WGU MBA worth it?

[Lgx]

Hello friends. I'm at a bit of a crossroads in my career. Luckily, being a frugal person pursuing FI gives me some flexibility with my next move. I can support myself for the next 2 years with no job if needed.

My company is shitcanning laying me off due to corporate restructuring. I'm an accountant with over 6 years experience in industry. I have passed the CPA exam, but require 8 additional credit hours to hold the license in my state.

My goal after being fired is to finish my CPA education before entering the job market. I've been looking at doing a master's program through WGU. It's regionally accredited and I've confirmed my state board will accept the the credits towards completion of my CPA education requirement.

My thinking is that I could work the program full time and finish in 6 months. I would have CPA and MBA to go on my resume. 2 birds 1 stone. I don't put too much stock into an MBA (from WGU) being the end all solution to getting a better job, but if it gives me a slight edge in landing one over other CPAs with similar experience then the ROI is good enough for me. Especially at WGU's rates.

Does anyone have any advice/comment you'd be willing to give? I would especially love to hear from any WGU alumni or those that picked up a similar low cost MBA option.

[maginvizIZ]

I have heard good things about WGU.  I worked with a co-worker who went to WGU, and she highly recommends it.

I know the semesters are 6 month semesters... Could you get into a community college to take the 8 credits sow you can hold the license?  I don't believe an MBA at WGU will give you more weight along your CPA... Especially if you plan on getting another accounting role. 

I believe fall semester is 12 weeks?  The community college route is a way to get the credits ASAP to get back to work... But it could be a nice change to take 6 months to just focus on learning interesting shit. 

The MBA program is 34 credits (11 classes).  Do you believe you could pass a class every 2 weeks? If so, props to you!


After thinking about it all... If I were you:

I'd register for WGU, and take 6 months off, and plan to pass ~50% of the courses for the MBA.  Relax and study at a slower pace. Pick up some hobbies... Do cool shit!  Come 6 months later, you'll pass at least the 8 credits, to then have a CPA... Then find a job that has a tuition reimbursement policy.  Do another 6 months of WGU and have the 2020 tuition policy pay for that semester, and another semester that ends in 2021.

I think passing 34 credits in 6 months is a tad unrealistic.... At the very least it doesn't sound fun. 

Good luck on your choices!  I think the WGU MBA is a good idea.

[Lgx]

After thinking about it all... If I were you:

I'd register for WGU, and take 6 months off, and plan to pass ~50% of the courses for the MBA.  Relax and study at a slower pace. Pick up some hobbies... Do cool shit!  Come 6 months later, you'll pass at least the 8 credits, to then have a CPA... Then find a job that has a tuition reimbursement policy.  Do another 6 months of WGU and have the 2020 tuition policy pay for that semester, and another semester that ends in 2021.

I think passing 34 credits in 6 months is a tad unrealistic.... At the very least it doesn't sound fun. 

Good luck on your choices!  I think the WGU MBA is a good idea.

Thanks for your input. WGU is competency based and I feel I could get through the assessments within 6 months. I would be working it full time like my job 50-60+ hours a week. The capstone class appears to be the most time consuming piece. I'm also excited about the challenge...I would call it a frugal win if I only had to pay 1 term (6 months) worth of tuition.

Life doesn't always happen the way you plan though. I like your idea about satisfying my CPA requirements and getting my next employer to foot the tuition bill if I can't get the job done in 6 months. That would most definitely be my fall back plan.

I understand the comment about it not sounding "fun". I may be begging for it to be over in the end. I acknowledge that, but right now the idea of going back to school is exciting to me. Learning new things is fun. Also, with no commute anymore each day has more available time for hobbies, working out, etc.