[INeedAManager]

After reading the Homework Help thread i thought i would ask for some information from anyone on the board who is currently enrolled or in the past took part in the LU MBA program. This is something i am thinking about doing when i graduate next year but im not sure at this point. Ive heard all the benefits that an MBA can bring but I am mainly interested in how you all like the program that LU has.

I appreciate any information that you can send my way

[bigsmooth]

you can complete the work without learning anything??? that makes zero sense. im sure you can get by with doing little and not reading the text and just flip to the back of the book for answers, but if you reading the books, and take the work seriously you ARE learning. if you intend on trying to skate by and do little then don't waste your time. take it seriously and soak up all you can. MBA coursework is all about applying the principles. i do not think it is overly difficult, but more time consuming. just make sure you allot the proper time to get the work done if you choose to step forward with it.

[INeedAManager]

i see what you mean, my wording was not the best and the person i heard that from was somewhat unreliable but i thought id mention it anyway

[ATrain]

Considering the fact that everything is online, LU's MBA program does not offer much in the way of learning as a residential one would. And I'm not just skating by either, once the final grades for this eight weeks are posted to assist my GPA will be somewhere between 3.5 and 3.6. However, I do not feel like I've learned a lot in it. The concepts in finance, considering I've never taken a finance class before ever, were extremely difficult and next to impossible to learn on my own. I showed some of the questions on the final exam (after I completed and submitted it) and the course textbooks to people who work as accountants for the Commonwealth of Virginia, plus the lady who does the town budget for Appomattox and various people who work or have worked with numbers and monetary figures. Not only did they not know how to do it, they also stated that most of the stuff on there I'd never have to use again in my life. They also said the same thing about the stuff you need to know for the Series 7 test as well. Looking back on it one year into the program, I honestly wish I had done something else. However, at the time I made my decision, not having to take the GRE, not having to write a thesis, being able to take everything online, plus the fact many people are stating its becoming a standard degree to have made going into the program a no-brainer for me.

Aside from my difficulties in finance, the other classes haven't really challenged me at all. Its more just use the textbook, find a couple articles in "scholarly sources," (opinions about "scholarly sources" later) and post on a discussion board plus write a 30-or-40 page paper as a project. A couple classes did have tests, which they make hard due to the fact they're open-book and open-note, plus a time limit, so the tests are challenging and many people do not do as well on them as they do on the discussion board posts and projects. Basically if you can type a complete sentence and cite what you use, you can get an A.

Finally, about "sholarly sources" and academic journals. A friend of mine is earning his doctorate in electrical engineering at VT. He writes articles for a couple of these journals, and told me that the pressure to get published is so great that articles are often written before the actual experiments are performed (the "publish or perish" mentality). In addition, I've also heard from him and other sources that it is not unusual to discover plagarism in some of the articles. In my International Business class, Matshark and I worked on a group project and in International Business, we are required to use Turn It In which checks for plagarism. The source we used and cited in our work was originally used by someone else in an earlier journal issue and Turn It In picked up on that.

Basically, what I am saying is that by offering this program entirely online through DLP, you are not getting as good of an education as you would if these courses were residential and you had to sit in a classroom with other people, discuss the topics and assignments and have more involved in the learning process.

[Sly Fox]

Sandman just graduated from the program. Perhaps he'll pipe in.

[bigsmooth]

you did not have to edit your first post manager, but that's cool. of course the MBA DLP is not as challenging as a classroom version simply because of classroom discussions, but the individual unsupervised work helps you grow. as as to Atrain's comment of not using certain things you learn ever again....it's like that for your whole college career. you only take certain things with you after you finish college so again a residential program may be more challenging, but an MBA degree in some companies is an automatic pay increase and it will also opens other doors in the business world so as long as you have the piece of paper that is enough for some companies.

[SumItUp]

After reading the Homework Help thread i thought i would ask for some information from anyone on the board who is currently enrolled or in the past took part in the LU MBA program. This is something i am thinking about doing when i graduate next year but im not sure at this point. Ive heard all the benefits that an MBA can bring but I am mainly interested in how you all like the program that LU has.

I appreciate any information that you can send my way

When advising people about career choices and pursuing an MBA, I would suggest that they spend 2 or more years working in their field at entry level or higher positions and volunteer for special projects to gain more experience. The value received from an MBA will be worth more. It is not that you will not learn anything if you pursue an MBA before working, but you will have more perspective if you have spent time in the field. Every single one of the "homework" questions in the other thread has relevance to me because of specific business experiences.

Different companies have different policies, but personally I have never hired anyone that had an MBA. Each applicant with an MBA that I have interviewed did not have any work experience after college.

[LUconn]

After reading the Homework Help thread i thought i would ask for some information from anyone on the board who is currently enrolled or in the past took part in the LU MBA program. This is something i am thinking about doing when i graduate next year but im not sure at this point. Ive heard all the benefits that an MBA can bring but I am mainly interested in how you all like the program that LU has.

I appreciate any information that you can send my way

When advising people about career choices and pursuing an MBA, I would suggest that they spend 2 or more years working in their field at entry level or higher positions and volunteer for special projects to gain more experience. The value received from an MBA will be worth more. It is not that you will not learn anything if you pursue an MBA before working, but you will have more perspective if you have spent time in the field. Every single one of the "homework" questions in the other thread has relevance to me because of specific business experiences.

Different companies have different policies, but personally I have never hired anyone that had an MBA. Each applicant with an MBA that I have interviewed did not have any work experience after college.

I was thinking about this same point in the other thread. I can't imagine what kind of job you would get. At this company, for any job you wouldn't be way overqualified for, they wouldn't hire you because you had zero experience. It's tough to get something entry level when you probably have a higher education than the boss 3 levels above you.

[Sly Fox]

That said, you can't blame anyone for getting it for free.

I agree that getting an MBA straight out of undergrad presents major challenges. But ten years down the line the benefits will return in full once a grad gets through the rough transition period.

[jcmanson]

I've been working for 2 years, and have just started my MBA through LU. There were many reasons why I chose to get my MBA and why I chose to get it from LU. The main reason is my current employer pays for all tuition and book costs as long as I get an A or B in the class. Also, many people don't care where you get your degree as long as you have one, unless of course you're talking about one of the top universities, which with my grades in my undergrad I wouldn't be getting into one of the top universities. The main reason I chose LU was because I wouldn't have to worry about getting accepted and having mny transcripts transferred and really even having to apply. And in the long run when it doesn't matter where you get your degree from just as long as you have one, it was a no brainer to get it from LU.

As far as learning something from the courses, it's all about how much you put into it. If you want to learn, you can learn, if you just care about the diploma, you can float by and not learn much and still get your degree.

[bigsmooth]

agreed on getting some professional experience before you start an MBA program. i feel like the experience prepares you more for the classes, and as manson said some companies will pay for the education with some stipulations.

[Ed Dantes]

Right now, my career has stalled. I do a better job than anyone else, so I have that going for me, but I do such an unimportant job that I've been frustrated. Plus, my co-workers, save one or two, think I'm a colossal jerk (they suck at their jobs, but hey, they're observant).

I'm wondering if I should get an MBA. I can get a 75% discount to Regent Univ's because I'm an employee of their sister organization, CBN. Still, it'll cost me a couple hundred bucks that I don't have. As it stands, I'm already $31,000 in student loan debt and I barely bring in more money than I spend each month, although that will change when the wife has to get a new car. Plus, I hate school for two reasons -- one, because I hate school, and two, I realized how useless it was after I racked up $37,000 in debt for a pointless master's degree in journalism.

So... Is it worth it to destroy my current financial situation and the notion of "free time" so I can add another diploma to the wall (even though it didn't work out for me the last time I tried to do that)?

Oh, and I have no experience in the business field, either. I am good with numbers, though.

[SumItUp]

Right now, my career has stalled. I do a better job than anyone else, so I have that going for me, but I do such an unimportant job that I've been frustrated. Plus, my co-workers, save one or two, think I'm a colossal jerk (they suck at their jobs, but hey, they're observant).

I'm wondering if I should get an MBA. I can get a 75% discount to Regent Univ's because I'm an employee of their sister organization, CBN. Still, it'll cost me a couple hundred bucks that I don't have. As it stands, I'm already $31,000 in student loan debt and I barely bring in more money than I spend each month, although that will change when the wife has to get a new car. Plus, I hate school for two reasons -- one, because I hate school, and two, I realized how useless it was after I racked up $37,000 in debt for a pointless master's degree in journalism.

So... Is it worth it to destroy my current financial situation and the notion of "free time" so I can add another diploma to the wall (even though it didn't work out for me the last time I tried to do that)?

Oh, and I have no experience in the business field, either. I am good with numbers, though.

Unless you have a specific purpose (position available or raise in your current position) that offsets your costs and time that you will sacrifice to earn an MBA, focus on paying off the 31K in school debt. By eliminating debt, the value of your salary will increase in the future. Generally, most school loans are at low interest rates and are often deferred, but they are still loans.

[LUconn]

you're crazy. Any money he could use to pay off those loans could be invested instead and earn more than the loan interest is being charged, without even really trying very hard. Any of the online FDIC insured savings account will earn more than you're being charged by sallie mae and there is 0 risk. The only benefit to paying extra on your mortgage (assuming you got a decent rate) or student loan is, mentally it feels good to pay things off.

[SumItUp]

you're crazy. Any money he could use to pay off those loans could be invested instead and earn more than the loan interest is being charged, without even really trying very hard. Any of the online FDIC insured savings account will earn more than you're being charged by sallie mae and there is 0 risk. The only benefit to paying extra on your mortgage (assuming you got a decent rate) or student loan is, mentally it feels good to pay things off.

No, I'm not crazy. Putting money in a safe interest bearing account (with the purpose of using it to pay off the debt) CAN be a better option if the interest is considerably greater than the interest accruing on the loan. Many people do not look at the details such as monthly account fees and minimum balances that can wipe out the difference in the earned interest vs. charged interest on the student loan. Also, individuals have tendencies to use their investment accounts for other purposes (vacations, special purchases, etc....) that have no equitable value. After the money is spent, the debt is still there. Living debt free is some of the best financial and career advice anyone could receive.

Based on the information that I found on the Sallie Mae page, the interest rates vary from 4.7% to 8.49% interest. Where would you suggest finding an account that covers that interest? I have looked online for 5 minutes and find rates between 2.01% and 4.01%. That's not going to cut it.

http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_lo ... st_fed.htm

[LUconn]

I'm paying 3.125% after consolodating. I was earning 5.25% on my account at emmigrantdirect.com, although that has recently taken a nosedive to 2.75%. But there are plenty of no/low fee mutual funds out there where you could easily earn more than 3.125% Vanguard, T Rowe Price, etc.

[Realist]

Sumitup has given the best advice I think.

I agree you should do it while you're working, unless you are planning on attending a top flight business school where you are almost assured a decent paying spot somewhere after graduating (Duke, Wake, UVA, Ivies, etc.) If you're not, look for an employer right after school where you can get experience and that has a tuition reimbursement program. Even if you are the low man on the totem pole, you'll get some work experience while not going into debt to get your masters (or not a lot of debt). I actually think you may be better off even getting it from a second tier school unless you just have money to burn, because you'll be 100 grand in debt from Duke or Wake while possibly debt free from a second tier school, which will take you years to realize the difference in salary. That's a personal choice.

Like anything, there should be a purpose behind it. Don't just go get it to get it. That can be said for any degree really. When I started mine I knew I wanted to transition to a more corporate product marketing role rather than a health organization that I was in. After two semesters I found a job where I currently work for double the pay, partly b/c of experience and the fact I was going to finish the MBA. Plus, they've paid out the remainder of the degree.

It helps, MBA's on average make way more than people who don't get it in the long run. It may not happen instantaneously, but you are a better candidate for more jobs, put on a higher track for promotion, and are usually paid more with it.

[SumItUp]

I'm paying 3.125% after consolodating. I was earning 5.25% on my account at emmigrantdirect.com, although that has recently taken a nosedive to 2.75%. But there are plenty of no/low fee mutual funds out there where you could easily earn more than 3.125% Vanguard, T Rowe Price, etc.

You defended my point exactly. Your WERE earning 5.25% on your account, but now it is below the cost of your interest. Mutual funds do not offer the 0 risk that you were talking about.

[flamesbball84]

I didn't read every single sentence on here, just browsed so I may have missed something...

I wouldn't recommend online. I've known several folks who have gotten their MBA online (although not from Liberty) and none of them felt like they got as much out of the program as they could have if it had been a residential program. Mainly discussion, meeting with professors and other students, being able to receive help when needed, better access to library/research facilities were some of the major complains. Now if LU had some sort of online discussion forum for their classes that would help alleviate some of the concerns, but nothing will give you the same type of education as a residential one will...

Duke is a quasi-online/residential one too by the way and I have heard several other MBA programs are like that too. Some of the classes are online but you also have to meet for residential classes and take extended field trips.

[Sly Fox]

I am actually looking at some Masters of Communications programs right now in order to shore up my business profile. Nearly two decades of television is actually working against me. But the whole return on investment aspect has kept me from pulling the trigger. I have plenty of friends whose postgrad tuitions are still haunting them into their 40s.

[FlamingChick]

Basically, what I am saying is that by offering this program entirely online through DLP, you are not getting as good of an education as you would if these courses were residential and you had to sit in a classroom with other people, discuss the topics and assignments and have more involved in the learning process.

Just thought I'd chime in on this point...I was in a residential MBA program and ended up leaving the program temporarily to accept a new job; However, I ended up deciding not to go back because I didn't feel like I was learning anything valuable that I could relate to my daily work experiences. I initially chose to apply to a residential program because I enjoy class discussion and in-person interaction with my peers and didnt feel like I would get much out of an online program.

One of the main reasons I felt like I wasn't learning while in the program was the fact that many of my peers had little to no "real" business experience/education and I, of course, had a few years of work experience and a Business Degree. Since the program had no pre-requisites of business courses, a lot of the information taught was pretty much the same stuff I learned during Undergrad. Because of this, I would often get frustrated when my classmates couldn't grasp concepts that were basic to me, having already learned the information. I think the biggest difference was that there was a lot more writing in the MBA program than I remember having to do as an undergrad.

Bottom line is, if you want to LEARN (and you already have business degree) choose a program that has some type of pre-requisites of basic business courses whether it be an online program or classroom based. That will probably mean that the courses in the program will be a little more challenging. If you want to learn and you DON'T have a business degree, any program will probably be ok, since most of the material will be new to you.

[Sly Fox]

Terrific points, chick. It seems that a large majority of those pursuing MBAs today are doing so as second career paths. That's why there is such a disparity among students.

And we haven't even brought up the variations on residential programs like executive & professional programs.

And for those working in corporate settings, I'd love to see hear about your experience with university choice in regard to advancement and pay grade. Outside of the Ivies, Stanford, Rice and the like it doesn't appear from my perspective to have much of any difference on advancement. Job performance trumps similar degree classifications every time.

[INeedAManager]

I really appreicate all the reponses you all have provided me. my general thinking is that if I dont get the MBA fairly quickly after i graduate then i proably wont ever get it at all. I would like to get a full time job with the LU to pay for the education rather than go into debt which prob mean ill have to spend a couple years doing somthing i dont enjoy but these sacfifices must be made. I know that the overall learning experience from a classroom based program will be much better but that goes back to the debt thing again so the dlp based programs will fit me better.

I would like to work in a college athletic department in the future and every one i talk to says that the MBA will get me much further much quicker than a standard Sport Management undergrad degree. I do have experience since i have volunteered for 3 years with the LU football team but i know that i can never have enough experince. i guess i have a year to decide all this but i very much appreciate all of your insight into this topic.

[Realist]

Terrific points, chick. It seems that a large majority of those pursuing MBAs today are doing so as second career paths. That's why there is such a disparity among students.

And we haven't even brought up the variations on residential programs like executive & professional programs.

And for those working in corporate settings, I'd love to see hear about your experience with university choice in regard to advancement and pay grade. Outside of the Ivies, Stanford, Rice and the like it doesn't appear from my perspective to have much of any difference on advancement. Job performance trumps similar degree classifications every time.

Definitely would disagree. Most large corporations and businesses have a barrier to what you can reach unless you have the MBA. MBA advances you quicker and puts you ahead of those trying for the same job when trying to move up. Not to mention a lot of places give automatic pay grade raises when you graduate.

From what I've seen the MBA puts you on the fast track.

[flamesbball84]

I really appreicate all the reponses you all have provided me. my general thinking is that if I dont get the MBA fairly quickly after i graduate then i proably wont ever get it at all. I would like to get a full time job with the LU to pay for the education rather than go into debt which prob mean ill have to spend a couple years doing somthing i dont enjoy but these sacfifices must be made. I know that the overall learning experience from a classroom based program will be much better but that goes back to the debt thing again so the dlp based programs will fit me better.

I would like to work in a college athletic department in the future and every one i talk to says that the MBA will get me much further much quicker than a standard Sport Management undergrad degree. I do have experience since i have volunteered for 3 years with the LU football team but i know that i can never have enough experince. i guess i have a year to decide all this but i very much appreciate all of your insight into this topic.

work in college athletics? Go get a graduate assistantship at some school. Colleges all over the country have them and athletics is one of the biggest suppliers of GA postion. and you get your tuition FREE for a lot of them or at a significantly reduced price. The smaller schools seem like they have more available because it is cheaper to hire a grad assistant than a regular assistant. Of course, if you are going to be a grad assistant, unless your parents are helping you out financially, you'll have to work a part-time job somewhere else to pay the bills.