HWMBA
John
regarding the Heriot-Watt MBA program. Now.... I have noticed that a
few of you have fangs and bare them occasionally at newbies like
myself! I have been doing my research: Dr. Bears's books, collecting
literature from schools and following this forum. So, I am trying!!
I am very interested in HW, primarily due to cost and the flexibility
of the program. I have been told that the textbooks are very good and
the exams rigorous. My goal priorities are as follows:
1) intellectually challenging, 2) economical (preferably less than
15K),
3) flexible, with little or no residency, 4) reputable, 5)
professionally useful
I am interested in all informed opinions but am especially interested
in hearing from current or former HW students.
1) When evaluating MBA programs, which schools made your short list?
2) If you are a current or former student: Are you satisfied with HW
academically? (are the courses..... challenging? current? productive
for your work?)
3) What is your opinion of the non-interactive nature of the program?
I realize that this subject to individual likes and dislikes but one of
the touted advantages of a residential MBA and some distance MBA's is
the collaboration that occurs among classmates. My own opinion is that
I have been collaborating for the past 20 years in my career. I
question the significance of this for students with substantial work
experience. Thoughts?
4) Did you find the HW administrative staff cooperative? Are
administrative questions (e.g., tuition, books, etc...) handled
expeditiously?
5) Did you have reason to dialogue with professors or other students
during the course of your studies? How does one go about getting help
with a difficult subject or concept within the text?
6) HW's seems to have a sound (if not well known) reputation and an
apparently rigorous program. If one is more interested in cost/benefit
and usefulness, it seems that HW would be preferred over many
traditional programs. What do you think?
Thanks very much!
-----------------
John Szydlowski
jszy...@my-deja.com
--
-----------------
John Szydlowski
jszy...@my-deja.com
--
-----------------
John Szydlowski
jszy...@my-deja.com
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lewchuk
"John" <jszy...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:919fhq$sl6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> Hello all. I have been researching DL MBA's and have a question
> regarding the Heriot-Watt MBA program. Now.... I have noticed that a
> few of you have fangs and bare them occasionally at newbies like
> myself! I have been doing my research: Dr. Bears's books, collecting
> literature from schools and following this forum. So, I am trying!!
>
> I am very interested in HW, primarily due to cost and the flexibility
> of the program. I have been told that the textbooks are very good and
> the exams rigorous. My goal priorities are as follows:
> 1) intellectually challenging, 2) economical (preferably less than
> 15K),
> 3) flexible, with little or no residency, 4) reputable, 5)
> professionally useful
>
> I am interested in all informed opinions but am especially interested
> in hearing from current or former HW students.
>
> 1) When evaluating MBA programs, which schools made your short list?
When I was evaluating programs I was looking at Athabasca, University of
Calgary, Nova Southeastern and Heriot-Watt. This selection reflected the
most widely recognized / marketed programs in my area. Upon investigation,
HW clearly was the choice for me. Athabasca is a good program but I
preferred the idea of a traditional MBA from a traditional university (i.e.
I was not interested in virtual schools or executive MBAs). University of
Calgary is fine but was a two-year FT residential program. I was looking
for a general MBA rather than obtaining a another major so the extra credit
hour requirement, and the class time, was not desireable. Nova Southeastern
was rejected by my employer with respect to tuition reimbursement. HW
provided a very reputable, generalist, economical, flexible degree... it fit
the bill (and my employer paid 100%).
If I was to create a new short list for someone with your requirements, I
would look at:
Heriot-Watt
Royal-Holloway
Henley Management College
>
> 2) If you are a current or former student: Are you satisfied with HW
> academically? (are the courses..... challenging? current? productive
> for your work?)
The courses are written by leading academics from around the globe,
intentionally for a DLr. Thus, the courses are challenging and effective
(one slam against Royal-Holloway is that they do not customize their program
for DLrs, it is simply a residential program without tutorial). The courses
are current... they are frequently updated and deal with current issues and
events. However, they obviously cannot respond to daily events in business.
The program has been criticized by some for its traditional orientation. I
perceive it as a strength, education that will benefit you years from now
instead of the "flavour of the day". It should be mentioned that HW appears
to be working towards an even greater contemporary orientation, they plan to
offer a specialization in e-business
>
> 3) What is your opinion of the non-interactive nature of the program?
> I realize that this subject to individual likes and dislikes but one of
> the touted advantages of a residential MBA and some distance MBA's is
> the collaboration that occurs among classmates. My own opinion is that
> I have been collaborating for the past 20 years in my career. I
> question the significance of this for students with substantial work
> experience. Thoughts?
The issue is not "collaboration" but "who you collaborate with". If you can
get into a top 10 global MBA program, do it. You will be able to
"collaborate" with excellent people who will help you develop and provide
resources for years to come. The people who attend these schools are likely
higher quality than you typically experience in the workplace. However, once
you move down the ladder... even within the top-tier of business schools...
I also believe the "collaboration value" is limited for someone with
extensive work experience (as is the networking component). Clearly, this
is different for someone out of undergrad who has not "teamed" in real life
or has a network within business but for a veteran this is usually not the
case. The non-interactive nature of the program is the price you pay for
the significant amount of flexibility in the program. It should also be
mentioned that the non-interactive nature can be mitigated... HW is a huge
program that has representation in most major citities... many have
established study groups, there are internet chat groups, local alumni
groups are supposed to be formed shortly.
>
> 4) Did you find the HW administrative staff cooperative? Are
> administrative questions (e.g., tuition, books, etc...) handled
> expeditiously?
HW staff have always been helpful and efficient (particularly once when I
had to change exam locations with limitied notice).
>
> 5) Did you have reason to dialogue with professors or other students
> during the course of your studies? How does one go about getting help
> with a difficult subject or concept within the text?
No. They do have a response service although I can't advise regarding its
effectiveness. There is a organization in the US that also provides
extension tutorial for the HW program (for a fee, of course). The student
chat rooms are used.
The courses / software which are designed for DLrs provide an experience
which is more effective than learning from typical textbooks only, this
probably mitigates questions somewhat.
> 6) HW's seems to have a sound (if not well known) reputation and an
> apparently rigorous program. If one is more interested in cost/benefit
> and usefulness, it seems that HW would be preferred over many
> traditional programs. What do you think?
I think HW has a better known reputation than some people think and it is
indeed rigorous. I think you misunderstand the HW program somewhat. The HW
program IS a traditional program. They have improved the materials for DL
but whether you take the program FT in Scotland... PT in Scotland... or DL
anywhere else... or any combination of the above... you study the same
material, take the same exams and earn the same degree. It is a traditional
program from a traditional school offering alternative delivery. Regarding
cost/benefit... frankly, the cost/benefit of foreign education is generally
better than in the US. Generally, UK schools will offer equal or better
quality at equal or lower cost (note that I said generally, there are always
specific examples to the contrary.)
Stephan Luca
John
"Stephan Luca" <steph...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> "John" <jszy...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
> news:919fhq$sl6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> > Hello all. I have been researching DL MBA's and have a question
> > regarding the Heriot-Watt MBA program. Now....
> >
Thanks for the replies. Your comments confirm much of what I have
found in my research. The contrary opinions that I've found critically
lump HW in the correspondence school category or categorically rule
them out based on the fact it is a non-US school. I had an interesting
discussion with a Scottish fellow at work (I live in the US). He
stated that the HW model of extensive study and then a single rigorous
examination (no papers, quizes, etc...) to be fairly common in Europe.
I like what I have seen so far but am still investigating.
The watercooler link is great. Very informative and appears to be an
asset to HW students who might otherwise feel isolated -- if you need
to collaborate (or commiserate), you can do so. It looks to be
actively used.
jayden001
rigorous. I would caution you though about the completion rates.
Approx. 70% don't take the exams after enrolling. Of those 30% that
do, approx. 30% fail. (These are the HWU stats from 1997) In the one
subject I failed - 43% failed that exam. To pass you need to obtain
a "B" grade. (One concessional pass allowed for whole degree).If you
fail the same subject twice, you cannot graduate. The 100% exam is
closed book -everything rides on that. No room for bad-hair days, or
forgetting something important.
I also found the administration poor. It was so hard to get
answers, and it took sometimes weeks to months. Last year I had to
request six times for a copy of my transcript. You are also left on
your own. There is no-one following your progress - this may suit you,
but if you get a subject your not too good at, it can be quite lonely!
The quality of the material is excellent, and there are review
questions and practice tests at the end of each chapter - with model
answers. There are also practice final exams with model answers. If
you haven't done so, I'd suggest you look at the previous exam papers
on their website. Most have model answers so you can see the standard
expected.
Also check that the subjects meet your needs. It is highly
quantitatively focussed and seven of the nine subjects are compulsory.
Be careful with the workload - it varies considerably. I found some
elective subjects fairly light on for workload, however some core
subjects like Marketing requiring twice the workload - but this would
vary with your background and aptitude. HWU estimates around 200 hours
of study per subject. If you are considering further study it only
receives 36 cpts.
If you were to consider an Australian MBA, the US$ is strong,
and you would find the costs quite good, also they receive 48 cpts.
Obviously some people have found it a good option. As a university
professor I find many excellent students are disadvantaged by the 100%
exam format. I did graduate, but in retrospect, I wouldn't do it
that way again. But if you know the whole story and feel that it still
suits you. All the best. The degree has a lot going for it!
In article <91bqlk$pr9$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
Thomas Nixon
One of those programs where solid test-takers (and studiers) likely have an
advantage. I would also guess it's ideal for those who prefer the "lone wolf"
approach to education. It would not be for me for a degree (although I don't
mind that approach at all for individual courses).
Tom
John
I wonder why. Is it due to a lot of people testing the waters so to
speak to see if they like HW or is it the degree of difficulty
factor???
--
lewchuk
"jayden001" <jayd...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:91cbf4$6on$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
jayden001
have a stronger aptitude for qualitative studies, so the HWU MBA being
mainly quantitative can be quite intimidating. Also, distance learning
tends to have a higher non-completion rate generally. If your still
really interested in HWU I suggest contacting them for the latest
statistics on pass rates, completion rates etc. Ask HWU about the
completion rates, they would have done some student surveys. I'm sure
they have worked to improve on the past results.
Its worth a little research. I wish I had done more research before
committing to the HWU MBA - it didn't really meet all my needs. I was
really attracted to having a foreign degree.
In article <91eaod$r16$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
lewchuk
It is difficult to prepare for very stringient, 100% exams with work and
family commitments and the knowledge that you are out after 2 failures.
They simply decide not to write.
The course is very difficult but in terms of presitige, flexibility and
cost... it has few rivals.
"John" <jszy...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:91eaod$r16$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
Rei Ontatami
On Thu, 14 Dec 2000 09:51:21 -0600, "lewchuk" <wald...@ev1.net>
wrote:
jayden001
WES (World Education Services, I think) at 4 semester hours per course.
I should get a re-evaluation. Thanks.
In article <3a3ab...@newsa.ev1.net>,
Rei Ontatami
people letting other things get in the way. I looked at several DL
MBAs and they all had a pretty high drop-out rate. H-W is a little
higher because you are more on your own. There's no deadlines for
courses (other then the 7 year limit) so people procrastinate. I also
teach scuba diving, and industry wide, about 70%-80% of all students
who take a scuba class, never go diving again. I sometimes run into
some of my old students and they reasons give me for not diving are
usually work, kids, getting married, or a combination of the three;
the same excuses I hear from people on the watercooler when they sell
their courses.
I must admit, I let this happen to me. I entered the program in
January, planned to take my exams in June, but just let myself get too
busy and had to postpone the test. I just took my first exam in
December. Depending on how well I do, maybe I'll transfer to an
"easier" program.
The point is, you need to ask yourself if you have the discipline to
do an MBA via distance learning (not just HW), or do you need the
supervision that you get from a residential program.
lewchuk
the local business school and he wouldn't recommend it (quality) so no
funding was available. Incidently, this was not an anti-distance education
stance since he did recommend Heriot-Watt... a 100% non-resident program,
whereas Nova has mandatory attendence at "sattelite" campuses.
"Rei Ontatami" <ed3...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3a3aee5b...@nnrp.gol.com...
lewchuk
evaluation service, although they offer that service as part of their
degrees. Maybe they can help you... check em out.
"jayden001" <jayd...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:91evbi$9td$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
John Bear
> Could you please tell me who TESC are? I had my HWU MBA evaluated by
> WES (World Education Services, I think) at 4 semester hours per course.
> I should get a re-evaluation. Thanks.
As I've mentioned here many times, there are no standards for the credential
evaluation services. (The imminent 14th edition of Bears' Guide lists 22 in
the US, up from 12 a few years ago; clearly a growth industry).
The range in credit recommendations for Heriot-Watt courses is from zero (in
the sole case of ECE in Milwaukee) to 8, although 6 is the most common.
John Bear
www.degree.net