Have you ever wondered what to look for in an online MBA program? You’ve probably considered an online MBA program, especially since these programs are thriving on the nonprofit and for-profit models, according to Forbes. You still need to check to make sure the program you’re thinking of attending has a few key things you’ll need in order to be successful; read on to learn about what you should keep an eye out for when choosing a program.
Accreditation
MBA programs thrive on a few things, such as ranking, online reviews, and reputation. While these factors are important, online students must also take something else into account: accreditation. Employers seek candidates with MBAs that have been accredited by either the AACSB or the IACBE. This accreditation assures employers that candidates have received the proper education at the graduate level; additionally, most of the accredited programs have core competencies that fall in line with that accrediting body, making it a great standard for all MBA graduates.
Flexibility
Online students are looking for MBA programs that are flexible; after all, the point of taking a degree online is to ensure that students can attend to other obligations and responsibilities that they may have. That’s why students are going to want to check how flexible the program they are interested in really is; from offering asynchronous courses to enabling students to move from full-time to part-time, or even take a term off in case of an emergency, these options are critical to a successful online education. Students will find all the necessary information located on their school program’s website; they are also advised that a call to the online admissions office will help confirm the flexibility options that are available.
Curriculum
In an ideal world, schools will confer the same MBA program online as they do on campus; however, some schools do not do this, so students will have to check. The difference in curriculum between the programs should be as subtle as possible; in most cases, the differences are as subtle as having different professors teaching the courses online than the ones who teach on campus. Recently, however, a push has been made to make the on-campus and online programs the same, so students should be cautious of schools that do not follow this model.
Resources
All online students should look for the resources available for their degree; this includes MBA candidates. Because the degree is conferred entirely online, it’s important that students have access to resources like a digital bookstore, a library, technical support, mobile apps, a virtual forum, and more. Faculty and staff also generally have online office hours for their students, an addition to resources that have been proven helpful to the overall success of the online student population. Students are advised that a thorough overview of the resources available to them when entering a program should be listed on the program’s website. This is a standard practice and the absence of this information may indicate that a school does not have adequate resources to help students pursue a graduate online degree.
Related Resource: Why Do College Graduation Rates Matter When Looking at Colleges?
The online MBA program is perfect for students who already have a career and are looking for a way to attend school while working. While finding an affordable online program is great, many students will want to ensure that the program offers many resources, as well as flexibility, for students to enjoy. With this short overview of what to look for in an online MBA program, you will be better prepared to make a good decision for your graduate education.
