Ashworth's MBA (Master's of Business Administration)
23 May 2012 Note:
I actually don't recall if I addressed this anywhere else, so I will here.
When I signed up for this program, I could not find the perfect program for me. My Bachelor's Degree from Florida State University in Information Studies was rather
flexible. I specialized in Information and Communications Technology. Nearly 100% of the courses had been in the subjects that I desired, with a few mandatory electives
that had been enjoyable, if not specifically in the field I wanted to study.
I wanted to continue my education, but in not being able to find (at that time) the perfect program for me, I signed up for the Ashworth MBA, since I owned my own
business, I thought it would get the additional education that I required and be of assistance to me in business. My heart just wasn't in it enough to move forward
in a timely fashion.
Other than completing the introductory course, I still have done nothing with the program.
The Master's Degree from Amberton University in Professional Development was exactly what I wanted, and every single course beyond the two required courses had
been hand picked to meet my specific goals and objectives.
What I want to make clear is that the Ashworth MBA is based on completion of projects. The project based education program is excellent in that it gives you actual
experience in getting things done. You are not just writing papers, you are working for a purpose. This is nice, even on projects that you might not enjoy as much as
other ones that you work on.
Once you complete the introductory course, you will know what I mean.
The bottom line is that, while it is rather unlikely that I will return to complete this program, though I would still highly recommend it for those who desire the MBA and like
to work on project based educational programs.
The cost is reasonable enough. Part of earning an MBA is in demonstrating that you have what it takes to get the job done. Actually completing it is pretty solid proof
that you can put your mind to something and work through it. Another aspect, in my not so humble opinion, is that you also had been able to apply sound reasoning
in obtaining good return on your investment.
The school had been very kind to me, going beyond the call of duty to assist me in my attempt to get back into the swing of things.
Had I put off the start of my law studies for another year, I would have wrapped up the MBA. Since, however, the law studies program is four years long, and I have
already completed the first year successfully, I really cannot put forth the effort required to do both along with my other responsibilities and be successful in all of it.
I leave this page on the site for now because I think that it has solid information on it, and that may be of assistance to others.
For me, my educational effort is going to be in excelling in the legal studies program at Northwestern California University School of Law (NWCULaw) and completing the
Juris Doctor Degree.
Probable Withdrawal:
Update as of 5 March 2012.
I signed up for the Ashworth College MBA program years ago (2004, if I recall correctly). I paid for the program in full years ago, I just never accomplished all of the
coursework for it. In fact, beyond the introductory course for the program (a non credit course to see if you have the right stuff to even do it), I have not done one
single assignment.
The problem becomes one of time. I do not have a lot of time available to work on anything beyond what I do with the addition of studying law.
Had I put off my law studies until I completed the MBA program, it would have been possible to accomplish all of it, but I jumped into the study of law two weeks prior
to my completion of the Master's Degree program.
Last year, I tried to get into the study process of the Ashworth program, but I screwed up in my attack on the law studies and sort of shotgunned the law study, failing
to focus on the best way in which to accomplish the task at hand. This left me absolutely zero opportunity to actually do anything in the MBA program.
I also have to consider what I want to do and where I want to go. I do want to have the MBA completed, but not at the expense of the study of law.
I will explain my situation to Ashworth and ask for them to place me in a sort of hibernation until I complete my law studies. They may or may not allow me to do this, and
I will update how that all works out for me here.
I will not be willing to spend any additional funds (other than for updated books should they be using new materials of books I already have), but if they allow me to come back
into the program after I complete my law studies - then fine, I will complete the program at that time. It would only require one year for me to complete the program.
If, however, they do not allow this, I will have to let the MBA go.
The Ashworth MBA is very affordable. I got a hell of a deal when I signed up, but the cost is still far more reasonable than main stream academia. A local
Executive MBA will run you $59,000! The current rate at Ashworth is less than ten grand and includes everything. Take the $49,000 discount and count
your blessings! If you're not going to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship, you may as well get the best deal
you can.
I place full responsibility of education on the learner. Education systems are just that, systems. You learn the system and put personal and professional
development into action - education is what you make of it for yourself.
Ashworth, from my experience with them so far, provides an excellent opportunity for those with the motivation, dedication and desire to succeed.
Ray's Updates on the MBA Program
First off, let me say that Ashworth has been a class act. When I graduated from Florida State University in 2003, I was looking into obtaining a Master's Degree.
The only subject area in a Master's Degree that I could think of - that related directly to what I wanted to study at all - was an MBA.
I found the Ashworth MBA while it was a relatively new program. As such, I got one hell of a sweet deal on tuition. The cost was so reasonable that I flinched at
the low cost.
I did complete a pre-program course that new students take, to see if I could handle the level and quality of the work I was expected to produce, but I never actually
started the main program (that first course is a non credit course).
During this time, I found the Professional Development Master's program at Amberton University. The Professional Development program allowed me to pick and choose
the specific courses that I wanted to study to complete my degree program - it is specifically what allowed me to complete three Graduate Certificates in the process!
About half way through that program, I contacted Ashworth and asked for an extension on the MBA so that when I graduated from Amberton, I could start up where
I left off at Ashworth.
My contract with the school was a solid contract, they did not have to grant me any consideration at all, yet, they did! They gave me an extension that allows
me to complete the MBA program by the end of 2012.
Ashworth is accredited by DETC, the Distance Education and Training Council, a National Accrediting Authority. Amberton, on the other hand, is accredited by SACS, the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a Regional Accrediting Authority.
Traditionally, Regional Accreditation is considered a higher level of authority, but I place the responsibility of learning on the student, and I already have a Master's Degree
from a Regionally Accredited Institution. From this, I can say that the materials that Ashworth uses is absolutely up to par with any other program.
I have been advised that I have been updated in the system and that they will be forwarding the next course materials along to me shortly. Until those materials arrive, I
will be working overtime on my law studies before jumping back into the MBA program.
Check out the full MBA Program below
Ashworth College
Master's of Business Administration (MBA) Program Outline:
The Master's Degree Program in Business Administration is comprised of an Orientation and twelve graduate-credit courses, each with its own clear, comprehensive learning
guide. Each course features a series of "hands-on" activities and research projects that challenge the student to meld information gleaned from the texts, independent research
and outside sources to explore realistic business administration problems.
Semester 1
MB600 - Orientation
This non-credit orientation is a foundation-building experience that introduces and refreshes the skills necessary for success in your Master's Degree Program. You'll learn how
to navigate ProQuest, Ashworth College's online library, and review the distinguishing characteristics of academic journals and other publications. Internet research skills are
polished enabling you to identify credible and unbiased Web sites for your research. Emphasis is placed on submission requirements, project structures, and writing formats used
throughout your coursework, and APA writing style. The final portion of this course provides you the opportunity to research and explore the various career fields in the world of
Business Administration.
MB601 - Strategic Management
Plan for increased productivity. Learn about the organization, its structure, and its relationship to the economic, political, and social environments surrounding it. Examine theories
and guidelines for dealing with geopolitical events, consumer trends, and new developments in information technology. You'll study a model of strategic management using the
"strategic audit" as an approach to addressing complex organization-wide issues.
MG641 - Marketing Management
Discover how marketing serves as a foundation for making critical decisions related to identifying customers, delineating which needs to satisfy, developing products and services
that satisfy these needs, setting prices, using appropriate communications, staging sales promotions, managing the sales force, selecting channels of distribution, maintaining
funding and coordinating partnerships. Concepts presented are directed to the marketplace realities of the 21st century, including global marketing.
MA610 - Managerial Accounting
Integrate accounting data into your decision-making process. Managerial accounting is an essential tool that enhances managers' abilities to make sound decisions. You'll
examine concepts and procedures of managerial accounting from the user's viewpoint, how they are typically applied in real-world situations, and see the role they play in
improving the decision-making process within all types of organizations. Also discussed are issues in cost basics, cost management systems, planning and control, and product
costing.
MB661 - Leadership and Motivation
Develop your leadership potential. Discover the qualities, talents, and vision that leaders need to survive and grow in a changing world. You'll examine how today's theories of
leadership and motivation have evolved, and how leadership concepts and motivational techniques are applied in a wide variety of business environments. Case studies reveal
how executives and other decision makers lead, motivate and succeed.
Semester 2
MR601 - Survey of Human Resource Management
Link human resource activities to business strategies. Examine specific management challenges faced by actual firms and the role of human resources. Learn about recruitment,
employment planning and forecasting, testing, interviewing, training, organizing teams, appraising performance, compensation, financial incentives, benefits, labor relations,
collective bargaining and more.
MF620 - Financial Statement Development and Analysis
Use financial data to your advantage. Learn what financial disclosures contain and how they effect management decision-making, plus the principles and economic factors
behind publicly reported disclosures, their limitations and constraints, and how to analyze them. You'll examine research methods and how they help you convert raw data into
useful information that influences decisions about financial performance, wealth creation and economic valuation.
MB655 - Business Law
An in-depth view of the impact of public interest and government regulation on business activities. Emphasis is placed on the legal ramifications of corporate governance, citing
court cases and judicial decisions that reveal the law's interface with business actions. Thought-provoking examples further demonstrate the law's broad influence on the
day-to-day decisions involved in business operations and management.
MB602 - Entrepreneurship
This course will spark your interest in starting a new endeavor by introducing you to the basic tools and processes of launching a new venture. Begin with the start-up phase
and the entrepreneurial mindset … establishing a vision … and evaluating industries. Then, conduct a feasibility analysis; analyze the risks and benefits; and form strategic
alliances. Next, develop a business plan; determine the most effective legal form of business; form a personnel team; devise a marketing strategy; and prepare a complete set
of financials. Then, plan for growth and the inevitable operational changes.
Semester 3
MI605 - International Business
Learn the requirements and challenges of doing business in other countries. A thorough review and analysis of international business and globalization that reveals the effects
companies have on the economy, politics, laws, and cultures of other countries. Find out what's necessary to establish an international business, and survive competition in
situations where the rules are radically changing.
MB670 - Project Management
Organize teams for achievement. Investigate the theory and practice of project management, culminating in the analysis of real-world examples taken from manufacturing,
service, and construction businesses. Learn how to organize and manage effective project teams... how to document and communicate project development within and
outside the team... and how to integrate people and technology successfully.
MB651 - Ethical Decision-Making and Business Culture
Create a strong corporate and personal value system. Learn ethical theory, principles, and language, and how each applies to managerial decision making. Analyze how a
business establishes, maintains, and lives by its ethical foundation. Assess the traits of a company and how they affect employees, investors, and consumers. Create a
business ethics manual for a new business.
MB609 - Capstone: Case and Industry Analysis
Use your business skills and knowledge in thought-provoking case studies. You'll begin by learning the fundamentals of economics—the study of the allocation of resources
to satisfy both needs and wants. Then, you'll analyze case studies on a variety of businesses from a small company to an entire industry - set in the environments of local,
national, and global economies. Conclude with a Capstone Project and Exam.
