I'm totally confused. (MBA question)

Good points, Cogent.

I think if you plan on using the degree to better yourself at your current job, where name won't have a massive impact, I think UOP could teach you some good things, provided that you're wiling to learn what it is you're supposed to. But I think the minute you try to take the degree outside your current employer, that's where the you'd take a hit.

Any thoughts by anyone?

 

A friend of mine teaches at UofP, and he mentioned that on more than one occasion he was ‘encouraged’ to pass a student that was marginal. He also says that on more than one occasion he failed sub-par students. It sounds to me like anything else in life; you can get what you put into it.

As a hiring manager, I can tell you that generally speaking I am not weighing résumé’s based upon my perception schools they attended. I certainly will look to see what education they have, and do consider education in the process, but the thought that I would hire someone because they went to Walden vs. UofP, or where ever, really is silly.

How their education prepares them to answer my questions, and in presenting their capabilities, is a different, and a personal, matter.

 

Quick question:

Is it imperative for my MBA school of choice to be accredited by the AACSB? I mean, am I doomed if it isn't?

Ironically, my old school, BROCK U, where I did undergrad and grad work in biochemistry and chemistry, is now AACSB accredited. But when I went there, it didn't even have an MBA program. Maybe I'll just go live with mom for a couple years. Not so sure the wife would like that though.

 

AACSB is like a lot of this stuff surrounding credentials, the farther into the circle you are the better a credential it is. It better a credential you have the more options are open to you. Only you know what your goals are.

As with most things, better credentials are often (not always, but often) more difficult, more expensive, or both.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. Some good info has been passed on for sure.

I know I'm going on and on here, but what about Ellis College, Division of Ney York Institute of Technology? Anyone know anything about it? Or what about DeVry? At least people know the DeVry name. Interestingly, when you do a search for a masters degree in business & management on this site's school fider page, DeVry is one of the ones that comes up. Is that a good sign or is it simoply because DeVry paid to advertise on here?

 

Cowboy,
I have a bachelor’s degree from UoP and it has served me well (and I am not embarrassed).

I don’t agree with “me again” when he/she says that “cash + enrollment = UoP degree” and I did not float through the curriculum and did not graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Like you said, there are good and bad students and team projects were a hassle. In more than one occasion I had to deal with slackers on my team; the instructors very helpful and supportive when we had issues. In a few cases, students were removed from a group and dropped from class.

For my MBA, I considered UoP and several other DL programs, but decided on a B&M school that offers a weekend program. What I like about this program is that time demands are less taxing than UoP’s compressed format. I also like having the face-to-face interaction with professors and other students, but with a manageable schedule. I currently attend classes every other Saturday and meet with my study group every Sunday night.

So, my advise to you is look at schools in your area and see if they have a convenient delivery method tailored to working students. In Houston we have many alternatives, even McCombs (UT-Austin) will start offering weekend classes locally in the near future (but at $68K for the entire program, I can’t afford it). If you stay at UoP then you’ll have to deal with the slackers. UoP is getting so big and becoming more visible and I think that works against them… there are still a lot of people that think DL is inferior. Don’t know about Ellis, but to me DeVry is kind of like UoP.

 

Cowboy,

to add to your confusion, go to www.geteducated.com and get the free downloads. There are many options besides those mentioned.

Regards,

 

Ever see Mars Attacks when the music makes their heads pop? I'm about 2 more webpages of info away from that!!!

I think I'll just fall back on my skills as a painter and start my own company. lol.

 

FED,

Great site! Thanks!

 

Bubba, I have pm'd you ... we need to discuss something about Strategic Management 570 have you taken it yet?

 

you're welcome. Keep us posted on your choice.

regards,

 

Hey dis.funk:

I have no idea how a PM would work on this board. I’m in the MBA/IM program, 570 is the straight MBA program, so no, I haven’t taken it.

BTW, Managerial Accounting is absolutely the hardest class I have taken to date, as you warned.

 

dis.funk.sh.null,


Why didn't you just do your mba at Mac or Western or UofT? Did you want to do the distance thing to accomodate work?

Just curious.

 

Cowboy:

Every person makes decisions about how/if to advance their education, and chooses the programs that is right for them. I chose to continue my education in a program that fits me and my situation best, it is something that you have to decide for yourself, as there are many options available. You may be disappointed if you make the choice because someone else did, or based upon another’s recommendation.

 

Cowboy - are you from St. Catharines? I grew up there...my brother went to Brock.

Cheers,
Mark

 

Mark,

Yep. Born and raised there. Moved here to Ann Arbor, MI. in 99 after doing a masters degree in chem at Brock.

When did your bro go there? Maybe I know him. Sure it's a longshot, but...



Bubba,

I hear you loud and clear. I just want to be sure that not only does the school fit my needs, but will also get me something in the end... a degree from a schoo that is worth my time. UOP fit my needs but that doesn't mean it'll do me any good. There are many more that will suit my needs and carry a lot more weight and be a lot more marketable in the end. Know what I mean?

To be honest with you, I may have jumped into the endeavor a little too hastily. I was just eager to get going with it. I didn't realize I had so many options which might be a little wiser.

 

answers

First off, Bubba

Oh man I totally forgot you were in the PM option. oops I was asking because I thought you might have the two HBR booklets used in 570 handy, but no problem I hope you're doing well in the courses though. Ethics is kind of long... I wasn't expecting that many questions for each module.

Yeah that accounting course is a real curve-ball (or out-swinger is we say in cricket)! It was my worst nightmare to say the least phew

---

Hey Cowboy,

I have been asked this question a lot actually and I'll try to answer it Well simply because it was costing me a fortune to get my MBA from a Canadian University... I have attended lectures, at least for the first year MBA courses at Mac and UofT and the content (and difficulty) was not all that different from Aspen. So for my own self, if I am learning all that I can about business administration in a total of 4,200 $ in tuition from an accredited university, (RA != DETC is another matter,) I'd rather not spend roughly 5 times as much. An MBA is an MBA; maybe I'll get a post-grad certificate in something like business strategy or competitive intelligence from an RA or AACSB accredited school later on (Brock University?).

 

For a very rigorous MBA without teamwork you can check Edinburgh Business School in UK(www.ebsmba.com) .

 

UMASS and UNA

UMASS and UNA are two other good options.

UMASS - Uni of MASS..
UNA - Uni of North Alab...

 

I want to thank everyone again for your input. I feel much more confident and informed about the tough decision I'm about to make. So... thanks!