The master of business administration (MBA) is the gold standard of business credentials, and is often required for upper-level management positions. The MBA is also among the most popular credentials offered online. The distance learning format may suit MBA students, most of whom are mid-career professionals looking to advance their careers without taking time off for school.
The Online MBA
Online business schools offer a valuable resource for managers seeking targeted career training or a broader skill set. Traditional campus MBA programs require you to either give up work for two years while you attend full time, or make a long-term commitment to night and weekend classes. Distance education introduces flexibility into the business school experience. Online business schools also typically offer greater customization, allowing working managers to tailor the program to their specific needs and apply their MBA training to specific business problems.
Advantages of the online format include:
- Lower time commitment
- Flexible scheduling
- Geographic flexibility
- Broad, diverse networking opportunities
- Self-directed education means more targeted career training
- Concurrent work-study ensures relevant education
Disadvantages of the online format:
- Requires more self-motivation
- Student services (such as career placement) might be limited
- Less face-to-face interaction and in-person collaboration
What to Expect
Online MBA students discuss material in Internet chat rooms, and collaborate via email. Students submit work electronically, and instructors post written lectures, videos, visual aids, and other instructional media. New technology is continually enhancing the interactivity of the online format, but online education continues to be a self-directed enterprise.
The Value of an Online MBA
As online business schools improve the rigor and quality of the educational experience, the online MBA is gaining credibility in the workplace. In some respects, the degree supersedes its campus counterpart. Online MBA students have the potential to apply their training directly to real-world business problems, for example, increasing the relevance of the education.
Online business schools offer a convenient and effective way to acquire the business skills and credentials you need to advance your career.
