10 Reasons to Get your MBA Online

In light of the release of the 2012 QS Distance Online MBA Rankings, Nicole Willson offers 10 reasons why you should consider doing your MBA online.

1. Advance your career: According to the QS Jobs & Salary Trends Report, a growing number of companies worldwide view an MBA from a top business school as an essential qualification for entry-level management positions.
2. There is no shortage of accredited online MBA programs: Contrary to what some may believe, online MBA programs aren’t just a scam created by diploma mills, with many approved by the three major accrediting bodies, AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. As online delivery methods continue to improve, it seems likely that more and more top business schools will offer online programs.
3. Most offer the same curriculum as traditional programs: Most of the schools listed in the 2012 QS Distance Online MBA Rankings offer online students the same curriculum as is offered on-campus, taught by the same faculty members.
4. You don’t have to relocate to study:  One of the key advantages of online provision, of course, is that you do not need to relocate in order to attend the school of your choice, saving you from dealing with the challenges or costs associated with moving.
5. You are free to relocate for professional purposes: Since online MBA programs aren’t location-dependent, you can move or change jobs while you complete your MBA. You can even serve in the military – Lieutenant Colonel Scott Coulson, a graduate of the W.P. Carey School's online MBA program, was able to get his MBA while serving in Afghanistan!
6. You can take courses while travelling: So long as you can access a computer with an internet connection, there’s nothing stopping you travelling while you study for your MBA. This is particularly an advantage for those who regular take business trips.
7. You don’t have to leave your job: Getting your MBA online means that you can remain in your current position, and keep your current salary. In addition to the financial benefits, this allows you to not miss out on two years of work experience, and also to put what you’re learning into practice instantly.
8. The facilities and services on offer are the equivalent to those you’d get on-campus: With online provision constantly improving in quality, not being able to access on-campus services and facilities is no longer an issue. As well as materials made available online, many schools provide all the necessary physical resources before the course commences.
9. Flexible scheduling: Online MBA programs allow for a lot more flexibility than a traditional program. Many programs use asynchronous technology, such as message boards and emails, allowing you to participate at your own pace. Even the synchronous elements of online programs, such as videoconferencing, can be done from wherever you happen to be at the time, provided you have access to a suitable machine.
10. Online MBAs are usually cheaper than on-campus ones: Since there are fewer infrastructure costs associated with online MBA programs, tuition tends to be set at a lower level. And with the cost of commuting and relocation also taken out of the equation, in combination with being able to stay in your job, completing an MBA online can lead to significant savings.

View the 2012 QS Distance Online MBA Rankings >