When looking at the distance education MBA, your options are increasing all the time.
Distance education has been available for MBA programs for more than 30 years.
However, with the advent of the Internet, distance education has really exploded onto the scene. Business schools have realized they can reach more students by offering programs from a distance.
Distance MBA programs come in various shapes and sizes. Some are offered as stand-alone programs, while others are interchangeable with the other formats (such as full-time or executive programs). The costs associated with distance education really span the spectrum too. While some programs can be pricey, others are very inexpensive.
Delivery Methods:
What makes the distance education MBA so unique is the way it is "delivered". Before the Internet, distance programs where done by mail correspondence. There are still programs that use the mail to provide instruction through DVD video. Yet, even those programs use the Internet in some fashion. Most other distance MBA programs now use the Internet exclusively for the delivery of their program instruction.
While many programs are delivered fully online, others require one or more short residencies. Simply put, a residency is a period of on-campus time required for a distance education MBA program. Some schools feel like it is better to require some on-campus time at the beginning or end of the program or even at specified intervals in between.
Value of Accreditation:
Although the Internet has increased the availability of the MBA (and other degrees), it has also given diploma mills more tools to offer unaccredited and fraudulent degrees. Beware of schools that offer "quick" diplomas or degrees for "life experience" only. Above all, always check the accreditation.
Please note, there is no special accreditation needed for distance programs. Accreditation is done on an institution, college, or school level. Therefore, degrees (distance and otherwise) offered by the accredited institution are, by default, "accredited".
It is more important than ever to make sure that your distance MBA is from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. There are so many acceptable options available these days, so there is no reason deal with a school or program that is not legitimately accredited.
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