New transfer credit for Master degree - WGU

[bjcheung77]

WGU is NOT AACSB, It's a preference for some people, ACBSP is just fine, you see many public/state in addition to private/non-profit institutions with ACBSP... Heck, there are even some with the IACBE which I rarely recommend as I've never seen anyone require that, it's just recommendation to have over the plain jane RA option... Being IACBE, ACBSP or AACSB doesn't really make a program better, it's just a programmatic/secondary quality check that they go through. To alleviate the two terms for WGU MBA, it's rather simple, do a term for the WGU MSML and then the WGU MBA.

[dervish]

WGU is NOT AACSB, It's a preference for some people, ACBSP is just fine, you see many public/state in addition to private/non-profit institutions with ACBSP... Heck, there are even some with the IACBE which I rarely recommend as I've never seen anyone require that, it's just recommendation to have over the plain jane RA option...  Being IACBE, ACBSP or AACSB doesn't really make a program better, it's just a programmatic/secondary quality check that they go through.  To alleviate the two terms for WGU MBA, it's rather simple, do a term for the WGU MSML and then the WGU MBA.

I don't think I said WGU is AACSB -- and that's the problem, as they are ACBSP.

While I agree that in reality AACSB and ACBSP are very similar in quality (and me personally I would prefer ACBSP), but in reality only AACSB MBA degrees "count" and are featured in serious rankings or by most Fortune 500 corporations. Also, when schools with all accreditations are ranked together, the AACSB outrank their counterpart ACBSP/IACBE MBAs significantly. The only exception are European business accreditors, like EQUIS or AMBA, which are considered rough equivalents to AACSB. 

I don't agree that being IACBE, ACBSP or AACSB doesn't really make a program better -- it really does, precisely through that quality control ("programmatic/secondary quality check"). If not for these accreditations that keep them honest and on their toes, then most school's would have had just trash MBA degrees that are overpriced. Since MBA degrees are cash cows for universities. Thanks to the accreditations, they are just overpriced, but not always trash. 

(and I looked into accreditations back in the day, since a friend wanted to get it for his online business school -- they are hard to get and require a lot of effort to get and to keep).

How does WGU's MSML and then MBA alleviate the two terms issue? It's still one term for MSML and one term for the MBA, no? Do you mean that at least by doing this you will have 2 degrees in 2 terms instead of 1 degree in 2 terms? While that's valuable for some, it's not for me, since WGU is not and will never be highly ranked or prestigious in its business courses, thus having 2 of its degrees on the resume is a minus, and instead of spending money on MSML, I'd rather get a well recognized industry certification for change management, such as from Prosci (although I already have a change management certification from MSI, so don't really need it).

[bjcheung77]

For myself, I don't really look at the programmatic/secondary accreditation too much, it's a good to have, not a requirement and I did settle for ACBSP.  MSI?  Is that Management & Strategy Institute?  I keep getting emails from them ever since I grabbed some of their certs... I stopped recommending them as well ever since they withdrew from IASSC and created their own...  Here's a post from last year, https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid380927  And another post from a 18 months ago: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid364225

[TINASAM]

For myself, I don't really look at the programmatic/secondary accreditation too much

But Fortune 500 hiring committees DO look at it..... a lot.

[dervish]

For myself, I don't really look at the programmatic/secondary accreditation too much, it's a good to have, not a requirement and I did settle for ACBSP.  MSI?  Is that Management & Strategy Institute?  I keep getting emails from them ever since I grabbed some of their certs... I stopped recommending them as well ever since they withdrew from IASSC and created their own...  Here's a post from last year, https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid380927  And another post from a 18 months ago: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid364225

I understand, but majority of people, irrespective of what they might claim here or elsewhere, do look and consider both rankings and accreditations. While some of those that do not fall in the same category as you - don't care or believe in any value of these accreditations - but some others are simply ignorant, and don't know the difference between AACSB, IACBE, AMBA, EQUIS, ACBSP.

Regarding MSI vs. IASSC - they pretty much have the same legitimacy. IASSC did not invent change management, or six sigma (two different concepts, mind you, and IASSC specializes on six sigma, and MSI on change management, and I got the change management specialist from MSI). IASSC was established in 2009 - not even that long ago. And they are now owned by PeopleCert, and charge very high fees -- which are unreasonable and a money grab. Here's a competing six sigma organization comparing itself to IASSC and ASQ, highlighting the money grab IASSC is: https://www.sixsigmacouncil.org/iassc-vs...editation/

So while MSI is not exactly ISO or otherwise old, respected standard-setting certification and accrediting body, but at the same time the gap between them vs. IASSC, ASQ, CSSC, and whoever else out there is not that big.  MSI is among recommended certs by both Indeed and CIO Magazine:
https://www.cio.com/article/221699/7-cha...areer.html
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/car...tification

All this to say - I'm not endorsing MSI or anyone, nor do I say they are better. Merely pointing out that when smth is not regulated and not standartized by the inventor, then choice has to be made based on multiple factors, including price. In my case I figured paying $6k for Prosci change management cert didn't make sense, so I paid $300 for an MSI. Am I open to getting the Prosci or some other Rolls-Royce change management cert in the future? Absolutely, but only if someone will help with the cost. For the same exact reason that most people on this forum decide to go to WGU and other lower-cost universities: we feel many other choices are money-grabs with only marginal rate of improvement over the lower-cost option.

[nykorn]

I'm attempting to transfer a UoPeople Master's of Education course in to WGU, but it may be rejected simply due to being a low grade. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

There's a few online for-credit Master's level Education courses you can get for ＄400 or less, intended for required continuing education credit to keep your teaching license. However WGU would be cheaper. An example of such a site is https://creditsforteachers.com/shop-courses/

I hunted around and unless you qualify for free local classes due to low income, or use a non-American school, UoPeople (＄300 per class) and WGU are currently cheapest for Master's of Education credits.

[bjcheung77]

Depending on your needs, if a degree from DEAC (NA) would work for you, the least expensive Bachelors level and Masters level options are below.

Bachelors Education & Religion: https://genesisu.edu/bachelor-of-education-religion/
Masters Education: http://upasadena.org/degree-programs/mas...education/