There seem to be a few hot topics that surround the MBA in today's changing college landscape.
1). Is a part-time or weekend program as good as a full-time program (assuming same business school).
2). Is an online program as good as a part or full-time program (again assuming same business school).
3). Is an AACSB accredited program better than a non-accredited program?
4). Will an accredited but not too well known program help me get a new job, or only aid in promotion with my current job?
Good questions that can be and are debated feverishly. By virtue, a weekend or part-time program may have the same courses and requirements of a full-time program. However, full-time programs are known to create more of a cultured relationship in the classroom setting, setting a stronger networking base than the other program types. As well, the full-time program usually involves more time concentrated on learning for the student. The majority of these students focus on their education first and work or other extra-curriculars second. Part-time or weekend students typically work or have some other form of obligation that forces them to prioritize school as secondary- at least subconsciously. Does it really matter on paper, no. Does it really matter if you are trying to solidify the right relationships on campus or have time to take those "foot-in-the-door" internships, yes.
For the online program, the same can be debated, but with a few caveats. One being that HR recruiters (as well as that guy in your finance department who went to Brown) love to pick apart online graduates, particularly those that went to non-accredited schools. Is the student/teacher exchange the same for an online program as a traditional setting (accreditation aside), hell no. Creative thinking, class discussion, group study and presentation material cannot even come close to what is experienced in the classroom. In addition, any questions or misunderstandings must be put in purgatory until an email or voice message is returned with an abbreviated answer for online students. As with the part-time or weekend programs, it looks the same on paper. But chances are it will not foster the same type of learning that a full-time program may.
Technically, an AACSB accredited program is better than a non-accredited program for two reasons. First, this is the only accrediting body for MBAs that potential employers and maintstream society recognize. So why not shoot for one out of common sense? Ignorance possibly, maybe the fact that you know of a non-accredited program with a good track record of placement in your particular neck of the woods. While that isn't too likely in many instances, non-aacsb accredited programs aren't necessarily substandard. One just needs to make the decision and not want to look back and think I shoulda, coulda, woulda. $30,000 and 2 years is a big investment, and I know damn sure I don't want to look back and think, "man I wish I would have gone with an accredited school." Also, aacsb accreditation means that the school's program is up to standard and leaves no question as to whether you are getting a quality education or not.
An Ivy League MBA (Harvard, MIT, Yale) will change your life. A Tier 1 MBA (Michigan, UCLA, NYU) will change your job. A Tier ?, not too popular, accredited MBA (Cal State, Georgia Southern, Nova Southestern) will change your job title in your current company. A non-accredited MBA (Everest University, University of Phoenix, Strayer, Argosy) will change your monthly school payment. At least this is the way I see it from researching all this crap from a multitude of different angles and viewponts. I'll throw a few links below on the topic.
Taking all this in, I've taken the GMAT and scored respectively. I graduated from a not too well known but accredited private university with a 3.4 GPA and have 3 years of solid business experience after graduating. I was lucky enough to obtain 4 letters of reference to prospective MBA schools from my regional and division managers at my company. Looked at University of South Florida and University of Tampa here locally. They'd be the most recognized accredited programs. However, UT is ridiculously expensive and USF is not very flexible in their program/class schedule. Both big no-no's to a married father whom balances work, child care, and family life. Understanding the importance of accreditation, I started to look outside of the box. Checked Princeton Review among others for insight to quality distance programs. One that really stuck out was the Georgia Web MBA (http://www.webmbaonline.org/). 5 public universities in Georgia are participants in an accredited program that is done online. One can choose which schools reputation and selection critieria best meet their goals and apply to the school with intent to join the Web MBA cohort. It is a general MBA without concentration done in a format that can be completed in 18 months assuming prerequisite material is out of the way. Students travel to an orientation on campus before program start where teams are formed. You'll work with your team as well as international students for the remainder of the program. When program is complete, the student attains a degree from the respective institution without any stigma such as EMBA or online-MBA. Best of all, tuition for the entire program is roughly $18,000, which is a drop in the bucket compared to UT (roughly $40,000 difference). There is no out-of-state tuition charge for residents of states other than Georgia- hence me in Florida. It may be obvious that this was done online considering I live in Florida, but I'm willing to take that minimal risk considering the potential benefits. I'll slap that AACSB accredited stamp right on the resume. lol. Even if the school I choose isn't world renound, it is a mid-size public doctoral university that is accredited. That always adds credibility. Will I get hired right out of school to make $100,00 plus, no. Will it help me work out of the current $35,000 - $50,000 range in my area for bachelor's degree holders in business? I hope and think so. If not now, eventually at least. A degree alone shouldn't initiate a climb up the corporate ladder to begin with. The tools and ethic you take from the program that are implemented in your work should. Fingers crossed- I'll find a job (hopefully in this economy). And when I get the right one, I'll use this degree to catapult me a little higher and maybe faster. I won't be standing around a lofty office as the new incumbant to the circle of suits wearing gaudy class rings talking about the good old days at Sloan or Wharton. And that is okay with me.
Your thoughts? I posted this to get others thinking too, in hopes I could mabe learn more or see it from a different angle. I don't think I know everything about this matter, and forgive me if anything I posted seems offensive.
Forget Hot Topic, I Just Want a Job!
Posted Feb 20, 2009 18:17
0
There seem to be a few hot topics that surround the MBA in today's changing college landscape.
1). Is a part-time or weekend program as good as a full-time program (assuming same business school).
2). Is an online program as good as a part or full-time program (again assuming same business school).
3). Is an AACSB accredited program better than a non-accredited program?
4). Will an accredited but not too well known program help me get a new job, or only aid in promotion with my current job?
Good questions that can be and are debated feverishly. By virtue, a weekend or part-time program may have the same courses and requirements of a full-time program. However, full-time programs are known to create more of a cultured relationship in the classroom setting, setting a stronger networking base than the other program types. As well, the full-time program usually involves more time concentrated on learning for the student. The majority of these students focus on their education first and work or other extra-curriculars second. Part-time or weekend students typically work or have some other form of obligation that forces them to prioritize school as secondary- at least subconsciously. Does it really matter on paper, no. Does it really matter if you are trying to solidify the right relationships on campus or have time to take those "foot-in-the-door" internships, yes.
For the online program, the same can be debated, but with a few caveats. One being that HR recruiters (as well as that guy in your finance department who went to Brown) love to pick apart online graduates, particularly those that went to non-accredited schools. Is the student/teacher exchange the same for an online program as a traditional setting (accreditation aside), hell no. Creative thinking, class discussion, group study and presentation material cannot even come close to what is experienced in the classroom. In addition, any questions or misunderstandings must be put in purgatory until an email or voice message is returned with an abbreviated answer for online students. As with the part-time or weekend programs, it looks the same on paper. But chances are it will not foster the same type of learning that a full-time program may.
Technically, an AACSB accredited program is better than a non-accredited program for two reasons. First, this is the only accrediting body for MBAs that potential employers and maintstream society recognize. So why not shoot for one out of common sense? Ignorance possibly, maybe the fact that you know of a non-accredited program with a good track record of placement in your particular neck of the woods. While that isn't too likely in many instances, non-aacsb accredited programs aren't necessarily substandard. One just needs to make the decision and not want to look back and think I shoulda, coulda, woulda. $30,000 and 2 years is a big investment, and I know damn sure I don't want to look back and think, "man I wish I would have gone with an accredited school." Also, aacsb accreditation means that the school's program is up to standard and leaves no question as to whether you are getting a quality education or not.
An Ivy League MBA (Harvard, MIT, Yale) will change your life. A Tier 1 MBA (Michigan, UCLA, NYU) will change your job. A Tier ?, not too popular, accredited MBA (Cal State, Georgia Southern, Nova Southestern) will change your job title in your current company. A non-accredited MBA (Everest University, University of Phoenix, Strayer, Argosy) will change your monthly school payment. At least this is the way I see it from researching all this crap from a multitude of different angles and viewponts. I'll throw a few links below on the topic.
Taking all this in, I've taken the GMAT and scored respectively. I graduated from a not too well known but accredited private university with a 3.4 GPA and have 3 years of solid business experience after graduating. I was lucky enough to obtain 4 letters of reference to prospective MBA schools from my regional and division managers at my company. Looked at University of South Florida and University of Tampa here locally. They'd be the most recognized accredited programs. However, UT is ridiculously expensive and USF is not very flexible in their program/class schedule. Both big no-no's to a married father whom balances work, child care, and family life. Understanding the importance of accreditation, I started to look outside of the box. Checked Princeton Review among others for insight to quality distance programs. One that really stuck out was the Georgia Web MBA (http://www.webmbaonline.org/). 5 public universities in Georgia are participants in an accredited program that is done online. One can choose which schools reputation and selection critieria best meet their goals and apply to the school with intent to join the Web MBA cohort. It is a general MBA without concentration done in a format that can be completed in 18 months assuming prerequisite material is out of the way. Students travel to an orientation on campus before program start where teams are formed. You'll work with your team as well as international students for the remainder of the program. When program is complete, the student attains a degree from the respective institution without any stigma such as EMBA or online-MBA. Best of all, tuition for the entire program is roughly $18,000, which is a drop in the bucket compared to UT (roughly $40,000 difference). There is no out-of-state tuition charge for residents of states other than Georgia- hence me in Florida. It may be obvious that this was done online considering I live in Florida, but I'm willing to take that minimal risk considering the potential benefits. I'll slap that AACSB accredited stamp right on the resume. lol. Even if the school I choose isn't world renound, it is a mid-size public doctoral university that is accredited. That always adds credibility. Will I get hired right out of school to make $100,00 plus, no. Will it help me work out of the current $35,000 - $50,000 range in my area for bachelor's degree holders in business? I hope and think so. If not now, eventually at least. A degree alone shouldn't initiate a climb up the corporate ladder to begin with. The tools and ethic you take from the program that are implemented in your work should. Fingers crossed- I'll find a job (hopefully in this economy). And when I get the right one, I'll use this degree to catapult me a little higher and maybe faster. I won't be standing around a lofty office as the new incumbant to the circle of suits wearing gaudy class rings talking about the good old days at Sloan or Wharton. And that is okay with me.
Your thoughts? I posted this to get others thinking too, in hopes I could mabe learn more or see it from a different angle. I don't think I know everything about this matter, and forgive me if anything I posted seems offensive.
1). Is a part-time or weekend program as good as a full-time program (assuming same business school).
2). Is an online program as good as a part or full-time program (again assuming same business school).
3). Is an AACSB accredited program better than a non-accredited program?
4). Will an accredited but not too well known program help me get a new job, or only aid in promotion with my current job?
Good questions that can be and are debated feverishly. By virtue, a weekend or part-time program may have the same courses and requirements of a full-time program. However, full-time programs are known to create more of a cultured relationship in the classroom setting, setting a stronger networking base than the other program types. As well, the full-time program usually involves more time concentrated on learning for the student. The majority of these students focus on their education first and work or other extra-curriculars second. Part-time or weekend students typically work or have some other form of obligation that forces them to prioritize school as secondary- at least subconsciously. Does it really matter on paper, no. Does it really matter if you are trying to solidify the right relationships on campus or have time to take those "foot-in-the-door" internships, yes.
For the online program, the same can be debated, but with a few caveats. One being that HR recruiters (as well as that guy in your finance department who went to Brown) love to pick apart online graduates, particularly those that went to non-accredited schools. Is the student/teacher exchange the same for an online program as a traditional setting (accreditation aside), hell no. Creative thinking, class discussion, group study and presentation material cannot even come close to what is experienced in the classroom. In addition, any questions or misunderstandings must be put in purgatory until an email or voice message is returned with an abbreviated answer for online students. As with the part-time or weekend programs, it looks the same on paper. But chances are it will not foster the same type of learning that a full-time program may.
Technically, an AACSB accredited program is better than a non-accredited program for two reasons. First, this is the only accrediting body for MBAs that potential employers and maintstream society recognize. So why not shoot for one out of common sense? Ignorance possibly, maybe the fact that you know of a non-accredited program with a good track record of placement in your particular neck of the woods. While that isn't too likely in many instances, non-aacsb accredited programs aren't necessarily substandard. One just needs to make the decision and not want to look back and think I shoulda, coulda, woulda. $30,000 and 2 years is a big investment, and I know damn sure I don't want to look back and think, "man I wish I would have gone with an accredited school." Also, aacsb accreditation means that the school's program is up to standard and leaves no question as to whether you are getting a quality education or not.
An Ivy League MBA (Harvard, MIT, Yale) will change your life. A Tier 1 MBA (Michigan, UCLA, NYU) will change your job. A Tier ?, not too popular, accredited MBA (Cal State, Georgia Southern, Nova Southestern) will change your job title in your current company. A non-accredited MBA (Everest University, University of Phoenix, Strayer, Argosy) will change your monthly school payment. At least this is the way I see it from researching all this crap from a multitude of different angles and viewponts. I'll throw a few links below on the topic.
Taking all this in, I've taken the GMAT and scored respectively. I graduated from a not too well known but accredited private university with a 3.4 GPA and have 3 years of solid business experience after graduating. I was lucky enough to obtain 4 letters of reference to prospective MBA schools from my regional and division managers at my company. Looked at University of South Florida and University of Tampa here locally. They'd be the most recognized accredited programs. However, UT is ridiculously expensive and USF is not very flexible in their program/class schedule. Both big no-no's to a married father whom balances work, child care, and family life. Understanding the importance of accreditation, I started to look outside of the box. Checked Princeton Review among others for insight to quality distance programs. One that really stuck out was the Georgia Web MBA (http://www.webmbaonline.org/). 5 public universities in Georgia are participants in an accredited program that is done online. One can choose which schools reputation and selection critieria best meet their goals and apply to the school with intent to join the Web MBA cohort. It is a general MBA without concentration done in a format that can be completed in 18 months assuming prerequisite material is out of the way. Students travel to an orientation on campus before program start where teams are formed. You'll work with your team as well as international students for the remainder of the program. When program is complete, the student attains a degree from the respective institution without any stigma such as EMBA or online-MBA. Best of all, tuition for the entire program is roughly $18,000, which is a drop in the bucket compared to UT (roughly $40,000 difference). There is no out-of-state tuition charge for residents of states other than Georgia- hence me in Florida. It may be obvious that this was done online considering I live in Florida, but I'm willing to take that minimal risk considering the potential benefits. I'll slap that AACSB accredited stamp right on the resume. lol. Even if the school I choose isn't world renound, it is a mid-size public doctoral university that is accredited. That always adds credibility. Will I get hired right out of school to make $100,00 plus, no. Will it help me work out of the current $35,000 - $50,000 range in my area for bachelor's degree holders in business? I hope and think so. If not now, eventually at least. A degree alone shouldn't initiate a climb up the corporate ladder to begin with. The tools and ethic you take from the program that are implemented in your work should. Fingers crossed- I'll find a job (hopefully in this economy). And when I get the right one, I'll use this degree to catapult me a little higher and maybe faster. I won't be standing around a lofty office as the new incumbant to the circle of suits wearing gaudy class rings talking about the good old days at Sloan or Wharton. And that is okay with me.
Your thoughts? I posted this to get others thinking too, in hopes I could mabe learn more or see it from a different angle. I don't think I know everything about this matter, and forgive me if anything I posted seems offensive.
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