For those entrenched in the fast-paced world of business, putting your career on hold or sacrificing evening time to take MBA classes may not seem like a great idea. Online MBA programs seem to be the best of both worlds - the flexibility to attend class when it is convenient to you, with no need to travel to campus. If both versions are options for you, keep the following points in mind when making a decision about what type of program to enroll in.
Accreditation
Graduate business programs are accredited internationally by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). While not every business program in the United States is accredited, the most highly regarded are. AACSB accreditation assures that a business program has a relevant curriculum, qualified faculty, and meaningful interaction between faculty and students.
A high number of traditional, on-campus MBA programs are accredited by AACSB; only a few online MBA programs are. If you are considering an online MBA program, be sure to seek out a program's accreditation status.
Networking
"It's not what you know, it's who you know." That quote may sound hackneyed, but in business and management, it is quite true. Networking with potential employers, faculty, deans and your classmates is one of the most important part of any MBA program. Networking is better facilitated in the on-campus MBA experience, since there is a shared physical space.
It is much more difficult to network in an online MBA program, as your classmates are all across the globe. Several online programs have reported students trying to meet up for in-person gatherings. Additionally, a few online MBA programs have a residency requirement, having a cohort of MBA students gather on-campus for a weekend. These weekend residencies can be as often as once a month, or a few as once in a student's duration in the program.
Student Services
Quality academic advising and career services are key to successfully navigating any MBA program. When researching both online and on-campus programs, ask current students and recent alumni what their thoughts on these student services are.
When considering an online program, examine how student services are offered online. Is there an office you can call, and do they stay open at non-traditional 9-5 times? If the online program is affiliated with a brick-and-mortar college, do you have the same access to services as an on-campus student?
Faculty Contact
In learning advanced topics in areas such as accounting, fiance, and information systems, having one-on-one access to faculty members is important. In an on-campus MBA program, make sure faculty members hold adequate office hours. If you are considering an online MBA program, make sure there are some sort of office hours - be they via phone, videoconference, or a email turnaround policy (i.e. emails about the class will be responded to in a given amount of time.)
Also consider how faculty members will be able to advise you on your career. Do they consult with you on class selection? Are they able to help you find internships? If you are in an online program, how can faculty members be involved in those processes?
Industry Presumptions
Because of the relative newness of online MBA programs, they are not well-received by all in the business world. This is due to the proliferation of "diploma mills" - programs that issue degrees without a fair amount of work - that have ruined the reputation of online programs across disciplines. When considering an online program, survey those in your desired industry on their thoughts on online programs, and if there are any they recommend. Ensure that an online MBA program will still give you the experiences and skill sets of your on-campus counterparts, and that you can sell that to an potential employer.
Tags: online program, online programs, considering online, considering online program, faculty members, business program, make sure