Walden or WGU MBA in 1 term...

[Arkansas-study]

Hi all,

I completed TESU BSBA in 11 months (28 hours per week). Then I completed WGU MSML in 2 months (30 hours per week). Next I would like to do MBA.

WGU won't allow a start on MBA until the next term, so requires waiting a few months (technically would be 4 months from when I completed work, but it takes a while for degree to be issued, etc. - so mainly involves waiting 3 months). In addition, WGU's terms cost $5k for 6 months.

Since I have MSML, WGU only requires 6 courses for MBA.

Walden's Tempo program is ~$3k for 3 months. And Walden also only requires 6 courses for MBA.

I really like the competency based approach that WGU uses, and I know I can complete WGU MBA in one term because WGU terms are longer (6 months). From talking with the enrollment person at Walden, when I described the educational approach at WGU, he said that sounds like the same approach Walden uses. Yet, at the same time, he said it's rare for someone to complete a Walden MBA in 1 term --- I would imagine that most people doing Walden MBA are doing 10 full courses (vs. the 6 I would be doing) and are not able to spend 30 hours a week working on the MBA.

I know it's possible to complete WGU MBA in 1 term. I'm curious if anyone here has completed Walden MBA in 1 term? Icing on the cake is if you have any type of experience at WGU and can compare/contrast.

thanks...

[bjcheung77]

WGU is your best option as you're already familiar with their system and have overlapping classes from the MSML, Walden is alright if you want to switch things around, but I would refrain from Walden as WGU is slightly better in reputation, ease, cost, speed to finish, etc... Here's a review from last year from a member: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid393305

[natshar]

Walden could be worth a shot. Only six courses. Maybe even ask if you can knock one more course off. You can transfer in up to 15 credits or half the degree. I know there are Grad Level Coopersmith Business courses and Grad Level Stat courses from Statistics.com. Walden is very good about accepting ACE and NCCRS (at undergrad) it could be worth inquiring about this idk how likely it would be they accept them though. Just an idea and if it works you'll only have 5 classes.

On the other hand, getting a WGU MBA is easy and a sure fire shot a finishing quickly.

I just think having two different schools might carry more weight but I don't know anything. If I was in your shoes I'd pick Walden. If I HAD to be CERTAIN about finishing in a certain timeframe than I'd pick WGU.

[Jwheels27]

Like BJ said, you know the system, its only 6 more courses, you know it'll cost $5000 and only be one term. With Walden yeah, it's cheaper but if it's more difficult to complete in one term I don't see the point. It'll just end up costing more if it takes you 2 terms. I think there is something to be said about getting degrees at separate schools. But in this case, because the WGU MSML is in a lot of ways married to their MBA (complete one and you only have half the courses to complete), it's a no brainer! 

May I ask, because I've considered going down this road in the past myself, what made you go MSML vs just enrolling in the WGU MBA? The MSML is so tempting because its a degree I know most people with some effort could knock out in a couple months.

[Arkansas-study]

Like BJ said, you know the system, its only 6 more courses, you know it'll cost $5000 and only be one term. With Walden yeah, it's cheaper but if it's more difficult to complete in one term I don't see the point. It'll just end up costing more if it takes you 2 terms. I think there is something to be said about getting degrees at separate schools. But in this case, because the WGU MSML is in a lot of ways married to their MBA (complete one and you only have half the courses to complete), it's a no brainer! 

May I ask, because I've considered going down this road in the past myself, what made you go MSML vs just enrolling in the WGU MBA? The MSML is so tempting because its a degree I know most people with some effort could knock out in a couple months.

Great info everyone - thanks.

Why MSML over MBA? I was pushing really hard on my BSBA and wanted to dive right into master's. I didn't have much time to think through or research options. I had narrowed it down to those two. MSML aligns best with what I want to do, and MBA aligns best with what I've done. I felt I could get MSML faster and didn't know I would have to wait to then do MBA. At one point as I was signing up and thinking about MSML vs. MBA - suddenly it was too late and would have cost me a month to switch from MSML to MBA. So, I went ahead with MSML.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Having two different, good schools on one's résumé can be a plus.

But having two different programs, even if they partly overlap, from the same good school can also be a plus, conveying something positive about the graduate and their relationship with the school.

[LevelUP]

I prefer the MBA over the MSML mainly because it is more widely recognized and focuses on practical business skills.

About the third time someone asks me what the heck an MSML is, I'd be like, 'Never mind, I'm done explaining it.' Lol.

The WGU MSML is shorter, but someone who can complete an MSML in two months should be able to finish an MBA in three months or less. Getting both seems kind of redundant.