Obtaining a Master of Business Administration, or MBA, degree is a smart way to take your career to the next level. Many people who would like to obtain an MBA are not able to attend a traditional program, because of work or family obligations. In those cases, a distance-learning MBA may be the choice. This type of MBA program allows you to complete a degree either completely or almost completely online.
Requirements
You cannot enroll in an MBA program without meeting certain criteria. At a minimum, you must have a bachelor's degree in business or business-related field. If you have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, your school may require you to take undergraduate business courses before you can start your MBA program.
In addition to the educational requirements, many programs require that you meet a minimum score on the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test. Before applying to a program, make sure you know what is required for enrollment. Many schools will not refund your application fee if you do not meet their stated minimum requirements.
Types
Many MBA programs boast concentrations in several fields, including, but not limited to, accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management and marketing. Some programs also allow you to receive both an MBA and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This is perfect for individuals who wish to work in commercial law. If you work in a specialized area or plan to do so, an MBA degree program can often be structured to give you relevant coursework that will help you in your field.
In addition to specific concentrations, some schools offer an executive MBA program. An executive MBA has coursework that centers on strategic management and run a business. An executive MBA from an online university could help people in middle management move forward in their careers, for example.
Time Frame
Even though you may not be physically attending class, pursuing a distance-learning MBA still involves a significant investment of time. Traditional campus-based MBA programs can normally be completed in one year. However, most students who pursue a distance MBA program complete the program within two to four years. The length of time it takes to complete an MBA program depends on how many courses you take at one time and how long each course takes to complete. Some schools allow you to complete a class at your own pace and give you a time limit, which varies by the school. Other schools maintain a strict schedule similar to the schedule provided in a traditional MBA program.
Misconceptions
You may have heard that a distance-learning MBA is inferior to a traditional MBA. While there are some traditional MBA programs that are more rigorous than some distance-learning MBA programs, the opposite is true as well. The reputation of a particular program does not depend solely on how the program is taught. The MBA Alliance website points out that people who earned their degrees via distance learning "will be just as marketable as any other MBA graduate."
You also may have heard that employers do not look highly on a distance-learning MBA. Many employers like to see any MBA program on a resume, as participation in an MBA program shows commitment to learning. While the program you choose should be accredited, an employer usually will not look down on an MBA degree solely based on it being taught online.
Accreditation
At a minimum, the MBA program that you choose should be regionally accredited. Accreditation guarantees that the school has certain quality-control procedures in place to ensure that those who receive degrees are adequately educated. An unaccredited program could actually be a fraudulent program, and often won't be recognized by employers, schools or professional licensing bodies.
If you are interested in a distance-learning MBA, consider a program that is AACSB accredited. Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is the "gold standard of business school accreditation," according to the Get Educated website . Also, if you want to obtain a Ph.D. or other terminal degree at an AACSB-accredited institution, you will need to make sure that your distance-learning MBA is from an AACSB-accredited institution.
Tags: AACSB-accredited institution, accredited Accreditation, bachelor degree, choose should, complete program, coursework that, have bachelor