An M.B.A. is a graduate degree focused on the skills professionals need to advance their business careers. This versatile credential serves workers in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
Whether delivered online, on-site or in a hybrid format, an M.B.A. broadens and deepens students’ business knowledge base and develops their leadership skills while providing valuable opportunities to explore specialized topics and network with classmates. While a traditional, on-campus program features live lectures and class discussions, an online M.B.A. replicates those experiences through interactive digital content.
CurriculumOnline M.B.A. programs typically include about 30 to 50 credits, often consisting of a shared, general business core, plus elective courses and concentrations that allow learners to customize their degree plans.
Core business classes vary by program, but usually cover some or all of these topics:
Requirements to enter an online M.B.A. program begin with a four-year undergraduate degree. Many M.B.A. candidates hold bachelor’s degrees in business, finance and other related disciplines, but business schools accept applicants from a variety of majors. Students from arts, humanities, social science and STEM backgrounds contribute to a cohort diversity that many M.B.A. programs seek and value.
When applying, expect to provide official transcripts from your bachelor’s and any prior graduate study. Some schools set a minimum GPA threshold or require a certain amount of work experience. Other common application materials include a professional résumé, letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
You may also need to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. However, some business schools are test-optional, and many offer GMAT/GRE waivers for applicants with sufficient work experience or prior related degrees.
NetworkingIt’s often said that one of the most powerful benefits of earning an M.B.A. is the opportunity it provides to expand your professional network. If you’re considering pursuing an M.B.A. online, you might wonder how you can reap this benefit if you rarely—or never—meet your cohort in person.
The good news is that the best online M.B.A. schools create venues for remote learners to network, such as virtual or local events, career fairs, student associations and on-campus orientations. Discussion forums, live online classes and group projects also help you connect with your peers, and many programs have active student groups on social media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Still, online M.B.A. programs may lack the abundant organic networking opportunities of on-campus programs. Without the ability to strike up a casual conversation with the classmate in the next seat, online learners often need to put a little more creative effort into making professional connections.