MBA Programs Tips
Read these 6 MBA Programs Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Business Degree tips and hundreds of other topics.
Practical Hands On Learning
Some people learn best by listening and others learn best by doing. The best schools will utilize a combination of both methods, as a way to facilitate efficient and effective learning.
Practical exercises are valuable tools for students to use when theory will only take them so far. Students attending certain community colleges benefit from practical workshops where they can put their theoretical learning to good use. Sometimes, as a way to provide additional administrative services to staff and faculty, colleges/universities establish a working office where students gain experience by practicing their skills.
Students taking Business Administration diplomas benefit from the daily practice of interacting in a professional setting, performing tasks, meeting deadlines, seeing first-hand how office dynamics come into play, etc. In addition, the students may be able to earn credits or extra credits, based on their “job” performance.
If you're a student working toward a business degree or diploma, talk to your academic advisor about ways the class can participate in more practical learning situations. Have great ideas of your own? Don't be shy about making suggestions. New learning tools are implemented all the time and benefit the school, the student, and the eventual employer.
The Cost Of An Online Business Degree Program
There is no question about it, tuition for earning an mba online is expensive. The average cost of the best mba programs range anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. There are a few financial advantages when taking an mba online. There will be no additional transportation or living costs, other than what you already pay. However, if taking an mba online, consider investing in a laptop if you don't already have one. Studying online can be cumbersome and not always practical if confined to one specific workstation. Have the freedom to roam with the laptop will make your life much easier.
You're probably wondering where you're going to find the money to pay for all of this. An Internet search will reveal a wealth of scholarships available, each of them with specific criteria for qualification. Various religious affiliations, persons with disabilities, minorities, and people entering specific concentrations (Engineering, Liberal Arts, Humanities, Sciences, etc.) all have an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. The trick is to find the right one.
Obviously, 1 year mba programs are cheaper than two year online mba programs. Expect to pay at least $40,000 for the first year. With an mba, you really do get what you pay for. Don't try to take the cheap way out on this one!
Gone Global With Online MBA Programs
Multi-culturalism and diversity aren't new, but the way in which we embrace them is changing. When you're ready to apply for online mba programs, think along the lines of global mba programs. The more well-rounded, traveled, and versed in various cultures a person is, the better executive he/she will make.
When searching for global mba programs, look for course topics that encompass the globalization of services, courses that challenge students to find ways of doing business in the world's poor markets, and courses that take a hard look at social enterprise. These days, accredited mba programs should be shaping leaders to make a difference in the world, not just in the back yard. Organizations have little choice but to seriously consider the impact their choices have in the world, in society, and on the environment.
Top mba programs will offer all of these things, including video conferencing with guest lecturers from around the world providing an opportunity to share, discuss, and debate issues pertinent to the corporate world today.
While you're studying economics, organizational behavior, marketing, accounting, finance, strategy, operations management, international business, information technology management, supply chain management, project management and government policies, remember to keep a global perspective.
Full Time MBA Programs And Professionalism - Making The Most Of Online Business Schools
There's a decidedly different feel to being a student as opposed to being an employee. Perhaps it harkens back to your early university days, when you chose which classes to attend, or not attend, and the atmosphere leaned heavily into the social arena. There may have been late night study sessions, or even all-nighters. Now, as a mature adult brimming with work and life experience, it's time to go back to school. Maybe you'll go for one of the many full time mba programs, or apply to one of the many online business schools. Whatever you decide to do, school this time around is probably going to be much different than you last remember it.
Adult learning has taken on great significance over the years, with more and more busy professionals heading back to the classroom. However, leaving the office behind shouldn't mean leaving structure, organization, and professionalism behind. Approaching an mba online with these traits intact will go a long way in ensuring success. Adapt the same approach to an online business degree program that you would at work. The online mba program is your client, and you want to do everything you can to keep that client happy. Set schedules, give it everything you have, and be open to the learning experience. Chances are there's a lot to be learned.
Online Business Degree Program Concentration Descriptions
Deciding to complete an online business degree program involves decision-making. It's important to understand the various concentrations available, what they entail, and what type of employment you could get with each. The following is a sample of online business programs offered by one prominent college in the
- BS in Business / Human Resource Management
- BS in Business / Marketing
- PhD in Organization and Management (*The doctoral degree is the highest academic credential it is possible to earn)
Of course, you can't jump into a Bachelor of Science Degree, or a PhD unless you meet the educational requirements. By the time you're ready for an online business degree program, you should already have several years of education under your belt.
Co-operative Education
Co-operative education combines traditional education with real-world work experience. In colleges or universities where this is an option, students rotate between class time study and work in appropriate fields according to their degree or diploma concentration. Many community colleges offer this type of opportunity to students of business and hospitality programs. It differs from traditional work-experience in that the students actually get paid for the work they do while earning valid credits toward their chosen field of study.
Choosing co-op experiences assist students in understanding the workplace while developing skills learned in the classroom setting. If you're already enrolled in an online program, or attending college or university, check with the registrar or academic advisor to see if co-operative learning is a possibility for you.
Co-operative education doesn't happen automatically and may require a specific application process including the submission of an up-to-date resume, references, and proven commitment to your educational endeavors. The campus registrar or academic advisor will be able to answer any questions you have about the process.
Finding a job through co-operative employment isn't guaranteed, and largely depends on your effort, employability skills, your particular job preferences, etc. In addition, students must complete specific co-operative work requirements in order to receive full credit. Overall, it's a great way to earn credits outside of the classroom, while earning a little money to help pay for your education.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
