Advantages of an Online MBA

So you're thinking about getting an online MBA, but you're not quite convinced that it's the best decision for you. Maybe you're apprehensive about learning with no instructor supervision to keep you on track. Maybe the novelty of online degrees is scaring you a bit -- after all, they're still relatively new in the world of business education.

To be honest, learning online is not for everyone. Some may fare better in a traditional campus setting, where face-to-face interaction is a stone's throw away. But for those who are willing to take on the added challenge of solo learning and self-motivation (which, by the way, might look good on a resume), getting your MBA online has a number of advantages. Here's a quick list to give you an idea:

• No need to relocate, since you'll be doing your coursework via email and the Internet. This also saves on gas.
• You're in charge of your own schedule, which means you can still work full-time while in an online program.
• Your networking skills will get a workout, because you can talk with other MBA students all around the country at any hour of the day or night.
• The instructors will be caught up on the work world, since online universities tend to recruit teachers who work in the real-world marketplace.
• There's a lower student-to-teacher ratio in online classes, allowing for more one-on-one interaction (which will be through chat or email).
• The flexibility of online MBA programs allows students to spend time with their friends and families between studying.
• And most importantly, getting your MBA online lets you advance in your career, without having to take a break from it.

The best part is, employers are getting used to seeing candidates with online degrees. According to the education market research firm Eduventures, about 7% of post-secondary students, or 1.2 million students, got their degrees completely online. And many employers, including the CIA, UPS, Intel, Boeing and Discovery Communications, said they find online degrees just as valuable as traditional degrees, as long as they are from accredited institutions.

Online degrees are becoming more popular as more people wish to receive a post-secondary education but have constraints such as a full-time job or a family. They're without a doubt the degree of the future.