How I Earned My MBA Without Pressing Pause on Life
I’ve always believed that hustle, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose can take you far. My communications degree from Farmingdale State College—and a can-do attitude—launched my career across startups, national nonprofits, and now a multi-market real estate company. But for years, I had an MBA in the back of my mind.
Not because I needed more credentials—but because I wanted a formal way to strengthen the areas I had taught myself on the fly: finance, strategic planning, marketing analytics, and operations at scale.
After relocating to Austin, I looked at programs like UT and Baylor. Great schools, no doubt—but the time and financial commitment were tough to justify. I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) step away from my work and family for weekend residencies or $70K price tags.
Then one day in August 2023, I got a push notification from r/MBA—a subreddit I’ve followed for years. It mentioned Louisiana State University Shreveport’s online MBA program. Fully accredited, asynchronous, and priced under $13,000 total. I had one thought:
What’s the catch?
Turns out, there wasn’t one.
Applying to LSUS
I submitted my application just days before the fall term started. It was refreshingly simple: a short form, emailed transcripts, and a quick turnaround. Within 24 hours, I was accepted. I was officially enrolled in the Accelerated Online MBA – General Business program, and ready to see what it was all about.
What followed was a year-long sprint—10 courses completed in just over 13 months, all while leading my company, supporting my family, and still finding the occasional moment to breathe.
What I Learned (And Why It Mattered)
The LSUS structure runs in seven-week terms with a one-week break between blocks. It’s fast-paced, but manageable. Here's a quick look at the courses I took and what stood out:
🔹 MBA 705: Organizational Strategy & Policies
A strong opener. Dr. Michael Meeks delivered concise, pre-recorded lectures that made expectations crystal clear. Weekly group projects over Zoom added collaboration without chaos.
🔹 MBA 758: Casino & Resort Management
Yes, it’s a real class—and surprisingly strategic. A creative lens on market analysis and customer experience.
🔹 MBA 761: Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Creativity
Given my background, this one hit home. It helped me put language and frameworks around instincts I’ve followed for years.
🔹 MBA 703 & 704: MIS + Organizational Behavior
Two solid courses that helped me reframe how I manage systems and teams—particularly helpful in a remote or distributed work environment.
🔹 MBA 700 & 706: Accounting + Marketing Strategy
These were highly practical. Budgeting, positioning, targeting—it all shows up in my daily leadership work.
🔹 MBA 702: Financial Management
The only class I didn’t get an A in—and arguably the one that taught me the most.
🔹 MBA 742: Project Management
Straightforward, structured, and a great reinforcement of the way I run initiatives across markets.
🔹 MBA 701: Economic Analysis
A broad, data-driven wrap-up course that tied everything together.
Why It Was the Right Fit
LSUS wasn’t about prestige. It was about progress. The program respected my time, challenged my thinking, and gave me tools I could apply the same day. I didn’t need to hit pause on my company—or my life—to earn this degree. That flexibility, paired with a cost that didn’t require donor appeals or board votes, made it the right move.
I graduated in October 2023 with a 3.80 GPA—no capstone theatrics, just consistent effort and practical learning that stacked up week by week.
Final Thoughts for Fellow Professionals
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about going back to school—or wondering if an MBA is even worth it anymore—here’s what I’ll say:
You don’t need an MBA to be successful.
But if you want one to grow, to fill the gaps, to level up on your own terms—LSUS made that possible for me.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t expensive.
And it worked.
Questions about the program? Curious if it’s right for your path? I’m always happy to connect with others considering the same leap.
