Any MBA students/graduates here on RP that would like to share their input on how tough your course work was/is?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 00:07:55 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 4:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 04:18:08 -0400

I can tell you I watched my wife just complete hers and it was crazy what she had to do. She is a touch cookie though.

Of course, I supported her by taking on the house chores while she finished her degree.

it mainly consisted of all reading and writing. After watching her I am on the fence if I am ready to dedicate the time right now.

I will say that it is worth it though. Her career is in great condition with more offers coming in all the time. She ahs a Great job now but continues to get offers.

Response by PO2 Michael Ryals made Apr 18 at 2015 9:02 AM

PO2 Michael Ryals — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 09:02:46 -0400

I am interested in a MBA also. What programs are you in? I am thinking about 100% online with UNC but I would be open to other programs.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 18 at 2015 9:58 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 09:58:24 -0400

Give me a year or two and I'll let you know.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 18 at 2015 10:04 AM

SPC David S. — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 10:04:31 -0400

I did an accelerated program at night through Benedictine University . I was up until 0200 - 0300 most nights as I was working full time as well. Tons of reading and writing. However part of that is just me. 4.0 under grade as well with my MBA. Benedictine is a very military friendly school. At one time if you were active duty your undergrad was free. I received 25% off for having a DD-214. I will add this, An accelerated program is very faced paced and does not stop until its done. It was 18 months of hard work and the attrition rate was over 50%. For my cohort we started out with 16 and only 6 of us finished the program. I'm so proud of the 2 ladies in my group that earned their MBA's. Two single moms, working full time. I myself had to have surgery to fix a ruptured pec (rugby) at the start of an Accounting class which you had to have a B or better in. Right after the surgery I woke up, put on some sweats and went to class to turn in work that was due this first day of class. The instructor looked at me and said go home, so I did. He dinged me for being absent. One more absence and I would have failed the class. Still got my A though.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Apr 18 at 2015 5:12 PM

SPC Lukas Jones — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:12:41 -0400

I'm working on mine now. Very slowly too but I am still undergraduate level. I only take on enough classes for me to know that I will pass the classes. Right now, that is one class at a time. Once life calms down for me, I may jump back up to 3-4 classes a semester again.

Response by 1SG Henry Yates made Apr 19 at 2015 5:04 AM

1SG Henry Yates — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 05:04:13 -0400

Sure, I attended Colorado Technical University, (CTU) course work was challenging, but I can really say that I had so much fun in the on campus experience. Professors encourage collaboration and team work in the majority of our work. We did the hybrid discussions and a project weekly. It was applicable. The online experience with CTU Online, I had to buckle in a bit different. You kind of get the team thing in the written discussion, but not active collaboration. So online classes required more writing and assignments are more individual effort versus collaboration. Many would go into the discussion postings without addressing the detail of the assignments. In effect, at times, I felt as though very few of us cared to address all points and you can't just collaborate with those few. My concentration is Entrepreneurship and CTUs online professors were so amazing. In my final 4 classes, they were all the entrepreneurship courses. I've been in business for myself since 2001 and the curriculum and assignments were so applicable that in those 4 classes, the endeavors we created in each course I added to my business. We were required to finish each course with the final project as a written business plan. I have written all 4 and applied them since 1 week before finishing and I've gained 5 corporate contracts and I'm working on 2 more. Man, I learned so much and I believe that because I am active in my own business, I feel as though I retained everything because I applied it.
For anyone who has challenges such as cognitive, PTSD and the distractions of depression, yep that was me. I advise them to register for accommodations with the school ADA department as they take measures to assist with issues we can't help within reason. I struggled for a bit before finally being honest with myself and accepting the provisions they set. I didn't need them all the time, but as many of us know, we all have bad days or even weeks. I couldn't see myself finishing to be honest, but focusing on one step at a time versus trying to in-vision the end, I finally took that last step in a capstone course. The MBA is worth it. I've seen it demonstrated in classmates and co-workers. If you're serious about higher responsibility in management, employers found those I've known with MBAs for upper level management and executive positions quicker than those who earned master's level degrees without business admin.
My goal with this degree fulfills the education level for my GS position. My true purpose of this degree is what I will build as an entrepreneur. My intent is to pioneer a new generation of positions that will employ those who can't fulfill the requirements of our standard day to day job force.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Apr 19 at 2015 12:42 PM

MSgt Jamie Lyons — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 12:42:08 -0400

I'll chime in and hope it helps. I did my MBA with a concentration on Human Resources through Trident University International (TUI). Like most here there was a lot of reading and writing. Not having a business background (History), I found it challenging. I had to go back and quickly learn some basics of business to understand some of the material which just added to my workload. Most of my reports had to be professionally written and 10-15 pages in length. Usually 6 or 7 reports per class. That is addition to all the reading. The last capstone course was difficult, having to sum up everything you learned in graduate school, applying concepts from every course, identifying solutions and applying them to a 'company.' Lots of work as you can imagine. I think you will realize it takes a commitment so let me recommend a couple of other things:

Firts, make sure whatever school you attend they are 'Regionally Accredited.' Otherwise you might be paying into a diploma mill for essentially nothing.

Secondly, in my experience only, MBA's are a dime a dozen among the civilian populace. Almost every job I applied to, other people had MBA. It created a 'so what' or 'everyone' has and MBA populace. So make sure you relaize you are not getting a leg up on the competition.

Lastly, make sure your specialization with your MBA is what you are going to want to do for when you leave the military. Some but not all, but many HR managers disqualify you for any position you are applying for if it does not relate to your MBA concentration. An example: If you completed and MBA with a concentration on Accounting, don't expect to get a job in marketing. Sonds crazy because an MBA is an MBA, but it is the truth.

Feel free to hit me up with a message if I can help you anymore.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 8:37 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:37:30 -0400

My MBA program was a mix between papers, tests, and group projects. We had a goal that if you achieved a certain GPA you could exempt the COMP exam. The school didn't offer a Thesis program so the COMP was what they deemed as comparable.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 8:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:40:35 -0400

I did mine through University of Phoenix. Some of it was easy other parts a pain in butt. It takes a few hours almost every night and some time on the weekends but as long as you don't let yourself get behind it can be done.

Response by SSG Matt Blain made Jun 8 at 2015 3:21 PM

SSG Matt Blain — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:21:15 -0400

I just finished my master's in business at USC and it can be challenging when you add in full time work and a family. School and HW at nights and work and family during regular hours are challenging, however, extremely beneficial and well worth it. There is a program at USC called Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) it is a business course strictly for veterans that go through the course in a small cohort (50 people), Friday and Saturday class schedule.

Check out the link, there were Veterans aging from 50 to 24, some of whom were still serving, while others have been out for almost two decades

http://www.marshall.usc.edu/mbv

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 2:18 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:18:50 -0400

I did mine through CTU. A few of the classes were difficult, but overall I didn't feel overworked. My wife did hers through UMUC and she loved it. They had some pretty challenging projects, but she's smart and loved it.

Response by Sgt Brian Hoffman made Oct 17 at 2015 12:55 AM

Sgt Brian Hoffman — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 00:55:49 -0400

I'm a little late here, but I'll throw in. I finished up this past May, and would say the most important thing to consider is the time investment. Even if it's not a top 10 school, and even if your undergrad work was significantly mitigated by your abilities.

No matter how smart you are or how easily you process the content, you will have a very large portion of group work, projects, presentations, and networking opportunities that will suck out every free minute of your life for 2 years. And frankly, these are things you don't want to miss out on anyway. Internalizing of every topic in every subject effectively is only part of getting the most out of your MBA.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 9:15 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:15:06 -0500

Weird, I have the same question, I'm mostly interested in online programs. QS has been very useful in my research and I attended a MBA college fair in October- very useful and narrowed down my school choices. Here's the website: http://www.topuniversities.com Best of luck to you.

Top Universities

Published annually since 2004, QS World University Rankings is the most trusted university ranking in the world and now includes university fees information.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 19 at 2016 2:31 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 14:31:44 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Mississippi State was a terrific school for my MBA. Not an easy program, but very achievable and flexible because the staff and professors understood my active duty commitments. I learned a lot from the classes and faculty who taught them. I remember a high focus on real world applications of business principles and it gave me some valuable knowledge to take into my military roles and future career as a veteran. To top it off, Cindy Smith and her MS State staff were always beyond supportive to military and veteran students. Hope this helps!

Response by SFC Teresa Threatts made Mar 20 at 2016 6:38 PM

SFC Teresa Threatts — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 18:38:26 -0400

I'm an MBA student & the course is challenging; but I have had wonderful support from professors & staff. I'm 5 classes from completion. You have to be disciplined & do your work even when you don't feel like it. You have to keep pushing yourself. I thank God that I'm almost finished! It will be well worth it!

Response by SFC Teresa Threatts made Jul 6 at 2016 11:21 AM

SFC Teresa Threatts — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 11:21:12 -0400

I am pursuing my MBA with a concentration in healthcare management. I have 2 classes left before completion. It has been tough at times, but I am almost finished. I am praying that once I finish this, I will be hired relatively soon. This is a big investment for me and I want it to pay off. If you are wanting to pursue an MBA, I think that it will be well worth it. True enough, there are times when I have wanted to quit, but I know that I had to push myself to keep going. I'll be finished on 8 October 2016. I'm excited!!! It's challenging, but it's well worth it.

Response by Andrew Keady made Jun 26 at 2017 2:52 AM

Andrew Keady — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 02:52:44 -0400

I graduated with my MBA this year. Overall, it is not that difficult. However, the math courses such as quantitative and finance can be difficult for some. As long as you are a strong writer you should be able to handle the rest.