Aspen - MBA Project Management

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Thunder, Oct 9, 2004.

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  1. Thunder

    Thunder New Member

    After much research I have decided that the Aspen MBA in Project Management is the one .The clincher for me that this degree is 100% delivered online and will accept 9 credits for my PMP certification.

    A few questions in respect to this Masters...

    1) Has anyone on here completed this particular masters and if so how long did it take and what was the course content like and degree of difficulty?
    2) Would it be possible to complete this Masters within a year ? ( I will be juggling both work and study )
    3) Is a Aspen Masters widely recognised and accepted?
    4) Anyone got any good or bad words to say about Aspen MBA masters degree ?


    Thanks to you all for the sound advice I have received thus far


    Regards

    Peter
     
  2. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    Since I am a student at Aspen University, maybe I can give you an insiders view...

    I spent a lot of time researching for a good DL MBA degree and after much consideration and thought, I went with the Aspen general MBA.

    Course work is quite practical and of good standard (I have compared it to the study of regionally accredited and B&M universities by literally sitting in on MBA classes) and the teachers are helpful. Yes being fully onilne has its advantages, and it's done through server based scripts so no java or flash required. You can get your work done even if you have access to a 486 dx PC. The main thing I like about Aspen studies is the virtual classroom feature... Most other distance programs are one-to-one with the teacher.

    You need to complete 11 courses, one capstone project (considered of equal length as a course) and one proctored exam. Each term is made up of 8 weeks and you have a choice to complete up to 3 courses per term. At that rate, you could be done with the MBA in one full year (including the capstone project)

    If you are working full-time, I would recommend taking at most 2 courses per term... That way, it should take about a year and a half. That is my assessment, but if you already have a business background (which I did not have) you might possibly be able to do 3 courses each term... no guarantees though.

    As for your question about being widely acepted, be advised that Aspen is not regionally accredited (maybe in the next few years?). It is accredited by the DETC, for which you will find a lot of threads, especially dealing with the utility of the degrees. What I can tell you is that many Aspen graduates have been able to go on for PhD studies at regionally accredited universities based on their Masters at Aspen.

    As for the cost, my MBA (I started in January 2004) has cost me 4,200 USD in tuition, that is, with the institutional grant, and about 700 USD for books so far... I reckon I need to spend about 200 USD more on books for the remaining two courses before I finish. I think these days, with the grant you have to pay 5200 USD for tuition and about 900 USD for books (you can get used books for cheaper price too if you buy from half.com or ebay)

    Over all, I feel that I have learn't quite a lot and the courses have been a very good experience for me... This was just what I needed after my engineering degree.

    I think if regional accreitation is an issue with you, you might consider Amberton (you gotta be a US residant for that) or Calstate Dominguez Hills, though I am not sure if they both have the PM option for their MBA...

    If DETC is fine with you, the two universities I can recommend are Columbia Southern and of course Aspen would be my first coice in DETC schools...

    I hope this gave you a good perspective. I think Mary Adams (Aspen University president) and Tom Nixon might also give you more information.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 9, 2004
  3. Thunder

    Thunder New Member

    dis.funk.sh.null

    Thank you for your excellent response . It has been of enormous value .

    I'm not to bothered in respect to RA or DETC as impact is negligible for me as I am based outside of US and the bias is not as heavily weighted as it appears to be in the states.

    I'm guessing from you assessment that it would be possible to complete each module within a 4 week period ? How many hours of study aprox within a 4 week period would you estimate ?

    Is there some sort of exam at the end of each module ? or is it a serious of exercises to complete ?

    Again much thanks for your initial response

    Kind regards

    Peter
     
  4. BubbaGump

    BubbaGump New Member

    Hi Thunder:

    I am also currently enrolled in Aspens MBA program, and agree with dis.funk.sh.null except for one thing, which is that Columbia Southern would be a better choice than Aspen. For me, I could not get a good feeling for Columbia Southern’s course schedule and content.

    The Aspen classes are really good, you come away with good knowledge of the subject. As with anything your depth of understanding is still a function of what you put into the program. There is a comprehensive exam at the end, so check on their web site to see if you can find a testing center where ever you are in the world.

    As for finishing in a year, I started in March 2004 and have been pushing as hard as I can, I am working full time. I spend about an hour each morning of the work week and an hour each afternoon, and then 6 to 8 hours on Saturday for a total of about 18 hours per week. I generally can finish a class independently in about 4 to 5 weeks, depending on my experience with the subject. Managerial Economics took me the full 10 weeks, eBusiness I finished in 3. Guess where my experience is. I would bet I can come close to finishing in a year.

    The capstone project can take up to six months they say. I have 2 more classes to go before I start it, so I don’t have any information to help you with there.

    My entire purpose of getting an MBA is to transfer to a Ph.D. program. If that is your goal, research the programs you want to attend and make sure they will accept your Aspen MBA before you start. Many will, many won’t. NCU will take 30 of the 36 hours into their 81 hour program.

    My wife is a project manager, and after I conveyed my good experiences with Aspen she completed their PM Certificate program, and got a 10% raise at her work, who also reimbursed her for it.

    Bubba
     
  5. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    I am not sure what you mean Bubba. If you mean Aspen is a better choice than Col-Couth, that I agree with 100%. Also, have we taken a course together? My name is Mahmood... I am sure you must have had a "blast" taking Accounting with Dr. Siu. That was by far the hardest course for me. All of my courses I was able to do within the 8 week period for each term. Haven't had to use the 2 week extension yet... fingers crossed for the next courses.

    As for your question Peter... you could complete each course in four weeks but that's not as much of a time to fully absorb the knowledge and feel of the course. Personally I would not advise completing your courses in 4 weeks...

    If you complete a course at its normal pace (that is in 8 weeks) you will have to spend at least 13 hours on average per week... from that respect, taking three courses at normal pace in one term is a full-time job.

    As for exams, it depends on the course. I am taking "Strategies for Change" and we will have an exam at the end of the course... Most other courses I have taken were strictly course work and assignment based.

    The capstone project will take a minimum of 2 months... that I know for sure.

    There will be one final exam for the entire program after I have completed all courses and the capstone project. I hope this helps
     
  6. BubbaGump

    BubbaGump New Member

    Oh Great, I start accounting next Monday, and Sui is the instructor. I had Sui for Managerial Economics and it took me 10 weeks.

    And yes, my only point earlier was that Aspen was a much better choice than CS.

    I do most of my classes independently; we may run across each other. I just checked my current ones and I don’t see you anywhere. My last name is Lady for future reference.
     
  7. Thunder

    Thunder New Member

    Thanks for all comments , much apreciated.

    I'm currently going through the "statement of goals" process and have writers block . Any idea how long and how detailed this should be ?
    Also , the 3 references ..are there any rules as to whom this should or shouldn't be . i.e. no friends etc . Would it be purely professional colleagues ?

    much thanks

    Peter
     
  8. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    It would be best to call or e-mail the registrar's office at Aspen University for this. The contact information is on the site. They can guide you way better.

    I can tell you what I did. I had references from two professional colleagues and one teacher from my previous academic program. As for statement of goals, mine was two pages, and I had stated what I've done in the past, why I want to pursue an MBA degree and how am I suited for distance learning. That's it...
     

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