Service Accredited Qualifications
Thread Starter
Service Accredited Qualifications
Ladies and Gents,
I would just like to pick the collective PPrune brain on a matter of service accredited qualifications, specifically MBAs, and their perceived utility and value. Whilst my timing is unintentional, I would be fibbing if I didn't admit that tomorrow's redundancy field announcement hasn't had an awful lot of us in the office wondering about life outside and the best way to prepare for it.
A few years ago, I spoke to my then Wg Cdr about doing an MBA. He had done his at Henley, so seemed a reasonable first port of call. His advice at the time was to do it only when you knew you might be able to make use of it rather than spending the cash early and its value diminishing over time.
However, on ICSC, we had a briefing from Stafford Uni about amongst other things an MOD accredited MBA. Off the top of my head, prior experience meant we could get a year knocked off, and if you had your ELCs, it would cost very little. And this is the dilema. I used to think - rightly or wrongly - that this sort of qualification was as much about the institution and networking opportunities as it was the course content. However, having spoken to a couple of mates doing the Stafford MBA and who had the same questions, there appears to be a growing opinion that an MBA is an MBA is an MBA.
Just wondering what the collective opinion is on such a comment? Are MBAs broadly equal, or is it still really worth splashing the cash at a premium institution? With redundancy potentially looming for many, anything that might give an edge in the jobsmarket has to be worth considering, but asking that question to the various universities would only likely ellicit the response they thought you wanted to hear.
I would just like to pick the collective PPrune brain on a matter of service accredited qualifications, specifically MBAs, and their perceived utility and value. Whilst my timing is unintentional, I would be fibbing if I didn't admit that tomorrow's redundancy field announcement hasn't had an awful lot of us in the office wondering about life outside and the best way to prepare for it.
A few years ago, I spoke to my then Wg Cdr about doing an MBA. He had done his at Henley, so seemed a reasonable first port of call. His advice at the time was to do it only when you knew you might be able to make use of it rather than spending the cash early and its value diminishing over time.
However, on ICSC, we had a briefing from Stafford Uni about amongst other things an MOD accredited MBA. Off the top of my head, prior experience meant we could get a year knocked off, and if you had your ELCs, it would cost very little. And this is the dilema. I used to think - rightly or wrongly - that this sort of qualification was as much about the institution and networking opportunities as it was the course content. However, having spoken to a couple of mates doing the Stafford MBA and who had the same questions, there appears to be a growing opinion that an MBA is an MBA is an MBA.
Just wondering what the collective opinion is on such a comment? Are MBAs broadly equal, or is it still really worth splashing the cash at a premium institution? With redundancy potentially looming for many, anything that might give an edge in the jobsmarket has to be worth considering, but asking that question to the various universities would only likely ellicit the response they thought you wanted to hear.
Melchet,
I can point you in the right direction for details of what we call credit transfer for the Open University MBA. About 3/4 of the way down this page:
F61 - MBA - Open University Qualification
It's not my department, but if you decided you might like more details or to talk to one of the academics involved for further advice, give me a shout and I'll see what I can set up for you.
Courtney
I can point you in the right direction for details of what we call credit transfer for the Open University MBA. About 3/4 of the way down this page:
F61 - MBA - Open University Qualification
It's not my department, but if you decided you might like more details or to talk to one of the academics involved for further advice, give me a shout and I'll see what I can set up for you.
Courtney
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However, having spoken to a couple of mates doing the Stafford MBA and who had the same questions, there appears to be a growing opinion that an MBA is an MBA is an MBA.
I was lucky, my school, The OUBS, was accredited half way through my course. When I started I also was of the same opinion as your friends. I was wrong.
For the record I would highly recommend the Open University MBA. It is an excellent and well organised course with great tutors.
Incidentally, do not avoid the Corporate and Financial Strategy block (it may be called something different now). It is the most difficult but many companies will not recognise an MBA without this content.
Last edited by Exascot; 17th Jan 2012 at 08:51. Reason: Grammar - dash so much for the MBA!
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If it is accredited by The Association of MBAs it is held in much greater esteem than any other. See: SearchBusinessSchool - mbaworld
They have their place but they are not a magic wand.
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From my experience definitely worth the premium. Has to be AMBA accredited and even then best to avoid the lower ranking MBA providers. AMBA used to hold an annual MBA Fair in London which was an excellent chance to meet all the Business Schools in one room at the same time. For what it is worth I would recommend Durham.
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MBAs
I know very little about ELCs etc but here are a couple of things I do know. After an 8 year SSC, I did a full-time MBA > 20 years ago at an AMBA accredited institution. It was key to moving me, personally, to a more appropriate management frame of mind for life after the air force.
These days, I have run a full-time and a part-time not-AMBA-accredited programme. AMBA accreditation is important, if you can join an accredited programme. But bear in mind that in the whole MBA market (which is now beyond saturated) there is a perverse marketing relationship with price. I sometimes describe it as "charge as much as you can and still be able to keep a straight face". Because, when choosing a programme, you have very little to go on. Therefore, it is tempting to think "that one's v expensive so must be good" and stretch up to the fees.
Hope this is helpful, post or PM if you'd like more
LM
These days, I have run a full-time and a part-time not-AMBA-accredited programme. AMBA accreditation is important, if you can join an accredited programme. But bear in mind that in the whole MBA market (which is now beyond saturated) there is a perverse marketing relationship with price. I sometimes describe it as "charge as much as you can and still be able to keep a straight face". Because, when choosing a programme, you have very little to go on. Therefore, it is tempting to think "that one's v expensive so must be good" and stretch up to the fees.
Hope this is helpful, post or PM if you'd like more
LM
Thread Starter
Chaps,
Many thanks for the replies so far, very useful and clearly if I want to go down the MBA route a fair amount of research will be required to sort the wheat from the chaff rather than the accidentally stumbling into my MSc approach I took all those years back!
Then again, by 0905 tomorrow, I might find I have plenty of time on my hands to conduct the research!
Melchett
Many thanks for the replies so far, very useful and clearly if I want to go down the MBA route a fair amount of research will be required to sort the wheat from the chaff rather than the accidentally stumbling into my MSc approach I took all those years back!
Then again, by 0905 tomorrow, I might find I have plenty of time on my hands to conduct the research!
Melchett
