Colleges and Universities across the country are in their few weeks of hibernation. The fall ended in a rush of exams and grades. Now with the college students gone or online students logged off, there is a brief moment. Not of sleepiness, but of preparation. Preparation for the newness to come. There will be new students, new classes, and more and more prospective students looking for their future program.
As the holidays are dying down, this is a great time to research. This month, Online MBA Today released our newest ranking of the Top 50 Ranking of the Online MBA Programs focused on Management. This is a great resource for prospective students looking for a flexible MBA program with a focus on the particular opportunities and challenges in management. For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.
This month past month, there was an announcement of a new and exciting partnership that will offer a new choice for prospective online students at UC Davis. Also, US News and World report published two articles exploring the pros and cons of Online MBA programs, as well as tips on how to develop important relationships while navigating online programs.
Enjoy the latest news for Online MBAs!
Future Program
2U Signs UC Davis Deal for New Online MBA
2U has announced a contract to launch MBA@UCDavis, a new online MBA program at UC Davis. This partnership will be 2U's first one with a university of the west coast and the first online MBA degree in the University of California system. MBA@UCDavis is currently under review and pending approval from both the university and its accrediting organizations.
2U is an education technology company that partners with higher education institutions across the U.S. to turn their degree programs or credit-bearing courses into online programs. "2U's No Back Row approach allows qualified students and working professionals around the world to experience a first-rate university education and successful outcomes."
Articles
Explore the Pros, Cons of Online Degree Programs
For those considering pursuing an online MBA, one of the major considerations is whether or not on-campus attendance is required. While many students choose an online option to complete their degree because of the flexibility offered, the option to spend some time on campus in residencies can be a welcome opportunity to connect with fellow students and faculty.
This U.S. News and World Report articles explores the pros and cons of online degree programs. Says Eilen Anka, an online MBA student at Pepperdine University, of her required on-campus residency, "I thought it was a great opportunity to meet the staff and faculty and my classmates…We were able to really dive deep with one another…There were points where we were laughing; some of us were crying because it was very personal."
The article goes on to discuss that, for some programs, the in-person component can be vital for a well-rounded education for degrees such as nursing, as it can be difficult to replicate their training virtually.
Says Darin Kapanjie, academic director for the online BBA and MBA programs at the Temple University, "They really walk out of here with a sense of connection and community and pride with the university."
However, the cost of having students spend time on campus in residencies has a financial and time cost, which are often considerations for students who are pursuing online degrees in the first place.
The article concludes with the suggestion that when considering an online program that requires a residency, be sure that the content covered doesn't just copy what you could learn online anyway.
Online Students Can Build In-Person Relationships
U.S. News and World Report's article, Online Students Can Build In-Person Relationships, wants to debunk the idea that online students are lonely and isolated in their programs. The author Olenda Reid did an online MBA at the College of William and Mary; she offers four examples of ways to meet other students in an online degree program. The four areas covered include: participating in on-campus residencies (which are often required for the completion of the degree), attending local events, attending on-campus events (if you are close enough or able to travel), and finding alumni chapters after you complete your program.