MBA: Executive or P/T

[VladtheImpaler]

Anyone have any advice? Something I've been thinking about and wondering if anyone has done an executive MBA; would it be worth it at fortysomething? Any program recommendations? Thanks.

[username]

I did the PT MBA at the U of C and it was a breeze. Obviously I can't speak to the exec MBA but from what I've heard it's a lot less work because they assume that you're busy with your full-time job. That being said it's still a lot of work but it's more about the contacts you make, the dissucssions that take place and the general networking experience.

[Frequitude]

I'm currently in my second semester of the evening program at the UofC. I definitely recommend the part time evening program if you're fine with the workload.

a) It looks better on your resume as it shows work ethic and commitment to your work and career during times of outside pressures.

b) The class discussions are superior to those of the day time students because everyone has current real life problems they can bring to the class. I've sat in some day classes the odd time and the tone is just more academic instead of real life.

[VladtheImpaler]

I started the P/T 7 years ago (completed the accounting course), and I simply didn't want to sit in class for 3 hours after work. That's even less likely now (that I am older and have a child). If I am going to do it, I need the quickest route (yes, I know I can get a degree from Brazil for a couple hundred ).

[WilsonFourTwo]

This kind of blends with another current thread, but I will suggest looking at Athabasca University.

The MBA (by most accounts) remains a solid credential. This could be a way to pickup a respectable credential at an accelerated pace. The only real limitation would be the speed in which you complete the coursework and the availability of classes.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

This kind of blends with another current thread, but I will suggest looking at Athabasca University.

The MBA (by most accounts) remains a solid credential. This could be a way to pickup a respectable credential at an accelerated pace. The only real limitation would be the speed in which you complete the coursework and the availability of classes.

But would an Athabasca MBA (or, for that matter, any online type MBA) be worth the money?

[Zee]

Originally Posted by username

I did the PT MBA at the U of C and it was a breeze...

Seriously?

I'm doing a distance MBA from Heriot-Watt and it's a LOT of work. They say to expect 200 hours per course, but it's been 200-250 per course for me, and finance was closer to 350 hours of studying to get a good mark.

[NBC]

Had a friend do the "Executive" MBA course at UC. Everyone in his cohort passed with relative ease. Seemed to me to be a case of esentially buying the degree, as it cost a fair chunk of change.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

But would an Athabasca MBA (or, for that matter, any online type MBA) be worth the money?

It really depends on the school. Most good schools have the same core content: Economics, Organizational Behavior, Finance, Accounting and Marketing. There are usually a planning course or two, and a couple of options.

I found schools in the UK to be much less costly with better course content.

For me it was down to Henley and Heriot-Watt. HW won out due to no residency requirement. Having to go to the UK every year would have been pricey.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by NBC

Had a friend do the "Executive" MBA course at UC. Everyone in his cohort passed with relative ease. Seemed to me to be a case of esentially buying the degree, as it cost a fair chunk of change.

Athabasca wants $44,500 for their online MBA. What does U of C want for the Executive MBA? "Buying a degree" sounds pretty good at this point. The info seems to be absent from the website.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Athabasca wants $44,500 for their online MBA. What does U of C want for the Executive MBA? "Buying a degree" sounds pretty good at this point. The info seems to be absent from the website.

When I looked at it it was just short of $60K if I recall.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

But would an Athabasca MBA (or, for that matter, any online type MBA) be worth the money?

To answer the question, the Athabasca MBA website shows a total cost of $44,500. UofC lists about $35,000 just for the registration fees......likely push into the low $50k range by the time materials and extras are factored in. Certainly comparable cost wise.

Now I'm probably gonna get roasted for this, but I'm one of those guys that doesn't believe MBAs are worth the cost.....no matter where they come from.

I actually see more value in obtaining a second degree or diploma. Yes, it will likely take twice as long, but it will also cost half as much.

Dunno buddy, I just see being well versed in Business and an entirely different area (science, language, politics, anything) be a stronger value.

[username]

Originally Posted by Zee

Seriously?

I'm doing a distance MBA from Heriot-Watt and it's a LOT of work. They say to expect 200 hours per course, but it's been 200-250 per course for me, and finance was closer to 350 hours of studying to get a good mark.

Oh there's no chance I spent that much time on the classes I was in. Class time was maybe 70 hours + the time you put in at home and I know for fact it was not 130+ hours per semester.

I guess I should mention that I started my MBA about 2.5/3 years after I graduated with a BComm so all the classes and material were still pretty familiar.

[username]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

To answer the question, the Athabasca MBA website shows a total cost of $44,500. UofC lists about $35,000 just for the registration fees......likely push into the low $50k range by the time materials and extras are factored in. Certainly comparable cost wise.

Now I'm probably gonna get roasted for this, but I'm one of those guys that doesn't believe MBAs are worth the cost.....no matter where they come from.

I actually see more value in obtaining a second degree or diploma. Yes, it will likely take twice as long, but it will also cost half as much.

Dunno buddy, I just see being well versed in Business and an entirely different area (science, language, politics, anything) be a stronger value.

If you're a resident of Quebec then a McGill MBA is less than 10K.......that seems like it's worth it.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

To answer the question, the Athabasca MBA website shows a total cost of $44,500.

Now I'm probably gonna get roasted for this, but I'm one of those guys that doesn't believe MBAs are worth the cost.....no matter where they come from.

I actually see more value in obtaining a second degree or diploma. Yes, it will likely take twice as long, but it will also cost half as much.

Dunno buddy, I just see being well versed in Business and an entirely different area (science, language, politics, anything) be a stronger value.

I agree partially. $44K for an MBA is too much. I think if you can get a good one for less than $20K it's worth it.

The cost of the MBA degree in North America has gone through the roof. As a result, no one fails, because people would start getting pissed if they spent all that cash and were unable to get the credential.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by username

Oh there's no chance I spent that much time on the classes I was in. Class time was maybe 70 hours + the time you put in at home and I know for fact it was not 130+ hours per semester.

I guess I should mention that I started my MBA about 2.5/3 years after I graduated with a BComm so all the classes and material were still pretty familiar.

I'd imagine if you had BComm already, much of the material would have been repetitive.

HW has garnered a rep for being a pretty tough program...

[WilsonFourTwo]

The idea of getting any credential from McGill for $10,000 is very worthwhile, nice find.

I would totally change my tune on MBAs if the price was (more or less) inline with getting an entire other degree. $30, $40, $50 grand......I just don't see where the value comes from.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

To answer the question, the Athabasca MBA website shows a total cost of $44,500. UofC lists about $35,000 just for the registration fees......likely push into the low $50k range by the time materials and extras are factored in. Certainly comparable cost wise.

Now I'm probably gonna get roasted for this, but I'm one of those guys that doesn't believe MBAs are worth the cost.....no matter where they come from.

I actually see more value in obtaining a second degree or diploma. Yes, it will likely take twice as long, but it will also cost half as much.

Dunno buddy, I just see being well versed in Business and an entirely different area (science, language, politics, anything) be a stronger value.

I'm already a lawyer, so I am just looking for a piece of paper that would facilitate a move. Definitely not worth $60,000 or $45,000 for that matter. Maybe the best option is to send $500 to the University of the Caribbean.

[Tron_fdc]

Have you looked at Royal Roads University? www.royalroads.ca

I'm doing their Bcomm right now. It's an interesting approach to University, designed for working professionals, although I don't know if any of their programs would be of interest to a lawyer.

I'd be happy to answer questions, although I'm not real far into the program (6 months).

Edit: Yikes, $36k for that one as well.

[Matata]

I know an MBA with an engineering degree used to be hot stuff, but I recently spoke with an engineer/sales manager who said the MBA is becoming less important. His reasoning was that it's really just a piece of paper and that an individuals attitude and actual success in business is much more important.

I'd say it's only really worth while if your trying to break into a new industry and need to gather contacts, or if you need it for a promotion or something.