Is an online MBA right for you?

You have decided that you want to earn an MBA but your lifestyle is not conducive to physically going back to school for two years. You may have a mortgage, kids or don’t want to uproot and move. You have seen commercials for online MBA programs but are skeptical of their legitimacy. Is an online MBA right for you?

In recent years, there has been growth in the number and type of online MBA programs that are offered. What most applicants do not understand is that many of these programs are now offered by some of the top MBA programs in the world!

Some MBA programs are indeed offered by online-only schools. These programs tend to be more affordable and flexible. There are downsides, though. You need to be self-motivated and ready to have much (if not all) of your interaction with classmates and professors be virtual. Also, perhaps most importantly, after graduation, some employers may call into question the credibility or rigor of an MBA from an online-only school and career service offerings may be minimal.

Some business schools, including those in the top 20, now offer online MBAs. In these programs, the semester is kicked off with a weekend spent on-campus to get to know your professors and fellow classmates before heading home to participate in online seminars and lectures. Interactions are facilitated with online collaboration and communication tools. And, upon graduation, your degree will look exactly the same as the student who completed their program in-person.

Online MBA programs are meant for students who have temporal, financial or geographical restraints keeping them from attending a traditional, in-person business school. If you fall into one of these categories, you could be on your way to a great online MBA program, life-long lessons – and even a major promotion.