As if there weren’t already enough decisions to make regarding your advanced business education — what school you will attend, what concentration (if any) you will take, what courses you will enroll in, etc. — thanks to the internet, you have one more choice about your future education: traditional or online?
Thanks to the proliferation of online learning, there are hundreds of digital business schools helping prospective students earn their MBAs over the internet. Yet, to many non-traditional students, the idea of obtaining an online degree — especially something as prestigious as an MBA — seems odd. What, if anything, is different about online MBA programs, and why should anyone choose to go to school online over the traditional route?
Online MBAs Are Legitimate and Valuable
Despite two decades-worth of misconceptions about online education, employers recognize the value of an online degree. First, most “traditional” education programs take place at least partially online; in 2016, more than 6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course, which accounts for nearly one-third of all higher education enrollments. Second, there are notable advantages to earning one’s entire degree over the web, especially if it is a graduate degree like the MBA. Overall, employers are interested in hiring workers who boast prestigious credentials, and an MBA — online or not — fits that bill.
Online MBAs Follow Your Schedule
In the past, students earned MBAs in programs with rigid course schedules. Unfortunately, for students who had full-time jobs, who had families, and who had other commitments, traditional MBA programs meant ending or suspending many of those obligations for years while they sought their degree. Online MBA programs allow students to watch lectures, perform readings, and complete projects almost entirely on their schedule, which means they can fit their advanced education into their free time — and not the other way around.
Online MBAs Demand Participation
Passive education isn’t as effective as active education. In traditional education environments, students can sink into the shadows, completing entire courses without interacting once with professors or peers. However, this lack of involvement isn’t beneficial; passive students tend to retain less than students who actively participate.
Fortunately, online MBAs all but mandate participation from all students. To prove that students have studied sufficiently, many online courses require online discussions, presentations, and more, which are hard-baked into grading rubrics. Still, posting comments online tends to be less anxiety-inducing than speaking in front of a full class, so introverted MBA students can feel as comfortable as extroverts while taking online courses.
Online MBAs Are More Diverse
Overwhelmingly, traditional MBA programs are filled with students who live and work in the surrounding area. Often, these programs pull students directly from undergraduate business schools, so classrooms are populated by people with largely the same background.
Conversely, students can and do enroll in online programs from anywhere in the world. It is useful to become comfortable working alongside people with different life experiences within an educational environment, so MBAs can excel in diverse workplaces after graduation. Plus, interacting with a diverse group encourages creativity and the spread of innovative ideas, which is ideal for MBAs.
Online MBAs Are Accelerated
Even better, students can save time as well as money by enrolling in an online MBA program. Traditionally, MBA programs require at least two years of full-time study to complete. However, some online programs allow students to finish all necessary credits in as little as 14 months. Accelerated programs are more intense than typical MBAs, but for those who want to get the best credentials fast, online is the best option.
Online MBAs Boast Lower Tuition
The cost of attending an MBA program will vary from school to school, but in general, online education is cheaper. This is because online education does not require physical space or classroom tools, both of which are exceedingly expense. Instead, students supply their own equipment, and teachers organize course materials in virtual environments. The savings incurred by schools are often passed onto students.
Online MBAs Enhance Tech Proficiency
Speaking of students supplying their own equipment, the opportunity to become more familiar with technology is not one to be ignored. Businesses are increasingly relying on digital devices and services, so being accustomed to working online is a notable advantage. Entering the workforce with a list of tech proficiencies is as beneficial as entering with an MBA, and online students have a serious edge in working with tech tools.
Apr 6 2020
3 Ways to Pay for Your Child’s College Tuition
Attending a four-year university is the goal for countless high school students across America. It has truly become the norm for students to go on to college right after graduating from high school. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t the cheapest path for your child to travel.
The average cost of attending a four-year college in the United States can range from around $25,000 per year for a public school to $50,000 per year for a private university. These totals include everything from tuition to room and board. If those numbers worry you, you are not alone. Most parents are troubled by the high cost of higher education and wonder how they are going to help their child get the education they deserve.
Thankfully, there are options. Depending on your child’s circumstances, they could potentially have part or all of their college expenses covered. Here are three ways in which this can be accomplished.
Academic Scholarship
One of the most common goals for students is to work hard enough in school to earn grades that will fetch an academic scholarship to the university of their choice. There are different types of scholarships out there that range from partial to full coverage of the cost of college.
Many universities offer scholarships to their students who reach and maintain a certain level of academic standing. Other scholarships are funded by private institutions or individuals and can be applied to the cost of your university of choice. Some of these are geared towards students who are going to pursue a particular degree while others are set up as essay competitions.
With enough hard work and planning, your child might be able to fund the bulk of his or her college degree via academic scholarships.
Athletic Scholarships
If your child is a student athlete and has dreams of playing their sport at the collegiate level, they might be able to earn an athletic scholarship. While there are scouts who are tasked with recruiting the top talent from around the nation, there are plenty of ways for student athletes to make themselves known to college coaches.
The first thing that you will need to do is verify your child’s amateur status through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Only those athletes who are not considered professionals by the NCAA can play for college teams.
It is a good idea to seek the guidance of those who know the system in order to give your child the best chances of earning an athletic scholarship. Check out asmscholarships.com for some top advice from those with experience connecting high school athletes with college athletic programs.
Grants
Another option available to certain students is the possibility of qualifying for grants to fund their college degree. Grants are funds gifted to students under particular circumstances. Some grants are awarded by the government, while private institutions gift others. Not everyone will be eligible to apply for grants, but those who qualify can apply at no cost.
By admin • Childhood Education, College and University • Tags: academic, college degree, essay, school, students