Kimball Adams

Why did you choose CSU?
After exploring several distance and Executive MBA programs for nine months (coincidentally the same time frame required to give birth), I chose CSU because it has the identical school colors as my undergraduate alma mater, the University of South Florida, and the mascots are both horned quadrupeds (go Bulls and Rams!).
Seriously...After applying to both CSU and the University of Florida, I was accepted into the UF EMBA program as well as the CSUN program; however, the UF program was conducted over 21 months, which I felt was too concentrated for my schedule.  Also the UF tuition was about double; however, I would have chosen CSU even if the price had been about the same because of the four-year option.
CSU also offered a quality curriculum as evidenced by the AACSB accreditation, and the "live" in-class format was "almost as good as "being there."  Other distance programs use taped lecture formats, which I felt would not be as engaging.
My job requires substantial scheduling flexibility because of night meetings, so a traditional MBA program was not viable, even with a major university within a 30-minute drive.
I also liked the fact that CSU is a "regular" university, because I felt the purely distance programs have not yet gained widespread acceptance in the business community.  I did not want to be perceived as holding an inferior (correspondence school) degree.

How has the program affected you?
The CSUN program has broadened my perspective of management, leadership and the general business environment, as well as providing new technical skills.  I have been able to take my learning experiences directly into the work place and the course work has enabled me to better understand and relate to other functional areas.  The Marketing and IT courses were particularly enlightening for me, although every course has been exceptionally valuable.  Being an accounting undergraduate, even the accounting course provided new information and critical thinking skills.  Almost every course has exceeded my expectations.

Have you taken classes at a distance before?
CSU was my first experience with distance learning and  I have been pleasantly surprised with the way CSU has merged the traditional classroom with distance learning.  I believe the CSU model will continue to provide a first-rate vehicle for life long learning, particularly with adult learners who have time or travel constraints associated with careers and families.

What was the biggest challenge with the program?
The largest challenge with the distance program has been overcoming the lack of personal contact with other students and faculty that is provided in a traditional learning environment.  This challenge can be successfully overcome by using email, on-line chats, telephone calls and teleconferences.  I even arranged to meet two team members on a trip back from vacation one summer just to put faces with the voices.  Distance learning also requires self-discipline and persistence; however, for me, the positives outweigh the negatives many fold.

Any other comments?
For anyone considering distance learning, the CSU program is definitely a program to consider.  The program's quality, flexibility and classroom-based format make it a strong competitor.