May be part of the MBA student group soon...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by PatsGirl1, Nov 13, 2009.

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  1. PatsGirl1

    PatsGirl1 New Member

    Looks like I may be part of the “starting an MBA” club soon *sigh* I had my review on Monday and even though I work for the gov (local not feds), I was told to advance and bypass the “stair step” process (basically x amount of time will put you into x position automatically) I need an MBA. Not even an MPA.

    So I have a feeling I’ll be slowing down on AMU and WNMU and focusing on getting my MBA done in 18-24 months. I already applied to Bellevue for their MBA (in International Management, since I speak a few languages and the classes look interesting), and I’m waiting to hear back from them about Financial Aid and all that. The other concentration I considered was Finance since I’m good with numbers and budgets. It's only $100 (? I think) to switch over if I change my mind later.

    How many Masters can I be working on at one time? lol
     
  2. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    They really told you that you had to earn an MBA? Weird. Well, prepare yourself for a soul sucking seige. If you are not all getty-upped about earning your MBA you will have a difficult time (I suppose its true of any degree).

    I am currently one class away (and Comps) from finishing my MBA at AMU. I can tell you this, if I was not making money by going to school I absolutely would not be doing this.

    First off, its hard. That alone makes it rather difficult to slog through. I'm not slow, but I am very much an average guy with very average intelligence and this stuff is real difficult. There have been so many times that I have wanted to quit, that when I think about those times...I want to quit again.

    The other thing that makes it difficult is that I will see absolutely no external benefit to my MBA. I am enlisted in the military and too old to be an officer. The only civilian positions that I want are with the Federal .gov and those do not require degrees, just experience.

    So, long story short, be prepared to face many barriers. Perhaps the fact that you will see a reward (i.e. promotion and more money) at work will help you get through.
     
  3. PatsGirl1

    PatsGirl1 New Member

    Yeah, I actually work in a department that's kind of difficult to explain- part IT, part Finance, part internal customer service, etc. lol I asked specifically about an MPA and was told it doesn't give practical background business skills like the MBA does, which in comparing classes for the two degrees I can totally see.

    I was told to get the MBA unless I wanted to wait 5+ years to go up to an 11 and another 5+ to go to a 12, etc. That's a long time to wait for a nominal pay increase each time. There are people here with 20 years in that just made 13 or 14. To circumvent that, they require a higher degree plus some experience, plus who you know (got that covered).

    Also, I doubt I'll work for the gov til I retire. I'll most likely end up in the public sector, hence the utility of a business degree. Plus some background business knowledge would help since my B.A. is in English. If I had to pick my "dream job I would do happily for the rest of my life" it would be to manage an archives of historic documents and work on translating/preserving the documents as well as running the department. Figure an MBA wouldn't hurt for that.
     
  4. Diesel13

    Diesel13 Member

    PatsGirl,

    I love that you know what your dream job is, and that you figured out how an MBA and your B.A. in English can steer you in that direction.

    I feel your pain in regards to your salary increase requirements. As a teacher I was denied Salary Advancement for the MBA I am working on at AMU. They would rather have me get a Master's in Educational Leadership. My plan was to get an MBA and take the exam so I can get my License in School Leadership. I wanted to have more utility with my MBA, but I guess they don't want me to. So I am doing it anyway because that's what I feel will make me grow professionally. I had enough Education courses getting my credential. It's time to branch out and get out of my comfort zone.

    How do you work on 3 Master's degrees at the same time? I can barely handle one class at a time at AMU. I admire your tenacity.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2009
  5. Diesel13

    Diesel13 Member

    I agree, the MBA at AMU is not a cake walk. I spend lots of time researching for all the projects and research papers I have to write. I find that I am learning a lot though.

    What is your MBA concentration in? I am in the General Program right now and may switch over to Marketing since that is my favorite business topic.

    Are you doing the Practicum or the Comprehensive exam?
     
  6. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member


    I'm in the IT Management Concentration. I went with the Comprehensive exam since I wanted to have another class transfer in from Webster. Not looking forward to the exam, but I'm sure I'll pass it. I have already selected a proctor and even selected a date (last week of March) so at least I know when I'll be done ;)

    Good luck in your studies.

    Cory
     
  7. joel66

    joel66 New Member

    Just curious why you transferred from Webster?
     
  8. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I was taking courses on a military base (I'm in the Guard) and they were getting expensive. I use my GI Bill money (active duty) to pay for school and I wanted to go to a school that would allow me to maximize my take home from the GI Bill. I did not like having a 3.5 hour class once a week. I prefer to spread the work out evenly over 4-5 days per week and get it done late at night after my family is in bed.

    I liked Webster, and I actually do better in a face-to-face classroom environment, but like I said for money sake and to lessen the family burden I switched to AMU.

    They count 1 graduate level class as 3/4 training time for GI Bill purposes so after paying for tuition and books I average around $425 every month in my pocket to take classes. So I may bemone the fact that I will see no future benefit from taking courses, I most certainly have an immediate monetary gain from taking courses.
     
  9. joel66

    joel66 New Member

    I also liked Webster too, but at 635 per unit, it seems too expensive for a non-aacsb school, which is why I'm also looking at Bellevue. I'm still undecided if I will start toward end of this month for their MBA in Finance.
     
  10. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I recall a program from Jacksonville College or something like that and it was supposedly AACSB accredited. Seem to remember that they had pretty low tuition as well. You should give them a look, or I am sure you probably already have.

    Sorry for the thread hijack PatsGirl.
     
  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Was this the program?
    http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ccba/index.html
    In a brief search I did not see if it is available by DL or what tuition costs are. It looks like the program has lots of pre-requisites.
     
  12. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    Oh yeah that is the school name, Jacksonville State University. Here is the link to the online MBA program.
     
  13. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    The cost of a JSU MBA tuition varies from $9,720 (30 units) to $17,496 (54 units) depending on what pre-requisire couses you have. (in today's $$$$$).
    Yes - great price for an AACSB accredited MBA.
     

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