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re: LSU online MBA, thoughts?

Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:06 am to
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
26411 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:06 am to
quote:

Someone is Phoenix Proud!


I wouldn't say they get laughed at but it's not really a selling point.

Dont' Phoenix grads have some of the highest student loan default rates in the country?
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 10:32 am
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
26411 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:14 am to
quote:

2) Thats a shame that LSU name does not even carry weight within Louisiana. I am currently living in Western North Carolina and eventually will like to move to Cleveland Ohio to live closer to family.


I was in HiddenFlask's class. He was a very bright candidate and I'd trust his observation (and his opinions on anything related to finance)....but I don't agree with that one particular part of his post.

I work for a Fortune 500 company that hires a boat load of MBAs from the major SEC and Big 10 schools....those MBA candidates do have some advantage in my field from the perspective of college recruitment.

I just think the value in obtaining an MBA is as much about networking and soft skill development as it is about the curriculum.

Just FYI, I don't know of anyone in my class that got jobs in Ohio. I think one or two moved to Indianapolis after graduation, one to New York, one to Los Angeles.....but most end up in Louisiana, Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta. If you wanted to focus on the mid west, you may want to consider a program with regional appeal in that area. Maybe some of the Ohio schools like Miami U have programs that might be a better fit?

If your goal is to be a brand manager at P&G, then don't even bother with the state schools.
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 10:35 am
Posted by fiugoldenpanthers1
Asheville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
9 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:18 am to
Very good point about looking at schools that have regional appeal in the ohio area. I am actually doing that as well in addition to LSU and a few others. I am looking at Ohio University MBA program with a speciality in finance.
Posted by TheHiddenFlask
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
18384 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:33 am to
An online degree from a brick and mortar school has many of the same problems that online universities have. Mainly a lack of face to face interaction. If you was academia, get a professional designation. If you want an MBA, go in person.

I'm probably harder on LSU's program than they deserve. I have done well with the degree as a banker, but it was a weight around my neck when trying to get into asset management. Many people from my class went on to do well for themselves. An MBA will be what you make of it. For me, the internship experiences I had while in MBA school were priceless, so it was a good thing. I, personally got little value from the academia, but I was fresh out of a finance degree, so I probably should have expected that.
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
26411 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:35 am to
quote:

I am looking at Ohio University MBA program with a speciality in finance.


What are your career goals with this degree? If you want to be a hedge fund manager at a huge firm, you may need to aim a little higher than Ohio or Louisiana. There are a couple of finance guys on the money board with MBAs from LSU that will be able to give you better advice than I would.
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 10:43 am
Posted by fiugoldenpanthers1
Asheville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
9 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:43 am to
I currently work in the corporate office of a big name bank. I am hoping to utilize it to make the move from middle management, in the investment department, to higher management. My work ethic, leadership, and knowledge has been praised.

I am affraid that my undergraduate degree will be looked down on when trying to move up, or, when trying to make a move to a different location.

I am not looking to get into any top 5 investment firm type of situation. Quite happy working in the banking scene at this moment.
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 10:45 am
Posted by mkibod1
South of the Donna Dixon Line
Member since Jan 2011
4746 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:45 am to
I have a 10 month old so I will have to continue working but I want to get my MBA for career advancement. Online is really my only option with a wife and baby. I was very interested in UNC's program until they dropped the 90K plus price tag. That's double or even triple the price of other programs. I've been looking around other places since hearing that news. I intend on staying in the oil and gas business so all I need an MBA for is a prereq to higher jobs. I have looked at Ohio University, Tiffin University also in Ohio, South New Hampshire (they are having a big online marketing push but they have a physical campus that is worth a damn, found that out from a friend in NH). I have also looked into Liberty University and St. Leo's. All of those programs are 2nd tier to the UNC's but I do not have the finances or need for the big name.
Posted by fiugoldenpanthers1
Asheville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
9 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 10:57 am to
First of all. Keep the thoughts and inputs coming. As I did with your forum, I did with the other university forums and you guys are by far and I mean by far the most helpful.

Mkibod1,

First, there is not a better online MBA option than UNC. As they are very well respected as a traditional MBA (highly rated). That 90k sticker shock did it for me as well.

I looked at your schools, may I suggest you stick to ONLY AACSB accredited universities. There are plenty of them that offer online MBAs. No need to look at the Liberty South New Hamphires of the world when you do have traditional universites that are available online.

I am bias, but, check out Florida International University (AACSB accredited)traditional brick and mortar university with 55,000 on campus students.

Florida State

University of Florida

University of Maryland

Arizona State University

Washington State University.

Plenty more, but, those are a few examples.

University of Florida is the top rated on the above list and price point is very reasonable. Florida State online MBA is a little over 29k, FIU 32k, University of Maryland, ASU, Washington State are a little more costly but not nearly 90,000.

Also, just came to mind is Penn State, Syracuse Northeastern University has online MBAs as well.
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 11:00 am
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
26411 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 12:13 pm to
quote:

That 90k sticker shock did it for me as well.


Any scholarships available for the online program?

Does Texas A&M have one?

This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 12:14 pm
Posted by fiugoldenpanthers1
Asheville, NC
Member since Dec 2013
9 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 12:56 pm to
Not the Texas A&M we think about, when we say "Texas A&M" but Texas A&M University-Commerce has one.

It is supposedly a quality program for the money, but, I did not look deep into it.
This post was edited on 12/31/13 at 12:58 pm
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 12/31/13 at 1:40 pm to
quote:

First, there is not a better online MBA option than UNC. As they are very well respected as a traditional MBA (highly rated). That 90k sticker shock did it for me as well.


LINK

Carnegie Mellon now offers their MBA online, their business school is highly ranked, and recognized globally.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the absence of "networking" in online programs. In the online programs I am familiar with there is a huge amount of time spent teleconferencing with project groups, and giving group presentations. If anything the opportunity is there for networking with a wider range of people, your online classmates could be a corporate officer in Dubai, or programmer in Bangalore.

Posted by JayDeerTay84
Texas
Member since May 2013
9956 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 2:18 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/2/14 at 7:59 am
Posted by Azazello
Member since Sep 2011
3228 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 9:16 am to
quote:

don't do an online MBA. When someone applies with an online MBA, they don't immediately go into the trash, they get emailed around for everyone in the office to laugh at.


I seriously disagree with this statement.

Many people who want to get an MBA (who didn't go right after college) are already employed with families. That makes it impossible to just stop your life for 2 years and become a full time student again.

If anything, I think companies look favorably upon someone who can go to online school, work a full time job, and have a family all at the same time.

I do agree that an online MBA does not give you several of the benefits of a "in-person" MBA, but saying that you will get laughed at is a huge stretch. Maybe in your office....
This post was edited on 1/2/14 at 9:18 am
Posted by JayDeerTay84
Texas
Member since May 2013
9956 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 10:28 am to
I can give some perspective from someone who got their degree online.

I got my degree online from the Phoenix while I was active duty. I also was married with 2 kids.

2 years removed from active duty (still in the guard) and 2 years removed from graduating with my online degree I have made 95K this year not including company benefits (401k, healthcare, company car etc). Pretty good from a school that people laugh at if you ask me......




This post was edited on 1/2/14 at 10:35 am
Posted by lsu711
Member since Sep 2003
14711 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 10:51 am to
quote:

Pretty good from a school that people laugh at if you ask me......

You are giving a lot of credit to Phoenix. I don't think anyone said Phoenix would reduce someone's earning potential. I recognize the mocking tone of most of the posts, but the argument is that you would be making around $95k now with or without Phoenix.
Posted by JayDeerTay84
Texas
Member since May 2013
9956 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 10:56 am to
My job that I have now requires a degree. So yes, Phoenix has helped me in that regard. I also learned a thing or two, despite most of the opinions here.

However I knew that I had strong qualities like the military background and other training to complement my degree.
Posted by nelatf
NELA
Member since Jan 2011
2296 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 11:15 am to
quote:

Either make the investment in yourself to go to a top 25 program in person or use your time, money, and energy pursuing a highly regarded professional certification (CPA, CFA, CFP, etc.)



And that should have been the end of this thread.
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 11:28 am to




quote:

Either make the investment in yourself to go to a top 25 program in person or use your time, money, and energy pursuing a highly regarded professional certification (CPA, CFA, CFP, etc.)


quote:

And that should have been the end of this thread.


One of the largest groups of people seeking business education through the MBA are mid career professionals that started in non-business fields such as nursing, engineering, IT/computer science, etc. They are usually older, have family responsibilities, cannot leave a job for 2 years, have no interest in being a CFA, CPA. They like what they do, and just want to move to the next level.

Posted by AngryBeavers
Member since Jun 2012
4554 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 11:29 am to
quote:

I currently work in the corporate office of a big name bank. I am hoping to utilize it to make the move from middle management, in the investment department, to higher management. My work ethic, leadership, and knowledge has been praised.

I am affraid that my undergraduate degree will be looked down on when trying to move up, or, when trying to make a move to a different location.


Why would your undergraduate degree be looked down upon if you are performing at a high level? Most bosses are not dumb and will promote high performers regardless of what degree you have.
Posted by TheHiddenFlask
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
18384 posts
Posted on 1/2/14 at 12:43 pm to
Sounds like government work, which I referenced earlier, as the exception.

All I have seen in this thread is a bunch I people with online MBA's talking about how great they are and people who actually do the hiring advising this guy not to flush tens of thousands of dollars down the toilet.

If you just want to move up as a manager, save yourself a lot of money and just buy some great books on management and watch some Ivy League management classes on the internet for free.

If you are in that situation and really want a masters, save a boatload and do a masters of management. There is no need to wear yourself out on capital markets classes if you want to be be a mid level manager.
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