Getting Your MBA Online

No matter what industry you work in, having an advanced degree can lead to increases in salary and advancement opportunities. Those with a master's degree make approximately $56,000 per year, roughly $10,000 more per year then those armed only with their bachelor's degree. However, those who have opted to get their MBA degree are earning an average of $82,000 per year, according to a recent survey by TopMBA.com.

Additional MBA Benefits

Along with increased experience and knowledge, graduates who receive their MBA education online or off, tend to have stronger communication abilities, problem solving skills, enhanced leadership skills, and a strategic perspective on organizational management--all qualities which are essentially in today's competitive economy.

Online MBA Degree Programs

With the wide availability of online degree programs, getting an MBA online is easier than ever before. Most MBA online degree programs will require two to five years to complete, depending upon how much time you have available for your studies.

MBA Education Online: Options

While a traditional general business MBA is typically completed in two years, specialized MBA degrees or programs that combine a master's degree in a secondary area such as IT take longer. Here's just a sampling of the kinds of education opportunities that are available online for MBA degree candidates.

• Accounting MBA:   These online programs typically cover advanced costing techniques, accounting theory, and information systems, as well as corporate taxation, budgeting, and strategic planning. Most of these online degree programs are designed to prep MBA students for the CPA exam.
• Finance MBA:   Online finance MBA programs focus on areas such as portfolio and investment management, corporate financial analysis, and international financial management. Those with a finance MBA are in particular demand and command entry-level salaries that can go as high as $98,000 or more.
• Marketing MBA:   Online marketing MBA programs are focused on marketing strategy and customer management with courses such as consumer behavior, segmentation, targeting, and positioning, as well as pricing strategy, CRM, and sales.

Choosing an MBA Online Program

Before enrolling in any online degree program, verify that the MBA online program you are planning to attend is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency. With the right program, getting an education online can put you on the fast track to success.

Sources:
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Census Bureau, The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Starting MBA Salaries Are On The Rise, College Journal