The "No Pay MBA"

[Sample00]

Just looking for some discussion.

I've recently started on an MBA program but am finding that the method of study isn't quite what I expected and I am finding it to be a challenge in finishing with this University.

I was wanting to do an MBA more for myself rather than for climbing the corporate ladder. It's a "bucket list" thing and being that I am 50, I want to make sure that I am choosing the right method.

My concentration is in marketing. I felt that distance education was probably the best route to go but now that I am into "this" particular program, I'm not so sure. The program is through Heriot-Watt University out of Edinburgh, Scotland.

They have sent me the first course and its compiled of 15 different sections which you read, then answer some multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. They don't get marked as they provide you the answers online. At the end of the course, you go write a 3 hour final exam and you require a 70% pass mark to complete the course. All their courses are the same way.

Truthfully, I was hoping for something more interactive. My wife completed her Masters in a format that was a lot more enjoyable, if you could use that term. It was also distance education but online and a lot more interactive with professors and other students.

The cost factor through Heriot-Watt is also something that's not all that great. Its approx. $1500.00 per course. And I just don't feel I'm getting my monies worth.

Then I came across this "No Pay MBA" The concept behind it is that various Universities around the world offer courses that are of a Graduate level and at little to no cost. You can take courses that interest you from various universities and in some cases get Certificates of Completion from them. Some of the universities are quite prestigious as well; Whartons School of Business, Yale, Harvard. Whartons will actually let you take up to a full year of their program online at little to no cost. The courses are taken through various methods such as Coursera, edX, Udacity and others.

The problem, if you can really consider it a problem, is that you don't actually get an MBA degree. You get these certificates of completion from various courses stating that you completed the course. But at the end, no degree.
Does it matter to me? Well, maybe a little bit because I wont actually have that piece of paper (the whole bucket list thing). But is it really that important in this day and age?

I'm just looking for more discussion than anything. What do you think of this method of study?

[taco.vidal]

Disclaimer: I have an MBA from a top canadian school (that does OK on global rankings) from a decade or so ago.

The true value of an MBA is the doors that it opens up from to the connections you make in the program. The actual learning if you compare a top 10 ranked global school and a top 100 school won't be the that different and definitely won't reflect the potential cost difference between some programs. However, in a top 10 program you will be learning with other high performing successful people who have also met the high criteria to get into the program. You will have access to the alumni network of that school. You will also have access to corporate recruiting programs that the school has established with desirable employers.

Id add that an MBA today isn't what an MBA used to be. An MBA used to be close to a guarantee to give you a boost to your career. Today they're really a dime a dozen so unless your coming from a top school, you really need other strengths to help you get where you want to go. I am involved in hiring in my role and its surprising the number of people I see that have an MBA of some sort on their resume but are in very junior roles.

I am not familiar with the No Pay MBA. However, I am familiar with edX courses. https://www.edx.org/ I think its a great way to learn. The one thing you won't get versus a "real" MBA program is group work. Group work at this level is a great learning tool and experience (don't think of undergrad group work when you're think of this). I think some distance programs have segments where you get togethers with other distance learners and complete group work. Sounds like you'll miss out on that.

I think for you, if you want to learn, then go for it but know that you won't get all the other stuff.
Do you need the degree for your job? Does your employer or potential employer require an actual masters degree for certain roles regardless of experience or other qualifications? That may be a consideration for you. Ill add that don't see many MBA grads include MBA on their business cards or email sig these days.

[pseudoreality]

That is interesting. It really depends if you are truly doing it for the letters after your name or the education. Its amazing what you can learn for free these days. I'm taking some modern physics courses for free through MIT. Basically I'm following the syllabus and doing the assignments myself, but no marks.

I've also debated getting a masters, either MSc, MEng, or MBA. After careful thought I've decided the letters are important as I can learn want I want for free. Turns out my work will likely pay for an executive MBA. So I'll be starting that next spring. I chose the MBA route for the networking and to beef up my accounting knowledge.

Whatever you do its going to be at the very least a significant time investment. So I recommend doing whatever gives you the most value. Sounds like to me you want a good interactive online MBA. I'm looking at Athabasca myself.

[Tyler]

If you can't add those 3 letters after your name into your email signature at work, then what's the point?

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

I think for you, if you want to learn, then go for it but know that you won't get all the other stuff.
Do you need the degree for your job? Does your employer or potential employer require an actual masters degree for certain roles regardless of experience or other qualifications? That may be a consideration for you. Ill add that don't see many MBA grads include MBA on their business cards or email sig these days.

thanks for the reply.
no, I dont require it for my job nor will I require it with my employer in the future. This is about staying on top of things, knowledge, life long learning, etc. And a bit of self esteem, I might add. Given my age and life experiences, I just dont want to get left behind. I like change, learning new things, trying to always be better.

[pylon]

I think Craig McTavish would be an excellent source of advice. I believe he got his MBA from the prestigious 'University of School'.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by pylon

I think Craig McTavish would be an excellent source of advice. I believe he got his MBA from the prestigious 'University of School'.

[terminator]

I recently completed my MBA at the UofC, I would suggest look at getting a different degree. The program was way too easy, however that does not mean I learnt alot.....

I'm not sure, I'm rather conflicted on the practicality and usability of this degree, but then again I'm glad I did it.

See the confusion.

[Zee]

I finished my MBA from Heriot Watt in January, so I have some insight into it.

The $1500 pays for the materials, both on-line and in print, and access to the tutors and professors. The program is better known in Europe than it is in North America.
The content of the courses is excellent, but extremely difficult. Expect between 200-300 hours per course to pass the exam. You will learn more that you ever expected, however be warned, it is not a cake walk and your first exam will be an eye opener if you're not prepared.

I though the program was excellent, and I learned a lot.

For someone already established in their careers, the networking and connections aspect of an MBA are irrelevant.

[V]

I'll be convocating in November, as I just completed my MBA this summer at the U of A. I honestly don't see much point in getting an actual MBA without a lot of interaction between students, profs and alum, as that is where all the value is. You could learn the rest for free, pretty much. The degree is remarkably easy if you're halfway to intelligent, so the real value is in the connections.

Sounds like you just want to scratch it off as an accomplishment, so if that's the case you might have to get a cheap MBA somewhere, just to get the degree.