Choosing An MBA Distance Education

Reputation

The good news is that some schools offer MBAs through distance education that are highly regarded by recruiters and potential employers. The bad news is that many schools are looked upon as little more than diploma mills. With a little research, however, it is quite easy to avoid the less reputable schools that are notorious for granting an MBA to virtually anyone who applies. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, ensure that they are an accredited institution. You should also look at their admissions criteria. Do they require GMAT scores? Most good MBA schools do. Are there minimum education and work experience requirements? A good rule to follow is that the minimum criteria for acceptance should be similar to that of a recognized full-time institution. A school that will accept just anyone is not the right one for you, at least not if you want to get a good return on your tuition investment.

Course options

Find out about the school's curriculum. Some allow students to declare a major or speciality by choosing electives during their second year. Others, however, only offer one set of courses, so all graduates will have taken the same courses during the program, regardless of whether they want to work in marketing or corporate finance. If taking specialized courses is important, be sure that the school offers that option before you sign up.

Required commitment

With some distance learning programs, students are truly free to work at their own pace, and there are few, if any, stated deadlines. Others require a substantial time commitment involving regular assignments with set due dates. Determine how much time you will realistically have to devote to study before making a decision.

Cost

Keep in mind that no matter how you decide to obtain your MBA, there will be substantial costs involved. If you have found several accredited institutions that offer a curriculum and program schedule that suits your needs, tuition costs may very well be the final deciding factor. Make sure you find out about hidden costs too, like books or postage if you must mail assignments.