Enrolling in an online MBA program can be an important, life-changing decision. The top two reasons we hear that students choose to enroll in an online MBA program is for career advancement and for personal sense of accomplishment so it’s important you select the right program for you.
There are several pieces of information that will help you determine if a specific program is right for you. It’s important that research your options but here are three features to get you started:
- Accreditation: This is arguably the most important factor because accreditation determines the quality of the degree that you’ve earned. The most important accreditation to look for in an online MBA program is from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. While there are more than 5,000 business schools in the world, only 755 have earned AACSB accreditation and only a fraction of those offer an online MBA program. OnlineMBA Guide also suggests checking the U.S. Department of Education’s Accredited Postsecondary Institutions Programs database, as well as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database to make sure that the college or university you are considering is listed.
- Determine the program’s level of flexibility: Generally speaking, people choose online learning as a matter of convenience. Perhaps a prospective student has a full-time career and family to manage, or they live in a location that is far away from the college or university program they are considering. U.S. News listed several factors that students should consider, such as if there is a requirement to log-in at a specific day and time, or if there is an option to view lectures and complete assignments at a pace that is convenient.
- Take advantage of online reviews or speak to a current student or alumni: The best feedback relating to an online MBA program is from the students who are either currently attending or have already completed their studies. While reviews generally contain a fair amount of bias, the OnlineMBA Guide suggests to look for common or recurring themes in online feedback, whether positive or negative.