Once the strategy of a handful of schools, online MBA programs have grown to be a widespread source of global business education. Online MBA programs simply offer too many benefits to a workforce that is thirsty for more and improved business techniques but has great difficulty taking time off from work to learn about them. The following are five major reasons to earn your MBA online.
1. Flexible schedules and locations
Online MBA programs allow you to fit your business education around your work and personal schedule. They also allow you to attend the MBA program of your choice, regardless of its location. Online MBA programs may use podcasts and forums to make lectures and classroom discussions available whatever your schedule or time zone. Some programs, however, may require you to attend brief sessions at set locations in your area or to connect to live online classes, advice sessions or group meetings.
2. Technology use
Online MBA programs help students build virtual communities to complete projects with peers. These same communities can later become professional networks that help students find jobs. Online programs use web platforms that enable you to collaborate with colleagues worldwide through online classes and meetings, discussion forums, and social networks. You could also have the opportunity to meet employers through online career fairs and alumni via virtual campuses.
Through web-based business simulations, you can also gain experience with business transactions, such as selling or trading. Gaining familiarity with these platforms can help you transition into a business world that does much of its work online.
3. Promotion opportunities
An MBA is a valuable credential that can make your resume more attractive to potential employers. MBAs are valued in a wide variety of industries, and specialized concentrations are available in fields such as:
- Health care management
- Technology management
- Global management
- Public administration
- Human resources management
If you want to set out on your own, an MBA can provide the knowledge and confidence you need to run your own shop.
4. Start-up development
An online MBA can enhance your ability to start your own business. Students in online MBA programs usually learn about business-critical subjects such as the following:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Operations
- Marketing
- Organizational behavior
- Entrepreneurship
Graduates of online MBA programs have gone into diverse fields from aromatics to professional coaching to health care.
5. Higher income
According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), on average, graduates of two-year, full-time MBA programs in 2011 reported a 73 percent increase in their post-degree base salaries compared with what they earned before their MBA studies. The Executive MBA Council, meanwhile, reports that in 2010 the average executive MBA salary and bonus amounts rose 11.4 percent for program graduates.
Online MBA programs are not only a great choice because they are flexible, cutting-edge and offer career advancement, but also because they may have a significant impact on your bottom line.