Online MBAs: How to sort the wheat from the chaff?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by parkesy, Mar 3, 2003.

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  1. parkesy

    parkesy New Member

    All:

    I'm a Dallas, TX-based Director of IT for a leading consumer
    electronics retailer. I'm 33, originally from the UK [been in
    the 'States for 10 years] and have worked in numerous
    industries - finance, telecom, consulting and, now, retail.
    Salary-wise I'm doing OK [$125K+] but the current recession
    has me just a tad nervous what with layoffs either due to
    poor economic fortunes or - especially with IT these days -
    the outsourcing of work to lower cost regions of the world.
    In short, I need a hedge of sorts.

    Frankly, I ain't too bad at what I do but most of my experience
    has been gained on-the-job and it's fair to say that my
    academic history is somewhat underwhelming. In short, 5
    'O' levels, 3 'A' Levels and my UK-earned BA(Hons) from
    Wolverhampton Poly [sorry, "The University of Wolverhampton",
    ahem] in "American Studies with History" ain't sufficient if I'm
    going to continue my climb up the olde corporate ladder.

    So, I'm looking at an MBA. However, due to my family, work
    and other commitments I'm looking at the part-time/online/
    distance learning model. I've scoured these boards and read
    countless articles but methinks that I'm suffering from information
    overload and I need y'all's assistance.

    Here are my requirements:

    1. The school must offer on-line MBAs

    2. Must be accredited - and a good one an' all

    3. Residency should NOT be mandatory

    4. Can be international - i.e. US, UK, Australia, Canada

    5. Preferably an existing B&M school with a DL component

    6. Something of a reputation [er, good, that is]

    7. Must not be a Diploma Mill or even carry the faintest
    hint of being one

    8. On the final transcripts, makes no distinction between
    online/DL MBA and "regular" ones [I've ruled out Uni. of Texas
    'cos of this. They say, "University of Texas Consortium Online
    MBA" - what's up with that???].

    So, if you kind souls could help me with the above, I'd be
    truly in your debt.

    Many thanks,
    Parkesy
     
  2. John Craparo

    John Craparo New Member

    You probably have lots of options that are very good.

    Since you are from the UK, the first thought would be the Edinburgh Business School MBA (Heriot-Watt). It will probably fit your needs and few would question a UK MBA on your resume.

    Why not consider Texas? Are you planning to hang your diploma on a wall? At your level you will not be asked to supply transcripts to any of your future employers. If you list the degree on your cv, I personally do not think anyone will look down upon a Consortium degree. I do not think you would be faulted for dropping Online when describing the degree. I also believe this program has a base campus. That is probably what you would list. Since you live in Texas, it again fits with your situation and few would question it. You should reconsider your thinking here.

    You might also consider the University of Colorado and the Cal State University - DH programs. For the MBA I would stick with State schools unless you find a top notch private like Duke/Fuqua. A bit pricy though.

    Do you plan to become a general manager (the person who runs the company)? If not, then why the MBA. Why not a MS in Technology Management? If your company is willing to pay, I would go for the University of Pennsylvania program run by Joel Adler.

    http://www.seas.upenn.edu/penntech/1998fall/emtm.html

    You can finish it in a couple of years by traveling there on weekends, it is very prestigious, and you will make good connections.

    Just some thoughts.

    Good luck,
    John
    (a fellow I/T person)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 3, 2003
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    The on-line Duke/Fuqua MBA costs around $100,000. A bit pricy indeed!
     
  4. telfax

    telfax New Member

    OU

    Why look any further thjan the UK's Open University?!?! The OU has the largest business school in Europe!

    'telfax'
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Phoenix
    Strayer
    National
    Amberton
    Nova Southeastern
    Bellevue
    Charles Sturt
    UNISA
    Heriot-Watt
    Glasgow
    And many others. Try Johnnie's Distance Learning Page .
     
  6. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    Parkesy - as you sort through the choices, you may want to consider whether a school has professional accredreditation from AACSB or ACBSP. Such accreditiation speaks to the schools quality, and possibly its reputation. Both are recognized by CHEA. AACSB is a serious plus and ACBSP is definitely a positive. If a school has neither, you might wonder, why not?

    Of course, among U.S. schools you only want to consider regionally accredited ones - assuming you want to avoid even the hint of a negative reputation.

    Regards - Andy

     

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