Top Online MBA Accredited Programs From High Ranking B Schools


Top Online MBA Accredited Programs From High Ranking B Schools

Sep 16, 2010 Rahul Dutta Gupta

Online MBA courses made their first appearance over a decade ago. Despite their continued proliferation, prominent publications like BusinessWeek have failed to devise a competent method of ranking them on the basis of merit.

Measuring the worth of an online MBA degree is fraught with complications. The data used to tabulate regular MBA programs does not apply to online courses. Furthermore, many schools gloss over critical statistics like the percentage of dropouts. Complications also stem from the fact that students are motivated to pursue MBA programs online for reasons which are different from those for traditional degrees.

Regular yardsticks like reputation have to be brushed aside in favor of more relevant concerns like cost and convenience. The following factors should be taken into account before choosing an online MBA course.

Accreditation by AACSB

The oldest and most preferred accreditation board is the AACSB. Recruiters favour courses recognized by this board because of its stringent criteria. For online MBA courses, the AACSB insists on a high caliber curricular structure which is taught by the institute's regular faculty, frequent student-teacher interaction and a strict admission process (generally involving the GMAT). MBA-Options.com lists most of the AACSB-accredited online MBA programs.

The second-best option is to apply for an online program recognized by a regional board and approved by the federal government. Examples include the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – both of which are utilized by most midwestern universities.

The market is flooded with illegitimate accreditation agencies and there is no no federal requirement which insists on a school being recognized by the US or the state government. Hence a candidate should peruse the Department of Education's database to determine whether the online course they have chosen is affiliated to a recognized board.

These are of some of the universities offering accredited online MBA degrees.

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell

Accredited by AACSB, the Umass online MBA is highly coveted degree and is considered at par with MBAs from regular institutes. A number of companies encourage their employees to get their MBA degrees from UMass and according to Geteducated.com degrees offered by the University are the best in the online education industry.

West Texas A&M University

Accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, West Texas A&M University offers a comprehensive 2 year MBA program, which is somewhat more affordable than online MBA programs offered by other universities.

Western Kentucky University

The MBA program of Western Kentucky University has been accredited Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCC). According to the US News and World report, the university’s online MBA program ranks as one of the top programs in the South.

Do Recruiters Value Online MBA Programs

Not all top-notch companies hire candidates with an online MBA degree. It is advisable to consult the HR department of specific companies or executive search firms allied with important companies in this regard. Such research also throws light on the most favored online MBA programs. Most recruiters seem to prefer online courses from Indiana University, Pennsylvania State University, Arizona State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Affordability

Contrary to popular belief, not all online MBA programs are cheap. On an average, the cost of an online MBA degree is $20,000 – an AACSB-accredited degree is usually priced higher at around $32,000. Online courses typically cost more than their residential counterparts because they place greater demands on technology and the instructors involved.

Copyright Rahul Dutta Gupta. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


TOP ONLINE MBA