MBA Programs

Not so long ago, one of the only options available to those who wanted to study for their MBA was to attend school full time for two years. While correspondence courses were offered, they were viewed largely in a negative light, and had the notorious reputation of granting degrees to virtually any student who paid their tuition fees. Today, however, things have definitely changed. While the full-time, on-campus MBA program is arguably still the most recognized and reputable, there are many different types of MBA programs out there. Students who carefully research prospective schools can obtain a quality degree through various types of programs.

Two-year Programs

This is what many may think of as the "traditional" way to obtain an MBA, and many still feel it is the best way to study for the degree. Students attend regular classes on the school's campus each semester, have summer breaks and holidays, and often also participate in internship programs, which are quite valuable with respect to finding a great job. Comparing these types of programs is also quite easy, as many business publications regularly evaluate and rank full-time MBA institutions.

Part-time Programs

Designed specifically for those who still want to work while studying for their MBA, part-time programs are often completed over a longer period of time. Classes may be held during evenings or on weekends to allow students to continue to meet their work and personal obligations.

Executive MBA Programs

These types of MBA programs are designed for those who have significant business-related work experience. Typically, students have already advanced to a management or executive role within their organizations. Even though these are part-time programs, students can still expect to finish their MBA within two years.

Condensed/Accelerated Programs

These are very similar to full-time MBAs. Classes are still conducted on campus, and students must complete the same amount of coursework. However, students can complete the program in less than two years. This is achieved through taking more courses per semester and reducing the amount of time taken off for summer vacation and other holidays and breaks.

Distance Learning Programs

With these types of programs, students may never even visit the campus or meet their instructors. MBA Distance Learning programs can offer you a great deal of flexibility. Classes can be completed online or through mail, although traditional mail correspondence courses are now being largely replaced by online learning environments.

Understanding MBA Schools

MBA school is a very broad term, and can refer to a variety of institutions that offer the opportunity to obtain an MBA degree. In general, students should consider whether they want to attend school part time or full time, and whether they want to complete coursework and classes on campus or from a remote location.

Full-time: These MBA schools generally allow students to complete their MBA in two years. Students attend regular classes on campus with a group of fellow MBA students, and must meet aggressive deadlines and requirements.

Part-time: These MBA schools usually offer students the opportunity to work at their own pace. MBA students can choose to take several years to complete their degree. These MBA schools are best for those who have personal or work commitments that would prevent them from taking time off to study.

On-campus study: Virtually every full-time program will require students to attend classes on campus, and many part-time programs require this as well. These MBA schools are best for those who live close to the school or for those who are studying full time.

Remote study: Many MBA schools offer students the opportunity to complete their degree without ever setting foot in the classroom. Remote study programs, also known as distance learning programs, are becoming increasingly popular. They are best for students who live in remote locations or those who want the chance to study on their own time and at their own pace.

MBA College

Depending on what part of the world you live in, the term MBA college may lead to some confusion. In Canada, for example, there is a clear difference between colleges and universities. Colleges are usually smaller, private institutions that specialize in one- or two-year programs, and many of the programs offer students the opportunity to learn a skilled trade. The student is granted a diploma when they graduate, rather than a degree.

In the United States, however, the terms college and university are often used interchangeably. The term college, in the United States, might be used to refer to schools that offer mainly undergraduate degrees, and it may also refer to the many liberal arts colleges that exist in the country. Schools that offer vocational-type training can also be classified as colleges.

To add to the confusion, many American universities also have the word college in their names; Boston College and Dartmouth College being just a few examples. In reality, there is really no distinction between an MBA college and an MBA university. When the former term is used, at least in North America, it is actually referring to an MBA university. Therefore, when researching schools, whether an academic institution is identified as a university or college is not really an important factor.

MBA University

In the United States and Canada, universities are academic institutions that provide degrees to students upon graduation. Although the term MBA college may be used to describe schools that offer MBAs, institutions that offer this degree are actually universities.

Universities typically offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Since an MBA is a graduate degree, it is necessary to attend a university to obtain it.

One important decision that those planning to obtain an MBA must make is whether to attend a public or private university.

Private university

The main characteristic of a private university is that it does not rely on government funding to supplement its operating costs. These types of schools exist in many areas of the world, including Japan, India, Mexico, and the United States. Americans who choose to attend a private university should carefully research the school. Some private universities are not accredited, and if this is the case, the degree obtained may be of little or no value. On the other hand, top MBA schools like Harvard University and Columbia University are also classified as private universities. In general, the costs of attending a prestigious school that is classified as a private university will be significantly higher than those associated with attending a public one.

Public university

A public university is simply a school that receives government funding. In the United States, the costs of attending a public MBA university may be lower, but they are generally not considered top schools. In Canada, Europe, and Australia, most universities are public, so obtaining an MBA from this type of institution would not be considered detrimental. Therefore, the decision as to whether to attend a public or private MBA university is largely influenced by where the applicant resides.

Considering An MBA Online

Until quite recently, the question of how one would obtain their MBA was not usually even an issue. Although some schools offered part-time MBA training, the concept of online learning is a phenomenon that has developed only in the last several years. Now, it is possible to obtain your MBA without ever leaving your home to attend classes. An increasing number of reputable schools are offering online MBA programs as an option. There are several important considerations when deciding whether an online MBA is best. They include making sure the school is accredited and reputable. Otherwise, that degree may not be as useful as you had hoped. Having said that, there are numerous reasons why an online MBA might be a good choice.

Flexibility

With online learning, there are typically no scheduled classes to attend. Many schools have an online platform devoted to the MBA program and individual courses. Students simply have to log in to retrieve their lectures, assignments, and readings. For many, this is the most significant advantage of online learning. They can complete their coursework on weekends, in the evenings after their children have gone to bed, or even during their lunch break. However, it is important to consider that for this arrangement to work, a good amount of self-discipline is necessary. If you are the type of person who puts things off until the last minute, or finds it hard to stick to self-imposed deadlines, this arrangement may not be for you.

Location

The beauty of online learning is that it does not matter where you are located. If you live in a small town without any great universities nearby, that does not have to stop you from getting a degree from a great school. With online programs, it is no longer necessary to move to another area or transfer to another state to get an MBA.

Financial

The majority of people who decide to get their MBA have already been in the workforce for several years, so it is understandable that many are reluctant to leave their jobs to go back to school. For most people, leaving an established job would mean both giving up their salary and , most likely, taking on a huge debt load in the form of federal student loans. By getting an MBA online, however, both of these problems can be avoided. You will still make money while attending school and you can pay as you go, which will eliminate the need to take out a huge student loan. In addition, most online programs are less expensive than full-time ones, so it certainly makes sense to study online from a financial standpoint.