Pursuing a graduate degree online is becoming a popular and common option today and MBA programs are no exception. Some of the top universities in the country now offer online programs that match the rigor of their on-campus offerings. While application numbers can fluctuate, the demand for earning an MBA is still high with some schools reporting MBA applications up as much as 40% year over year.¹

Online MBA programs grew during the pandemic and are here to stay thanks to their flexibility and accessibility for students who need to work while attending school or cannot relocate for their MBA program. But how do you choose the right online MBA program that aligns with your career goals, schedule, and learning preferences? In this blog, we’ll provide key considerations for selecting an online MBA and tips on how you can find the information you need to make an informed decision for this important educational venture.

Assess Your Career Goals and Specializations

When choosing the best online MBA program, you’ll want to start with assessing your long-term career goals, the specializations you want to focus on, and the industries that align with your interests. Research the curriculum and the available specializations or concentrations in your potential MBA program. It's also important to research the faculty expertise in your desired business specialization and potential internships and career assistance for your field.

Those interested in working in IT as a computer network architect and engineer will want an MBA with a technology concentration. A data mining engineer or qualitative analyst may do well with an MBA that is focused on data analytics. MBAs with a healthcare specialization may find careers as clinical managers, health data scientists, healthcare consultants, or working in federal and state government agencies that value this specialized expertise.

Some of the most popular MBA specializations include management, international business, finance, marketing, business analytics, consulting, entrepreneurship, human resource management, supply chain management, and healthcare management.² Information technology, accounting, and project management are also popular choices³ and with the rise in new technologies, pursuing an MBA with concentrations in AI or cybersecurity are also rising in popularity.

For those interested in organizational leadership, data analytics, or information systems technology, Alliant International University has online programs that provide an excellent education taught by expert faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom.

Evaluate the MBA Program’s Accreditation and Reputation

While there are many excellent MBA programs and business schools, an accredited MBA program ensures a high-quality education and is recognized by potential employers as providing a higher value in their MBA graduates than non-accredited business schools. Accredited MBA programs can attract top faculty, increase a school’s reputation which can provide a competitive edge to candidates in the job market, and often have strong alumni networks that can help with your future job search.

Look for MBA programs that are accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) which are often viewed as more prestigious. Other accreditation organizations for business schools include Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) that offers accreditation to the top business programs around the world, and the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) for those who want an MBA to work in planning administration. You can also research the top business schools from annual reports created by Forbes, Bloomberg, or U.S. News & World Report to name a few.

The California School of Management and Leadership (CSML) at Alliant holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for its PhD in leadership, doctor of business administration (DBA), master of business administration (MBA), and MS in data analytics degree programs.

Review the MBA Program’s Flexibility and Format Options

Other factors to consider are program flexibility and format. Many online MBA programs offer full-time, part-time, or self-paced options to accommodate your work-life balance. It’s also important to understand the difference between live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous) course delivery models to determine whether the program you’re interested in offers these formats and which fits best for your personal learning style and schedule.

If you have a full-time job that requires flexibility, an asynchronous program might be ideal, allowing you to complete coursework at your own pace. Conversely, if you thrive on structure and live in a time zone that allows you to attend live classes, a synchronous program could enhance your learning through real-time discussions and networking.

For example, the PhD in Organizational Management at Alliant is an online MBA program that combines distance asynchronous learning content with synchronous, one-hour live, weekly Zoom sessions in lecture-cum-office hour-Q/A style. The weekly Zoom sessions are not mandatory but are recorded and shared with the class. Field practical experience can be completed through applied learning in remote projects with clients or within their workplaces.

Explore the School’s Student Support Services

The curriculum, faculty, and career opportunities are all important factors of an MBA program, but a school’s student support services can make a huge difference in your continued success. When researching online MBA programs, you’ll want to ask admissions counselors how much access you will have to faculty for mentorship and tutoring in the online modality. Additionally, you’ll want to check how much technical support the school’s IT department provides during your program to enhance the online learning experience.

You should also research the resources and services available to MBA students regarding career counseling. Personal connections and introductions are crucial for your career and the business industry is no different. Find out if your online MBA program facilitates interaction with peers and alumni, even in an online setting, through virtual events, discussion boards, and group projects.

Admissions counselors are usually your first contact with a potential MBA program so asking the right questions can provide the detailed answers you need to make this important decision. In addition to asking about student support services, career resources, and faculty experience, you should also ask about required test scores, the school culture (it’s important even in an online program), and particular strengths of the school’s MBA program. Additionally, they should provide guidance on how to craft a very strong application.^4,5

Alliant offers many student services that provide resources to current students and alumni through academic support and tutoring, student clubs and groups to help build relationships with your peers, student advising and career counseling, as well as technology support and alumni services.

Consider the Program Length and Time Commitment

The advantage of online MBA programs is that they are specifically designed to accommodate a variety of students’ needs and schedules. The flexibility of an online MBA program directly affects the duration and time commitment of the program for you. Online MBA programs vary in length, but typically range from one to three years to complete, depending on how you’ll balance your work, school, and personal obligations.

Before entering an online MBA program, look at your current schedule and determine how much time you can allocate each week for studying, attending classes (whether synchronously or asynchronously), and completing assignments. There are many tools and apps that can help with your deadlines, productivity, and time management.

If you’re working while attending school, you’ll want to communicate with your employer about your study commitments in case you need to adjust your work hours and/or responsibilities. The same goes for your network of family and friends. Their support and understanding will be a big help while you pursue an online MBA degree.

Review Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options

The cost of tuition and other expenses related to your online MBA program is one of the biggest factors in choosing an online MBA program. Your school’s financial aid counselors will be able to help you research all your available options for financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans that can help you in this area. They are also experts in applying for federal student loans through FAFSA which can make the process easier and less stressful.

Many MBA programs offer merit-based or need-based scholarships specifically for graduate students.^6,7 Additionally, you may want to check if your employer offers tuition reimbursement for graduate studies. Alliant International University has several resources to help you find and apply for scholarships and explore all of your financial aid options for your online MBA program.

Read MBA Program Reviews and Talk to Alumni

There’s no better source than current students and alumni to get their insights about their personal experiences regarding the program, faculty, curriculum, and career outcomes post-graduation. You can read reviews on reputable websites, testimonials on your prospective school’s website, or reach out to admissions counselors and/or alumni departments to find out how you can contact current or former students who are willing to speak to you. This will also provide insight into how the school maintains relationships with its alumni network

Another great option is to research the school’s alumni network and visit these individuals’ LinkedIn pages. This can provide an avenue to find out where they are working, if they are entrepreneurs with their own businesses, and potentially reach out to them to see if they would be willing to speak to you about their experiences in the MBA program. This proactive measure can help you make an informed decision about your future school and potentially yield a new professional contact as well.

Choosing the Right Online MBA for Your Future

Now that you’ve learned some key considerations for how to choose an online MBA program, you may want to consider pursuing your graduate degree at the California School of Management and Leadership (CSML) at Alliant International University. CSML is an ACBSP-accredited school that offers traditional on-campus MBA programs, online MBA programs in data analytics (MS) and information systems technology (MS) as well as online doctoral programs in organizational leadership (PhD) and business administration (DBA).

One of the most important decisions you can make is choosing the right online MBA program for your professional goals, career specializations, and personal lifestyle. An accredited school, robust curriculum, strong alumni network, and expert faculty can prepare you for current business trends and knowledge and give you the skills and professional contacts for a thriving career in a variety of business industries and roles. Taking the time to evaluate all your options carefully to find the best fit for you will be worth it in the long run. 

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Sources:

1. Fore, P., reviewed by Suarez, J. “4 MBA admissions trends programs are experiencing right now”. Fortune.com.  https://fortune.com/education/articles/mba-admissions-trends/. Published September 30, 2024. Accessed October 12, 2024.
2. Lister, A. “What Are The Most Popular MBA Specializations?”. MBA.com. Published August 26, 2024. Accessed October 12, 2024. https://www.mba.com/explore-programs/mba-programs/mba-specializations-everything-you-need-to-know 
3. Staff. “Top 10 MBA Specializations for 2024: Your Guide to Choosing the Best One”. European Institute of Management & Technology (EIMT.com). Publish date N.A. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://www.eimt.ch/top-10-mba-specialization 
4. Staff. “7 Questions to Ask During Business School Admissions Events”. MBA.com. Published June 23, 2022. Accessed October 13, 2024. https://www.mba.com/connect-with-schools/attending-mba-events/7-questions-to-ask-admissions-reps-at-events 
5. Allen, S. “Questions to Ask MBA Admissions Officers”. U.S. News & World Report.com. Published November 21, 2023. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/questions-to-ask-mba-admissions-officers 
6. Allen, S. “MBA Scholarships That Help Pay for School” U.S. News & World Report.com. Published April 4, 2024. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/paying/articles/mba-scholarships-that-can-help-pay-for-business-school 
7. Geiger, W. “Top 25 MBA Scholarships in October 2024” Scholarships360.org. Updated October 2, 2024. Accessed October 14, 2024. https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/mba-scholarships/