WGU vs Walden

[Vle045]

I am taking Walden because of the free term, just the same reason I took the Strayer term.  I want to see what/how many credits I can get for the amount of effort/energy and time I can place into it.  From the looks of things, I would not be able to complete the entire degree in 1 term, probably not even 2 at this rate, at the fastest would be 3 terms.  For me, it's just for learning, the degree isn't really what I am looking for.  

Having said that, if you pit this Walden MBA vs the WGU MBA, it should be about the same.  I think WGU would have a slight edge as the courses offered are comparable yet different.  Overall cost, if you can complete it quickly, WGU would be the way to go, furthermore, WGU is non-profit even though both are exclusively online.  If you're not into the MBA, WGU has the MSML option which is great for people not wanting a Business Admin Masters.

Did you start in May?  I did and mine is about to expire. Due to lack of focus and time, I think I will only have one credit done. I am stuck.

[bjcheung77]

Life happens, I mentioned most people will get at least 1-3 credits if they have other commitments such as family and at most they would have 12-15 credits if they really have "No Life, wife, kids, job, etc".  And... Nope, I started last month, so I am a little more than half way through the term, here's my post: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-FREE-Term

This is what I recommend you do, decide if HAU for $3K is acceptable for you or WGU MBA or MSML for a term or two would suffice.  If you need to, get permission from HAU Dean Martin to defer entry until Sept 7.  I asked about that as my plan was to take some courses at HAU and transfer to Walden, but because of the FREE term at Walden, I might do the reverse and transfer to HAU (LOL, I don't think I will..., I'll just use it as a learning/review opportunity).

You're not really stuck as you have options to select from, chose your top 3 and see which one is more suited for you, it doesn't have to be something anyone recommends you, it could be a program you are into because the course content is more what you're looking at, so if you want, go for the WGU MSML as it's geared for Management & Leadership., plus it's ACBSP - Business accredited.

[sanantone]

I don't even know how people with leadership degrees can stand out when there are umpteen million people with EdDs in educational and organizational leadership and often no hard skills.

[bjcheung77]

I don't even know how people with leadership degrees can stand out when there are umpteen million people with EdDs in educational and organizational leadership and often no hard skills.

This is somewhat interesting, here's a 5 min read or less. Link: https://www.edgepointlearning.com/blog/h...ft-skills/

[eLearner]

I don't even know how people with leadership degrees can stand out when there are umpteen million people with EdDs in educational and organizational leadership and often no hard skills.

Different degrees, different career paths, at least in theory since a person with any degree can wind up in any number of roles that don't follow the intended trajectory. Any degree in education is usually for jobs in education, then degrees in organizational leadership can be applied to a wide range of fields but tend to deal more with the communication and behavior side of leading an organization--soft skills, important soft skills but still soft skills like the "Social and Emotional Dimensions of Leadership" course in Eastern Washington University's MSOL program--whereas degrees in management like the MSM/MSML tend to focus more on strategy, planning and execution, managing change, and business acuity.

As for hard skills, usually in MSM/MSML programs there is a focus on analyzing, crafting, and correcting strategies and procedures, and using some data analysis to make decisions on financial matters (WGU's program has a Business Acumen course that tackles financial analysis and accounting practices) which are necessary hard skills in business. What I think is good about the WGU MSML program is that they appear to have meshed well the focus on the management of business and the concepts of leadership/communication into a single program with a pretty good balance.

[collegechick]

I am taking Walden because of the free term, just the same reason I took the Strayer term.  I want to see what/how many credits I can get for the amount of effort/energy and time I can place into it.  From the looks of things, I would not be able to complete the entire degree in 1 term, probably not even 2 at this rate, at the fastest would be 3 terms.  For me, it's just for learning, the degree isn't really what I am looking for.  

Having said that, if you pit this Walden MBA vs the WGU MBA, it should be about the same.  I think WGU would have a slight edge as the courses offered are comparable yet different.  Overall cost, if you can complete it quickly, WGU would be the way to go, furthermore, WGU is non-profit even though both are exclusively online.  If you're not into the MBA, WGU has the MSML option which is great for people not wanting a Business Admin Masters.

Thank you for sharing.  I was curious.  I'm one of those single/childfree/freelancers and hope to rip through WGU's MSML program in one semester.

I don't even know how people with leadership degrees can stand out when there are umpteen million people with EdDs in educational and organizational leadership and often no hard skills.

Different degrees, different career paths, at least in theory since a person with any degree can wind up in any number of roles that don't follow the intended trajectory. Any degree in education is usually for jobs in education, then degrees in organizational leadership can be applied to a wide range of fields but tend to deal more with the communication and behavior side of leading an organization--soft skills, important soft skills but still soft skills like the "Social and Emotional Dimensions of Leadership" course in Eastern Washington University's MSOL program--whereas degrees in management like the MSM/MSML tend to focus more on strategy, planning and execution, managing change, and business acuity.

As for hard skills, usually in MSM/MSML programs there is a focus on analyzing, crafting, and correcting strategies and procedures, and using some data analysis to make decisions on financial matters (WGU's program has a Business Acumen course that tackles financial analysis and accounting practices) which are necessary hard skills in business. What I think is good about the WGU MSML program is that they appear to have meshed well the focus on the management of business and the concepts of leadership/communication into a single program with a pretty good balance.

Thank you for explaining those differences between the M.Ed and business Masters degrees.  Very helpful.  It definitely reinforces my educational trajectory.  I did consider starting with the M.Ed, but am definitely looking for something more general to open more doors in a variety of industries.  WGU and personal associates also confirmed what you said concerning these different degrees.

[eLearner]

Thank you for explaining those differences between the M.Ed and business Masters degrees.  Very helpful.  It definitely reinforces my educational trajectory.  I did consider starting with the M.Ed, but am definitely looking for something more general to open more doors in a variety of industries.  WGU and personal associates also confirmed what you said concerning these different degrees.

That sounds like a lady I spoke to on another board a few years ago. She wanted to get a position in education as an Academic Counselor at a University in her area. She said the jobs there were paying about 70K with benefits, plus bonuses, and free college which is a pretty sweet deal for an AA, but she needed a Master's as all of the schools available to her required it for the role. She was considering an Ed degree but wanted something more general that would satisfy the requirement and also give her a broader reach into other fields if by chance her original plan didn't work out.

I don't know what degree she ultimately chose as she never came back to update, but the thinking is similar. With some degrees, you pretty much get them to go in one direction which can be good if the person is already working in that field, it can provide a boost, but a letdown if they're just trying to break in for the first time. Often times it doesn't work as we know most people never work in the field of their degree major and it's not from a lack of trying. Degrees with a more general application can be a good move in that regard.