| In today's job market, a bachelor's degree often isn't | | | | websites, email or bulletin boards? Will you have to use |
| enough to give you the edge over other job applicants. | | | | complicated, proprietary software? Steer clear of |
| However, getting your MBA at a local college or | | | | programs that are not simple and easy to use. After |
| university may be just too much for a full-time | | | | all, isn't that why you want an online degree program. |
| breadwinner with a home and family to care for. | | | | Just in case there are problems, make sure that |
| There are still ways to advance your education, | | | | technical help is available when you'll be working. Look |
| though, and one of the most popular is getting your | | | | for programs with a proven track record. |
| MBA through distance learning. Distance learning via | | | | Even though the idea of internet learning is new, you |
| internet is a relatively recent phenomenon. Usually, a | | | | should look for a program with a good success rate |
| student will enroll in an online university and take the all | | | | an satisfied graduates. Ask if you can email or talk to |
| of the classes online. | | | | some of the graduates, or read recommendations. |
| Sounds like a great deal, right? There are many pitfalls | | | | Ask about the school's completion rate. Does the |
| for the distance learner. Be sure to choose the right | | | | school offer adequate financing? If the school is |
| school. As with every other category of business, | | | | accredited, they should be able to participate in the |
| there are good and there are not so good distance | | | | federal student loan programs and offer financing to |
| learning programs. Don't waste your time and money | | | | distance learners. Finally, investigate who is teaching |
| on a school that is not accredited by a nationally | | | | the classes. Do they have experience in online |
| recognized agency. Your diploma needs to be from an | | | | teaching? Managing a virtual classroom is different that |
| accredited university or school to help you advance, so | | | | teaching the typical college course, so the teachers |
| do some homework up front and check the | | | | should be experienced in this type of learning. |
| credentials of the school. They should be accredited | | | | Of course, distance learning is not for everyone. In |
| by one of the nationally recognized agencies (New | | | | order to succeed at this type of coursework, you will |
| England, Middle States, North Central, Northwest, | | | | need to be self-motivated and dedicated to getting |
| Western and Southern). These are the valid | | | | your MBA. You will need to be organized and |
| accreditation agencies. Verify that the classes are all | | | | disciplined. Procrastinators have a difficult time working |
| online. | | | | at their own pace, because they can always finish an |
| Don't enroll in a distance learning program across the | | | | assignment "tomorrow". Of course, this can turn a 2-3 |
| country, only to realize later that you'll need to attend | | | | year program into 6-8 years. Investigate online distance |
| one or two sessions in the classroom. Check out the | | | | learning to pursue you MBA, but first, make sure that |
| technical capabilities of the classes. Are the classes | | | | you are ready to commit to self-directed learning. |
| available through technology that you can access, like | | | | |