FAQs About Earning Your MBA Online

Why don't I have to take the GRE?

Most online degree programs evaluate their students in a short, three-week introductory course. This introduces students to the online environment, the ways in which material will be presented, and even some of the material itself. This allows the institution to ensure the student is capable of fulfilling all the class requirements.

If the student is unable to succeed in this preliminary course, then both the institution and the student will reevaluate that student's enrollment. However, this is a very rare occurrence because schools are careful about explaining the basics to potential students and ensuring that they have the appropriate background.

Where do online schools find instructors and what are their qualifications?

The instructors at most online programs are professionals currently working in the field in which they teach, which ensures they will convey the most up-to-date industry knowledge and skills to their students. They may be college professors, teachers, or full-time business professionals, but must have at least a Masters Degree in the industry to qualify as an instructor.

Do I have to buy textbooks?

You have the option of buying the textbooks, which will typically cost between $50 and $100 each. However, online programs also provide students with the possibility of purchasing an ebook CD, which can be downloaded to their computers. These will range from about $40 to $50, but it contains all the texts required for that specific course. So, instead of buying three books, you can buy one CD. Nevertheless, if you prefer to purchase the textbook, that is also acceptable.

How am I able to determine the pace of my degree?

You will always be enrolled in one class at a time, which, for MBA students, lasts about 6 weeks (with the exception of the initial 3 week introductory course). The standard break between classes is one week; however you are free to take longer if you wish. If you are receiving financial aid you can take up to 29 days off between courses; and if you pay your tuition in full, you can take as much time between classes as you wish.

In terms of attending class on a daily basis, you will be expected to sign online and contribute to class, but when and where you do this (and for how long) is up to you.

How is the classroom run?

The online classroom is set up in Outlook Express, which means there is no hardware or software to deal with. You can access this classroom at any time, and your instructor will typically post individual folders for different lectures, assignments, workgroups, etc. You will be able to see how the classroom is organized, and communicate with your instructors and classmates once you sign in to Outlook.

How do I interact with other students? Will I always have the same classmates?

Each class will likely have group projects that you must complete with some of your classmates. You will assign a team leader and then they will divide the work within your group.

Since you may have multiple group projects, everyone will have an opportunity to be the group leader. You can talk to your group via e-mail or discussion boards, or even over the phone if you so choose. Depending upon the pace you've set, you may or may not have the same classmates in successive courses. If you take more time off between courses than the allotted one week, you may end up with an entirely new set of classmates in each class.

Although you are most likely to work with the same classmates if you follow the one week schedule, there will  be others who take more time off. Whatever you choose to do, you are bound to meet up with some of the same people throughout your degree program just as you are bound to get some new faces (or screen names) in each course.

Can I apply for financial aid?

An online education affords students the same financial aid opportunities that a standard college does. Students can apply for Federal financial aid through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Although books will not be covered through financial aid, the degree program will be; and, if you received aid in the form of a loan, you will not need to begin payments until 6 months after graduation.

How many classes will I ultimately need to take? To earn your MBA you will need to complete 46 credit hours. Since each class is worth 3 credit hours, you will be required to complete 15 courses, which does not include the introductory course. The introductory course is shorter, and thus only worth one credit hour.

Is an online education just as good as classroom or campus-based degree? Currently there are more than 2 million students enrolled in online programs, and over 80% of all colleges offer some form of distance learning. Based on these numbers, the USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association) has conducted a number of studies to determine the effectiveness of an online education. These research studies have shown that an online education is equally as effective as traditional learning, and that students' attitudes about their online experiences are typically positive.