re: LSUS Online MBA Reviews

Thanks for the info about the classes signa7 - and everyone else!

I think LSUS took a misstep when they tried to implement free textbooks. They are trying to increase demand but IMHO its hurting the program. I know we've had this discussion before but now we are actually dealing with it. The sucky part is is when its a $300 digital text through a third party and the instructor just becomes the administrator. Although it sucks shelling out the money for the "textbook" I think a more interactive platform like cengage helps students learn the material much better - I know I do.

To be honest I thought Ambrosio was going to be the administrator type after I heard about the previous ACCT course how easy people thought it was. But with how present he is I think that having him as an instructor along with a third party interactive site would be a awesome class.

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A situation not unlike the one in ACCT 701 is happening in FIN 720. Apparently a good number of people are struggling mightily with the class (average for test 1 after adjusting for one question and makeup exams was 71%, average for test two was 75%), and since the syllabus explicitly states there will be no opportunities for extra credit, Professor Hsieh is sticking to that.

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His FIN710 class had similar averages last session after the first two exams. It tilted upward after that due to lower performers dropping the class, the material getting easier, and just getting used to his testing style. The averages in MADM701 are in the low to mid 70s and students are bombarding her with emails about it. Even the writing assignments are just now getting up into the mid-upper 80s. Just following the rubric should get you an A. I actually think the ACCT quizzes and assessments are kind of a joke. They assess your ability to look up information. He's on the right track with the type of questions on the exam was just off on the time allotment. He should include some of those type questions in the weekly assessments. If you want students to learn it that way, teach it that way. I agree with others that the nature of ACCT material is more suited for the Cengage format.

Class sizes have doubled since I started the program. I wonder if a lot of influx of students either underestimated the amount of work required to get a high grade in this program, or just aren't high grade caliber MBA students. I know I'm not a high caliber student but I put in a lot of hours... more than I probably should be. I see a lot of posts in the class forums with people looking for classes that allow them take weekends off and attend events on weekday evenings. That is fine and admirable, but it's a semester worth of graduate level work in 7 weeks... if you want an A, something's got to give.

Nothing wrong with a C and B's... we all get the same piece of paper in the end, but I prefer if they didn't dumb the program down so everyone gets As because of complaints.

I started this program last July after about a year and a half of deliberation. As an Undergrad, I was mainly an A/B student sprinkled with a C here and there. I honestly didn't know what to expect upon starting this journey but after my 1st two sessions I recognized that it was very much like Undergrad in regards to each professor being different and you adapt to their teaching style. What's helped me tremendously is the fact that ever since middle school I really have to put study time into material and work problems repeatedly to feel comfortable and understand them fully. As others have stated, the program requires a lot of you in 7 weeks, especially quantitative courses. I had a Finance professor at Nicholls that always said, "You better check your social life at the door because you won't have one." This program isn't any different. You get out of it what you put into it. My wife and I are both in Grad school. She'll finish next Fall through Northwestern; I'll finish in 3 weeks. For the past year, we've spent several weekends at our dinner table studying for hours. Now, we still do stuff but it's calculated. Just like anything in life, there's Pro/Cons. I made up my mind that I wanted to be done in about a year and knew I'd have to double up a few times. I swallowed that pill and prevailed. So, when students complain about a grad course or the amount of time it takes for studying/homework I can't help but ask myself what'd you think this was going to be? Did they think they'd get an A for logging into Moodle? Bust your arse, sacrifice, get an A or B. End of story.

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I wonder if this effect has diluted the program to a certain extent?

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I don't think you can make that argument on an increase of students alone. You need more information.

They have certainly diversified their program options adding more concentration/specialization opportunities.

Just finished the ACCT exam. Made a 70%. I am really glad he decided to help us out with the 50 points. On the bright side, he did say that the final exam would be easier than this exam.

3 more weeks!

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Just finished the ACCT exam. Made a 70%

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Congrats.
Will be taking it later on.

Just took the ACCT exam and got an 85%.

Acct exam was not difficult, just not enough time. No way that 40 minutes was enough to finish, not possible. 2 minutes per problem, and most are ratios. No way. Anywho, Got a B on it. Good luck to those who have not taken it. 11:55 pm. Closing time.

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Paul, you very extremely helpful with your advice as I was trying to figure this whole things out - thanks.

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Absolutely, you're very welcome.

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I think that many of the students coming in somehow have the idea that because this program is online and is also lower cost than most that it should be relatively easy

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I feel the same way. Their preconceived notion that it's online, and affordable, more than likely adversely affects prospective students.

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There are people that clearly need remedial help and I wonder about how they got into the program. Some of them are super vocal in class forums and chat sessions, so I'm not sure how widespread the problem really is.

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It's peculiar, indeed. I felt that grammatical errors were pervasive, and made me wonder how some of these folks finished undergraduate courses. One person said "it's bazaar" rather than "it's bizarre". Simple things like that were definitely on display in certain group forums.