Thank you, I have looked at that one but does not meet my limited pre-req needs. I would be doing catch up work for about a year and a half before I even started the MBA core.

I don't have anything to dissuade you from Southwestern or push you toward another school -- I just wanted to say that everyone should do their homework like this before selecting a school.

-=Steve=-

Thanks Steve-

Thanks for your comment, I agree on the importance of research thats why this site has been a goldmine so far. Its one thing to talk to people like my co-workers for example but everyone has their own personal biases. Most of them went to get their MBA right after their BA so that is a whole different world than a 30 something with 2 kids, a career and lots of bills.

sactownbodden:

I have been lingering around the forums for a month or so and have gotten a lot of great tips and advice from various people. I have also searched and not found any specific discussions about this, so it's time to post.

I am looking at online MBA programs and have narrowed the field down to just a few and was hoping for some comparisons if anyone has been to two of the programs or any specific input about any of the individual schools.

Here is the short list:

Bellevue, Ashford, Southwestern College, and Columbia College.

As for my criteria:

Cost- the better the value the bigger the plus. I am trying to stay under 20K

accelerated -6 week term preferred but 12 is probably doable, really my goal is to be done in 2 years

No major prerequisite requirements - my BA is in psychology. I don't mind doing a condensed bridge class or something along those lines, but any program over 2 courses is out.

Format - I prefer more project based than test based but don't really care that much.

Reputation - I am not looking for a top 40 school or even top 100 for that matter, just something that does not have a bad reputation. This is basically for career advancement at my current job. Definitely needs to be at least RA but AASCB doesn't matter to me.

I think that is about all. Any feedback or comparison would be great, also any school that has been overlooked.

Here are some of my current thoughts:

Bellevue - really like it other than the 12 week courses

Southwestern - sounds great, probably #1 right now

Ashford - would be #1 but Southwestern is cheaper so if anyone has gone to both schools I would love to hear about it especially any differences in class delivery format

Columbia College - I think this one is out due to the prereqs but wanted to hear about it if anyone ha some great points.

Sorry I know that was a long one. Thanks in advance for any info.

I've been to Southwestern, (BS) and Ashford (MBA) and I'm currently attending Bellevue (MS) starting in just a few days.  My step sister attended Columbia briefly.

Here's what I know:

Southwestern is a great school, you really begin to feel like you are part of something special there.  They have a good alumni society and the school really looks out for its students.  If you don't mind a holistic approach to learning (ie heavy on ethics, character building, etc.) then this school should be a great choice.  I personally have no regrets whatsoever.  The classes are fast paced and generally everyone involved is great.  Not the most administratively transparent school out there, but once accepted into the program you're good to go.

Ashford, I blogged on them extensively.  The single most seamless educational experience I've ever had from A to Z.  They are tough though, so just because it's easy to get in do not expect an easy ride once you're in.  They have that little 4 to 6 month infamous "hump" where all your quatitative stuff comes at you at once but I lived, I'm sure you will.  These guys are like Southwestern in that the courses are relentless, one right after another with no breaks in between.  The delivery format is beautiful, the best I've ever seen.  The research library, as easy to use as Google and their faculty are great.  You can't go wrong with either Southwestern or Ashford, both are great.

Bellevue looks like they will be about on par with Southwestern, not as administratively transparent but once you get going it's all good.  I'm expecting great things from Bellevue, but I'll admit, 12 weeks feels like forever when studying on a single subject.  Certainly not as fast paced as the prior two.

Collumbia College is a great school.  My step sister was a little overwhelmed at the workload but managed to pass her courses.  She commented on how the online classes demanded more of her than the on campus classes and she was shocked at the extra work put on the online students.  I personally expect this sort of thing since you are reading your texts rather than attending lectures.  

You picked 4 strong winners here, any way you go is splitting hairs but in my opinion you've got the best final 4 list I've seen in a while. 

sactownbodden:

Thanks for your comment, I agree on the importance of research thats why this site has been a goldmine so far. Its one thing to talk to people like my co-workers for example but everyone has their own personal biases. Most of them went to get their MBA right after their BA so that is a whole different world than a 30 something with 2 kids, a career and lots of bills.

Around here I suppose we have our own biases too, everyone does.  But I do think that there wouldn't be so many schools out there if each one wasn't meeting someone's particular needs.  No one school, or even set of schools, is best for everyone.

-=Steve=-