A new twist on RA/ NA. Advise?

[Runner4064]

Hello gang, I'm on the edge of graduating and am looking into a masters program. I'm leaning heavily toward Aspen for 2 reasons. 1. Cost 2. The ability to throttle through at a good clip.
I'm am aware it's NA. I know that RA & NA are seldom interchangeable. My question is: If I have an NA masters could I teach part time at an RA college or does their veil of discrimination carry over to the employment market as well?

I'm considering an MBA as a (supplement) to my job if I decide to move up the food chain -or- as a back-up of sorts should I get hurt and become unable to maintain my current profession.

Does employer discrimination against NA run rampant in terms of this field? If need be could I secure a decent job w/ an MBA?

I know this is a lot and I appreciate everyones help.

[HawkGuy]

Once I get my BA, I'm thinking about getting my MBA through either Aspen or California Coast University. I was wondering the same thing as Runner.

[Southpaw]

It's very rare that you can teach at an RA with an NA masters from what I've read.

[joel66]

Yup, I was thinking the same thing and checked my local community college and was told it would have to be regionally accredited. This is only if the job specifically states you must have a master's degree. I remember somebody who obtained a regionally accredited undergraduate degree and had a lot of experience. He was offered a job to teach at a local college, but some reporter trying to make a name for themselves, decided to make a story about this person not having a regionally accredited masters degree. The Dean of the school told the media he was hired based on experience and undergrad degree. I read about similar stories all the time.

If you plan to stick with your same job and/or other employers you plan to work for in the future recognize the degree at CCU, I would go with them. I read a lot of good feedback about that school. If you are not completely sure about that and decide it's a possibility you might want to teach at a University and enjoy teaching, it's safe to go the regionally accredited route. It all depends on what your needs are.

I live in California, which is why I'm going to start at TUI University in April for my undergrad degree. If finances are tight by next year, I might plan on going to TUI for MBA as well. Outside California, and okay with Online only school, you can look the big three "Excelsior, Thomas Edison, and Charter Oak."

[barcotta]

Originally Posted by joel66

I live in California, which is why I'm going to start at TUI University in April for my undergrad degree... Outside California, and okay with Online only school, you can look the big three "Excelsior, Thomas Edison, and Charter Oak."

Huh? I've never heard this distinction before. It sounds like you've uncovered information that suggests that a degree from one of "the big three" has equal utility in 49 states but not in CA. On what do you base your statement (wonders a Californian who is about to graduate from Excelsior)???

[joel66]

Originally Posted by barcotta

Huh? I've never heard this distinction before. It sounds like you've uncovered information that suggests that a degree from one of "the big three" has equal utility in 49 states but not in CA. On what do you base your statement (wonders a Californian who is about to graduate from Excelsior)???

I think TUI and Excelsior are both the same. Based on the courses I have left, I can graduate from TUI much faster. Below is an example:

Algebra & Statistics = BUS306 Quantitative Reasoning (4 units)
Macro & Microeconomics = BUS305 Competitive Analysis and Business Cycles (4 units)
Financial & Managerial Accounting = ACC403 Principles of Accounting (4 units)

Based on Excelsior, I have 13 classes left to graduate and with TUI I have 9 classes left. Also, I don't have to pay the yearly dues and their 4 unit courses is 750 dollars instead of 1000 because I live in California. Also, I don't have to pay for any books and everything is online and CD's.

In regards to financial aid, by taking 8 units per semester, they will provide up to 660 per semester for pell grants and my employee tuition would pay the rest. With both funds, it will cost me nothing. With Excelsior, I would have to take 12 units in order to get the same amount of pell grants.

I was already enrolled in Excelsior, but I noticed I would not be able to graduate in time, in order to have enough time to study for either the LSAT or GMAT and get ready by the fall. I'm still at cross roads as to which direction. If I totally blow the LSAT and I don't receive any grants for law school, I will go ahead and get my MBA because my employer will not pay for law school, but will pay for my MBA degree.

I say California because it's 250 dollars cheaper per class. Again, if you already completed Accounting, Economics, Statistics, and Algebra, then it wouldn't make that much of a difference. With TUI, those courses are combined.

[joel66]

UPDATE: I forgot to add the link to the California pricing for TUI Admissions and Fees - CTAP which I was referring to. The other thing that has my thinking about an MBA with TUI is based on my prior course work. On ACE credits, I have up to 21 graduate credits and could possibly get up to 9 credits toward an MBA with Conflict and Negotiation Management Concentration. That would mean I would only need 9 courses for total tuition of $6,750, which includes all study material.

[barcotta]

OK. That makes sense. I still maintain that the process of comparing colleges and their programs and then working your way through selecting and completing the various classes and exams is worth at least six--if not twelve credits!