Central Michigan University is revolutionizing its master of business in administration program by giving working professionals the opportunity to continue their careers while learning software that is used by 85 percent of all Fortune 1000 companies.
Newswise — CMU's College of Business Administration's new online MBA program is the only online MBA program offered that has a management information systems concentration with an emphasis in SAP. SAP enterprise resource planning software provides the capability to manage financial, asset, and cost accounting; production operations and materials; personnel; plants; and archived documents.
"We have been offering a wide array of SAP classes for the past eight years, but extending SAP into an MBA program is a natural and exciting evolution," said D. Michael Fields, dean of the College of Business Administration. "Our new online MBA program allows us to offer our expertise to a larger market of working professionals."
Comprised of management, business and finance classes, the CMU MBA program is designed to prepare graduate students to take leadership positions in the business world. The 18-month accelerated program is taught completely online, and with the exception of an intensive two-week SAP Academy, will be taught in a cohort format that includes a group of students following a set schedule of courses together from start to finish.
"This program will provide immediate added value to its graduates in two ways," said Fields. "Not only will they be adding a valuable skill set, but they can likely immediately apply this knowledge to their workplace and add value to their employer."
An overview of CMU’s online MBA program and admission criteria can be found at http://www.cel.cmich.edu/onlinemba.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Waste of Money for Would-Be Entrepreneurs
Seventy percent of the small business owners who participated in the survey indicated that an MBA degree isn't a big factor in determining entrepreneurial success.
SurePayroll President Michael Alter says that the survey results are not surprising.
"That's the beauty of entrepreneurship," said Alter. "Anybody can go into business regardless of their education. A person's level of education is isn't a big determinant of success. The things that matter are having a good business plan, finding a niche, being passionate about what you do, and working hard and smart to achieve your business goals."
The entrepreneurs who were surveyed clearly agree that formal education is not an essential ingredient for entrepreneurial success. Only 44 percent said that formal education is very important in preparing entrepreneurs for success. 51 percent said that education is only somewhat important and 5 percent said that education is not important. In a ranking of entrepreneurial success factors, formal education came in last.
SurePayroll President Michael Alter says that the survey results are not surprising.
"That's the beauty of entrepreneurship," said Alter. "Anybody can go into business regardless of their education. A person's level of education is isn't a big determinant of success. The things that matter are having a good business plan, finding a niche, being passionate about what you do, and working hard and smart to achieve your business goals."
The entrepreneurs who were surveyed clearly agree that formal education is not an essential ingredient for entrepreneurial success. Only 44 percent said that formal education is very important in preparing entrepreneurs for success. 51 percent said that education is only somewhat important and 5 percent said that education is not important. In a ranking of entrepreneurial success factors, formal education came in last.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
MBA Will Put Your Career on the Fast Track
If you feel like your career isn't heading in the direction you'd like, or if you think it's time to change careers, you may want to start by looking into MBA programs. While on-the-job learning is great training and valuable background, many employers are looking for academic credentials for higher level jobs.Not only can an MBA lead to a more interesting, fulfilling career, but it can also substantially increase your income. According to PayScale.com, the median salary for individuals with an MBA degree is $78,000. That compares to a median salary of $57,000 for people with a Bachelor of Science degree, $51,000 for someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and $40,444 for someone with a high school diploma. Clearly, if you are shooting for a rewarding career with a hefty paycheck, an MBA is the way to go.But if you're already working a full-time job, raising a family, or taking care of other obligations, chances are you can't just put the brakes on your everyday life to go back to school fulltime. There's another way to get your degree -- online learning. With online learning, you can get the credentials you need to reach your career goals on a schedule that works for you.
eLearners is a company that provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs. Services at eLearners.com are free -- the site and its provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers. They point you to a wide variety of colleges, schools and companies, and try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.For instance, Walden University, is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.The University's academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. Walden's MBA program is results-oriented and designed to deliver an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.
An MBA isn't the only way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates.
eLearners is a company that provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs. Services at eLearners.com are free -- the site and its provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers. They point you to a wide variety of colleges, schools and companies, and try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.For instance, Walden University, is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.The University's academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. Walden's MBA program is results-oriented and designed to deliver an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.
An MBA isn't the only way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Schools use active approach to market MBA programs
When marketing their MBA programs, area colleges and universities take into consideration the competition from each other, and are constantly examining the effectiveness of their messages.
As an example of specialization, Stephen Mayer, MBA director for Niagara University, said many universities are differentiating themselves by offering advanced degrees in areas of focus that may include finance, international business, as well as programs in entrepreneurship, innovation.
Ethics and corporate governance, e-commerce and digital commerce are common focus areas.
"I see MBA programs being responsive in the communities at large to help them become competitive," Mayer said.
As an example of specialization, Stephen Mayer, MBA director for Niagara University, said many universities are differentiating themselves by offering advanced degrees in areas of focus that may include finance, international business, as well as programs in entrepreneurship, innovation.
Ethics and corporate governance, e-commerce and digital commerce are common focus areas.
"I see MBA programs being responsive in the communities at large to help them become competitive," Mayer said.
MBA Can Put Your Career on the Fast Track
If you feel like your career isn't heading in the direction you'd like, or if you think it's time to change careers, you may want to start by looking into MBA programs. While on-the-job learning is great training and valuable background, many employers are looking for academic credentials for higher level jobs.Not only can an MBA lead to a more interesting, fulfilling career, but it can also substantially increase your income. According to PayScale.com, the median salary for individuals with an MBA degree is $78,000. That compares to a median salary of $57,000 for people with a Bachelor of Science degree, $51,000 for someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and $40,444 for someone with a high school diploma. Clearly, if you are shooting for a rewarding career with a hefty paycheck, an MBA is the way to go.But if you're already working a full-time job, raising a family, or taking care of other obligations, chances are you can't just put the brakes on your everyday life to go back to school fulltime. There's another way to get your degree -- online learning. With online learning, you can get the credentials you need to reach your career goals on a schedule that works for you.eLearners is a company that provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs. Services at eLearners.com are free -- the site and its provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers. They point you to a wide variety of colleges, schools and companies, and try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.For instance, Walden University, is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.The University's academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. Walden's MBA program is results-oriented and designed to deliver an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.An MBA isn't the only way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates.
The insider: Judge Business School
As the first term starts drawing to a close, my one year on the MBA is feeling both more precious and more fleeting than before. I spent the first term getting to know the other people going through this experience with me and trying to keep up with the material, concepts and techniques being thrown out daily by the lecturers. Now my attention is turning to what I’m going to do next. This, after all, is what doing an MBA is about: not the pleasure of academic study, but to help the transition to the next stage of my career.
I think that I’m in denial about actually making decisions about what I want to do next. Major global corporations arrive at Judge every week to explain why we should work for them. Closer to home, Cambridge is full of opportunities: it has more venture capital invested in new companies per head of population than anywhere else in Europe. The feeling of virtually limitless options is pleasant and quite enticing.
However, as I see those around me beginning to get job offers or getting short-listed for final rounds of interviews after only two months on the course, I’m wondering if I need to make my mind up.
My aim when I started the MBA was to remain in the high-tech cluster around Cambridge. I still have a strong desire to work in this area, but I’m now also considering other options. There are two traditional recruiters of MBA graduates – banks and management consultancies. Early on I ruled out the banks – I’m just not passionate about moving money around. I am, however, considering consultancy. My interest in this sector began while taking part in a competition run by a management consultancy. Teams from ten business schools in Europe and the United States were given a hypothetical business situation to analyse and then they had to present their recommendations to the partners of the firm. My team was selected to represent Judge at the European finals in London, where our recommendations will be judged against those of four other European schools. The winning European team will then compete against the winning US team in the global final. The competition is a great chance to get some insight into the world of consultancy. I’m hoping that the experience will help me to make my mind up. The prize money would be nice too.
I think that I’m in denial about actually making decisions about what I want to do next. Major global corporations arrive at Judge every week to explain why we should work for them. Closer to home, Cambridge is full of opportunities: it has more venture capital invested in new companies per head of population than anywhere else in Europe. The feeling of virtually limitless options is pleasant and quite enticing.
However, as I see those around me beginning to get job offers or getting short-listed for final rounds of interviews after only two months on the course, I’m wondering if I need to make my mind up.
My aim when I started the MBA was to remain in the high-tech cluster around Cambridge. I still have a strong desire to work in this area, but I’m now also considering other options. There are two traditional recruiters of MBA graduates – banks and management consultancies. Early on I ruled out the banks – I’m just not passionate about moving money around. I am, however, considering consultancy. My interest in this sector began while taking part in a competition run by a management consultancy. Teams from ten business schools in Europe and the United States were given a hypothetical business situation to analyse and then they had to present their recommendations to the partners of the firm. My team was selected to represent Judge at the European finals in London, where our recommendations will be judged against those of four other European schools. The winning European team will then compete against the winning US team in the global final. The competition is a great chance to get some insight into the world of consultancy. I’m hoping that the experience will help me to make my mind up. The prize money would be nice too.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Online MBA Accreditation
The Most Important Consideration When Choosing an Online MBA Program
School accreditation is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an online MBA program. Proper accreditation could mean the difference between an online MBA degree that gets you a promotion and a degree that isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
Anyone can make up a “fake” accrediting agency, and many diploma mills will boast of accreditation from organizations that sound professional. However, not every accrediting agency gets respect in the real world. There are three types of accreditation agencies that are essential to consider when earning an MBA online: regional accreditation, professional accreditation, and distance learning accreditation.
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. If you want your online MBA to be recognized by future employers, you’ll want to make sure to enroll in a school that has regional accreditation. There are six regional accrediting agencies that grant this recognition. Although your MBA classes will be held online, the school itself should be accredited by one of the six agencies:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (info@msche.org) – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands New England Association of Colleges and Schools (kwillis@neasc.org) – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info@ncacihe.org) – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (northwest@boisestate.edu) – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (info@sacscasi.org) – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Western Association of Schools and Colleges (wascsr@wascsenior.org) – California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin
Professional Accreditation
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) grants accreditation to MBA and other business programs. AACSB is a well-established, respected accrediting agency that is trusted by many employers in the field of business.
Graduating from an online MBA program that is accredited by the AACSB may give your resume an extra boost. Some employers may be more likely to hire you because of your school’s accreditation. However, AACSB accreditation is not necessary. If your alma mater is regionally accredited, most employers will still be willing to hire you.
Distance Learning Accreditation
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is the largest accrediting agency to focus solely on distance learning colleges. The council is growing in respect and recognition; however its accreditation is still the least influential. If your online MBA program is accredited by the proper regional agency or by the AACSB, don’t worry about distance learning accreditation.
An online MBA degree that is only accredited by the DETC is better than a degree that has no accreditation at all. However, your DETC-accredited degree may not be fully recognized by other universities and future employers.
In a Nutshell
Accreditation can be confusing. As you search for the perfect online MBA program, here are the basics you’ll need to remember:
1. Regional accreditation is your best bet.
2. AACSB accreditation will make your online MBA stand out.
3. DETC accreditation may not be accepted everywhere.
4. Any other type of accreditation will not be as important as the three listed above.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, online MBA, MBA Accreditation, degree Accreditation
School accreditation is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an online MBA program. Proper accreditation could mean the difference between an online MBA degree that gets you a promotion and a degree that isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
Anyone can make up a “fake” accrediting agency, and many diploma mills will boast of accreditation from organizations that sound professional. However, not every accrediting agency gets respect in the real world. There are three types of accreditation agencies that are essential to consider when earning an MBA online: regional accreditation, professional accreditation, and distance learning accreditation.
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. If you want your online MBA to be recognized by future employers, you’ll want to make sure to enroll in a school that has regional accreditation. There are six regional accrediting agencies that grant this recognition. Although your MBA classes will be held online, the school itself should be accredited by one of the six agencies:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (info@msche.org) – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands New England Association of Colleges and Schools (kwillis@neasc.org) – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info@ncacihe.org) – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (northwest@boisestate.edu) – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (info@sacscasi.org) – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Western Association of Schools and Colleges (wascsr@wascsenior.org) – California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin
Professional Accreditation
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) grants accreditation to MBA and other business programs. AACSB is a well-established, respected accrediting agency that is trusted by many employers in the field of business.
Graduating from an online MBA program that is accredited by the AACSB may give your resume an extra boost. Some employers may be more likely to hire you because of your school’s accreditation. However, AACSB accreditation is not necessary. If your alma mater is regionally accredited, most employers will still be willing to hire you.
Distance Learning Accreditation
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is the largest accrediting agency to focus solely on distance learning colleges. The council is growing in respect and recognition; however its accreditation is still the least influential. If your online MBA program is accredited by the proper regional agency or by the AACSB, don’t worry about distance learning accreditation.
An online MBA degree that is only accredited by the DETC is better than a degree that has no accreditation at all. However, your DETC-accredited degree may not be fully recognized by other universities and future employers.
In a Nutshell
Accreditation can be confusing. As you search for the perfect online MBA program, here are the basics you’ll need to remember:
1. Regional accreditation is your best bet.
2. AACSB accreditation will make your online MBA stand out.
3. DETC accreditation may not be accepted everywhere.
4. Any other type of accreditation will not be as important as the three listed above.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, online MBA, MBA Accreditation, degree Accreditation
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