6 Benefits of Getting your Business Degree Online

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When you think of college, what comes to mind? Drinking a pot of coffee while you cram for exams? Listening to a lecture in an auditorium with hundreds of other students? Thanks to online learning, the way students get an education has changed dramatically. Whether you’re looking to save tuition costs or want to study at your own pace, getting your business degree online is a great option. Here are some of the benefits:

  1. Instructors are accessible — Teachers make it easy to set up an appointment to chat with them via Zoom or Skype. You are also able to interact via class discussion boards. Also, unlike in a lecture hall, there is no such thing as sitting in the farthest back row when you’re learning in a virtual environment. This means students have equal ability to contribute.
  1. Flexible schedules —No need to get out of bed at 7am and hurry off to a morning lecture. With online learning, you can take classes whenever it’s most convenient for you: before or after work; when the kids are in bed; even on weekends! It is entirely up to you!
  1. No final exams —Many online colleges have come to the realization that taking tests is generally ineffective in evaluating students. Instead, you will collaborate with classmates on projects that really demonstrate your business-related knowledge.
  1. Work experience can count towards credit hours —Do you have a proven track record for job performance? Many online colleges will count this towards your degree. You might even have a chance to test out of certain intro courses. As you apply to schools, ask them about these options.
  1. Accelerated courses — The four month semester calendar is bound to become obsolete at some point in the near future. Online business programs offer adult learners a chance to complete a course in as little as five weeks!
  2. Lower tuition costs – This makes sense. There’s a whole lot less overhead when colleges deliver online courses compared to traditional in-class learning. Plus the quality of the education is just as good, if not better.

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How to Choose an Online Business Degree Program

As you go about deciding which online college best meets your needs, there are several important aspects you should take into consideration. Where are a few questions you should ask the director of admissions before getting your business degree online:

Coursework

  • Which courses would you need to take to get a business degree?
  • Would you be able to contact an instructor to gain further insights about the program?
  • Can you try out whatever course software is required before enrolling?
  • Can you reach out to alumni to find out about their experiences as students?

Acceptance Criteria

  • Would you need to take the SAT/ACT/GMAT as part of the application process?
  • What criteria does the admissions committee consider when accepting students?
  • What are the prerequisite courses?
  • Would previously earned college course credits transfer?
  • How much does work experience factor into the decision to admit a student?

Student Resources

  • What are the school’s graduation rates?
  • Does the school have a career counselor?
  • What percentage of graduates are employed immediately after obtaining their degree?
  • What is the composition of the instructors? Are they part- and full-time teachers?

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Accreditation

When considering which online school to attend, it is important that it be accredited. This means an outside body has determined the school meets all of the standards for a proper education. Ask the school if it is accredited and by which accreditation board. Some sketchy schools might pull a fast one by creating a fake agency, complete with phony logos. The best way to confirm is to look through the list of legitimate agencies on either the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation websites. Also note students are eligible for federal loans and grants only if they are enrolled in an accredited school.

There are two primary types of accreditation for U.S. colleges:

  • Regional – there are only six regional associations in the entire U.S., so if the schools you are considering make any of the lists, they are legit. You should also have no problems transferring credits from one school to another.
  • National – you will want to see what the Distance Education Accrediting Commission has to say about your prospective schools. If they are on the list, it means they have proven themselves to be committed to educational excellence.

As it relates specifically to business schools, two other agencies offer accreditation:

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the most prestigious agency around, only granting accreditation to the world’s top 5% business programs.
  • The Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is another good one. They carefully determine how successful students are at gaining employment after graduating from online business schools.

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Take the Next Step

Online business schools provide flexible schedules, are affordable, and can help you advance in your career. Now that you have a better idea about how to proceed, take the next step and find the online business degree program that is best for you!