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Question

I am trying to decide between programs. The unfortunate aspect of my MBA pursuit is that I must complete an online program because I am military and my schedule will not permit me to work through a top EMBA, nor can I afford to stop working in order to pursue a full-time MBA. Due to this, I am looking at the following programs. Some of the higher ranked programs have been eliminated because I cannot make the residency requirement work with my military requirements. I am looking to transition out of the military in the future, so time to complete the program is also being considered a bit. The programs I am considering are:
 
-Washington State Carlson online EMBA (admitted already)
-Arizona Eller online MBA
-Nebraska COB online MBA
-LSU Ourso online MBA
-St Joseph Haub online MBA (likely BI emphasis)(admitted)
-William and Mary Mason online MBA
-Temple Fox online MBA (IF I can get the residency issue worked out...the current schedule of residencies is problematic)
-Lehigh online MBA
-UNC Kenan-Flager online MBA (maybe)

Programs that I have excluded: 
-Indiana Kelley online MBA (conflict with residencies)
-Florida online MBA (conflict with residencies)
-Penn State online MBA (conflict with residencies)
-Syracuse online MBA (costs)
-USC Marshall online MBA (conflict with residency)
-AZ State Carey online MBA (no GMAT waiver and can't get it taken by deadline due to schedule)
-Hofstra Zarb online MBA (costs)

Does anyone have any feedback regarding the programs I am considering or maybe programs which I have overlooked? I really do want to get a great MBA and I wish that I had the capability to pursue one in person at a top school. This is what I have to do to keep moving forward.

Thanks, 
Mark

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Kenan Flagler's MBA program has a solid reputation I would recommend that program with no additional info from you. Also one thing to consider if you want to end up in a certain part of the country, that school's online program will help you out a bit more

teleste · Answer

Hey MA Oakley,

I have a few comments based on your post.

1. Online MBAs, even those from well-regarded universities, are not very portable. Usually they are useful for people who want to stay in their current company or industry and are just another benchmark for promotion. It is extremely difficult to make a career switch with an online program. Are you sure you have to do an online program now? Why not do a full-time program as you transition out of the service? (You already mentioned that a career switch down the road is part of your plan.)

2. Anything you can learn in an MBA program, be it online or full-time, you can learn online by yourself for free. (Seriously, it's all on Investopedia.) My point is this: What you pay for in an MBA is largely the recruiting options, your alumni network, two-years to figure out where to take your career, working through cases with peers, and doing an internship. You will miss most if not all of this by doing an online program. It's tough to miss all of that...especially if a career switch is what you're ultimately after.

3. While UNC offers a solid MBA program, and I imagine their online program will be among the best of the online options, it is *definitely* NOT worth the price tag attached to it. Unless your tuition is going to be covered by the military or some other form of sponsorship, I am going to disagree with the other poster and tell you to avoid the UNC online option as if it were the plague. Do not pay $114,000+ for an online degree. https://onlinemba.unc.edu/admissions/tu ... ncial-aid/ If you were on-campus at UNC, getting all of the previously mentioned benefits of full-time programs, then yes, spending $100k would be a different story. No online program is worth that much money though.

4. If you know what/where you want to transition to when you leave the military, this could be a better starting point for you to decide how to pursue your education rather than picking an online program off of a list. If you know what kind of functional role you'd like, you can find a program that is a good match for you. If you have a few particular companies in mind you'd like to pursue, you can see where they recruit. If there's a certain geography you want to settle in, you can find the programs that place best (and have strong networks!) in that area.

Good luck with the decision!

doggy1 · Answer

MA Oakley. As long as he transitions after he receives his MBA, he will not be in dire need of career services. The move out of the military will be a career transition in itself with companies coming after him. Of course having career services opportunity available would only be better.

He can use TA which would atually incur additional 2 years after graduation or use GI Bill. Unless he has an undergrad business degree, learning about business wont do him much good coming out of the military as he transitions to F500 corporations.

Id say do UNC, they have a great program.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

MA Oakley · Answer

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortunately, I do have to complete an online MBA. I am moving to frequently for a reasonable part-time or EMBA program. At 37 years old, it would be very challenging for me to go back to a full-time program. I am the primary source of income for my family and my wife is moving into a new field which will not be enough to provide for our family for a few years. If I wait too long, I run the risk of not being able to capitalize on the MBA over time, as I would likely be 45 or so upon completion. This makes the online MBA the best option. If I were younger, I think I would be targeting a full-time top-20 program.

I agree that a large portion of the value of a MBA is the network and services offered through the program. There is a lot of truth to the fact that I can gain the same knowledge for free, but sometimes you need that "piece of paper" in order to capitalize. I am seeking a MBA for a few different reasons. The primary reason is that I want to further my business education. I have a BBA and I feel like I could use a bit of a refresher but also push my knowledge to a higher level. I know that most MBA programs don't look for much more than a basic knowledge of certain business topics, but I am hoping that I can deep-dive a few subjects to really expand. Another reason is that there are many positions and programs that I am looking at in my transition which require a MBA or where a MBA would be helpful.

For my transition, I am overcoming the issue of not having the in-person MBA experience by using a JMO recruiter (Bradley Morris specifically) and I am also engaging my network for advice and mentorship. While this may not be as efficient as some MBA programs' career services, it is a method which will work well from me and is more efficient than going at this blind. There are many companies out there who are very motivated to work with JMOs. I may not get the same salary or options as those from a top MBA program, but I can still set myself up well and if I perform well, I can likely catch those coming out of full-time programs.

For UNC, my GI Bill will cover the tuition 100%. Any state school will be covered 100% provided that they either charge one tuition rate or will offer me in-state tuition. Private schools are capped, but many offer grants and scholarships to cover the difference. This is an amazing benefit and it definitely will help. I am speaking with UNC this week. My biggest concern is my transition timeline compared to the program timeline and the two required residencies. So far, one of them is no issues, I am just a little concerned about transitioning and not being able to make it to a second one within the required timeframe. That is something that I will have to keep in mind.

I greatly appreciate your (and everyone else's feedback). I am definitely taking any advice I can get right now. This is a big step for my family and I have to be as responsible as possible, even if that means that I have to refuse certain opportunities.

teleste · Answer

Given this info, and the other circumstances you mentioned in your post, UNC would be the runaway winner IMO, and sounds like a great option.

Best of luck!

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