Is Online MBA As Good As Traditional MBA?

Do you think online MBA programmes are second-rate? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. As more and more established business schools have started to offer online MBA programmes, the quality of online learning has enormously improved.

Growing Demand for MBA

MBA has become a very valuable qualification these days as it is in high demand from both students and employers. Even in this intense job market, MBA graduates are successfully landing great jobs in big corporations. According to recent data from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) released in January 2013, around 92 per cent of 2012 MBA graduates across the globe were employed within 3 months after their graduation. Moreover another GMAC revealed that 76 per cent of employers worldwide planned to recruit fresh MBA graduates in the year 2013; and the number is expected to go up even more this year.

So in this scenario, having a business degree can certainly be beneficial for you. But should you go for a traditional MBA programme and empty your saving account or go for an online programme? But can an online programme offer you quality education and excellent opportunities? Let’s find out.....

Is Online MBA Inferior?

It is true that earlier many students, education experts and even employers used to consider online management diploma and degree courses to be second rate as most top ranking B-schools remained detached from the market. However all that has changed now with the recent boom of online MBA. With rapid technological developments student experience has enhanced to a great extent.

In a recent post in The Telegraph, Professor G. Anandalingam, Dean of Imperial College Business School, writes “As with almost anything based around technology, it’s a process of continuous improvement: the way universities and students use technology is always evolving, making now a very exciting time to be working and studying in this area.”

A Raging Debate

But there seems to be a debate regarding the usage of technology in higher education. Clayton Christensen, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, argues that eventually technology will revolutionise the entire education system and in future all learning will happen online. However, Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School believes that online learning will not be able to replace classroom learning, but it will enhance it.

No matter which side of the debate you are on, you simply cannot deny that technology is significantly influencing online business diploma courses in a positive way as numerous students worldwide are now opting for online business education. Technology has effectively closed the gap regarding quality of the course and student experience between on-campus and online MBA.

However you need to ask a few questions before pursuing an online MBA programme. Professor Anandalingam writes “Students considering the merits of an online MBA vis-à-vis an in-class course should bear a few things in mind. Is there a good career service for online students? What opportunities are there to meet each other and network throughout the programme? Is there similar support for networking after the course and, crucially, is the syllabus delivered through rich, multimedia content?”

Is Online MBA a Good Option?

Although online courses initially offered only boring video lectures recordings, but now courses from leading institutions like Harvard and MIT’s EdX and Stanford’s Coursera are offering engaging lessons through interactive audios and videos as well as group assignments.

But after all that has been said, can technology and Online Management diploma programmes help you? Of course it can. If you want a recognised business qualification without being burdened with student debts, then online courses are your best option. Moreover, online MBA courses offers you the opportunity to pursue a degree and without giving up your full time job.

“For a significant and growing segment of the student population – working professionals that can’t afford to quit their jobs and come into campus for a long period – online learning has been a revelation. This is also true for students who are located in different countries but who want to receive a UK education due it its world-class reputation,” writes Prof. Anandalingam.

But will you have adequate networking opportunities in online business diploma courses? Its true networking is an important part of business education. As there is a lack of classroom interaction, you will need to take an innovative approach by using social media like LinkedIn and Facebook to expand your network and connect with other students. This helps to promote lifelong education by enabling b-schools to become a dynamic part of these online communities.

Prof. Anandalingam further adds “We, and others, work hard to ensure that online alumni are added to the career service office and we even arrange networking events throughout the world.”

Do you think online business education has improved significantly in the recent years or is it still second-rate? Would you like to go for an online MBA? Share your views, opinions and concerns and freely add to the discussion.

MBA- Now Faster, Shorter and Cheaper

Do you want to earn a management diploma or degree, but don’t have the time needed for a full time course? Can an online programme help you achieve your targets?

First let’s look at some facts....

The demand for MBA degrees is increasing wildly among students, professionals and employers across the globe. A new survey from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) reveals that employers plan to recruit more business graduates in 2014. According to the study, around 80 per cent of recruiters plan to hire MBAs, which is a 7 per cent increase from last year.

According to the President and CEO of GMAC, Sangeet Chowfla, the growth in demand is seen across all sectors, industries and countries. He says, “MBAs have always been valued by employers, but this survey shows that as the economy improves, employers see MBAs as a good investment into their future.”

Now that we know about the prospects of studying business, let’s find out what type of MBA programmes will allow you to learn what you want as quickly as possible?

Luckily a number of institutes and B-schools are offering one year business management programmes, both online and on-campus, that will allow you to get the qualification you want within the time you want. Short postgraduate diploma courses are perhaps the perfect option for those who don’t have the time to invest in a full time course. You can complete these courses within a few months and start your career fast.

Why choose short MBA programmes?

Postgraduate Diploma in Management and other short MBA courses help you to gain knowledge about your area of specialisation and enable you to develop specific skills. As the courses focus on the basics of each subject matter, you can develop a comprehensive idea about business management in a short period of time.

On the other hand, full time MBA courses take a lot of time to complete and are much longer than the short courses. Moreover pursuing a traditional MBA degree from a recognised B-school in US or UK will cost you a lot of cash. However, the return on investment is much lower than that of online courses and other shorter programmes. Graduates from US business schools get jobs that offer only minimal increment from their previous careers. According to the latest MBA rankings published by The Economist, graduates from Harvard Business School get only a $10,000 increment in their immediate post-MBA careers.

Are shorter MBA courses financially beneficial?

Currently the demand for shorter management programmes, particularly online Executive MBA programmes, is increasing exponentially worldwide. According to The Economist, recent studies show that shorter and affordable MBA programmes offer you more value for your money. The latest MBA rankings, which are entirely based on return on investment, published by the newspaper supports this claim.

Generally, MBA students are compelled to move out of employment in order to pursue their qualification. Moreover business school students tend to spend more than $100,000 in getting a recognised MBA degree from a reputed institute. Hence it is important that you get proper returns on your business management tuition fees.

Here comes the advantage of cheaper and smaller schools which offer you the best value for your investment. HEC Paris is in top of the new MBA rankings list and is regarded as the most economical business school in the world. Although the institute maintains a lower profile than leading B-schools in the US, it is still a reputed and prestigious institution. Graduates from HEC Paris are able to earn enough money that they can pay off their student debts within just 2 years.

What benefits can you expect from short online MBA programmes?

Shorter and cheaper online MBA degrees and Business diploma programs offer much better returns to students across the globe. However, these online programmes also offer various other benefits for the graduates. After earning an online postgraduate diploma or degree in business, you will get much better job opportunities and make smoother career transition. Moreover you will able to build a rewarding career in your desired industry without having any geographical restrictions.