I had no idea how to approach graduate school plans before reading this-now I’m locked and loaded.

It is probably too late for a response to your comment and I am sorry for not addressing your inquiry much sooner. In my eyes, AACSB is no longer a factor when evaluating a college of business. What you should be concerned about is the quality of the faculty teaching courses, the breadth and depth of the curriculum of the program you are considering enrolling in, and the local reputation (at the state level) of the program. I hope this helps.

John:

It is probably too late for a response to your comment and I am sorry for not addressing your inquiry much sooner. If given the choice between an online MBA and a classroom MBA, I will almost always opt for the latter. It’s my opinion that a traditional MBA, in most cases, is more rigorous than a web based MBA. Furthermore a traditional MBA provides, in my opinion, better opportunities to network with classmates and professors. Again, in my opinion, the AACSB accreditation is losing its cache because more and more average colleges of business are receiving it. Before enrolling in any university program, it is important that you first conduct some due diligence. I hope this helps.

What are a few cutting edge online MBA programs you can think of that have a total cost of less than $50,000? I was thinking of applying to Univ. of HI’s MBA program because I want in-person instruction, networking purposes (going local is important to me) and in-state tuition?

Also, what are your thoughts on AACSB accreditation? I feel it is a must because many brand name college have this accreditation.

I have been looking at Golden Gate University (a non profit, non AACSB accredited college). What is your opinion on business schools without AACSB accreditation?

Thank you for your response. I have taken a few graduate Accounting courses from for profit schools. I must admit these graduate Accounting courses are a little easier than the introductory Accounting courses I have been taking at the community college. This alone has me concerned.

Adam:

Thank you for taking the time to chime in. Get the certificate from LSU if it is not outrageously expensive. Please stay very far away from FOR PROFIT Universities. Please don’t come back to ask me why because that is a discussion for another time. Now you need to keep in my mind that your GPA (2.5) can potentially be a disqualifying factor when applying to jobs within public accounting. If ever you come in contact with an accounting professor or an accomplished accounting professional, seek counsel from either two because you need qualified guidance to assist you with reaching your career goals.
I hope this helps.

I have a BA in Economics and I want to become a CPA. Unfortunately, I have a 2.5 GPA due to the poor grades I received when I was in Engineering. I did well in my other subjects (A’s and B’s) such as Economics though.

As for the GMAT I have an average score of 450 after two attempts. I have been unable to raise my score to an acceptable range despite my best efforts.

Right now, I am taking Accounting classes from LSU. I also enrolled into American Military University’s (a for profit online school with a mediocre reputation) MBA Accounting Program due to their low admission standards. I have been unable to obtain admission into a MACC program such as Colorado State.

I have an Accounting internship under my belt.

MY QUESTION IS: Should I bother getting an MBA or MACC from a mediocre school? Subpar schools seem to be my only choice for an MBA or MACC since I have a low GPA. Or should I just get a certificate from LSU or just take enough classes to satisfy CPA requirements and take the CPA exam? I want to obtain a job in an accounting firm of some sort.

I must concur that the Master of Accountancy program I am pursuing is quite redundant of my BBA in Accounting. One of my Master’s professors has even advised me to instead pursue an MBA and concentrate in accounting. However, another one of my Master’s professors brought to my attention that if you are solely interested in accounting, and not the other aspects in which an MBA touches the bases of, then an MSA program will better suit you while equipping you (pretty much as a refresher) for the CPA exam. I will admit that, if given the chance to do it all over again, I would simply do the 150-hour program in accounting instead of wasting another two years and thousands of dollars on enrolling in a Master’s program after completing my Bachelor’s.

@Ross and @Crawford:
Both of you make a valid argument. There are however a variety of ways one can fulfill the 150 hour eligibility requirement of the CPA Exam. You can get a MBA, or you can get a dual bachelors degree, or you can simply take a few classes at a community college. I don’t know of many Macc programs that serve as a review program for the CPA exam. I do know that some MAcc programs will charge you extra so you can enroll in a specific live CPA review course that has absolutely nothing to do with the MAcc program itself. That said, the both of you did not really address the thrust of the issue at hand here: “Do most Master of Accounting programs provide any value added competence to individuals holding a Bachelor degree in Accounting?”