[Anonymous]

I completed my CPA exams last winter so I am ready to obtain my masters (also need another 20 credits to get my 150 so figured this is a good route)

I would like to do it online while not burning too big of a hole in my pocket. I am looking at Masters in Finance to broaden myself.

Any help on possible schools?

Thanks and good luck to all!!

[Anonymous]

If an MBA with a Finance specialization or concentration would count, Louisiana State University-Shreveport is one I have my eye on: https://www.lsus.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/online-master-of-business-administration It's about $13,000 and some change for the degree, all online, and it's an AACSB-accredited program (as well as being regionally accredited). Given that most Master's are a lot more than that, and given that most AACSB-accredited programs are waaaaay more than that, this one really caught my attention when I saw it mentioned on here a few years ago.

I took additional undergrad courses to finish my 150, so am biding my time till my pockets feel a bit better before getting an MBA, but I'm keep my eyes on this one, cause I really like the idea of it. I took my undergrad accounting courses through LSU distance learning, so LSU is a school I'd already be comfortable with.

However, that's not a Master's in Finance, so not sure if it'd be what you're looking for or not. 😐 But since it's such a good deal and does have a Finance Concentration, I thought it was worth posting at least! 🙂

[mckan514w]

A branch of University of Maryland has a masters of accounting and financial management that I have heard good things about– check that out, have also heard that LSU and Auburn have online programs

and they ask me why I drink...

FAR- 61-next time I'll ask for lube instead of a calculator
REG-75- Never been so happy to see such a low grade
BEC- 8/11
AUD- 9/2

[Duskfall]

While it is not a Master of Finance, an MBA or MPA (Master of Professional Accountancy) at The University of South Dakota through the online option is a very good choice financially. The Beacom School of Business at USD is AACSB accredited and is very inexpensive. My whole MPA program is going to cost less than $13,000. The four courses I have taken so far are quite rigorous and well taught. Good luck searching for masters programs!

FAR - 07/07/2016 - 81
BEC - 08/23/2016
AUD - 10/05/2016
REG - 11/23/2016

[Trele6]

I did mine at LSU-S, They have 3 or 4 concentration MBA's. classes are 7 weeks, not too expensive and pretty easy.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[CPYay]

What's the reputation/influence these have in the job market? Do employers see these online Master's degrees as valuable or do they look past them in respect of brick&mortar educations?

[leglock]

Someone on here said their employer pitches them in the trash if they see the master's is from an online school. I can tell you that at my employer, someone was hired bc they had a master's, the location of which was inconsequential.

[Anonymous]

I think the reputation varies based on the school. If it's a brick-and-mortar school, like the ones mentioned in this thread – U of SD, LSU, U of MD, etc. – it's still pretty widely respected. Many (dare I say “most”?) MBA programs are online because the students are working professionals that can't guarantee they can leave work to attend class at a certain time every night. So, if the school is a brick-and-mortar school, whether the courses were taken online or not isn't always known and is even less likely to matter.

However, “online schools” like Phoenix do have a pretty bad reputation. Whether it's deserved or not is a separate conversation, but an MBA from Phoenix probably wouldn't carry nearly the same weight as an MBA from LSU, U of SD, or a face-to-face MBA of your choice. Again, I'm not saying this is or isn't deserved, but it's reality. Any of the schools that pop into people's minds as “online schools” do have a reputation that isn't as great.

There's a difference, though, between an online program from a traditional school and an online school. An online school may be the expert at presenting education online, so maybe Phoenix would have the best online MBA – who knows. However, I do think it's a fair general statement to say that a degree from Phoenix isn't likely to earn points with employers. But a degree from an online program from a traditional school is fully acceptable. The nearest face-to-face MBA program for me is about 2 hours away; the other colleges and universities in my area all offer online MBAs.

[sam85]

Penn State World Campus has a Masters program for Finance and its AACSB Accredited. I took undergraduate courses to get to 150 and the professors are all great. Most, if not all, have their PhD and CFA. I think the program is around $30,000, though.

[Duskfall]

I agree with Lilla. If you get a degree at LSU, USD or something similar, you don't even have to put online option on your resume. It makes no difference, it is the same degree from an AACSB accredited school. There is no stigma for doing the online option at good schools. The stigma is for online schools who have no actual campus or accreditation.

FAR - 07/07/2016 - 81
BEC - 08/23/2016
AUD - 10/05/2016
REG - 11/23/2016

[Trele6]

The LSU-S MBA is fully online, however the school is brick and mortar. They might even offer some of the MBA classes in person but I'm not sure, I was only interested in the online ones.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Author]

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