You Can Go the Distance with an MBA Distance Education

Is an MBA degree the key to your next promotion? There's no need to quit your full-time job to obtain your MBA degree. Consider the advantages of a distance learning MBA program.

by Jami J. Rodgers
jami.rodgers@MBA-Business-Schools.com
MBA-Business-Schools.com Columnist

Are you considering going back to school to get your MBA degree, but daunted by the prospect of adding yet another commitment to your grueling day? Consider the advantages of an MBA distance education.

Many students favor distance learning for its convenience and flexibility. You will eliminate the need to commute to a traditional campus setting, and coursework can often be completed according to your own schedule.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s most recent study, 34 percent of post-secondary institutions offer distance education courses for graduate students and 81 percent extend distance learning options to undergraduates. In addition, 39 percent offered online programs specifically targeted to returning students.

This data supports the fact that distance learning is here to stay. While there is a wide array of programs online, be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers and “diploma mills” when choosing which MBA distance program works best for you.

MBA Distance Learning: A Solid Foundation for Advancement

As the popularity of distance education programs grow, so to will the choices you will have when it comes to picking an MBA program. Be sure to consider the following when choosing an MBA distance learning program:

• Curriculum Availability. Does the MBA distance learning program offer all the coursework online? Is some real-time attendance required for evaluations, examinations, or presentations?
• Teaching Methodology. How is the material delivered? Is the MBA class instruction take place entirely online, via interactive video, or primarily through offline written correspondence?
• Specialty Degrees. Does the program offer joint-degree programs or executive MBA programs as part of its distance learning curriculum?
• Career Services. Do your homework to see if the MBA distance learning program supports job placement activities, internship-to-hire programs, or career fairs.
• Alumni Networking. Does the MBA program network alumni for job placement and promotional opportunities?

Only you can decide which distance learning program best suits your needs. Examine all of your options and weigh them carefully before making a decision.

Sources

Graduate Management Admission Council
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics

About the Author

Jami J. Rodgers—who is currently pursuing MBA school admission—works in acquisition management for the federal sector in Washington, D.C. Jami holds a B.S. in Spanish with a business option and an international studies minor from The Pennsylvania State University.

Posted on January 12, 2007 at 2:21 PM

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