Are Online Degrees worth it? I am thinking about an Online MBA Program

[BrentWil]

I want to get an MBA, but I cannot go to a brick and mortar school right now. My work precludes that sort of time commitment and my location does not support it either. However, I read an interesting article from the economist, rating on-line MBA programs. This is the link. http://media.economist.com/media/WMBA/WMBA_Special_2010b.pdf . Several schools look promising, and I would be very interested in IE in Madrid. The international focus seems right where I want to go.

So my question is, do you think these programs are worth it? Is it worth my time, money, and effort to go after an MBA that is delivered in an online format?

[Ozymanithrax]

1. I received my Bachelors on line at National University..

and am completing my Masters degree.

It has its conveniences, and its challenges. I think it is worth it.

If you are not a self starter and disciplined, it will not work. I've known several students that just didn't work with the format but thrive in brick and mortar.

[MyrnaLoy]

2. there are

some recent reports about it. Most of them are negative. High costs, little accreditation, and many potential employers don't respect the schools. My niece tried to go to the one that advertises the most and was completely ripped off. She graduated from high school with honors yet the major online degree place said she needed to go to a 2 year school first. Of course the one they sent her to was owned by said online school. The 2 year degree was twice as expensive as a degree at a 4 year major university. My opinion, most are complete ripoffs.

[tammywammy]

4. Did she attend a for-profit university?

They're notorious rip-offs.

[MyrnaLoy]

7. yes

the biggest one out there, named after a city in the state I never plan to visit again.

[tammywammy]

9. That's awful.

:(

For-profit universities should be banned.

[tammywammy]

3. There are a lot of good universities offering online courses for an MBA

I know one of the schools I'm considering for my MBA is Texas A&M and they offer quite a few of the courses online, but then I also have the option of attending on campus as well.

I would also suggest checking into the US News & World report rankings on MBA programs.

edited to add: I would choose a traditional school that also offers online courses.

[Lisa0825]

5. If it is an online degree from a REAL University, probably yes.

If it is from a for-profit school like Phoenix, probably not. Speaking as a recruiter, I see so many people with Univ of Phoenix degrees that can't spell, use good grammar, communicate in complete sentences, or do basic Word formatting that it is apparent they are just a degree store.

[BrentWil]

6. Those are my basic thoughts...

Go to a school with a highly respected MBA program that also offers an online format.

[tammywammy]

12. Exactly.

And also look to make sure it's at an accredited university. For instance, it mentioned this university program in the article you linked to, Euro*MBA, which is accredited by the AACSB.

[BrentWil]

13. Well, that one looks good...

But IE in Marid is also AACSB. In fact, I think all the schools in the report are. I was looking at Thunderbird School of Management also.

[QC]

23. A colleague has done some "teaching" for Phoenix.

He says it was made very clear from the beginning that all of his students should pass.

His story is not unique.

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Sure. It's a checkbox on a resume scanner database.

Get the box checked as cheaply as possible.

[Lisa0825]

10. Bad advice. nt

[taught_me_patience]

15. Stupid advice that diminishes the value of what is actually learned

the most important thing about getting an MBA.

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. The stupidest human being I know has an MBA.

Unemployable in any conventional sense, he inherited his father's business. His business thrives only when he's in rehab and not around to fuck things up.

My advice is sound. Get the checkbox marked as cheaply as possible so you can enter the work world and actually learn.

[TBF]

25. Depends upon where you want to work - when I was recruiting

I looked for established schools with reputations in their respective fields. Why pay money for something that a recruiter will ignore if it's not respected ...

As others have said, I'd look at online offerings of traditional MBA schools and really consider whether you need that MBA. I did my Master's in HR while working at a company and they paid for most of it. That was a pretty good deal for me.

[white_wolf]

11. Personally I know I couldnt do it.

I've tried online classes and lets just say the me+internet= no school work. I need the structure of brick and mortar and I like the atmosphere but I'm sure there are plenty of schools that offer good online courses. Just be careful.

[oldlady]

14. nah-- with one exception

I've sat in too many interviewing committees and watched resumes listing places like UoP, Globe, etc. be placed into their own pile -- these will be the last called for interviews. One exception is if coursework is done through a local university's online curriculum service -- which is not uncommon any longer. Don't confuse, "but, Globe and UoP have a campus in town" with local -- I mean long-standing institutions, not the kind that pop up out of a suitcase.

[Lugnut]

16. My daughter is 12 weeks away from her masters.

She's been taking online IMC classes at WVU in Morgantown WV and will get her sheepskin at on-campus graduation ceremonies. She thinks it's been worth it.

[MilesColtrane]

17. I've heard that employers look for degrees from schools accredited by the AACSB.

See which ones of these offer an online MBA:


https://www.aacsb.net/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=AACSB&WebKey=ED088FF2-979E-48C6-B104-33768F1DE01D

[laundry_queen]

18. Just echoing everyone else

Most reputable universities and colleges offer online courses. I took an online course (in a mix of regular courses) and my advice for online courses is to take one that is highly structured. Mine was exactly like a regular in-class course minus the 3 hrs/week classroom time. I had regular readings (online, and in the text book) and quizzes to do online, due every week, and there were assigments, due every second week. The students in class had to keep in touch via the class message board. There were a couple of larger projects. The course had a firm start/end date. I had to actually go to the school to write the final exam. I didn't find the course any easier, or harder than my other in class courses that term, and I enjoyed the extra time not travelling back and forth to school. I'm going to take some more online courses in the spring term, since I like the format so much. I am taking business right now and eventually would like to get my MBA and I will be doing that in an online format for sure.

[JCMach1]

19. Also think if the MBA is actually valuable too you... Do you need an MBA?

You can definitely find an online MBA with a good reputation.

[jtuck004]

20. Regional Accreditation

...
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. If you want your online MBA to be recognized by future employers, you’ll want to make sure to enroll in a school that has regional accreditation.
...

Here, as well as other places.

_________

In addition, AACSB is a further accreditation for Business schools - not always important, but sometimes can be.

Also look at resources that suggest other ways of learning what you need, such as

http://personalmba.com/

How's your Mandarin?

[Dappleganger]

22. Most schools have some kind of online option available with their MBA's these days.

I would look through your state schools first to see what they have available. It may mean that you go in for specific tests/exams or teacher consulting wrt projects but there should be something out there for you in-state.

[mmonk]

24. I'd worry more about whether an MBA is worth it.

[kiva]

26. It depends why you're getting the MBA.

If your employer requires an advanced degree to move up, and you (and your employer) feel you have the basic skills but not the degree, then it probably doesn't matter too much where you get your masters. If, on the other hand, you want to use the degree to move into another company or field, then spend the time to research the schools that are most respected by prospective employers, including whether or not online programs from for-profit schools have any credibility.

You are probably already aware that some online programs are much more expensive than public universities that have online programs, so if that's a factor consider looking into that option.

[CRK7376]

27. Long post, but yes on line education is worth it

Online Education is a great way to further your education if you are self-motivated and have good time management skills. Otherwise, it may not work out for you. I have three graduate degrees from online educational institutes. Two were relatively easy to earn, one was extremely hard, but all were worth the effort. As a military officer, we are encouraged to earn graduate degrees. They often help get one promoted. I followed that logic by earning a graduate degree. I enrolled in Touro University International, a fully accredited program; otherwise the Army would not pay for the program. At the time I enrolled I was able to transfer in credit from the Army’s Command and General Staff College which shortened the time I would be enrolled in Touro. Unfortunately the degree program offered was not one I was the least bit interested in, but it got the job done and I earned a MBA, checked that block for the Army and got promoted. I am not and never will be a business leader/manager/sales etc… I spent 13 years teaching high school and will return to that profession once I retire from the military in a few more years. So I earned a MBA, then I enrolled in Touro’s Secondary Education Master’s program and it was very, very useful and interesting. Then after turning down a resident seat at the Army War College, I’d been away from home and family too long to spend another year away, I accepted a seat in the War College’s Distance Education program. It was very, very painful. Survived again, and have lifelong friends from that painful 2 year program culminating in my 3rd graduate degree.

What’s it take to earn an online degree? Time, self management skills and motivation are the key. I found that I could focus on one class at a time at Touro, instead of two classes, this drug out the program, but worked for me. My family and I were in two different locations, me being able to get home most weekends, so Monday through Thursday I did online education, knocked out my papers/online forum participation etc…then on the weekends I was free to focus on the family. But those school nights were tough, 7-11pm focused on academics. My third graduate degree came from the Army War College. That was extremely painful, rigorous academically and challenging. My class started with over 500 students, we graduated less than 300. First year was solo; papers and exams, online readings and time for nothing else. At the end of the first year we came together, were broken down into small teams, about 15 members per team and received lectures/discussion from the faculty. Second year, heavy on the small team forum, projects; we all had our turn as the leader of the team and our thesis paper. We came together at the end of our second year for more lectures and graduation. I was lucky; I was a member of a very close knit team. We worked well together, supported each other when we were low and wanted to quit and we were spread out all over the world. I had National Guard, Army Reserve, Active Army, a Marine and a DOD Civilian on my team. Korea, Moscow, Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan plus all over the USA were where my teammates were doing their online work from. It was a painful two years, but worth it. I learned a lot and it helped get me promoted again.

Bottom line is that online education works. Would my MBA from Touro stand up to a degree from a Brick and Mortar School, not very well probably? But then I’m not interested in the business field. On the other hand, my Masters in Secondary Education made me a better teacher when I return to the classroom in a few years. War College was extremely challenging academically and rewarding when it was over. So yes, I am a huge proponent for on-line education. But you have to be willing to sacrifice time from your family, not watch very much TV in the evenings, and have a good computer and good internet connectivity. Good luck to all who pursue online education!