Earn Your MBA - Online, or On Campus?
Filed Under Master's Degree Online, Online MBA Programs
Once you’ve begun your career, it may be time to return to school for an MBA degree. You could decide to look at online MBA programs, or to study in a more traditional setting.
It’s unusual to go to business school directly after completing an undergraduate degree, although of course some do. But it’s more common to get a few years of practical experience under your belt, and then to look at getting an MBA. There are three main questions to address if you choose to take on the challenge of a graduate business administration degree:
- Which school are you going to?
- How will you pay for it?
- Will you study online, or on campus?
Where Should I Earn My MBA?
The first of these can be a challenge. As of the beginning of 2008 there are well over 1,000 business schools with MBA programs in the US alone, with hundreds more around the world. Several magazines publish rankings of the best business school programs, while Business Week takes those lists to much greater levels; as well as traditional full-time two year MBA programs they chart the best:
- Part-time MBA programs,
- Executive Education programs,
- Distance MBA programs
- Regional MBA programs
- International MBA programs
and much more.
And most importantly, remember this: Whichever school you choose, you must be sure that it’s accredited; if it’s not, look elsewhere.
How Will I Pay the Tuition for my MBA Degree?
Paying for an MBA degree can seem overwhelming but, almost more than with any other degree, you’re investing in your future. According to the Princeton Review, recent MBA graduates earn 35% more than those without the degree. Graduates of the more prestigious schools can expect six-figure starting salaries and signing bonuses, even when employment rates are slowing down nationally.
Given the potential earnings an MBA can give you, taking on loans is a reasonable approach to take. But if you plan to stay employed, whether by studying at an online MBA program or by going to school part-time, talk to your current employer. Many companies offer loans to their employees to further their education; they may even be willing to pay part of your tuition.
Should I Earn My MBA Degree Online?
It can be a great advantage to earn an online college degree, but there are of course drawbacks. Chief amongst them is the ability to network effectively with classmates, professors, and potential employers. But even in an online setting it’s possible to make valuable contacts with fellow students. You’ll need to be pro active in playing a part in online discussions and bulletin boards, and be sure to use email effectively when communicating with faculty and other MBA students. A respectful tone, professional approach, and good-humored communication style is just as important online as it is in person … and perhaps even more important.
Obviously, there’s nothing like taking a two-year break to immerse yourself in studying for your MBA. But if time, finances, or family obligations won’t allow that, an online MBA program can be equally valuable … and rewarding.
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4 Responses to “Earn Your MBA - Online, or On Campus?”
[...] you can focus effectively on your studies, then you should have no hesitation about earning your MBA degree online. But the decision to earn an online college degree should not be made [...]
[...] you can focus effectively on your studies, then you should have no hesitation about earning your MBA degree online. But the decision to earn an online college degree should not be made [...]
[...] you can focus effectively on your studies, then you should have no hesitation about earning your MBA degree online. But the decision to earn an online college degree should not be made [...]
[...] you can focus effectively on your studies, then you should have no hesitation about earning your MBA degree online. But the decision to earn an online college degree should not be made [...]