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| Distance Learning for Your MBA |
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In today's job market, a bachelor's degree often isn't enough to give you the
edge over other job applicants. However, getting your MBA at a local college or
university may be just too much for a full-time breadwinner with a home and
family to care for. There are still ways to advance your education, though, and
one of the most popular is getting your MBA through distance learning.
Distance learning via internet is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Usually, a student will enroll in an online university and take the all of the
classes online. Sounds like a great deal, right? There are many pitfalls for the
distance learner.
Be sure to choose the right school. As with every
other category of business, there are good and there are not so good distance
learning programs. Don't waste your time and money on a school that is not
accredited by a nationally recognized agency. Your diploma needs to be from an
accredited university or school to help you advance, so do some homework up
front and check the credentials of the school. They should be accredited by one
of the nationally recognized agencies (New England, Middle States, North
Central, Northwest, Western and Southern). These are the valid accreditation
agencies.
Verify that the classes are all online. Don't enroll in a
distance learning program across the country, only to realize later that you'll
need to attend one or two sessions in the classroom.
Check out the
technical capabilities of the classes. Are the classes available through
technology that you can access, like websites, email or bulletin boards? Will
you have to use complicated, proprietary software? Steer clear of programs that
are not simple and easy to use. After all, isn't that why you want an online
degree program. Just in case there are problems, make sure that technical help
is available when you'll be working.
Look for programs with a proven
track record. Even though the idea of internet learning is new, you should look
for a program with a good success rate an satisfied graduates. Ask if you can
email or talk to some of the graduates, or read recommendations. Ask about the
school's completion rate.
Does the school offer adequate financing? If
the school is accredited, they should be able to participate in the federal
student loan programs and offer financing to distance learners.
Finally,
investigate who is teaching the classes. Do they have experience in online
teaching? Managing a virtual classroom is different that teaching the typical
college course, so the teachers should be experienced in this type of learning.
Of course, distance learning is not for everyone. In order to succeed at
this type of coursework, you will need to be self-motivated and dedicated to
getting your MBA. You will need to be organized and disciplined. Procrastinators
have a difficult time working at their own pace, because they can always finish
an assignment "tomorrow". Of course, this can turn a 2-3 year program into 6-8
years.
Investigate online distance learning to pursue you MBA, but
first, make sure that you are ready to commit to self-directed learning.
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