Questions To Ask When Deciding

Many distance MBA programs offer individuals the opportunity to obtain a degree that, due to work obligations and personal commitments, they would not otherwise be able to complete. When it comes to choosing the right MBA program, there are a few essential questions you should ask before making your final decision.

Are you accredited? This is perhaps the single most important question that those considering an online MBA should ask. AACSB accreditation is the most difficult to obtain, so if your potential school has this type of accreditation, it is a sign you are likely dealing with a reputable institution.

What type of student support do you offer? Look for schools that give students good access to course instructors. If you run into difficulties, you will want to know that you can phone or e-mail an instructor and receive a prompt response.

Do you offer the opportunity to specialize? Most programs offered by full-time institutions consist of a year of general business study and another year that allows students to pursue courses in a specialized area, such as finance or marketing. Just because a school does not offer the opportunity to specialize does not necessarily mean it is not reputable, but if this is an important feature for you, it is essential to get this information before you apply.

Do you have employment statistics available? Information about graduates, such as how quickly they found work and what types of salaries they were offered, are good indications as to how highly the degree is valued by business employers. Good schools should be able to give you this information.

What are your admissions criteria? You can probably find this out by looking at the school's Web site. A good distance learning program will have admissions criteria that are quite similar to that of full-time institutions.

What is the cost of obtaining this degree? Costs for distance learning programs can vary widely, so it is best to try to strike a balance between price and program quality. Watch out for hidden costs as well, like books that must be purchased or costs associated with mailing course assignments and other materials.

By asking these simple questions, you should be able to better judge the quality of the distance learning program you are considering. Choosing a school is quite difficult for distance learners because the quality of the programs can vary so greatly. Taking the time to find out enough information to make an informed decision, however, is an important and worthwhile step of the pre-application process.