LU or NCU for MBA?

If you are a fast learner and a fast mover, the NCU MBA will not disappoint. I find that when I set my own pace, I push myself much harder than when the pace is set by a fixed curriculum.

 

The more learning I do, the less I like traditional B&M school calendars. Why should I take whole summers off or two weeks off during the winter just 'cause some other people want vacation? Why should I have to wait for a September or January start date? This is certainly one area in which many Internet-centric programs ("online schools") have a clear advantage over their B&M counterparts.

 

I totally agree Petedued. This is a problem for me as well. I wanted to enroll in FSU's MS MIS program. But the enrollment dates were very fixed and courses started at a very specific time. I would have had to sit on my hands for 4 months after finishing my undergraduate work before having my first online lesson. In 4 months I had most of my MBA complete at NCU and had learned a ton. I just couldn't slow myself down to FSU's pace.

 

I love the idea of a MBA in MIS. Hard choice to make for sure. I know I would knock out a MBA at NCU uber fast just because I could. Which in my mind sounds awesome.

 

For a GS position, you're already competitive. Current clearance, in-theatre experience with deployed systems, familiarity with DoD MIS procedures & regulations, and your accredited Bachelor's degree puts you in the lead in many cases. The question then is "do you want to go 'Management track', or do you want to stay 'Technical'?". MBA MIS (rather than, say, MS MIS) may give you the best of both worlds. So far I haven't seen the Government care much about types of accreditation (regional vs. national is typically a non-issue; I doubt very many know what the AACSB is, much less care about it), so any school should be fine.

The actual organization you work for makes a difference; research organizations, for example, love doctorates (even in their MIS department). The non-research organizations are a different story; but in your case, the MBA MIS should be well rounded, regardless of how you wish to proceed.

 

So in your opinion does the prestige of the University matter? Or for-profit vs non-profit? I have about 10 years of IT experience in the defense world 5 of them in the Army. Would the for-profit vs non-profit argument be more valid for someone new to the work force?

 

I know as I get older I won't want to be a "wrench turner" so to speak. The management track seems like the more logical way to go. At the very least be some sort of technical manager or something.

 

Caveat: Most of my government experience comes from an RDEC (Research, Development, and Engineering Center); those are different beasts, even within the government.

Prestige of the University matters a little bit in government work, but I don't think it's as much as in the outside world. In general, your supervisor(s) will be more interested in your work record than who your degree comes from. To transition into management, you'll need to "check the boxes" ( There's quite a bit of "in-government" training that you'll need; precise details are determined by agencies; having an MBA usually helps, but in IT having a technical masters helps as well) and have your supervisor believe that you're "management material". It'll be easy enough to prove, there are always opportunities. It takes time, but everyone eventually gets a shot.

Once you've made it to management, the biggest skill is knowing how to navigate the political web. Remember -- all government workers work for Congress. Even if the President is the Chief Executive, it's Congress that decides if your position gets funded. At the point you reach management, both the quality of your contributions and who knows about your contributions becomes the critical factor. It's like the "real world", more-or-less, but with more politics.

If you want to get to SES level, you'll have to ask around for hints -- find an SES who's willing to talk if you can. And, once again, which agency -- and which part -- makes a big difference. Getting a Technical Doctorate helps a lot in RDECs; no idea if that helps at all in the rest of the government.

Profit vs. Non-Profit: I have yet to see anyone really care. University of Phoenix may get get you looked down upon, but probably not -- but, honestly, that's more because of reputation than anything else. Even there, however, having the degree is better than not having it. Something like the two we're discussing ... I seriously doubt anyone will care. With ten years of experience, they'll be looking more at papers and projects ... awards and achievements ... total education ("oh, look! He's a Lean Six Sigma!"). That kind of thing.

Oh, most installations have a solid advanced degree program available; if not, they usually have "partnerships" with local universities. The actual degrees will vary by installation. RDECs concentrate on Engineering and Technical degrees, for instance, but even here we've got a couple MBAs available.

 

A very good recommendation. Liberty University has much more experience in Distance Learning compared to NCU. Back in the days, LU used to send recorded VHS tapes for each class and used proctors for exams. This was long before NCU started operating as an Unaccredited University (using the same material/syllabus/faculty as unaccredited SCUPS) and before applying for Regional Accreditation. Keeping aside its religious affiliation, LU is a reputed B&M school with "real" professors teaching the classes.

 

There is some AWESOME info being posted here. I have another question. My undergrad will be a NA degree. And I do realize that I could run into a road block in the private sector. Some companies just don't hire people with NA degrees. If I get a RA MBA would that sort of "re-brand" me? Would my NA undergrad be less of a factor since the Masters would be a RA degree?

 

Anyone heard of Sul Ross State University? It appears if you have a baccalaureate with a 3.0 or higher you can side step the GMAT/GRE Graduate Students. And since its a Texas Public school and I am a resident of Texas it would be dirt cheap. I already emailed them to verify if they will take a NA baccalaureate. The wording on the admissions page makes me think they will. Assuming this is true would a public school trump LU in prestige? Of course Sul Ross is no Harvard but it has history.

 

There are some really fine and even cheaper alternatives here 10 Super Cheap Masters Degrees Online

As an example,

16. Masters in Organizational Leadership is an innovative graduate program offered online by Gonzaga University as a focused alternative to the MBA. Many of the students who select this program are working businessmen who need a credential to move into senior management. Completion usually requires two years for the working professional. Tuition is on a per-credit basis rather than semester based so you can finish the degree at your own pace. A 36 credit graduate degree from this top ranked western Jesuit university has a tuition of $27,900

14. Masters in Health and Human Performance is a mix health sciences and performance psychology designed to prepare students for a career in performance enhancement. The online program is offered by Fort Hays State University of Kansas, and is one of the bargain degrees still available from a public university. Tuition for the 32 unit program is $229 per credit hour, for a total of $7,328.

9. MBA offered by the California State University at Monterey Bay is a great bargain for California residents, and not a bad deal for out of state students. The regular MBA and an Executive MBA are both available online; both are 24 month programs requiring a total of 48 credits. The Executive MBA is for professionals who already have a business career underway. Tuition for state residents is $6,000 per year; for out of state students it is $327 per semester credit. No GMAT is required. There are some additional fees that apply.

 

So I have been doing research on what schools accept a NA undergrad for admittance into a MBA/Masters program. I have till Oct so I want to have a plan by then. Most Universities never reply to emails. Not sure if thats because they don't care or what. But anyways I found another school named Southern New Hampshire University that accepts NA degrees. They are a private non-profit University and have all sorts of niche degrees. Anyone think this is a better choice then LU or NCU?

 

Depends on what you're after. If you're looking to move up in your career, an online program with a B&M presence is still a better choice over one that's completely online (given the prejudices that many still harbor against fully online schools). All this considered, LU or SNHU would beat out NCU.

 

I'm in IT/Telcom but not like most of the population. I'm in the Defense sector and plan on always working in a position that requires my clearance. I would like to work as a GS one day but its hard to get in with a low level degree like a BS. You have to know someone or just be that lucky dude to pickup a GS-11 position with a 4 year degree. At the same time I want the Masters I get to have some utility. Since IT certs are recognized more then degrees in DoD Directive 8570.1 (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/857001m.pdf) an IT Masters would actually be useless to me in almost every way on paper. A MBA with my background in IT would be a great combo for management positions at a NOC,Director,Program Manager level later on.

 

You're in one of those rare spots, then. From my observation, most Federal and military jobs are way less picky about where you got your degree. You could likely make the next grade with a degree from NCU, WGU, etc. For you it's now just a matter of deciding which program you like best.

 

That's great advice. I just want to look at this long term. I believe one day the edu bubble could pop. When that happens some or alot of for-profits could easily go belly up. To play it safe I want to focus on non-profits. Of course nothing is "safe" but its a safer long term bet for sure.

 

I would definately check out WGU (Western Governors University) if I were you. It is a non-profit school that is affiliated with several states, including Texas.

Texas Online University - Texas Online Degrees - WGU Texas

They appear to accept nationally accredited degrees. Best of all, payments are per 6 month term (about $3,000 IIRC) and you can finish as many or as few classes as you want in that term. While most take 2 years to finish their Masters at WGU, it is not unheard of to finish in as little as a year, if you are pushing yourself. You can go at whatever pace you want. They even have an IT management specialty.

If you are still choosing between only Liberty and NCU, I would pick Liberty. For the price of the NCU MBA with an MIS concentration, you could probably get your MBA from Liberty THEN get a Masters in IT/IS from another inexpensive (probably state) school. The MBA SHOULD "re-brand" you in the eyes of many (but not all) schools, allowing you more options if you want to further your education.

 

WGU Texas is a great suggestion. But they are pretty specific on what NA degrees they accept. Looks like they only accept DETC NA degree's mine will be from the ACICS. And the proctor thing kills it for me. I'm a DoD contractor (and Vet) in Afghan and the internet is slow as is also I am not a Fobbit like most people out here so I need a program that is actually pro-military. No matter how I try and look at it I always come back to LU. Its funny in the DFAC they have a bunch of college football team flags hanging from the ceiling. Liberty University Flames is one of them maybe its a sign....LOL. And most of the ODA guys at the VSP's go to LU as well. I suppose if its good enough for CJSOTF personnel then its good enough for me.