Touro and AACSB...Poll?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by DCross, Jan 4, 2002.

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  1. DCross

    DCross New Member

    I started this in another thread, but no one bit. The Dean of the business school at Touro University International has indicated to me that the school plans on seeking AACSB accreditation.

    I would like to know what posters on this forum think about the likelihood of their achieving accreditation!

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    Darren Cross
    BSB-Management, UoP
    MBA-Fontbonne College
     
  2. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    It is possible, but other DL programs have had difficulty in acquiring AACSB accreditation. In particular, the dean at Nova Southesatern has wanted AACSB, but hasn't been able to achieve it.

    The problem points? Full time faculty that conduct research is probably the biggest. Very few DL programs are focused this way, primarily because it is very expensive. AACSB wants to see a bunch of full-timers in each of the functional areas (e.g. accounting, finance, marketing, etc.) and wants active researchers. They will probably calculate the percentage of credit hours taught by full timers - and expect half of the credit hours or so to be taught by full-time faculty. Wayne State, for example, has had their AACSB reaffirmation put on hold - until they hire more faculty.

    Other problem areas include library resources and not requiring the GMAT. Web based journal databases (such as ABI-INFORM) are good - but they aren't complete. Moreover, unless Touro has made a major commitment to library support, including library staff - they could have a problem.

    As for the GMAT - I don't see this on the Touro website as a requirement. I'm not aware of any AACSB accredited school that doesn't require the GMAT. Most DL programs have put the GMAT aside as it is perceived as a barrier to students who want to enroll. In fact, the GMAT is a statistically valid measure of one's ability to successfully complete an MBA program. Unfortunately, most DL programs are pretty much "open admission", hence they don't require it.

    It is easy to say "we want to go AACSB". It is much harder to actually commit the resources to achieve it. For better or for worse, all of the best business schools in the U.S. (take your pick of ranking lists!) are AACSB accredited. The fact that most DL programs aren't AACSB (with the exception of a few traditional programs like Duke and Auburn that have added DL delivery) speaks volume about the quality (both perceived and actual) of DL MBA programs.

    Regards - Andy



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    Andy Borchers, DBA
    NSU (1996)
     
  3. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    One more bit on AACSB accreditation. When you are looking at institutions be sure you know what programs are actually accredited.

    For example, Central Michigan is an AACSB accredited school. That is, their on-campus undergrad and grad programs are AACSB accredited. Their College of Extended learning offers a "Master of Science in Administration" degrees at location all over the world. However, the MSA isn't offered by the CMU business school, and it isn't accredited by AACSB.

    Regards - Andy

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    Andy Borchers, DBA
    NSU (1996)
     
  4. DCross

    DCross New Member

    Andy,

    Thank you for all of your insight. I can never rest with this decision. At one time, I one set on a PhD in I/O Psych from Capella. Recently, I have decided to attend Touro.
    I feel like I understand the biases that exist with regard to AASCB schools. There are 4 of them in the area, but only 3 have AACSB PhDs; St. Louis University, Washington University, and the University of Missouri St. Louis.
    My problem is I cannot afford to quit work and pursue full-time studies, even with the stipend and tuition remission.
    Touro provides me the easiest way to obtain an RA PhD, but I worry that its convenience will be the very thing that harms me in my academic career.
    There are some colleges here that have MBAs as full faculty. It seems that they would be delighted to have an RA PhD. Its just so confusing.

    I don't even feel like peeling back all of the issues tht arise. I am set to begin Touro in March. What would you recommend to somone in my situation?

    I appreciate your time.

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    Darren Cross
    BSB-Management, UoP
    MBA-Fontbonne College
     
  5. Howard

    Howard New Member

    Andy,
    I am interested in your source for the statement "the GMAT is a statistically valid measure for determing success in an MBA program." Even though I have the MBA from UAB (an AACBS) accredited, I was under the impression that the correlation between entrance tests and completion of a program was insignficant. Is it different for MBA's and the GMAT?

    Thanks,

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    Howard Rodgers
     
  6. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    Howard - The correlation I speak of is GMAT score to first year grades in an MBA program. This correlation is quite significant - but far from perfect. If you add in one's undergraduate GPA, the two predictors explain about 41% of the variation in 1st year grades. I suspect the other 60% is due to other factors - like motivation - that are far harder to evaluate.

    Regards - Andy



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    Andy Borchers, DBA
    NSU (1996)
     
  7. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    I understand your quandry. When I looked at doctoral programs, the two AACSB choices in my area (UoMichigan and MSU), are both full time programs. I settled for what I thought was the best choice at the time - Nova Southeastern. I've been satisfied with that decision.

    At this point, I'd give Case Western a good look. They have an executive Doctor of Management program that is quite well regarded. As for Touro and Capella - I don't know enough to give you an opinion on which is better. I'm biased against Capella given their "for profit" status - and some comments from peers about their "cheapness" with respect to faculty. But I don't know if Touro is any better.

    Regards - Andy



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    Andy Borchers, DBA
    NSU (1996)
     

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