I have enrolled in the online MBA degree program at WSU as of fall 2012. So far I am very satisfied with the program, the content of the courses, and the professors teaching the courses in particular. Once accepted, an online advisor helped with navigation through the program, enrollment questions, book orders and other logistics questions. I found the online advisor to be very accessible through email and phone. The professors are all faculty members located on campus, they are very knowledgeable and respond to questions within a few hours. I appreciate the fact that it is also possible to call them as needed. Courses are delivered through a virtual meeting place called Angel, where online discussions about reading assignments take place and some lectures are given. Other assignments are given through e-book websites. Courses run in 5 week installments with a week off between them. Typically students only take one course at a time. I was told that the content of the online courses is the same as the courses taught in the classroom. The program itself is very pretty rigid as there are not many elective courses, but it is very broad covering all the different aspects required for an AACSB accredited MBA program. It is possible to choose a concentration in marketing, finance, or international business. I personally would have wished for another concentration in economics. I chose the WSU online MBA program for its accreditation and (since I am working full time) there are no campus visits required. Visits however are certainly welcomed and so far I have visited the campus in Pullman once. From my visit I feel that online students are treated the same way as students on campus are treated. The tuition of $750 per credit hour is reasonable, I would say comparable to the average tuition of other AACSB accredited schools. I found that the school is very selective accepting students into the program. I already have a PhD in physics, but still had to clear all the admission hurdles as other students. I was however successful in obtaining a GMAT waiver as I have worked in management for some time. Selectivity in my opinion speaks for the quality of the program. Overall, I believe I made the right choice.
I was turned away from Washington State University's online MBA program for several reasons. First it is very expensive for a student without a Bachelor's degree in business to pay the $30k in tuition and an additional $10k in foundation courses. Second, I contacted WSU's distance program staff multiple times with questions only to receive a response two months later. Apparently they weren't monitoring their email on a regular basis.
Washington State University's Online MBA, has the same courses as the day time MBA program, you are also instructed by the same professors that teach the courses on campus. It is a young program, but due to it's smaller size it offers an outstanding networking environment.
WSU's MBA is really differentiated by its entrepreneurial focus, which is why I choose this program over others.
I also enjoy work along side real professionals, with families and face the same challenges. Overall the program has exceeded my expectations.
