Five Things To Know About Distance Learning MBA
1. MBA graduates make more money. Pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is one of the best career moves you can make. According to a 2005 survey from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), MBA graduates could expect to earn an average salary of $106,000 - significantly higher than their non-MBA counterparts.
2. Most distance learning MBA programs are effective. Business administration lends itself very well to distance learning. MBA programs provide a wide knowledge base in finance, marketing, corporate organization, economics, government, and leadership. Because these courses don't require labs or hands-on study, the online distance learning model can be effective. Studies show that students who take courses online perform just as well or better than students who learned the material in a traditional setting. Internet technology allows MBA courses to simulate the classroom experience with better interactivity and virtual learning paradigms.
3. You won't have to take time off work. Most MBA students are already working professionals who want to move up in their industry. In our fast-paced corporate culture, taking time off work to earn a degree can cost you some professional momentum. But distance learning allows students to complete courses after hours from the comfort of your own home.
4. Not all MBA programs are equal. Be careful before enrolling in a distance learning MBA program. Some schools promise a cheap and easy MBA, but these schools are often not respected and your degree won't mean much on your resume. Similar to the law degree, MBA degrees are attached to the reputation of the university. Make sure your distance learning university is accredited. Some of the top distance learning MBA programs in the United States are the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Duke University Online Executive MBA, and the University of Florida Internet MBA program.
5. You will have more career options. MBA grads are qualified for a wide variety of business-related jobs in a broad market, including project manager, CEO, marketing director, entrepreneur and business director. An MBA can also be helpful even if you're not in management -- business owners of all kinds benefit from the business and marketing skills of an MBA.