MBA Programs

[Diovanka8]

Hello, has anyone embarked on it and could you help prepare me mentally for what I am about to embark on.
Thanks in advance.

Also, at the same time, could you provide any tidbits for the GMAT?
Thanks!

[f8nacn]

I am researching MBA programs myself...with a Human Resouce Management concentration. What particular area are you researching or looking at.

Some colleges/universities do not require the GMAT and they are great programs...check your local area.

[Diovanka8]

Originally Posted by f8nacn

I am researching MBA programs myself...with a Human Resouce Management concentration. What particular area are you researching or looking at.

Some colleges/universities do not require the GMAT and they are great programs...check your local area.

I thought about the Human Resource one but also considered doing Business Management or Accounting.

[NuQueen04]

Originally Posted by Diovanka8

Hello, has anyone embarked on it and could you help prepare me mentally for what I am about to embark on.
Thanks in advance.

Also, at the same time, could you provide any tidbits for the GMAT?
Thanks!

I hope you like group projects, papers, and presentations because they are the staple of most MBA programs.If possible, do not form groups with more than 4 people and be prepared to take up the slack for non productive group members. I would not suggest specializing in Business Management or Business Administration. HR, Finance, and Accounting specializations will open many doors; hindsight is 20/20.

Please make sure the MBA program is AACSB accredited. Some employers will not place much value on your MBA degree if the program is not AACSB accredited. If you are already employed and are obtaining the degree to promotional purposes, then accreditation might not matter. Aim for a top MBA program and induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honorary society.

Re the GMAT: practice, practice, practice and keep abreast of the time constraints for each section. The GMAT is not as difficult as the LSAT but your score will determine admission to the program of your choice and possible scholarships/ grants.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck and God bless.

[f8nacn]

Originally Posted by NuQueen04

I would not suggest specializing in Business Management or Business Administration. HR, Finance, and Accounting specializations will open many doors; hindsight is 20/20.

What is wrong with those tracks? Wouldn't it all depend on the area that you are living in and what type of job that you are seeking.

[NuQueen04]

Originally Posted by f8nacn

What is wrong with those tracks? Wouldn't it all depend on the area that you are living in and what type of job that you are seeking.

Specializations in Business Management/ Administration are considered a general MBA. MBA is a Masters in Business Administration. I have a general MBA and it hasn't been easy gaining employment. If you are using the MBA to open new doors in an existing job, then it won't matter imo.

f8nacn: I edited this post with the hopes it will be clarify any confusion.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by NuQueen04

I would not suggest specializing in Business Management or Business Administration. HR, Finance, and Accounting specializations will open many doors; hindsight is 20/20.

My MBA is a general one because my school didn't offer specializations until after I graduated. Now I can always go back and take the specialization classes and get the certificate of specialization for my MBA, but my thing is that I have already dropped over $20,000 just to get the MBA. If an employer wants me to have the specialization, they will have to foot the bill, cause I already did all of the leg work. I refuse to pay for more schooling for something that may or may not be useful to an employer.

Just my .02

[f8nacn]

Originally Posted by NuQueen04

I understand where you are coming from but for the most part, they are too general imo. I have a general MBA and it hasn't been easy gaining employment. If you are using the MBA to open new doors in an existing job, then it won't matter imo.

I'm a little confused...have you not been successful gaining employment because you have a general MBA degree or are you saying that it is going to be difficult for people have specializations. I would think that you would come off better if you receive training in a specific area than a more generalized degree.

[NuQueen04]

Originally Posted by f8nacn

I'm a little confused...have you not been successful gaining employment because you have a general MBA degree or are you saying that it is going to be difficult for people have specializations. I would think that you would come off better if you receive training in a specific area than a more generalized degree.

You are a little confused because the bolded portion of your aforementioned statement is what I was saying in a nutshell.

I hope that ends your confusion.


Rainman: I feel you because my school didn't offer specializations until I graduated also. Now I am in the process of taking additional classes to obtain a specialization to make myself more marketable.

[chrini]

I attend the University of Phoenix for the MBA program and it is an accredited university. I participate in flexnet, where you show up for 1 1/2 hours to get the class introduction, then communicate and turn in homework online for 6 weeks, then return to the classroom for presentations to end the class. Then same day you end a class, you start the next class, and so on. I am in version 20 which focuses on problem-based learning where each class revolves around trying to solve issues facing corporations. I will be graduating with an MBA in Technology Management. Without a specialization you will take between 10 -13 classes.(You can waive up to three courses: accounting, ecomonics, and a technology business class if you have already taken it in undergrad within the past 10 years) Most specializations requires only 2 additional classes. This was no cake walk, you really work hard for the degree and you also work hard to put up with the run around they give you on various issues.

Pros:
No GMAT required
Each course is only 6 weeks long.
Have the option to attend class by ground (4 hours once a week), flexnet
(meet every 6 weeks and the rest online), or completely online.
Excelerated learning
Graduate in less than two years. (I started in May 2005, I graduate next
month) Depending on your location, graduation may be only once a year.
They let you participate in Commencement if you are within 9 hours of
completetion. During Commencement I will be in the last week of my last
class of the regular MBA. Since Specializing was only two classes more I
decided to go for that. So I will return for 12 additional weeks after
commencement, insteading of waiting almost another year to walk across
the stage.
Homework due at 12 midnight. Depending on your time zone, some teachers are nice enough to let you turn it in based on Arizona's Mountain Time. In Texas (Central time) we may get an extra hour or 2, depending on if we are in daylight savings time or not.

Cons:
Time comsuming , must devote time to studying chapters and references and
be prepared to discuss topics within a day or 2. Online discussion postings must be 100 - 300 words and have substance to get full participation credit. Online participation requires multiple postings for several days within one week for the entire 6 weeks.
Paper due every week.
Expensive (tuition) approx. $1600/ class and (electronic textbook and
resources fee) approx. $100/class
Administrative Staff (not faculty) can be unorganized, lazy, and have
communication problems. They are quick to fast talk you into enrolling
first, then they worry about correcting problems later. (If you are not a
self motivator or proactive in making sure your paperwork, financial aid ,
overall standing, and other affairs are being taken care of, instead of relying
on the staff, this is not the school
for you.) You have to stay on top of everyone to get things done, in
addition to concentrating on your classes.This was my major complaint
about this school.

[f8nacn]

Originally Posted by NuQueen04

You are a little confused because the bolded portion of your aforementioned statement is what I was saying in a nutshell.

I totally misread your original post! Just went back and re-read it! Definitely got you now...

[NuQueen04]

Originally Posted by chrini

I attend the University of Phoenix for the MBA program and it is an accredited university.

Initially I started an MBA program with the same accreditation as the University of Phoenix. When I tried to transfer to another school (AACSB accredited), I had to start from scratch because my credits could not transfer.

Just putting that out there.

[NuQueen04]

Originally Posted by f8nacn

I totally misread your original post! Just went back and re-read it! Definitely got you now...

Cool

[Bajan_Delta]

If you are interested in HR you may consider a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Org.Behavior or Org. Development. Which ever way you decide to go, besure to investigate the school and the program well. Just because it's a brand name school doesn't mean they will have a top notch program in which you have interest. Check out where they program ranks and how long it takes their grads to find employment after graduation. See if they have placement programs, do they allow you to go part time or mandatory full time. And finally you may want to consider cost. For me a substandard degree at school A was going to cost me 3 times as much as a top ranked program at school B. Needless to say I attended B (I moved 7 hours away but it was worth it). Good luck!!

[Diovanka8]

My job is paying for it, 24 credits per year. I already have my Masters in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management. My undergrad was in Business Mgmt, Marketing Management. I really did not enjoy the group works and projects because I did have to do all the work. But I hope that it'll be different because these are more mature people. I like Accounting and don't think I would do Marketing again. I am a bit nervous about the GMAT. Also how can you find out if the school is accredited? NuQueen04, you mentioned the AACSB. Where can I find out about the MBA Program being accredited?
Thanks in advance!
But thank you everyone who addressed the issue and offered advice.