Did a search and read most of the posts. Instead of bashing the distance style MBA programs (done to death), please add some constructive criticism if need be. The distance program is great for people who: - do not want to leave their job or location - will get a salary raise upon completion or even enrollment - not concerned about the networking factor (big point which is related to the previous) Let’s face it-- getting an MBA is primarily marketing your credentials through earning 3 letters. For me I do not want to leave my job/location and I don’t want to go to a Canadian school. My only option is to enroll in distance studies. I’ve researched some schools offering distance studies and many are reputable. Some are ranked in terms of their full/part-time MBA programs. There is also no distinction between doing it via distance studies vs. on site (at least some of the ones I looked up). I realize that an online MBA is not going to compete with Wharton or HBS or any other top ranked business school in terms of prestige. So just take an online MBA for what it is. Does anyone have insight into this? Either as an enrolled student, graduate, recruiter, or colleague of one? Recommendations? Schools to avoid? Oh and let’s leave the University of Phoenix out of this!
I’ll save us all the trouble CFA > MBA
I am presently going for my CFA charter. We can say PhD > CFA or MSc in finance > MBA… etc etc That doesn’t help much.
I guess an online MBA would suffice if you are not looking to switch careers . A lot of people do online MBA’s for upward mobility within thier organisations. My sister is actually doing the online programme at the University of Maryland . She is in IT though . Personally if I were to do an online programme I would do an Msc .
I’ve asked this question before on this exact forum and the response i got was that it isn’t worth it.
Slash Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > The distance program is great for people who: > - do not want to leave their job or location > - will get a salary raise upon completion or even > enrollment > - not concerned about the networking factor (big > point which is related to the previous) > If this is your concern, it’s better to take the part-time program on your local university (if you have troubles on relocation). There is nothing that can beat face-to-face meeting. Remember during the dot-com boom there’s a notion that businesses won’t have big offices anymore because everyone can work from everywhere? Yeah, a decade later and we still “can’t” work from everywhere. But if the tuition cost is your concern, yeah online MBA is cheaper compared to top 30 b-school part-time program.
Slash, it doesn’t sound like you actually want input about these programs. Rather, you are looking for validation of the choice that you have already made. With this in consideration, I don’t think the opinions of the majority of people here will be helpful to you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan [mailto:jeakman@mail.smu.edu] Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:00 PM To: Murdoch, Holly M. Subject: Ivy software Holly, Having too much fun this summer. Need a little extra time on the ivy software. Got the worst out of the way with the accounting, and the business math shouldn’t be a problem (econ degree), but the I have a hitch in my step with the corp finance. Have patience with me. Thanks. Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Murdoch, Holly Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:18 PM To: Eakman, Jonathan Subject: RE: Ivy software Jon - You can have an extension until August 5. Please have them complete by then. Thanks, Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan [mailto:jeakman@mail.smu.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 9:17 AM To: Murdoch, Holly M. Subject: RE: Ivy software Holly, Had some family issues and haven’t been able to get the last Corp Finance study prep test done. Be cool on this. In my last job, I dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget, so I know what I’m doing. Thanks for your help/understanding. Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Murdoch, Holly Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 3:46 PM To: Eakman, Jonathan Subject: RE: Ivy software Jonathan - Please have them complete by the end of the weekend. Thanks, Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan [mailto:jeakman@mail.smu.edu] Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:11 AM To: Murdoch, Holly M. Subject: RE: Ivy software Holly, I hate excuses, but I find myself using them. A car wreck, computer problems, stupid family issues and a kidney stone scare have made my three weeks less than productive. I suggest maybe an oral examination to prove my competency or, since bootcamp is already in progress, we forget about it. The downside risk for me is that my grades might suffer, and I am OK with that. Looking forward to a great year in school! Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Cudney, Patricia Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:40 AM To: Eakman, Jonathan Subject: RE: Ivy software Jonathan - I am sorry to hear of your recent troubles. However, successful completion of the 3 online tests is required of all students for full enrollment in the MBA program this fall. Please let me know when you’ll be able to complete them. Regards, Patti Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan [mailto:jeakman@mail.smu.edu] Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:17 PM To: Cudney, Patti Subject: RE: Ivy software Patti, The legal education received next door has made me a cynic. Not once has there been an exception made? Never? Not once? Would you admit me if I actually believed that? I’ll get it done. Just don’t feed me the @#$%& and bull story. Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Cudney, Patricia Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:26 PM To: Eakman, Jonathan Subject: RE: Ivy software Jonathan - I can only speak definitively to the last 6 entering classes since I have worked here, but there has not been an exception made. Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan [mailto:jeakman@mail.smu.edu] Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:43 PM To: Cudney, Patti Subject: RE: Ivy software Patti, So you would admit me if I believed that. Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Cudney, Patti Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:44 PM To: ‘Eakman, Jonathan’ Subject: RE: Ivy software Since I have been here, no one has been allowed to start the program without completing the test requirements. Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: marci [mailto:marci@cox.smu.edu] Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 2:35 PM To: Eakman, Jonathan Subject: Re: JDMBAs Dear Mr. Eakman, Your e-mail messages regarding your failure to complete the prerequisites for entering the MBA program have been forwarded to me. First, no one has ever asked for an exception for completing work required to enter the MBA program, nor, obviously, has an exception ever been granted. You were, however, granted several extensions of time to meet the requirements. Frankly, if you are having problems meeting these requirements, whatever the reason, you may well find the program expectations to be very challenging. In addition, the tone you have taken in communicating with Cox staff about the matter is inappropriate. I cannot imagine that you would communicate this way with faculty and staff at the Dedman School and it won’t be tolerated here. If you would like the opportunity to enter the MBA program, I am available this week for a face-to-face meeting to discuss your sincere interest in the program and in meeting all requirements of the program. I strongly suggest that prior to such a meeting, you complete all the requirements if you haven’t done so already. Absent completion of all requirements and a meeting to discuss your seriousness about the MBA program by Friday this week, your admission to the Cox School of Business MBA program will be revoked. Sincerely, Marci Armstrong Marci Armstrong, Ph.D. Associate Dean, Graduate Programs Cox School of Business Southern Methodist University ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Eakman, Jonathan Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:19 PM To: marci Subject: RE: JDMBAs Marci, Did you read the whole email? Don’t use undergraduate threats with a graduate student. Its unbecoming. And hysterical. Furthermore, you granted me an exception on time, so how is an exception on completion any different? As for ability to complete the SMU MBA program, did you check my resume? Do you know I’m a law student next door? On academic scholarship? It is on my resume. It’s a pretty solid resume, you should look. I have real world corporate finance experience for the world’s largest airline. I did their sales strategy. I got there by programming metrics based web applications. I have an econ degree. Might make that corporate finance test seem unnecessary. Furthermore, you assume I have time for a face to face meeting. That is the problem with completing the requirements. I agree that the test is easy to complete. I passed the other two without opening the study materials. I just had a some bad luck and need time to deal with it. That is why I have been granted several extensions. Which I appreciate. But once I complete the requirements, which is one test, what do we have to talk about? My sincere interest in the program? I’m already admitted and my deposit has been paid. I’m enrolled in classes. That’s what I consider sincere interest. What’s your definition? As for my tone. Please define inappropriate. If there is any school bylaws I need to refer to please let me know. This is how the grownups over at the law school communicate. Do you not have a sense of humor? I’ve been at SMU for two years now and I am aware how people communicate. Does this work on people with work experience? Maybe its just hard to threaten (future) attorneys. As for the revoking my admission. I paid the deposit. That means I’m acccepted. Please send appropriate bylaws dealing with rejection of admitted students. You act like I’m a trouble maker, and I’m a law student. What caused the misperception?How many JD/MBA’s do you have problems with? I’m unimpressed with your response. Is this how the business school is going to treat its best students? Jonathan Ellison Eakman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: “Eakman, Jonathan” Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:28:31 -0500 To: Armstrong, Marci marci@mail.cox.smu.edu Subject: FW: JDMBAs Marci, The admissions department revoking my admission when I am already admitted?? Good try. As an admitted student there is a process for expulsion. Once you allowed me to pay the deposit, put me on the student email, enrolled me in classes, and caused me to spend $900 on textbooks I was admitted. Just because you call the tests prerequisites doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the school curriculum. This goes to the honor board. I am requesting they be brought into this. I am also re-requsting the appropriate bylaws you are acting under.You refunded my nonrefundable deposit. Glad I didn’t get deposit insurance. I’ll be there on monday, since I’m on the roll. It really was a good try. Jonathan
Funny but whats the point? Who is Jonathan
ozzie123 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If this is your concern, it’s better to take the > part-time program on your local university (if you > have troubles on relocation). There is nothing > that can beat face-to-face meeting. Remember > during the dot-com boom there’s a notion that > businesses won’t have big offices anymore because > everyone can work from everywhere? Yeah, a decade > later and we still “can’t” work from everywhere. > > But if the tuition cost is your concern, yeah > online MBA is cheaper compared to top 30 b-school > part-time program. The local university is garbage. Even if I were to live near a good university in Canada, I still wouldn’t want to attend. I definitely agree with the fact that a face-to-face curriculum is better but the logistics simply do not work for me. Cost is not a primary concern although I do have my limits. Hello Mister Walrus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Slash, it doesn’t sound like you actually want > input about these programs. Rather, you are > looking for validation of the choice that you have > already made. With this in consideration, I don’t > think the opinions of the majority of people here > will be helpful to you. My only choice is distance learning so I do want input from people who have experience with it. As I said, from current students, graduates, recruiters, and colleagues. For example, what kind of value has the program brought for you or someone else? Was it worth it? Notice how I said that I want input from people who have some sort of association with online MBAs. I haven’t decided to enroll in any program in general. AF is a great place for input in this area (e.g. Numi’s GMAT thread) so this is just a part of my research. I’m open to both sides of the argument but I’d like to discourage arguments based on perception if possible. However, I do see your point that it may bring about a biased argument. That being said, I’d like to hear any argument whatsoever… even if you believe that online MBAs is Satan.
Slash What online progrmas would you consider?
dukatu2 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Slash > What online progrmas would you consider? I’ve been looking at Carnegie Mellon, Indiana U, Virginia Tech, U of London, and IE. CM seems the most appealing but it has to run through your employer and have at least 6 other students in the program in your area. These are all unranked schools. I’m searching for a program that offers a challenging accounting/finance/risk management program. Here’s a listing of some schools offering a distance learning MBA: Aberdeen Business School American Intercontinental University Arizona State University Auburn University Audencia Babson College Ball State University Colorado Technical University Carnegie Mellon CENTRUM Católica (Lima-Peru) University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Drexel University University of Durham East Tennessee State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory University University of Florida Florida State University Georgia Southern University IE Business School Indiana University University of London (Royal Halloway) University of Massachusetts - Amherst University of Massachusetts – Lowell Mississippi State University Northeastern University Oklahoma State Pace University Regent University Robert Kennedy College St. Joseph’s University Suffolk University University of St. Thomas University of Texas at Dallas University of Texas at Dallas Global Leadership Executive MBA Thunderbird University of Warwick Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Walden University Worcester Polytechnic Institute
I went to Carnegie Mellon. We don’t do accounting, which I think, is a good thing.
Can you tell me a bit about your experience? Did you do the distance program?
No, I went there as an undergraduate, graduated in 2008. Our MBA program doesn’t dive into accounting. Not our forte. Plus the intro to accounting professor is terrible, you can barely understand his english. But he’s been there for 20+ years so you can’t do anything about that. Anyway, I sat in on some of our MBA classes and they are actually easier/equal in terms of difficulty as our undergraduate classes. And, they got Fridays off. That being said, it’s pretty evident that you won’t learn any real technical skills at MBA school, it’s pretty much for networking/teamwork/collaboration. An online MBA defeats that purpose. Many of the things that I’d learn at CMU’s MBA school were already taught to me in my undergraduate studies - and I didn’t even major in Finance. It’s a great school, but I’m not going to apply to their MBA school. Not a big fan of Pittsburgh.
Slash, where do you live?
Same city as you. Case closed, right? 
Hey slash have u looked into the Queens AMBA programme ?
Yeah, but don’t you have to have a B.Comm. for that? Regardless, I want to avoid going to a Canadian school.
Come on… NO ONE on this forum is doing distance learning?