Question:
After graduating high school in 1998, I had an opportunity to work for an Internet company, and I decided it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.I spent a year at the company, doing some website development, but focusing on project management and software development. This company was acquired by a larger company, and I then went on to help co-found a new Internet software company. The past 3 years I have gained a lot of experience, especially in project management and designing software (coming up with feature sets, planning the development process, managing developers, etc.). However, I've come to a point where I would really like to get an actual undergraduate degree in Business Administration, and eventually go for an MBA. I've come up with a few options, but I'd like to get some feedback from the people here on what they think would be best. Any alternate options to speed things up based on work experience would definitely help. I've also co-authored a couple of computer books, and I get the impression this could warrant credit from some institutions.
I don't have any undergraduate credits, so some programs seem to be out because they require some existing undergraduate credits. My ultimate goal would be to try for an MBA from Virginia Tech or the University of Texas, for example. But I would like to get a respected undergraduate degree as well.
Any advice, suggestions or ideas I haven't considered would really be appreciated.
Answer:
Given your experience, it may be better to go directly for the bachelor's degree. Perhaps a combination of portfolio assessment, examination, and, if necessary, formal course work credit.
Access the web site at the URL below for guidance on earning a regionally accredited BS in Business, entirely or partially by examination. Also see the brief primer on the portfolio process in the introductory section/chapter, and if interested, use the links in the main menu to access more information directly from the institutions who offer the service.
Total cost from scratch for the BS in Business by examination, around $4,000+. The degree manual on the web site will take you through the complete process.
Perhaps applicable to your specialist experience within business, It should also be possible to complete a BS in Management Information Systems using the process delineated in the BS in Business manual, but with some changes. I'll be bringing out a guide for this very degree sometime this year.
