While the past month has been relatively quiet in the area of new online MBA programs, but the world of online MBAs has not been absent in the news. The word for the month is: support. This month we will be highlighting a new chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs and their support for on-campus and online students, as well as multiple news sources sharing support and insight into the online MBA world. This support system and industry acclaim is important because it can positively affect the validity of online MBA programs in the eyes of skeptics and possible job recruiters, and in the end affect the competitive advantage that online MBA grads can have in the job market.
Enjoy the latest news for Online MBAs!
New NAWMBA Chapter
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell's Manning School of Business just announced their new chapter for the National Association of Women MBAs. They announced that this association is open to current men and women in their on-campus and online MBA programs, or alumni from said programs, which are committed to diversity and advancement in MBA-related professions. The president of the chapter explains that a major part of this organization is to provide mentorship, support, and networking opportunities to MBA students. This association could be a great opportunity for online MBA students to be a member of an intentional community of support during and after their program.
The National Association of Women MBAs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing female business professionals and enhancing workforce diversity, with 72 students chapters and 18 professional chapters across the nation.
Important articles for Online MBAs
Princeton Review
The Princeton Review recently published an article, named Five Reasons to Get Your MBA Online, describing five attributes of online MBA programs. They describe the following five benefits as unique and attractive to the online MBA world: Flexibility, Affordability, Access to Innovative Technologies, Diversity, and Global Opportunities. They stress the flexibility of an online program. This attribute can not only provide greater access to students juggling full-time work, familial responsibilities, or military duties and transitions, but it can also play a major role into being a more affordable option. Another great point in this Princeton Review article is the fact that online MBA students have a great opportunity to increase their technological fluency, which will be a great asset in our diverse and global workplace.
In addition to being a great article to champion the online MBA sector, it can be a useful tool. If you are a potential online MBA student, this article can be used to list out some important benefits of an online program and compare them to your goals and preferences in an MBA. Use this list as an indicator to show if an online MBA program will fit your needs.
Poets and Quants
Poets and Quants, a leading online resource for complete coverage of graduate business education, recently published an article named Has the Online MBA Finally Come of Age?, that discusses the evolution and credibility of Online MBA programs and the outlook for the future. The beginning years of online MBA programs, and online programs in general, were plagued with credibility issues. Online education still has to navigate those lingering connotations, but online MBA programs are showing nothing but growth. While the demand for online MBA programs grow, there are still some top B-schools that are reluctant to enter into the field. The author further explains that at the same time of increased demand for online MBA programs, "demand for the two-year full-time program is faltering with potential business school applicants increasingly concerned about giving up their jobs and the opportunity cost of two years without a salary." There can be multiple reasons behind some reluctance of top business schools, but the author foresees not only an increase in future schools starting online MBA programs but also an exciting propulsion into more interactive and technological advances in the field.
This article provides a great argument for the addition of new and advanced online MBA programs. Students have been clear that their need for more flexible MBA programs is high on their priority lists. If the demand for these programs continue to grow, it will be exciting to see more and more business schools rise to the demand.
