Does anyone know about Smartly's Free MBA and Executive MBA? The site indicates, " The World’s First Elite Online MBA. If You're Accepted, It’s Free." But what school issues the MBA, or just from a start-up Smartly MOOC? According to their summary, it seems to be really competitive.
Odd. So after you put on your resume that you have a Harvard BA and a "Smartly" MBA? These people must be doing it for the knowledge because it totally waters down their undergrad prestige.
I'm not knocking the school itself. Free is free - enough said. But that name! What's next, "The Rapidly Institute," where you can complete your degree at warp speed? Or perhaps "Cheaply College," for those of us willing to pay something, but not much. I think "Smartly" has earned a place in the Worst School Names thread, here: http://www.degreeinfo.com/off-topic-discussions/32698-worst-university-name.html J.
I have a choice to come back where I left off within 10 years (2022); however, it more like I am not able to because of heavily residencies and I a full-time single dad with two little kids. I am thinking about applying for Dakota State University's for Doctor of Science in Cyber Security, but what is the ROI? I just hope one day my company offers me a full funded tuition one of the top MBA program. As of for now, I just focus on the kids, my job, and my starting up consulting business.
TEKMAN "I just focus on the kids, my job, and my starting up consulting business." Abner I know you are a good single dad! You have your priorities straight! Take care brother
I did the preview courses last year and have just finished applying for the admission round that ends 03/25/18. The preview classes were fun, I learned some stuff, and I did them mostly on the train to and from work. I figure I can always leave the thing off my resume for jobs and learn what I learn. It's no better or worse than non-credit MOOC courses as far as I can tell. OTOH, if it gets legitimacy then I'll have gotten in on the ground floor.
It does seem to have a license to operate as a degree-granting postsecondary institution in the District of Columbia. See p.12 of the listing here: https://helc.osse.dc.gov/vPage/Active-Institution/108/91188 There are lots of opinions pro and con, here https://www.quora.com/Is-the-Smartly-free-MBA-program-equivalent-to-a-traditional-MBA-program Given that it's free and seems to be operating legally, I don't see any harm in enrolling in it for personal interest reasons. But I'd want it to acquire accreditation and/or some kind of academic reputation, before I'd use its MBA on a job application.
True enough. This thing is absolutely unproven. However, the price is right. One obvious question is utility in job search, and you're right - it's minimal as of now. However - however! - this thing have its own little game on this exact front. Smart.ly is a startup recruiting agency. If they can sign up employer clients, it is free to factor in its own MBA when ranking candidates it presents to said employers. Sort of like aptitude tests, on steroids. Considering that they claim to have stringent admissions criteria, this might even work.
