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How to Choose an Online MBA

Why Finding Accredited Online MBA Programs is so Important

Aug 17, 2009 Carol Finch

Online learning has opened up the education sector, making it simple to earn qualifications at home. This has changed the face of the MBA degree but comes with pitfalls.

In recent years, studying for an online MBA has become a popular way of getting this kind of business degree. There are many advantages to taking this route. It is not, however, without its pitfalls. Sometimes, the very fact that getting accepted on to an online course may be easier than getting on to a full-time course of study with some schools may mean that the right choices are not always made. Getting an MBA degree may be viewed as a "good thing to have" but this will only really work online with some research.

The Advantages of Studying for an Online MBA

Students don't have to give up work or negotiate large chunks of time off to study from their employer. An online MBA course may allow them to pick and choose when they study.
Students may be given more time to study and may have the option to pick up their course when they have the time and to put it on hold when they are busy.
Students may also be allowed to pay for their MBA degree course study in modules as they wish, rather than having to incur a one-off fee cost.
Overseas students may be able to take advantage of studying for an online MBA in different countries, which may be useful if foreign schools offer better courses or opportunities than their own domestic ones.

The Disadvantages of Studying for an Online MBA

Industry perception of an online MBA may not be as positive, in some instances, as it will be with a traditional course of study.
It can take longer to achieve a qualification, and many students find the fact they have to impose their own study discipline hard to manage.
The increase in popularity of online learning has led to a lot of courses and qualifications that do not actually add value but that are simply produced to jump on the online learning bandwagon.
Not all business schools and colleges will give the same weight and support to online MBA courses that they give to their traditional courses.

Maximising the Benefits of an Online MBAThere are many reputable online MBA courses that could give the same kinds of benefits as a traditional full-time or part-time course. The trick is to find them. In many cases online MBAs are not ranked in the traditional way so this can take a little time and research. Good tips include:

Look for an accredited online MBA (i.e. with accreditation from AACSB, AMBA).
Choose an online MBA from a school or college that already offers standard MBA courses or that already has a solid reputation for offering distance MBA courses.
Investigate the weighting that a school or college gives to their online MBA course in relation to their standard course. Is it, for example, perceived to be the same in ranking terms?

For many people, the advantages of being able to study for an online MBA outweigh the disadvantages. With some careful thought and research into the best courses this can be a good route to improving career and salary prospects.

The copyright of the article How to Choose an Online MBA in Career Advice is owned by Carol Finch. Permission to republish How to Choose an Online MBA in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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