Ashworth MBA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TCord1964, Nov 28, 2005.

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  1. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Since it has been discussed so much during various threads here (and since I have recommended the program myself, as has DesElms), I've done some more checking on the Ashworth College MBA program.

    I joined the Ashworth MBA group over at Yahoo, and this is what I have taken away from some of the Ashworth students who post there.

    1. There are not yet any graduates of any of Ashworth's Masters degree programs, probably because they are still relatively new. This piece of info reportedly came from somebody at Ashworth College.

    2. The courses in the MBA progam consist of 500-page reading assignments, followed by a 50-page paper to be written by the student (in single-space type).

    3. Any exam score below 80 percent is considered a failing grade, and the exam must be retaken. Yes, some students have failed their exams.

    4. The students of the Ashworth MBA program consider it to be very rigorous and comparable to other graduate studies they have done. A couple even commented that they did MORE work at Ashworth than at some RA schools.

    5. There is no online component to Ashworth's MBA progam, other than some exams which can be taken online. The rest of the program is independent study.

    6. Every student who has posted on the Ashworth MBA group seems genuinely happy with the program, and their choice to go with Ashworth College. There were a couple of complaints about customer service, which seems to be a problem with other Ashworth programs as well, so no surprise there. At least one student mentioned they have received a promotion at their job due to their studies at Ashworth.

    Once again, if an NA degree will suit your current and future educational needs, an Ashworth MBA seems like a viable option for students who might not otherwise be able to afford an MBA program.
     
  2. c.novick

    c.novick New Member

    Thank you for the information. It appears that they do not require APA style in the writing assignments. (double spaced)

    http://www.apastyle.org/

    Craig
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    What do they require, Turabian?
     
  4. c.novick

    c.novick New Member

    Good question. Perhaps they use Turabian. Can APA papers be single spaced?

    I always thought that APA papers were required to be double-spaced include quotations and references with used margins of one inch on all sides. Also every new paragraph should be indented a half-inch on the left and more.

    Page 286 of the APA manual covers double-spacing. (5.03)

    Craig
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2005
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    APA has to be double spaced.
     
  6. TomICAVols

    TomICAVols New Member

    When I was considering the program, I was told APA was what was required and that APA would be covered in the introductory non-credit course.

    Had I not had such horrible experiences trying to get the simplest of questions answered, I would've probably enrolled there. Can't beat the cost.
     
  7. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member


    Sorry for the hijack...

    Tom,

    I was looking into Southwest since I have heard such good comments about them. I was wondering a few things though...What have your experiences been with Southwest? What is a typical course like? What types of assignments do you have? How many hours do you put into a course each week?

    Thanks!

    Rhonda
     
  8. DesElms

    DesElms New Member

    As nationally-accredited MBA programs go, I also like the one from Andrew Jackson University (AJU). It's priced about the same as Ashworth's MBA... except that with Ashworth's MBA, the price includes all textbooks, study guides and other materials which one would normally, with other institutions, need to purchase separately at a college book store. So Ashworth is definitely the cheapest... even if only by a little.

    AJU's MBA program is even more low-tech than is Ashworth's. Apparently a computer is not even involved, much less online classes or exams. I, personally, don't see that as problematic... but that's just me.

    AJU's MBA program also allows for concentrations... in management, entrepreneurship, finance, health services management, hospitality and tourism management, human resource management, international business, marketing, or supply chain management.

    It's just an opinion, mind you... but I consider AJU to be a better choice than Southwest... and maybe... just maybe... a better choice than Ashworth, too. It certainly would seem to be in the area of support/customer-service... which, from what I can tell, seems significantly better than Ashworth's. Support/customer-service is, in fact -- and sadly -- Ashworth's Achilles Heel! As I wrote in another thread: Ashworth is priced like Wal*Mart, but is supported like Best-Buy... which, for those who've never tried to get a post-purchase issue resolved at a typical Best-Buy, means being treated like cattle and probably not getting satisfaction on the first try.
     
  9. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    Although I have recommended Ashworth's MBA in the past, I guess I should now qualify my remarks, in light of what I have learned about the program.

    If you need an MBA...ANY MBA program just to "get the piece of paper" or to further your own business or obtain the knowledge it provides, the Ashworth program is probably OK. It is certainly a very affordable option, and quite possibly the absolute cheapest U.S. MBA program around.

    However, I myself would like to wait and see how the Ashworth MBA is received in the marketplace by employers and businesses. As I mentioned earlier, some students have already received raises and promotions as a result of their Ashworth studies. But there have not yet been any GRADUATES of Ashworth's master degree programs to go out into the marketplace and put that credential to the test. That is what I would like to see.

    I have considered eventually studying for an MBA or an MA in Integrated Marketing Communications. I can't imagine an NA degree would suit my professional needs at that level.
     
  10. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Just a question when considering those MBA's. Ashworth College does not have actual "instructors" on staff. The materials are prepared by such, but you will not have an instructor to ask questions of.

    Does AJU or Southwest?
     
  11. c.novick

    c.novick New Member

    AJU has instructors and is utilizing a Moodle format.

    Craig
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 2, 2005
  12. TomICAVols

    TomICAVols New Member

    Southwest does, though I've not needed them so far.
     

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