How about an MBA post? LOL

[mrivc211]

I don't know what took me this long but i'm gonna go for my mba. It isn't for a career change so i'm not too concerned about the name of the school.

I'm purely doing this for my own personal advancement. Here's the two questions I have:

What's to stop me from just going to a MBA school and just sitting in on the classes for free?

And if I choose to do an actual program, any recommendations for online programs?

[Berkut]

Originally Posted by mrivc211

What's to stop me from just going to a MBA school and just sitting in on the classes for free?

The police, unless I'm misunderstanding your question.

[mrivc211]

The police? Ahhhh??????? You can literally go to any university in the USA, sit in the class, and be undetected. YOu can literally get a free education. You just can't claim you have one to a potential employer.

[Berkut]

I'm sure you could probably get away with it to some extent. But a small class or unexpected group project would almost certainly get you busted for trespassing. Not every class is Art Appreciation with a 100+ enrollment.

[mastermags]

Most MBA classes are small with a lot of group participation, if I understand correctly.

[moxiepilot]

to answer the first question, it's called a list. if you're not on the list it's to the registrar you go...

University of Phoenix tends to pump out the degrees like nobody's business

[Tiger815]

Gee, I seem to remember having to turn in work to professors and take tests and stuff when I was getting my MBA. I'm pretty sure I'd never have gotten them back graded if I had just walked in off the street. Also, MBA classes aren't like the huge undergrad classes where the professor never even knows you by face much less by name. For an MBA you'll do a lot of work in project groups and you'll have an advisor you work one on one with extensively over a long period of time to do your required research project/thesis.

[Jayrock]

You could walk into class and grab a seat; however, class sizes at that level tend to be a lot smaller--you'd be noticed. Though when I was taking aviation courses in college the instructors would always let people sit in for a little refresher.

I know University of La Verne offers an online MBA program. I went to one of their satellite campuses for my BA in Business. Definately a different experience from being on a main campus, but it got the job done I guess.

[OldTownPilot]

I've sat in on engineering classes. Granted those thad 40 or so people in a lecture environment.

[quikie]

On-line classes are for the most part, worthless.

A good class with a good instructor is invaluable, many of the MBA classes deal with scenarios or cases and working through them. You will learn as much from your classmates as you will from the instructor. If you have a choice, pick a program that requires a thesis or major research paper. Cherry pick your instructors. Talk to other students, check rating on web sites, whever but take the "good" instructors and you will have a totally different experience (and get your money's worth).

Do the reading. Do the research papers / projects, they're a great way to get a feel for a topic. When the instructor tells you that this is a good book on the topic, even if it's not required, read it. Ask questions, even if you're afraid it makes you look dumb. Odds are, nobody else get it either but they're too afraid to look st00pid.

Talk to your classmates. I've gotten a few job offers just from being "that guy" in class.

Word.

[Aero_Engineer]

Originally Posted by mrivc211

I don't know what took me this long but i'm gonna go for my mba. It isn't for a career change so i'm not too concerned about the name of the school.

I'm purely doing this for my own personal advancement. Here's the two questions I have:

What's to stop me from just going to a MBA school and just sitting in on the classes for free?

And if I choose to do an actual program, any recommendations for online programs?

California State University Domingez Hills offers a very good online MBA program, they have a very high quality program.
They also have a nationally recognized MPA program that I entend to finish after this BA.

[WAFlyBoy]

I agree that you would probably be noticed while sitting in on an MBA class. Indeed, they do tend to be smaller and emphasize group participation. If you just want to see what it's all about, the instructor would probably allow you to sit in for a session if you asked.

I personally wouldn't be interested in an online MBA for exactly the reasons already mentioned. An MBA is supposed to prepare you for managing people and processes. Reading from textbooks and writing papers will not provide for full development of this skill set. And you can't put a price on the value of networking in a classroom filled with experienced professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds.

[I_Money]

I can print you up an MBA Degree and it will be viewed in the same light as any online course.

[mrivc211]

LOL. Okay okay. Point taken. Ok let me ask you guys this. If I won't be using the degree for working for a company, in other words, I plan to use it for MY company, what type of program would you recommend? Or better yet, what school? Granted, I haven't taken my GMAT yet, obviously, and my graduating GPA from UCI was 3.15

[mrivc211]

Also, young Pakistani men with british accents have no clue about race horses.

[Dugie8]

Originally Posted by I_Money

I can print you up an MBA Degree and it will be viewed in the same light as any online course.

Really? Thanks for that slap in the face.

[mikek123]

Originally Posted by mrivc211

LOL. Okay okay. Point taken. Ok let me ask you guys this. If I won't be using the degree for working for a company, in other words, I plan to use it for MY company, what type of program would you recommend? Or better yet, what school? Granted, I haven't taken my GMAT yet, obviously, and my graduating GPA from UCI was 3.15

Even an online MBA will take some work. I'm working on my MBA full time right now. You could look for a part-time program in your area. Try to stick to a state school to get the cheaper tuition. Alot of the online programs have significantly higher tuition than the on campus programs. If you aren't too picky about the school you attend some have some pretty minimal requirement for GMAT scores.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by quikie

On-line classes are for the most part, worthless.

A good class with a good instructor is invaluable, many of the MBA classes deal with scenarios or cases and working through them. You will learn as much from your classmates as you will from the instructor. If you have a choice, pick a program that requires a thesis or major research paper. Cherry pick your instructors. Talk to other students, check rating on web sites, whever but take the "good" instructors and you will have a totally different experience (and get your money's worth).

Do the reading. Do the research papers / projects, they're a great way to get a feel for a topic. When the instructor tells you that this is a good book on the topic, even if it's not required, read it. Ask questions, even if you're afraid it makes you look dumb. Odds are, nobody else get it either but they're too afraid to look st00pid.

Talk to your classmates. I've gotten a few job offers just from being "that guy" in class.

Word.

In a word? Not! Probably one of many unsubstantiated posts I've read online. Someone please prove to me that the quality of an education is increased by sitting in a classroom environment vice receiving an education online. That hackneyed cliche', for me, is synonymous with the big academy/FBO analogy. Crap, crap, crap.

A quality education can be received either online or the traditional route. Saying it aint so is bull. As we can tell now with many having received degrees via the traditional route, one can argue that route stinks as well.

Try again.

[mrivc211]

folks we have a debate! After talking with the Mrs, we decided Cal State Fullerton MBA program was the way to go. The tuition is cheap, the program suits my schedule.

[Doug Taylor]

The "Mrs"?

Dood, you're so not communicating with me!

[mrivc211]

Doooood- the engagement is First saturday of Sept. St. Regis Hotel, Laguna Niguel, CA




NOOOT lol

ps....wanna come?