By now, you may have heard of the benefits that an MBA degree (Master of Business Administration) can bring to your life. But what if you're not ready or able to leave behind your current job and those who depend on you? There's no shame in wanting to stay close to your family and work opportunities while advancing your career. A growing number of top schools are offering online MBA degrees for precisely these reasons. So what makes an online MBA right for you?
What Are The Merits Of Getting An Online MBA?
• Distance learning reduces your expenses, enabling you to balance work and study.
• No geographical limitations—you can take the courses in any place that has an Internet connection.
• You can arrange your schedule according to your needs, not those of a physical campus.
• Save money as well as valuable time. With an online MBA program, students do not need to pay expensive on-campus tuition fees or commute back and forth from work every day. Not only will this save you time, but it also saves money that can be applied to other expenses such as books or additional classes required for graduation.
• Distance learning enables you to complete your education while remaining employed full- time—or even part-time. An online degree allows aspiring business managers to continue their current employment while earning a professional management certification of the type held by people in equally high positions at prestigious companies.
• Meet your goals and stay on top of the latest developments in business. Many MBA degree programs from prestigious institutions work by dividing material into small segments that students can go over quickly via computer, Internet or tablet. Others use massive open online courses (MOOCs) to provide an overview of core concepts and major cases before delving into deeper study with other materials provided by their program. Regardless of which method you choose, you'll have plenty of opportunities for discussion with professors as well as fellow students who hold similar career goals.
Some people do have their reservations about online programs:
1) What if I don't like studying alone? The reality is that many students find being at home or in the office far more conducive to long hours of studying than sitting in a crowded classroom with other students vying for the teacher's attention.
2) Will it be hard to meet deadlines? Most online MBA programs appoint a "course manager" who monitors the student's progress and offers guidance as needed, in addition to the professors themselves.
3) I'm not tech savvy and don't want to be stuck in front of a computer for hours every day. Most online programs offer multiple methods for interacting with teachers, fellow students and course material—email, phone conferences, Blackboard, discussion boards, furthermore, they're constantly adding new features to improve the online learning experience. Keep in mind that many successful business people are technophiles who have been working virtually since childhood!
4) What if my job limits me from going back to school? This is an excellent reason to consider an Executive MBA degree program. You'll still get the benefit of a top-level degree but can complete it in as little as two years while continuing your career. Online MBA programs are most often aimed at working adults, so you will find plenty of office hours and other opportunities for real-time interaction with teachers.
Who Is Eligible For An Online MBA?
Not every student is a good candidate for an online MBA—they are only right for some people in certain situations. However, there are many more students who should consider taking their MBA online than those who shouldn't—most of the latter never even apply! The following quick quiz can help determine whether or not you are a strong candidate:
1) When it comes to receiving education from school, we all have our own styles and preferences. How would you describe yours?
2) How easy it is for you to go back to school after taking time off work or starting a new position?
3) What do you like the most about your current work situation? Can these advantages be maintained while attending classes on campus? Or will change be necessary in order to continue performing your job successfully?
4) What about your family life? Are there any other obligations that might make it hard for you to travel back and forth between work and school during the day, five days a week?
Get Your MBA Today
An online MBA program is very accommodative and you can be able to work around your schedule to get one, it saves you time, money, you can keep your current job as you study and you can take care of your family obligations.
