Online MBAs: Accreditation comes first!

The problem with online MBAs is that there are so many of them out there. Since you have more options from which to choose, the selection process is perhaps ten times more difficult than choosing a traditional MBA program. However, the good news is that you can cut out a large chunk of online MBA programs in a relatively simple way. After this process of elimination, you'll have a set, easily controlled number of programs that cater to your specific needs.

The first thing you want to look for when finding your online MBA program is to check if the program is accredited. There are many reasons for checking on this criteria first. For one, employers often don't accept degrees that aren't accredited, simply because without accreditation, there is no way to attest to the school's quality. Secondly, accreditation means you may be eligible for government funding. Most importantly, you yourself will feel better knowing that you are receiving an education that has been checked by a national or regional agency to ensure that it has met certain standards. In this way, you'll know that you aren't wasting your time or money. 

How can you tell if a school is accredited or not? It's relatively simple. There are two business school accreditation agencies--The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is a national organization, and a little less than 600 programs--about 25% of all business programs--are accredited through it. Another organization is the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, which is run by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The second business organization is for smaller schools, and to check if your school of choice is accredited there, simply search through the CHEA database.

Once you've found a handful of online MBA programs that are indeed accredited, all you have to do is look thoroughly through each program's website, determine which specific courses and programs interest you most, and, most importantly, you should talk to others, whether in person or on a discussion forum, about their personal experiences with each school you are considering.

In the final analysis, there are many advantages to enrolling in an online program. The convenience is undeniable. As long as you do your research first, then pursuing an online MBA can be a worthwhile and forward-thinking step for your future career.

About the author:

This guest post is contributed by Jessica Cortez, who writes on the topics of online degree programs. She welcomes your comments at her email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).