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
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.
