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On-line MBA programs
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On-line MBA programs
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Many employees are now earning MBA's through on-line programs. Does HR consider these programs as credible as traditional MBA programs? Which schools offer best on-line programs? Any thoughts concerni
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Forums » Topic Forums » Recruiting & Staffing » On-line MBA programs
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 11/27/2005 7:14 AM EST
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Posts: 4
First: 11/25/2005 Last: 2/13/2006 |
Here it is: a "fully-accredited" online MBA program: U. of Houston-Victoria.
http://www.uhv.edu/bus/micro/default.asp |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 1:42 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
This is a question with no easy answer because there are too many variables. However, to add my two cents to this conversation. Your Master's degree is very important. You should try to get into the best grad school possible.
My preference is if you go online- do it early on in your academic career, not for grad school. Spending your undergrad at a community college or an on-line college can be beneficial for various reasons. It is my belief that for non-major classes (english, science, electives, etc.) you can do that on-line. However, when it comes to taking classes that have to do with your major, and if you expect to excel in the workforce- you need to sit in the classroom. I work with (change of career) persons who have graduated with online master's and Ph.D.s and they have no people skills, make lousy management decisions and lack a foundation. Especially if you are changing careers or seek to advance to a VP, SVP or Executive level- you should get your education in the classroom. If you are adding your degree to on-the-job working knowledge and experience in your current field, an on-line degree will give you the knowledge to refine and add to your experience. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 2:08 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
I completed an MBA at Baker College in Michigan in an online program. There were students from all over the world including active duty military officers serving in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. I think the online program was extremely intense and we worked online in study groups. Most people were in the workforce and completing their degrees as a means of advancement in their career. I think the online format is a good idea and it is certainly the way of the future.
I asked the Director of HR at my company if it makes a difference and she seemed to think as long as you have the degree it didn't matter if it was online or in the classroom and that most companies don't particularly care. Just my thoughts. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 2:20 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 3/26/2006 |
I think this discussion has gotten needlessly confused. Set the online part aside and there has ALWAYS been a perceived difference (and perhaps a real one as well) between the education received at Ivy League schools, private schools, state schools, and community colleges. The fact that all of these either are now or will soon be offering online degree programs doesn't change this. Graduates of top MBA programs will ALWAYS believe that top MBA programs are better. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. Sadly, not all of us can afford to go to top MBA programs so we do what we can. Right or wrong, there are some people who won't consider us for some positions on that basis.
I agree with the posters (I think Rosemary28) who say that if there is a current stigma to online education it is likely to diminish as it overwhelms brick-and-morter education. But nobody should ever expect a community college degree to carry the prestige of an Ivy League degree whether their studies were online or offline. Its also probably worth noting the recent NY Times article that our Congress is becoming LESS diverse educationally (almost entirely Ivy League), while large company CEO's are becoming MORE diverse educationally. So some of the decision may hinge on what you are wanting to do. It seems that top MBA degrees aren't necessary to the running of large businesses but top law degrees may be necessary to being invited into the political elite. I think you'll soon find the same with online vs. offline. For a time, and especially in settings where decisions are insulated from the heat of the marketplace, those with offline educations will discriminate against those with online educations. But the competitive pressures of business will only allow that for a short time. As soon as enough people with online degrees prove themselves any prejudices will crumble. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 2:33 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
This has been quite an interesting topic. I for one believe that having an MBA make a lot of difference.
For years I have worked in the IT industry and did not see much progression in my salary. It was not until I enrolled in DeVry working towards may Bachelors that I first saw my career change. In noticing this change, I decided to go for my MBA and now I am one class away from obtaining it. Quite an accomplishment. Since then the continued education towards my MBA has landed me a better job and I believe with the completion of the Degree, I will be more marketable. An MBA tells companies that you are basically management material. There are many on-line and in-school MBA program. However, most schools like Keller/DeVry offer MBAs online as well. So it is a matter of how companies view people. An MBA does get you a better opportunity than not having one. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 4:17 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 7/8/2004 Last: 12/22/2005 |
First, I qualify that I am an MA graduate of the University of Phoenix. I know that I have been discounted by others because of my choice; My company, a Fortune 50 company has personally encouraged and established a relationship with the UoP to support continuing education among its employees. It is not the only university system acknowledged by my employer; however, UoP ranks as one that is recognized in the company and was researched prior to the company standing behind the "partnership in learning and development. I chose the online intensive program due to my work commitments and work-life balance choices and my learning style. I had great instructors with practical experience and great educational backgrounds and some not so great who touted their acedemic background from other major universities but had the personalities of a rock..as I have witnessed in the classroom also. What you put into your personal learning program is what you get out of it.
Secondly, I am surprised by HR professionals that don't recognize adult learning styles as a significant component of whether an individual succeeds in their learning environment. A person should not be penalized because their ability to learn is greatly enhanced by the right learning environment. A learning environment should not be confused with critical success factors required to succeed in a people-oriented work environment. Individuals with adaptability and flexibility to work in diverse environments are those who are successful regardless of the environment they chose to learn the concepts of their chosen field. Application is the most important component of the learning process. It is frightful to me to know HR professionals fail to consider the full scope of diversity when looking at applicant backgrounds; academic choice is a component of a diverse experience and should be respected as such. I've had the experience of working with individuals who tout where they've received their education and cringe every time I hear them say "I seen the xxx" and other forms of poor presentation in a corporate environment. Thinking even farther back, I've reported to individuals who were the "stars" of the corporate world but had that poor grammar and did not hesistate to "mix the numbers" when making themselves look good. So, all that to say, it's more about the person and their overall capacity to meet the critical success factors of what a company is seeking and expecting; it's about bringing a person of integrity and diverse experiences, and grounded business behaviors to the environment versus slapping an ivy league diploma on the table knowing they may have paid someone to do a lot of their paperwork, etc. to help them get through the courses. An elitess attitude does not bring value to the environment; again, the ability to adapt to and contribute to a diverse environment and show full accountability are only a few of the important components of successful personal management in any environment. Consider, if you take a duck from a natural resource and place the duck in a 14-carat gold swimming lake with personal feeders to provide the duck food on scheduled hours, is it still a duck? Yes. So, consider the same for individuals; they are who they were when they started their education and finished their education regardless of where they attended. Assess the individual not the choice of where they attended school but whether they are a right fit. As an HR professional, one has to understand what "right fit" means and help their "clients" or strategic partners understand what that really means too. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 5:06 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
I work as an HR Professional for PHILIPS Medical Systems. Not only do they respect the fact that I have an MBA and an MHRM from Keller Graduate School of Mgmt, they hire many of their graduates for the level of technical expertise that Devry University is reputed to push its students to.
I have many friends who might not say it to my face, but think that their graduate degrees from Cornell, Columbia, etc. carry more weight. However, my ability to leverage the real time expertise of my professors who actually worked in the fields that they were teaching is invaluable. It has also proven to get me into the same positions that they are in or still trying to get into. Every education program should be measured on a case by case basis and as it relates to the individual. I partner with managers right now who graduated from big ivy league MBA programs who clearly are struggling trying to couple business acumen with solid, effective work solutions for their staff. I will say that I only took one online class during my time at Keller. For me, the information and contacts that I got from going into the classroom setting are paramount to my success, even now. Much of my professional network consists of classmates who I have now know for years. I am an HR professional who believes that education and experience ought to be measured collectively. There is no absolute combination when it comes to critically assessing talent in today's market. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 5:11 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
This is in response to Nork3...
Its unfortunate that you are a recruiter who feels that an advance degree from an accredited school is not worth the money or effort. Hopefully you review a candidates skills and credentials before tossing their resume to the side or in the trash. An online MBA program offers the flexibilities that traditional University may not. For your information, Keller Graduate School offers an online program as an option. A student who attends Keller Graduate School does attend classes full-time (if he/she chooses). Unless it is specified on the resume or during the interview, please do not assume that all Keller graduates completed their MBA online. If you share bias towards online candidates; it is easy to imagine you sharing the same prejudice towards candidates that does not have traditional first or last names. You probably toss resumes that have ethnic names, which will another unfortunate exploit. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 5:25 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
I've read your thread and others regarding the University of Phoenix. To my knowledge and some research I have done, they are fully accredited. In fact, in a recent issue this year business week or newsweek (not sure wher I read it) there was an article listing the universities that are excelling in on-line education and it listed, Harvard, Yale and University of Phoenix in that order.
I believe as managers we need to figure out what skills we want in our employees and new hires. I did my MBA in a traditionally school, and most of what I remember is the development of the critical thinking process and improving my team development skills. The content was intersting, but I beleive my employer and employees benefitted more from my behavioral and problem solving improvements. The University of Phoenix instructors all are currently work in industry. I think this is equally as valuable as the content itself. As an employer I am more interested in seeing if you can apply your knowledge, not recite it. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/22/2005 5:30 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 12/22/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
[quote]
On 2003-10-09 06:04, KenWallin wrote: Interesting discussion. I am currently enrolled in a PhD program online with NCU (Northcentral University) pursuing a Business Administration degree in International Business. NCU is (as of April, I think) fully accredited by the regional accrediting association in their area. I got my BA and MA in traditional classroom settings, but as I am now full time working I couldn't take time to go back for a doctorate, so I examined a number of the doctoral programs and found only two of the current options have fully accredited programs (NCU and Capella). I would never even consider a non-accredited program, as it has no value in some settings. I eventually want to teach at UNC-Charlotte, God willing, and a non-accredited degree is not useful in pursing that goal. Something more to think about. [/quote] Ken: I'd be most interested in understanding how "fully accredited" is defined. My understanding is that there are many other on-line programs that have full accredation. |
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