Here is where I am now with my graduate school decision..

[Vle045]

I have been looking into MBA and Human Resources paths.   I do *not* have a business degree.  I have been randomly taking online courses.  Not necessarily anything that is for credit (I am ok with that for now).  I want to keep my choices to no more than $10,000 total and avoid debt.  My undergrad took too long to pay off and I don’t want to go there again.   

So, that brings me to what I have found so far...

Walden - They offer both an MBA and a Master in Human Resources.  The HR program does not have program accreditation but the MBA does.  They got in some sort of trouble regarding the nursing program and I am afraid their RA accreditation may be at risk.  Not sure if the reputation of the school would be at risk.  I am doing the free term starting next month regardless.  Cost would be under 10,000 only if I can finish in 3 terms. (9 months - which may be hard).   

Grantham - I just found this school.  I would qualify for their “heroes” discount because my husband is a veteran and a police Lieutenant.  Could get an accredited MBA.  They do not offer an HR concentration nor a Master in HR, but they have both an undergrad and grad *certificate* in HR.  Seems they got in some kind of trouble for targeting military folks in their advertising.  Could be an issue with reputation for that, but I am not sure.  But I like the price. $250 per credit & no other fees.  I like that the cost remains the same even if I take it really slow.  But can’t choose an HR degree, only certificate.  I think they are NA and program accredited.

WGU - This is mostly appealing if I can get one of their scholarships.  I would possibly be eligible for the Administrative scholarship.  They only have an MBA, not an HR masters.  If I had the scholarship and could finish in two terms, it would stay under that 10,000 range.

I gave University of the People a try.  I think I need a little more interaction.  Not a fan of the peer grading thing.  And concerned on how well it would be received out in the world.  

Most other options I have found price around $20,000 or more.  I just don’t think I want to do that.  That would take loans.  Meh.

I am going to do the ENEB thing.  It’s super cheap and for me totally worth it regardless of what I get out of it.  I still can’t figure out how valid it would be here in the US.  But I have spent more money on a watch I didn’t need, so there’s that.    


I am also in the middle of the free certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion that USF is offering.  I figured this would at best be a nice supplement to any degree.  At worst, great personal and professional development.

Any further insights that might help are appreciated.

[Ideas]

Walden doesn't have a very good reputation.

Consider Purdue Global. Their regular online MBA has an HR concentration, or they have the competency-based program which is only a general concentration. I am not sure how much the regular program would cost.

[bjcheung77]

It's really cool and great that you're keeping options available to select from, I would open that up even more to other competency based degree providers or other programs that are similar to MBA or Masters with a concentration in HR. 

I'm not sure if you really need an MBA or a Masters with a concentration in HR to get "certified" as a SPHR.  Here's the website, you have 3 options for education & experience: https://www.hrci.org/our-programs/our-ce...tions/sphr

I would maybe put my focus on an UMASS MAOL and SPHR certification combo for the best bang for money... or if you want a WGU MSML and SPHR certification.  Work on the following three items - 1) Degree 2) Certification 3) Experience

[dfrecore]

I'd probably continue looking. If you want HR, I'm not certain you need an MBA - would a MSOL work instead? If so, that opens up some more options as well. I also wouldn't consider an NA program, but that's me. I just want my degrees to be RA.

There may also be more schools out there that give you the $250/cr rate, since that's set by the military/DoD. Maybe not for a master's program, but even that has some cheaper options at some schools.

Competency-based master's programs:
UMPI has a MAOL (36cr/12 courses) for $2,000/8wk term - if you can finish in 5 terms or less, that's $10k. I think it's very doable.
Capella has a MBA/HR for $2,500/12wk term.
WGU has a MS in Management & Leadership that's ACSB-accredited for $4,325/6mo term.
Brandman (soon to be UMass Global) has a MAOL for $3,500/24wk term

[Alpha]

I haven't checked the details but ASAIK, the least expensive MBA/HR programs are Columbia Southern, Fitchburg State and Fort Hays State.

[dfrecore]

Something to keep in mind as you look: price per credit needs to be multiplied by number of credits to get the full price going in. A $350/cr program requiring 39cr is going to cost more than a program costing $400/cr that only requires 30cr.

Many schools say that if you don't have an ACBSP-accredited Bachelor's degree, then you have to take up to 9cr of "pre-MBA" coursework.

Also, some MAOL or similar degrees require fewer (and very different) courses than the MBA. For instance the FHSU MBA/HR is 33cr, but their MPS in HRM is 30cr.

[freeloader]

If you are not opposed to Liberty University (from a religious/philosophical perspective, for instance) they might be a good option. It’s an RA and ACBSP accredited school. They have an MBA with an HR concentration (12 hours in HR). If I understand correctly, your tuition as a veterans’s spouse would be $275/hour. The total tuition would be $12,375, BUT Liberty accepts up to 50% transfer credits. You have expressed interest in the free term at Walden. If you were able to earn 9 credits, let’s say, at Walden and transferred those to Liberty, you would be at 36 hours remaining. That would leave you at $9,900 for your remaining credits at Liberty.

[Vle045]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will probably look a little more closely at them tonight. I think for the veteran’s discounts, it would have to be something that the school is offering on it’s own and not through the DoD. If I understand correctly, his benefit through them was only good for 10 years. He has been out of the military a lot longer than that. He chose not to use those benefits and went right in to police work. But admittedly , I am not well versed in that

[Vle045]

I haven't checked the details but ASAIK, the least expensive MBA/HR programs are Columbia Southern, Fitchburg State and Fort Hays State.

Wow! I just looked at Columbia Southern.  They have a Hero behind the Hero award that would cover 60 credits.  But it looks like it’s basically like a lottery pull.  Not automatic.  They pick a total of 4 per year.

[Vle045]

Well, my first month and a half at Walden has been SLOW for me. Lack of time is one barrier and my complete feeling of inadequacy in writing a paper has kind of halted my progress. My coach set up a time to call me every Thursday to check inn, but he has only called once. If I don’t take some time to really focus for like a week straight, I don’t know if I will finish much. I might be better off to stick with the ENEB thing for now. I am not sure. Glad this is a free term.