Benefits of Earning Your MBA Online

Your co-workers are debating the value of online college degrees. Are they as good as traditional degrees? In a word, yes. Besides convenient scheduling, earning your MBA online can provide quality education and a host of online resources.

by Karen Lawson
karen.lawson@mba-business-schools.com
MBA-Business-Schools Columnist

Online degree programs are growing in popularity—especially among working adults established in their professions but hitting that glass ceiling. It’s now possible to earn an MBA online from a range of accredited programs. It’s a good idea to compare several MBA degree programs before choosing the one that suits your work schedule and long range career goals. You can choose from programs offered by traditional colleges and universities, or from institutions that specialize in online degrees for business professionals.

Varied Learning Resources Enhance Online Degree Programs

When you think of college students, you may envision bleary-eyed students spending their nights among piles of books in a dreary college library. As an online student, you may study until late into the night, but now you can study from the comfort of your home. Libraries still are a resource for students, but these days you can access the resources you need online. Online degree programs provide online access to library databases, and your instructors may include links to helpful websites.

Working adults considering online degree programs often wonder whether they will miss out on important contacts by learning online. If you’re concerned about losing the benefits of collaborative research and study, don’t worry. Online courses allow for discussion, and some courses may “e-meet” at specified times for discussion. Other courses use a bulletin board format where you can post questions, and your colleagues and instructor will post responses. Your MBA courses should also provide one-on-one access to instructors.

How Does an Online Degree Compare to Traditional MBA Programs?

The key to selecting an online degree program is accreditation. College and university degree programs must be properly accredited. The U.S. Department of Education website provides information about accrediting agencies.

Of course, an online MBA may seem more humble than a pricey Ivy League degree, but accredited online MBA programs can lead to valuable educational and career opportunities.

Source:

“Online MBA students’ perceptions of online learning: Benefits, challenges, and suggestions,” by Kyong-Jee Kim, Shijuan Liu, and Curtis J. Bonk. Internet & Higher Education 8.4 (Dec 2005).

About the Author

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include topics in higher education and the humanities. She holds an MA degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Posted on February 14, 2007 at 2:09 PM

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