Patten University MBA Review

[dartheminence]

In early Oct, I enrolled with Patten University. Unbeknownst to me, I could not start courses yet because I do not have my diploma conferred until Dec 31st, meaning I have to start in January. That being said, I still have access to all 12 of my MBA courses and can work ahead on all assignments except final exams and final projects. Each class requires one of both.

What I love:
-Tuition is 1996.00 for a four month term on a graduate level. Bachelors degrees are cheaper. Although rare, there have been people who have completed the entire MBA within 4 months.
- There is a preliminary test that examines how much you know about the course going on. If you pass with a 70 percent or higher, you can opt to attempt to test out of the entire course by just doing the final exam.
- They do not charge by credit, so you can work at your own pace as much as you like, whenever you like.
- Tests are administered online via webcam and special software, which is very convenient.
- The pre-reqs, other than having a BA or BS include having taken or CLEP or DSST tested out of Microeconomics and a college level math course.

I was originally considering Eastern New Mexico University, however, a student not living in the state can only take 6 credits per term to get in-state tuition rates, prolonging the time needed to obtain the degree as well as costing more funds.

I am enjoying the coursework, and I highly recommend the program! I hope this helps someone!

[sanantone]

Muy interesante! Do you know if the final exams are essay, multiple choice, etc? What is usually required for the projects i.e. research paper, applied project, etc?

[dartheminence]

Muy interesante! Do you know if the final exams are essay, multiple choice, etc? What is usually required for the projects i.e. research paper, applied project, etc?

I don't have all of the answers yet, simply because I'm not allowed to access that material until I'm officially enrolled. From what I understand, the final is, in fact, multiple choice for each class. I don't really know too much about projects. But I most certainly will keep you updated and informed when I dive on in.

[sanantone]

Thanks. The program already sounds more tolerable than WGU's. No offense to WGU graduate students!

[topdog98]

- There is a preliminary test that examines how much you know about the course going on. If you pass with a 70 percent or higher, you can opt to attempt to test out of the entire course by just doing the final exam.

Does this mean that one could completely test out of the MBA? Is the project required if you test out of the course by passing the final?

Great review! Please keep us updated on your progress!

[rebel100]

Thanks. The program already sounds more tolerable than WGU's. No offense to WGU graduate students!

Depends on your strengths, both real and perceived. I would much rather write a lengthy paper than face the stress of exit exams. WGU lets you re-write till you get it right too.

The cost between Patten ad WGU is almost a wash, WGU is $3250/6 months, so $6500/year, compared to Patten at $1996/4 months or $5988/year, so the savings is only significant if you finish quickly.

With that said, had Patten been around 14 or so months ago I would have seriously considered it. There is a lot to like!

[dartheminence]

Does this mean that one could completely test out of the MBA? Is the project required if you test out of the course by passing the final?

Great review! Please keep us updated on your progress!

From what my adviser told me, yes.

[dartheminence]

Depends on your strengths, both real and perceived. I would much rather write a lengthy paper than face the stress of exit exams. WGU lets you re-write till you get it right too.

The cost between Patten ad WGU is almost a wash, WGU is $3250/6 months, so $6500/year, compared to Patten at $1996/4 months or $5988/year, so the savings is only significant if you finish quickly.

With that said, had Patten been around 14 or so months ago I would have seriously considered it. There is a lot to like!

I understand your point. However, Patten offers hands on projects, and trust me, there is plenty of writing, if you choose not to test out from the get-go and plenty of interaction with fellow classmates.

[Gusgus]

What school offers the quickest route? I am really leaning towards WGU but if Patten is easier and still has the same RA qualifications I would attend.

[armyb77]

What school offers the quickest route? I am really leaning towards WGU but if Patten is easier and still has the same RA qualifications I would attend.

I would be careful on using the word "easier." Patten is less expensive than WGU, to say it is easier may end up being misleading. One thing to remember is Patten is a for profit company unlike WGU. For profit can be frowned upon by some so it depends on what your goals are. If you are not going to a top 10 Business school than an MBA is an MBA to many employers with RA holding a better standing than NA. An MBA will make you qualify for a job you may not have, but the interview not your credentials will get you hired.

Here is some additional information about Patten that may help you:
Much of Patten's faculty was recruited out of WGU and they developed a very similar model. I am currently enrolled at Patten and you can either challenge a course or take a standard route. When you challenge a course 50% of your grade comes from your proctored final exam, and the other 50% comes from your project which can be ~20+ pages of work and research plus video presentations or slide presentation. When you fail to pass using the challenge method you can go back and take the standard route by completing the forum discussions, homework assignments, and papers. The breakdown becomes 40% final, 40% Project and 20% coursework.

Hope you find this helpful!