Masters-level CBE programs

[EverSpinning]

Hello. I'm new here, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse. I looked through several threads and couldn't find a clear answer, so I want to propose my situation directly to see what advice some of you are willing to share. Thanks in advance!

Just this week I learned about CBE-based graduate programs in general and I'm interested in applying to one. But I've got the age-old "which one and why" dilemma. My hard requirement is that it must be CBE-based because my time waxes and wanes--sometimes I've got 40 or 50 hours to work in a week and other times only 15 or 20--I need something that will allow me to most efficiently apply those fluctuations in time availability.

There are a few issues that would help me in choosing one, sort of a "wish list," if you would. I understand that not every item will be fulfilled, but I hope this can give you (who have more knowledge about this field than I do) an idea of what I'm looking for if you're willing to help me navigate this.

• I've got 18 credit hours from previous work toward an MBA with Northeastern. At some point, the work became too reliant on others in a "group" and there were too many schedule conflicts and unreliable partners. I left that program. Now I want a CBE-based one. I would like a program (MBA or otherwise) that would accept as many of these graduate credits as possible. If it matters, I have some low 5000 level computer science courses from Kennesaw State as well, though I'm not eager to advance in computer science. Has anyone had luck transferring any graduate credits in a similar situation?
  
• I am a bit intimidated by the examinations on which so much effort and money ride, so I find myself leaning more toward programs that are more writing-heavy than exam-heavy. However, it's possible that my fears are unfounded. Can anyone speak on this issue? Are there programs that are almost entirely writing? Are some schools' exams easier than others' given reasonable preparation?
  
• I have looked into the MAOL at both UMPI and UMass Global (leaning toward the latter but I'm leaning a bit blindly). I've also looked at programs at WGU, including the MBA. I think the MBA "sounds better" in general, but I'm looking to get my first Master's under my belt after being burned by traditional online programs with synchronicity and group emphases, so I'm not married to the idea of an MBA. It would be my preference though. Besides WGU, what are the CBE-based MBA options? Are there better options for Leadership Masters degrees than the two universities I mentioned above?
  
• I'm not looking for prestige or rigor, but to gain leadership and management skills and hopefully make use of what I've already learned and done. It doesn't have to be a difficult education to be a good one, in my opinion.
  

Thanks for reading my longwindedness. I honestly don't know where to start except simply trying one of these programs out. Any help would be much appreciated.

One more... for those programs that aren't exactly CBE-based, which are most similar? Meaning fast tracked and completely asynchronous and much more solo-work than group-work? I'm willing to consider programs that don't say "Administration" or "Leadership" in the title as well if it's a good education.

Thanks again.

Brian

[EverSpinning]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with Kairos University in South Dakota. Their educational model is a bit enigmatic to me. They are subscription-based with a very low cost flat monthly fee (ranging from $300 to $600), but I can't find any information about how courses are progressed through.
It's both regionally accredited and ATS accredited for its seminary offerings. It has the potential to be the lowest cost ATS MDiv out there. However, the university lists the average completion time for that degree at over 4 years. That made me take a step back. Any thoughts as to why that might be? It seems counter to what we know about subscription-based degrees.

[rachel83az]

To be fair to Kairos:

1. I believe they only started their CBE model in the past year. Which means they are basing "average completion times" on non-CBE models.
2. WGU has similar time-to-completion stats on their site. I think they say that the average student completes a WGU Bachelor's in 2-3 years, but it's completely possible to complete such a degree in 1 year - or even 6 months. Same for Master's degrees at WGU.

There has been slightly more discussion of Kairos over on the sister forum: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?thr...ity.61033/

[EverSpinning]

To be fair to Kairos:

1. I believe they only started their CBE model in the past year. Which means they are basing "average completion times" on non-CBE models.
2. WGU has similar time-to-completion stats on their site. I think they say that the average student completes a WGU Bachelor's in 2-3 years, but it's completely possible to complete such a degree in 1 year - or even 6 months. Same for Master's degrees at WGU.

There has been slightly more discussion of Kairos over on the sister forum: https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?thr...ity.61033/

Thanks! I knew there was a thread out there, but I keep forgetting about the other forum!

I've reached out to them for more information.

[elcastor21]

Hello. I'm new here, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse. I looked through several threads and couldn't find a clear answer, so I want to propose my situation directly to see what advice some of you are willing to share. Thanks in advance!

Just this week I learned about CBE-based graduate programs in general and I'm interested in applying to one. But I've got the age-old "which one and why" dilemma. My hard requirement is that it must be CBE-based because my time waxes and wanes--sometimes I've got 40 or 50 hours to work in a week and other times only 15 or 20--I need something that will allow me to most efficiently apply those fluctuations in time availability.

There are a few issues that would help me in choosing one, sort of a "wish list," if you would. I understand that not every item will be fulfilled, but I hope this can give you (who have more knowledge about this field than I do) an idea of what I'm looking for if you're willing to help me navigate this.

• I've got 18 credit hours from previous work toward an MBA with Northeastern. At some point, the work became too reliant on others in a "group" and there were too many schedule conflicts and unreliable partners. I left that program. Now I want a CBE-based one. I would like a program (MBA or otherwise) that would accept as many of these graduate credits as possible. If it matters, I have some low 5000 level computer science courses from Kennesaw State as well, though I'm not eager to advance in computer science. Has anyone had luck transferring any graduate credits in a similar situation?
  
• I am a bit intimidated by the examinations on which so much effort and money ride, so I find myself leaning more toward programs that are more writing-heavy than exam-heavy. However, it's possible that my fears are unfounded. Can anyone speak on this issue? Are there programs that are almost entirely writing? Are some schools' exams easier than others' given reasonable preparation?
  
• I have looked into the MAOL at both UMPI and UMass Global (leaning toward the latter but I'm leaning a bit blindly). I've also looked at programs at WGU, including the MBA. I think the MBA "sounds better" in general, but I'm looking to get my first Master's under my belt after being burned by traditional online programs with synchronicity and group emphases, so I'm not married to the idea of an MBA. It would be my preference though. Besides WGU, what are the CBE-based MBA options? Are there better options for Leadership Masters degrees than the two universities I mentioned above?
  
• I'm not looking for prestige or rigor, but to gain leadership and management skills and hopefully make use of what I've already learned and done. It doesn't have to be a difficult education to be a good one, in my opinion.
  

Thanks for reading my longwindedness. I honestly don't know where to start except simply trying one of these programs out. Any help would be much appreciated.

One more... for those programs that aren't exactly CBE-based, which are most similar? Meaning fast tracked and completely asynchronous and much more solo-work than group-work? I'm willing to consider programs that don't say "Administration" or "Leadership" in the title as well if it's a good education.

Thanks again.

Brian

You may want to post on the Degree advice section: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-D...ing-Advice

Once there, fill the template and addendum avaible from here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works so we have more information on what you have and need.

[bjcheung77]

Here's a WIKI for the Competency Based Degree programs available, there are a few more that's not on the list, but these are the main recommended ones... I would review the details for the ones that have the Masters and skip the rest. CBE is not the mainstream option, it's growing in popularity though, it's for some people, some like the traditional class option, decide if it's for you... Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Co...d_Programs