Online MBA Resources
Simply put, distance learning is the delivery of education in which the instructor and students are not in the same classroom. It builds on the idea that students are learning all the time you don't have to be sitting in a classroom listening to an instructor deliver a lecture about a particular topic to learn about that topic.
Online distance learning is a term we apply to any distance learning course that is delivered via computer and has two or more Internetbased components. The Internet is a system of computer networks joined together by highspeed data lines, and electronic mail (e-mail), scheduled Internet Relay Chat, and the World Wide Web are considered Internet-based components to online distance learning courses.
The level of degree or certificate that you can earn through online distance learning depends on the school and particular field in which you want to study. There are programs available for degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, Master, and Doctorate levels, as well as professional certificate programs and Continuing Education Units.
If you want to earn a certificate or degree, or simply to enhance your work skills and experience, but you find yourself unable to attend traditional courses for one reason or another then online distance learning may be just the thing for you.
Accreditation is formal recognition, or a guarantee of sorts, that an entire school or one of its programs of study meets certain standards and provides quality education. In the United States, schools and/or programs of study may be accredited by one of six regional agencies, a specialized accrediting agency, or a state agency. In Canada, the government regulates all of the schools within a province.
Pursuing a certificate or degree is not a process to be taken lightly. This is your education we're talking about. And you probably want the best education possible, right? Here's a checklist of questions to ask of the schools you are considering.
A credit is a unit that measures progress toward a certificate or degree. Credits are usually based on the number of hours per week that it takes to complete a particular course over a specified period of time.
Whether you can transfer credits from one school to another depends entirely on the schools involved. Some schools form partnerships (also called articulation agreements) guaranteeing that they'll accept credits earned at or through the other schools that participate in the partnership.
Credit banks are institutions that enable you to consolidate into one transcript some or all of the credits that you earned at various schools, as well as credits for examinations, on-the-job training, work experience, volunteer activities, and other life experiences.
A portfolio is a collection of documents, transcripts, and work-samples that you can use to support an application for admission or when requesting life-experience credits, as well as for job applications and interviews. It is intended to reflect your knowledge and experience in a particular area.
The direct costs for taking online courses depend entirely upon the school you choose and are not necessarily less than the costs for taking traditional, in-classroom courses. In general, you can expect to pay charges for tuition, some fees, course materials, and any equipment or supplies you're going to need.
Each of the entries in this site includes some information about admissions and applying but it's always a good idea to contact the school directly to get the most up-to-date admissions requirements and application procedures. In general, you'll be required to submit a completed application, an application fee, an essay about your intentions and goals, a current resume, letters of recommendation, official transcripts for any college courses you've already completed, and official copies of standardized plying to a particular program of study depends on the level of certificate/degree (undergraduate, graduate, or professional) and the field of the program (such as business, education, or engineering).
When preparing to apply to an online or campus based MBA program, the greatest single factor in determining the success of your application will be your GMAT or Graduate Management Admissions Test scores. You will find many resources for helping you study for your GMAT
For someone returning to the education track after an absence, the changes can be significant. If you have a career and or family, the impact upon your lifestyle may seem insurmountable. That is where you can find some relief by considering an online MBA program. An online MBA program will not require relocating and if you resign yourself to a less than full time study load, it can mean keeping your current job.
The term "business" has so much more depth and levels of consideration than even 10 years ago. As a result the variety of online MBA programs available has grown considerably. Some of the most popular MBA specializations include accounting, finance, project management, and human resources.
Foreign students hoping to pursue their online MBA program at or with an American institution have several additional concerns to keep in mind.
The time and money that you spend on your online MBA program is indeed well spent. In their private survey reflecting the benefits of education on financial security, Forbes reports some interesting findings.
The cost of acquiring a quality MBA degree is high. In fact, the cost of an MBA runs more than the US average annual income. However, there is little doubt in the minds of those who have completed their online MBA program that it was well worth the investment.
Undoubtedly there are some significant differences between pursuing an MBA program as opposed to sticking with a bachelor or business administration degree. The first would be the difference in cost to you the student. An average four year college degree costs approximately $26,000.
With the MBA being today's most popular graduate degree, institutions that provide MBA programs have somewhat high standards in the students they admit. What factors do these universities use to determine admissibility?
If you are just embarking upon the path toward your MBA it will take approximately 55 months to complete a four year college degree. At that time you will be able to enroll for an online or campus based MBA program. The graduate degree portion of your MBA usually takes 1 or 2 years of full time study.
The MBA degree designation has become the most sought after and widely acclaimed degree in the past 10 years. Completion of your online MBA program will gain you immediate recognition, a distinctive edge in job application processes.
A college degree has become an invaluable credential for a rapidly increasing number of professions. In fact, in most fields the absence of a degree can stunt an otherwise promising career. Unfortunately for many thousands of working adults, the commitments involved in maintaining a career, along with the pressures and demands of family life, form virtually insurmountable obstacles to returning to school to earn the degree they need.
The key to taking courses online is to be online. This means accessing the Internet and its various resources using a computer and some sort of connection, most likely using a modem and telephone line. Schools have different technological requirements for their online courses so you'll need to contact the school directly to get a specific list.
