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As an employer, I agree with Fred that an online MBA would not hold much weight with me. However, and there is always a however, there are MBA programs that combine an online component with an onsite component. Those programs, in my opinion, carry more weight and come across as being more beneficial, thus carry more weight when presented as a credential.
It's critical to check the credentials of any online educational program and if you truly want to learn from the program, check to see what "real world" coursework is included in the program.
As far as juggling goes, coursework is like any other obligation you take on. If you can schedule it into your life do it. If it looks tight, revisit the idea or modify your current schedule. It's a little like making a financial budget. If it looks tight on paper it's probably not going to happen in real life. Plan ahead and be prepared. There will be tight times but the long term payoff will be worth it.
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Well known MBA programs come with a little bit of assurance that a good number of people will either know the current syllabus or at the very least recognize that the school has a good linage of graduates.
Many online MBA's are perfectly adequate and will, in the end, teach you the same lessons. However, in a job interview you will likely find yourself explaining the program and almost defending the value it holds.
Online MBA's are however growing in popularity. Online education in general and the LMS's (learning management systems) that they use have drastically improved in recent years.
Choose a school that has a strong brand and is well known that also offers their courses online and you should be fine.
If after this you're still not sure.... Figure out which companies you will be (or could be) applying to after you receive the MBA. Call the HR department at each one and ask which MBA programs they recognize when someone applies. Also, be sure to note that some employers pay for MBA training!
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As an individual in education, I am required to advance my degree, I chose to enroll in a state university and take the night classes. Is it difficult and inconvenient? Yes. Will it pay off in the end? I hope so.
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It depends on if you plan to climb the corporate ladder at your current job or if you plan to use career services or switch careers. Having said that, I would never recommend an unknown, or even moderate, school for an online program. The only distance learning MBA programs that you should consider are global executive programs, if you qualify (10+ yrs experience in business role).
The full-time MBA at a top-tier university is the best way to go in my opinion. Go to a school that employs predominately the case study method and you'll be heavily challenged. You will emerge a new person; a great manager and a leader with terrific business acumen. Every person I know who went part-time or to anything but top-tier either stayed in their former position or got a mediocre job. Of course, if you already have connections that's a different story. At the end of the day, you will need connections and a fantastic education for the MBA to pay off.
Source(s):
Already earned an MBA
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Answered Question
M$3
June 09, 2009 11:18 PM
Are online MBA programs legit? Would you try to enroll?
Are they a waste of time? Is there a way to juggle a job and grad school effectively?
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Best Answer Decided by Votes
| June 10, 2009 02:40 AM |
It's critical to check the credentials of any online educational program and if you truly want to learn from the program, check to see what "real world" coursework is included in the program.
As far as juggling goes, coursework is like any other obligation you take on. If you can schedule it into your life do it. If it looks tight, revisit the idea or modify your current schedule. It's a little like making a financial budget. If it looks tight on paper it's probably not going to happen in real life. Plan ahead and be prepared. There will be tight times but the long term payoff will be worth it.
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Other Answers (7)
June 09, 2009 11:32 PM
No, they are not all equal. Well known MBA programs come with a little bit of assurance that a good number of people will either know the current syllabus or at the very least recognize that the school has a good linage of graduates.
Many online MBA's are perfectly adequate and will, in the end, teach you the same lessons. However, in a job interview you will likely find yourself explaining the program and almost defending the value it holds.
Online MBA's are however growing in popularity. Online education in general and the LMS's (learning management systems) that they use have drastically improved in recent years.
Choose a school that has a strong brand and is well known that also offers their courses online and you should be fine.
If after this you're still not sure.... Figure out which companies you will be (or could be) applying to after you receive the MBA. Call the HR department at each one and ask which MBA programs they recognize when someone applies. Also, be sure to note that some employers pay for MBA training!
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Voted as best: bunnyphuphu, metalsand
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June 10, 2009 12:08 AM
Btw, the second question: "Is there a way to juggle a job and grad school effectively?"
Yes, lots of people do it. I've even known parents of small children who've done it, though I can't imagine how! Part-time MBAs are very popular, esp with older mid-career people.
The other thing is, if you can do hold down a job and get part-time MBA from a good school at the same time, people will know you are ambitious, incredibly productive and hard-working right there. :)
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Yes, lots of people do it. I've even known parents of small children who've done it, though I can't imagine how! Part-time MBAs are very popular, esp with older mid-career people.
The other thing is, if you can do hold down a job and get part-time MBA from a good school at the same time, people will know you are ambitious, incredibly productive and hard-working right there. :)
June 09, 2009 11:44 PM
They are legitimate degrees, but it depends on individual employers as to who recognizes what on-line schools are legitimate. Yes, they are more convenient, but the risk involved succumbs to the results that weigh heavily on your future. As an individual in education, I am required to advance my degree, I chose to enroll in a state university and take the night classes. Is it difficult and inconvenient? Yes. Will it pay off in the end? I hope so.
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June 10, 2009 01:18 AM
There you have the key problem with online MBAs, and for that matter full-time MBAs from no-name schools. Good, bad or indifferent, they don't impress employers.
Conversely, Harvard might or might not be the best MBA, but it certainly gets you noticed.
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Conversely, Harvard might or might not be the best MBA, but it certainly gets you noticed.
June 13, 2009 02:09 AM
I respect your opinion but it is a shame you feel that way. I have been through an accredited online program and have gone through a traditional school. I can honestly say that the online program was significantly more work. Unlike a classroom lecture you can just sit there and take notes, online classes require you to participate and add to the course material by posting references and etc...
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June 10, 2009 03:23 AM
As long as the college is accredited then the MBA is legit. However, I would not doubt that employers hold a certain prejudice against such degrees. I think the only way I would enroll in such a program is if the school had both a physical and online presence. Colleges that are online only just seem less credible.
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June 11, 2009 02:32 AM
The answer comes in the classic, always correct, MBA response: It Depends! It depends on if you plan to climb the corporate ladder at your current job or if you plan to use career services or switch careers. Having said that, I would never recommend an unknown, or even moderate, school for an online program. The only distance learning MBA programs that you should consider are global executive programs, if you qualify (10+ yrs experience in business role).
The full-time MBA at a top-tier university is the best way to go in my opinion. Go to a school that employs predominately the case study method and you'll be heavily challenged. You will emerge a new person; a great manager and a leader with terrific business acumen. Every person I know who went part-time or to anything but top-tier either stayed in their former position or got a mediocre job. Of course, if you already have connections that's a different story. At the end of the day, you will need connections and a fantastic education for the MBA to pay off.
Source(s):
Already earned an MBA
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Voted as best: maxzhichao, mahaloguru
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June 13, 2009 02:06 AM
From what I understand you need to look at whether or not the school is accredited. For example, if a school is located in one of the New England states they should be accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Usually if the school is accredited it is legit but there are many others who are not.
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These are well worth considering if unable to commit to regular physical attendance, or too far from good schools.
Depending on why you want an MBA, the brand name of the school can matter a lot. If you want to use it for landing jobs, now or in the future, an MBA from a school no-one's ever heard of doesn't carry that much weight.
See my answer here for some good MBA resources:
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/higher-education/what-is-the-fast-track-for-a-mba-in-the-united-states
If you are at Mahalo HQ, part-time MBA at UCLA Anderson would probably be a great choice.