🙌🙌🙌 QUESTION: How many hours per class per week do you think it takes to attend class, study, and complete assignments/projects/exams? Let me know in the comments below! 👇👇👇
I completed a hybrid MS in my 40s, partly forced by Covid, and graduated December 2020 against all odds. Depending on course work, I agree the time commitment varies. Also consider how the course time is split up. My program was in semesters split into 2- 8 week sections, and 3 or 4 courses per semester. As you can imagine, with work and any chance at a personal life or sanity, I learned quickly this was too much. I backed off to 2 courses the first 8 weeks, and 1 course the second 8 weeks. There was no break between semesters (except for Christmas and Easter, and I did not take summer off. When it comes to research papers/capstone/literature reviews, I felt it was more challenging to organize time. It takes a lot of discipline and drive, but if I could do it, you can do it too. I am now looking into online PhD programs, which goes against the classic academia style thinking (that you need to suffer years of broke misery), but I think there is a strong movement in this direction. I also love doing things others say I could never do. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it, or that it is a waste of money. Do your research, commit, and follow through. I doubled my income in less than 2 years...and I was making a good living already.
My online MBA program is one class of 3 credits every 8 weeks. I spend anywhere from 7 to 21 hours per week depending on course workload and difficulty.
Richard, I loved this series! I've recently finished my undergrad while on active duty in he military. I'm currently looking into programs that I can do online and that are military friendly. With that being said I've found an MBA program at Western Kentucky that military TA will cover in full, zero money out of my pocket! My question for you is, does a strong program matter all that much? What are your thoughts on Western Kentucky?
Hi Steven - thank you for your service! As far as the program goes, Western Kentucky is fine. If I'm calculating the tuition correctly, that's around $20K, give or take a couple thousand. If that's what the military will pay for, go for it. There are some other options to explore of universities of a much higher ranking for close to the same price though (University of Illinois, Boston Univ, etc). I do like the specializations WKU offers though. All around, its a solid choice. A strong program only matters to the extent you're willing to fork over 6 figures of tuition and get into a line of work that can produce a high enough salary to help you pay that off. For, let's say, programs that aren't as strong, you pay less, and you'll need to proactively network alot more to land opportunities, but you'll have your MBA.
Hey Richard! Thanks for the videos. QUESTION: how was your experience doing a capstone project for an online MBA? Did you submit a pre-recorded presentation async essentially? Or do a research paper? etc. Trying to get a better sense of what a capstone project would entail for an online MBA. Much appreciated!
Hi Derek - capstones were fine. They usually involve a good amount of work in the course of 2-4 weeks on a particular subject where you research and arrive at a conclusion on how to solve the problem given. They are typically pre-recorded presentations w/ your group, and then you show up to class where the video is played, and you allow for Q&A from professors and peers.
Hi Richard, first of all thank you for all your videos regarding UIUC, you are one of the reasons I applied to this program, and I will start the cours on August (if I proceed), just wondering, do you have experience that your class mate are coming from Asia which has huge time different? If yes, do you know how they manage it? Regards,
Hi -thanks for the comment and glad it was helpful. Congrats on getting accepted and best of luck in the program! As far as that type of experience, shouldn't be a major challenge. The program itself is accommodating to every time zone, in that they offer multiple times for their live sessions and you'll be joined in class with folks for whom that time works best. Additionally, when getting put into groups, time zones are certainly a consideration.
I work in financial aid at a university and I don't have a degree remotely related to bussiness or finance. I learned everything on the job. Trying to decide if I even want to bother with an MBA since I don't need one. 🤔
Hi Kelsea - not a necessity by any means, but I'd see if the university offers tuition reimbursement and explore some affordable MBA options. Although you may not find a need for it now, it could be beneficial later or in some other circumstances. Alternatively, if you network really well, and you have a good track record of experience, then you should be fine.
Hi Richard, are most online MBAs flexible in terms of how many classes you take a semester? I work full time and don’t want to be completely overwhelmed and miserable, so wondering if going at a slower pace is a option?
Hi John - yes, they generally are. Based on my experience and imagining what approach most programs would take, the administration of the program would likely recommend a maximum number of classes that they believe is doable for the average student. They understand many or most will be working full-time and have other obligations, so they very much want to work w/ students to ensure that you succeed in the program.
Hi Marko - thanks for the comment! Solid school and accredited. No issues if its at the price you need, the location you prefer, offers a curriculum (and/or specializations) that match your career interests.
Hi Sabara - would recommend to take your time with your MBA. Don't overload on coursework and expect to spend alot of evenings on school work. Best of luck!
Hi Richard, I just get accepted at UCL Online Global MBA. My main concern on online MBA is that i'm not able to cope with the assignments or lessons that they are given. At least if im in physical class i can ask a questions to a professor or my class mate but online its very difficult. How is the overall experience you would say.
Thanks Sachin! Planning a video on that in the future. Need to dig into it more as the marketing that Purdue does for their formal online MBA program vs the "global online" MBA is not entirely clear. My first impressions though, are that the program is a good one.
I currently have 2 more terms left until I obtain my bachelors degree….and I plan to go for masters shortly afterwards. I guess my question is how do you feel about Southern New Hampshire University? Pretty inexpensive compared to major colleges for an online Masters program, but I feel like they have a stigma because of their name
Don’t go straight into an MBA unless it’s a top tier business school. Get real world experience and an MBA once your a at mid-senior level in your career. High chance your company will pay as well
Hi! There's no formal need to waive the GMAT as it is not required. I ended up not taking the GMAT; I relied more on my GPA (3.5) and work experience to make the case for my admission.
Definitely not 10 hrs a week per class, I suggest you work faster and more efficient. Maybe 3 hrs a week per class, that includes lectures, reading and assignments.
Hey Richard! I was wondering if the online MBA program at Urbana Champagne can be completed in one year? I am starting medical school in July. Do you have recommendations of any online one year MBA programs?
Very unlikely - I think there might be restrictions on taking too many classes at once. WGU might give you an accelerated (flexible) pathway to an MBA in a year. Will likely be a ton of work, so make sure you're able to dedicate time to it!
Hi Paul - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Finished up recently and have a good amount of videos on my experience there you can check out if interested!
@@RichardWalls I will check them out, im about 75% done mine at the University of Fredericton in Canada. It's fully online but i still have found the program quite engaging for the most part.
Not the first video you say “it depends”. That’s a very poor cop out. Seriously stop doing it, it’s not helpful. It would be more useful for you to share how many hours you put in, given your background and situation. E.g. X hours for videos, Y hours to revise, and where bulk of the time is spent. Of course this varies between individual, given prior studies, background, and how receptive of this format. But this is your video, and I want to hear from your POV. Not “it depends”, I can read that off the university’s brochure.
My POV is that 10 hours/class/week is a reasonable estimate based on my experience. 😀 The issue is someone else could have virtually the same prior studies, background, etc, and spend a completely different amount of time on the same class. This is why I kept it high level. The details how exactly how much time I spent on each activity for a class is less important, because as people are exploring online MBAs, my exact experience may lead them to have certain expectations that may not come to fruition.
I thought he was pretty clear on this. Whether he says "it depends" after giving the specifics, or saying it before he gives specifics, does it matter?
Hi Christian - would recommend seeing what scholarships you're eligible for (either 3rd party or through the university). Can do a loan. Alternatively, and my favorite option, is to work for an employer that has a tuition reimbursement program to help pay for an MBA.
Hey Arnaud! Program can be completed in as little as 2 years, but I opted to go the 3 year route - easier when it came to time management. More often than not, would take 2 classes at a time, but there were periods where I had just 1.
