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On-line MBA programs
Recruiting & Staffing
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 12/22/2005 5:36 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 11/11/2005 Last: 12/22/2005 |
WOW, what a great thread. The one thing I have not heard in the various discussions is the issue of evaluating 'competence', however the degree was earned. I have owned and been the CEO of several organizations and frankly, while I agree the 'paper' is helpful in evaluating candidates, as a number of you have offered, it isn't a guarantee they can really do the job.
One of the most interesting programs I have become aware of is Western Governor's University (www.wgu.edu). WGU is fully accredited, has a very attractive tuition cost and utilizes a very rigorous model based on students achieving and proving their competence throughout the program and a series of capstone projects. As a student you only progress when you have demonstrated you have the competence to move to the next level, no matter how long it takes you to get there...hmmmmm??? As a result, people entering the program with a great deal of experience and knowledge can accellerate their progress, while those with less experience/knowledge can take a more traditional approach and complete the necessary courses and competency assessments. The only issue I have found is that their degrees do not indicate a 'GPA'. Does this necessarily mean the degree holder is handicapped because most universities will want to know your GPA before considering you for an MBA program; whether or not you have demonstrated mastery of the subject - an arbitrary and limiting filter for attracting otherwise very capable students. Anybody have experience with WGU grads or thoughts on their program. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/23/2005 7:33 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/23/2005 Last: 12/23/2005 |
Just FYI - University of Phoenix is Regionally Accredited - that's the same type of accreditation you get at any state school. I did a lot of research before completing my Bachelor's degree there and I wanted to make sure credits and my degree were transferrable - they are. While I was not happy with my exprience there once I started my MBA (six weeks was too short a time for me in a Master's class) and I transferred to Ottawa I would certainly say it was a worthy program. In fact I worked harder in my classes at UoP than I did in other schools. It's a university strictly for working professionals - and the experience you get from your classmates is just as valuable as any you get from the text or lecture. I think it would be unwise to discount a degree from UoP without knowing the facts, particularly since it DOES have the same accreditation as state and other traditional universities. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/23/2005 1:33 PM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 9/19/2003 Last: 12/23/2005 |
I am currently enrolled in a Master's program at Keller (Devry's graduate division) and I'd like to make a few points about online degrees. First of all, they take work, a lot of work, and excellent time management skills. Second, online degrees encourage virtual team work, especially at Univ of Phoenix, where I also took a few courses. Since our business world is becoming more and more virtual, having the ability to lead or work with a team you have never met face to face is a valuable skill. Third, based on the biographies of most of my classmates I would say the "average" on line degree pursuer is already professionally employed, has a family and children, and is working hard to improve their knowledge base. Sometimes taking an exam at 2 in the morning is hard, but it is better than getting no education at all. People choose online degrees not because they can't get into the "good" schools (I had a 3.91 GPA and belong to Phi Beta Kappa from my undergrad school), but because they have multiple time pressures on them. A completed online degree is usually a sign of somebody who has been able to successfully juggle many different responsibilities. If that's valuable to you as an employer, then online degree holders are a good bet. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/25/2005 11:51 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/25/2005 Last: 12/25/2005 |
This is related, but not quite on topic.
I'm 48, and in raising four kids, never had time or money to go beyond my BA. Then, I was downsized. I was at a director-level position. Now I am consulting. I've read that at this late age it is hardly worth pursuing an MBA. Is this true? The only benefit I can see is passing through the HR software. |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/26/2005 7:48 AM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 12/26/2005 Last: 12/26/2005 |
I see that many of the responses regarding the on-line MBA with Phoenix and Keller School of Management were posted in 2003. I'm curious about how employer's and recruiter's feel about these on-line master level programs today as we approach 2006 in a few days..... |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/26/2005 8:02 AM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 12/26/2005 Last: 12/26/2005 |
Comment: It is getting harder to return to the traditional classroom setting for an MBA. I have thought about Keller but based on some of the responses in this discussion it seems like it wouldn't be worth the expense. Is it? |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 12/30/2005 11:22 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 12/30/2005 Last: 12/30/2005 |
I am in the process of finishing my degree in a Degree Completion program at Geneva, a face to face night school. I have recently been contacted by Franklin University that offers an online degree that looked interesting and slightly cheaper, so I was thinking of switching from Geneva to Franklin. Any thoughts? |
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On-line MBA programs
posted at 1/21/2006 2:41 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/21/2006 Last: 1/21/2006 |
Wow... this one is really going on and on. In my experience, when we hire prople for our marketing department it does not matter if the degree is undergrad or grad, online or in person, top 25 or unranked...there are ONLY 5 letters that matter: AACSB.
If your MBA program is not AACSB accredited (Phoenix and Keller are no-shows in this category) it will not carry the same weight as ANY program that is AACSB accredited. Don't take my word for it. Look at US News, Business Week, or any ranking company and you will see that they list AACSB schools separately from non AACSB. AACSB is expensive, hard to get, hard to maintain, and demands that a certain percent of the instructors be full-time PhD's. There are FAR TOO MANY choices out there (online and traditional) to skip this important accreditation. AACSB. Accept no substitute. As more and more partially accredited programs (Phoenix, DeVry, Strayer, Argosy etc) pop up, the AACSB folks will start marketing thier institutions as "premier". Be careful...U of PHX is NOT a bad school, but lots of recruiters will look at your diploma as a McDegree!!!!! |
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