. I will use military tuition assistance and would like to keep my costs to a minimum.

    My goal is to obtain this degree and delve into the online adjunct world while I look into terminal degree options. I have done a lot of research..but just found this site this morning--and it appears that I will learn way more here than thru my current googling efforts!

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Off the top of my head. Mississippi State University and Central Michigan University give a pretty respectable tuition discount for military. They are both AACSB accredited.
     
  3. smokey2011

    smokey2011 Member

    I would start there as well and I think that the best option for military is the OK state MBA. The reasoning is twofold; it can be done entirely online and the tuition is only $250 for active duty military. It does require a GMAT score and other things, but in terms of the best option for military, it has to be a consideration. Here is a link:

    Master of Business Administration - Distance Learning
     
  4. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    If you are interested in earning an MBA to do adjunct work, make sure you get 18 credit hours in a subject that is in high demand, like finance or accounting. With a general MBA, you probably will not be able to find adjunct work. I sent zillions of CVs out for adjunct work with my general MBA (it definitely felt like zillions) and never got one taker.
     
  5. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    That Oklahoma State MBA that Smokey posted looks like a good program. It lets you take enough electives credit to earn at least 18 credit hours in either finance or accounting.
     
  6. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    After reviewing the list of electives available for the Oklahoma MBA, I'm not sure if it's your best option. They offer very few electives in finance or accounting.
     
  7. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

  8. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    The disadvantage of Liberty's program is not AACSB accredited. This might limit your potential in teaching.
     
  9. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    My bad! I don't know much about MBA programs and AACSB accreditation. That’s what makes this forum so great.
     
  10. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Spouting off my opinion here, not being AACSB does not make an MBA program bad. An AACSB MBA program is the equivalent to a new Mercedes in the auto world, it's among the best available. There are still plenty of other very nice cars out there that will get the job done with style at a generally lower price. Similarly, there are also plenty of non-AACSB MBA programs that are still great and could potentially get you a great job. If you want a job in a top university, a top financial institution or a few other firms, you should go with AACSB. It can be more expensive, but in those and similar cases, it could be worth it. In many other cases, it's not as important.
     
  11. smokey2011

    smokey2011 Member

    SurfDoctor is right, there are plenty of available MBA programs out there, but unless there are a bunch of hidden fees that I do not know about, OK State's $250 per credit hour AACSB accredited MBA is the best bang for bucks for a military member IMO. Even without the 18 hours of specific coursework available in electives, one could always get an additional certificate to make up those hours. I am unsure about the rest of the branches, but I know that the Air Force will pay up to $9,000 towards a certificate as long as it is split between two fiscal years for that amount ($4,500 per year is the cap). The downside to that is that certification option can only be used once.
     
  12. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    $250 a credit for an AACSB MBA? That's a no-brainer.
     
  13. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    GetEducated.com has some "best buy" rankings:

    AACSB:

    Online MBA Rankings AACSB - Top Affordable Best Distance MBA | Ratings & Rankings | GetEducated.com

    RA:

    Best Buy Online MBA Regionally Accredited | Ratings & Rankings | GetEducated.com

    One of my former students is working on her MBA at Chadron State. She tells me it is a quality education - she's busting her tail in the program

    Shawn
     
  14. major56

    major56 Active Member

  15. bpreachers

    bpreachers New Member

    What branch are you? I only ask because if you are Navy they have the NCPACE program where if you are on Sea Duty you can get a degree for free. There are three MBA options under that program.

    Other than that. Best depends on a lot of personal things. I myself want to complete my schooling in a compressed amount of time as I am attempting to finish my BA and MA while on Shore Duty. So I chose National University because they have 4 week semesters at the Graduate level.
     
  16. jcush

    jcush New Member

    First--thanks so much for all of the information, I greatly appreciate it. I didn't think I would get much of a response...guess I was wrong! To answer a few of your questions--I am army, and my goals for pursuing an MBA are many; to prepare myself for life after service, it will help me for promotion while I am still in, my current position has me serving in an administrative role, ect. I would also like to teach online courses in the future and would like to be able to put myself in the best postion to do so with this degree--I understand that there are a million people out there looking to do the same thing, and I also understand that the pay may not be great, but that is not going to stop me from doing what I need to do to get into that field.

    I am currently teaching in-class, 100 and 200 level courses at a local career college in their A.A. degree programs. They have an online program as well and I am in the process of getting some work there. My future goal for the whole teaching online gig is to be able to supplement my retirement income (in 7-10 yrs when I actually retire) while having the flexibility to travel and follow my children around. I know it won't make me rich, if that was my goal...I would not be serving in the military. Once again, thank you all so much for your time and input--you all have kept me busy the last few days chasing down valuable info!

    Cheers
     
  17. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    Not to knock your efforts, but are you sure the general MBA was the only factor? Do you have on-the-ground teaching experience? If you have even volunteer teaching/training experience, I'd have to think that would give you an edge in the adjunct position hunt.
     
  18. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    Yep, I'm certain. I know I'm not the only one who has encountered this problem either. Most schools are looking for a graduate degree with at least 18 credit hours in a specific subject. Unfortunately, the general MBA usually doesn't cut it. I wish it did.
     
  19. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Why not add a graduate certificate? There are so many out there with all price ranges. That would help with an edge over others. for example, Trident (like the name or not) has a few 16 credit/4 class graduate certificates. If you have two credits in the same topic from your general MBA you would meet that requirement. Trident is not the only one it is just the one that comes to mind first. There is Sothern New Hampshere and others.
     

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