Choice between California Coast Univ & Columbia Southern Univ MBA programs

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Spyder_70, Feb 24, 2007.

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  1. Spyder_70

    Spyder_70 New Member

    Hello everyone,

    I am hoping past and present students can please share their thoughts/experiences (good and bad) on California Coast Univ's & Columbia Southern Univ's MBA programs. I am looking into both MBA programs right now and both seem neck-to-neck from what I can read from their websites.

    I am fully aware that both CCU and CSU are NA schools and I don't want to open the NA vs RA argument on this thread, since accreditation is not a factor with my current employer and my future career goals. I just want to get a "feel" for both of these schools and their respective MBA programs from a current student or former graduate perspective.

    I hope to start on an MBA program with one of these schools in the Summer, and I'm trying to figure out which school would better assist my needs as a grad student (staff/faculty-wise) and prepare me as a future MBA graduate (curriculum-wise).

    Thank you all in advance - this board and it's outstanding members in my opinion continue to give the best advice to those wanting to pursue, continue and further their educational needs - keep up the great work!
     
  2. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    well for starters, you are looking at 2 schools who approach the learning process completely differently. It's kind of like asking whether apple juice or orange juice is better. From a completely pragmatic standpoint, both degrees have the same strengths and limitations in the workplace. So let's analyze the differences:

    CCU:

    1.) Cheaper tuition and in some cases you can "borrow" your textbooks for a small fee of $20.00. This will save you well over $1500 as the program goes on.
    2.) Very friendly staff, you can talk directly to the Dean if you ask. They were so nice and so inexpensive I almost got a 2nd BS from them.

    3.) A thesis/non thesis option, which can be a big deal to some.

    AND THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE

    4.) CCU is completely text based. No online bulletin boards to post on, no group projects, no online timed exams. A true work at your own pace program.

    CSU:

    1.) Now fully online with courses that are administered online. They use blackboard. Tests, assignments, etc. are all online.

    2.) Not self paced.

    3.) The tuition is on par with APUS or AMU at $250 an hour. The approach to learning is identical as well and the only REAL difference is that (I know you didn't want me to go there but the price comparisons dictate that I must) APUS or AMU are RA.

    3.) One strong "Pro" in CSU's camp is the fact that their MBA has a few interesting fields of concentrations........but APUS has a few too.

    but back to apples and oranges......If I was cool with a NA MBA and knew that it would meet my needs past, present and future, CCU is a clear winner due to price, identical utility, flexibility on completion time, no or little cost on books, etc.

    If I had to have an online program CSU is okay, but nowhere near the best option due to their immediate competitors being RA and there is even a competitor that is significantly cheaper........ http://www.csc.edu/distancelearning/MBA.asp which is administered JUST like CSU or APUS only it's a meager $174 an hour. A real no brainer.

    So the better question might be RA MBA for $64.00 an hour more delivered online or a NA MBA that'll do from CCU.


    But to answer your question directly..........................CCU between CSU............CCU hands down.
     
  3. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member



    Excellent points. I agree 100%


    Abner :)
     
  4. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Although, if one's desire is for an MBA in Human Resource Management, we're right back to either California Coast University or Columbia Southern University works.
     
  5. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    I agree with the HR concentration. However an MBA can always be augmented later with certificates of completion.
     
  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I think the differences were summed up really well. The questions is - what format works best? I have expereince with CCU and they were great. I don't think I have ever heard anything bad about CSU. It sounds like you can not make a wrong choice.
     
  7. Spyder_70

    Spyder_70 New Member

    I truly appreciate your thoughts everyone!!

    I went ahead did my white-glove evaluation/comparison of both schools and noticed minor differences as well - some already mentioned by friendorfoe (btw thank you for your informative comparison!). I forgot to mention that I am particularly interested in either CCU's MBA or MBA HRM or CSU's MBA HRM program

    Here's what I've gathered:

    CSU:
    1. CSU has a more modern, on-line approach
    2. CSU has completion timelines (but they also allow for extensions).
    3. CSU MBA program is 37 credit hours
    4. Book Grant program
    5. Professional recognition (long list): http://www.colsouth.edu/alliances/prorecognition.asp


    CCU:
    1. CCU utilizes course "study guides"
    2. CCU has no completion timelines: flexible/self-paced? (could be a plus)
    3. CCU MBA program is 39 credit hours (2 hours longer)
    4. Interesting book-rental program
    5. Professional recognition (another long list): http://www.calcoast.edu/recogn.php#Institutional


    Curriculum-wise, CCU's MBA (or MBA HRM) is similar to CSU's MBA HRM course-by-course, but I like the courses from the CCU MBA better as they seem well-rounded overall.

    Based on the board's recommendations and from what I've gathered, I am leaning towards the CCU MBA program at present.

    Again, thank you all for your insight!
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Best of luck to you-
     
  9. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    I second that!


    Abner :)
     
  10. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    I agree with all of them as well. CCU is the best bang for the buck and a good curriculum. I throughly enjoyed CCU and would recommend them if a NA degree will meet your current and future needs.

    CCU MBA 05
     
  11. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member



    Hey Jonathan! Good to hear from you again! I hope you are doing well. Did your brother fiinsh his B.S. at CCU yet?


    Abner :)
     
  12. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Congratulations on coming to a decision! Perhaps in about a year or two, someone might post the words "Welcome to the MBA Club!" for you. :D
     
  13. ShotoJuku

    ShotoJuku New Member

    I went down the same road a few months ago and chose CCU for many if not all of the reasons posted. I am nearly halfway through my program and have nothing but high grades (no pun intended; well maybe a little) for CCU.
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    As an aside, "modern" suggests that it's a plus. It may be for you, but for others it may better be called "trendy".

    -=Steve=-
     
  15. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member


    Hello Abner,

    I just noticed your PM last night and replied. Sorry for my delay in response. Yes, he did finish his BS in Mgmt and really enjoyed the CCU experience. I am proud of him finally "finishing what he started"

    Jonathan
     
  16. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I don't see how the severe limitations of national accreditation can be swept aside. It is very difficult to anticipate all one's future needs and, thus, be assured such a degree will always meet one's needs.

    I'm also not convinced that there is an advantage to DETC-accredited MBA programs. There are regionally accredited options that are similar in cost and offer a variety of learning modalities. What's the advantage of taking a degree from CCU or Columbia Southern over, say, Amberton or CSU-DH? Certainly not cost or convenience. What then?

    Amberton: $200 per credit
    CCU: $210 per credit
    Col So: $250 per credit
    CSU-DH: $400 per credit.

    I'm sure there are many other examples. If it is money, a few thousand dollars difference in an already-significant investment shouldn't keep one from earning a better degree.

    Between CCU and Columbia Southern, what's the difference? I'd take the one whose learning methodology met my needs and expectations. The degrees are comparable.
     
  17. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Perhaps DETC schools are less rigorous? but again, you have schools like UoP that few would qualify as rigorous and also is RA.

    I think this individual is already established in a certain position in an organization and the MBA is just to cover the possible GAPS of knowledge that he or she might have. The employer can care less if it is DETC or RA and the individual is getting reimburse for it. Why not RA? may be the cheap RA options are more demanding and the person does not have the time to do a demanding program and DETC fits the schedule. Not everyone wants to teach one day or planning to leave the job to work as a CEO for a fortune 500 company. As a matter of fact, due to the glut of MBAs in the market, I doubt the DETC MBA or low tier DL RA MBA would do much for anyone besides self improvement. I see these programs as continuing education and not really as career boosters.
     
  18. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I cannot agree with this. I've taught more than 40 courses for UoP (the exact number escapes me), and they're far more rigorous than those I've taught at other RA schools. I'm sure there are other RA schools requiring even more rigor, but UoP doesn't lack.

    There have been a lot of opinions on this subject publicized on both sides of the argument. I don't think it is fair to make such a categorical conclusion.
     
  19. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    This is an interesting opinion, but are there findings to support it? I doubt it.

    Nontraditional, accredited programs have been graduating mid-career professionals for decades. If these degrees weren't useful for advancing one's career, we'd have heard about it by now.

    It has been my experience that, once someone gets past the entry level, where one earned one's degree isn't all that important. It fills a requirement, allowing the candidate to compete for jobs requiring or expecting it.
     
  20. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    I took two B&M classes at UoP. One was a joke because I had a strong IT background. The other was extremly difficult. The instructor was a retired Air Force Major and addes assignments to the class to push us to the limit.

    I have a friend that is taking classes at Fordham and her co-worker is taking UoP classes. She said they are equal in rigor.
     

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