In the age of hiring freezes and downsizings, what were once thought of as accessories—MAs, MBAs and doctorates, for example—are looking more and more like necessities. MBAs are especially handy in today’s competitive workforce. Sometimes, no matter how much experience you have and how much you’ve helped the company grow, you can still lose out to the new guy with the MBA.
Now here’s the catch: how do you work an MBA into your busy schedule? Most people enter masters programs when they’re already employed, unless they’re on hefty student loans or scholarships. That’s where distance learning comes in. Most universities and colleges now offer online MBA programs, which carry the same credit as their regular courses but don’t require all that travel and classroom time.
Early online courses relied solely on email, but as the technology developed, more and more ways to interact came about. Forums, blogs, and more specialized “virtual learning environments” (VLEs) now allow you to turn the Web into your own classroom, minus the chalk dust. Online MBAs are one of the first to use these innovations to their advantage.
One of the most popular online learning platforms is the open-source program Moodle, which is short for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Here you can discuss things with professors and classmates, submit homework, download lessons and resources, and keep track of your marks. Alphastudy, Blackboard, and RCampus also boast similar features.
The best online MBA programs have special admission policies, which can be as rigid as their classroom counterparts (if not more). Since it’s distance learning, you may not have to present your forms in person, although some will require you to show up for an interview. Well in advance, arrange for all your documents to be sent over. Note that universities usually only accept transcripts, scores, and certifications directly from the institution, so you want to get in touch with all the offices concerned.
One thing to remember about taking an online MBA is that it takes discipline, just like any other online course. You get the flexibility of working in your own time, but it’s easy to lose track when you’re not in a room with peers and a teacher looking over your shoulder. Some people simply take to the task better than others. If you’re not sure you’re ready for a distance learning setup, try taking a few courses first and decide if you can handle more.
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