Choosing a Business School or MBA Program

Making the decision to expand your career options with a graduate business degree can be a satisfying choice and a smart investment of your time and money. Choosing the right business school or MBA program, however, poses a few more challenges. From quality academics to a solid, well-received reputation, to experienced faculty with real-world practice and business connections to a versatile curriculum to access to a global network of alumni and professional contacts, a top business school can offer you many invaluable benefits in addition to your MBA status.

When starting your search for the right business school or MBA program, first check the accreditation status of the college or university. Institutions in the United States must be accredited if they want to be recognized as schools that provide a solid education, support qualified faculty, and are organized in a manner that meets specific standards. You can check to see if a business school is accredited by looking at its website and by verifying its placement on a list from the particular accrediting agency. Visit this website to find information and links to the six regional accrediting agencies, which provide the best type of accreditation. The Council of Graduate Schools, or CGS, also awards accreditation and The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) features a list on its site that lets students to search accredited schools in business.

Once you have verified a business school’s accreditation, you’ll want to compare it against other schools to learn more about its student-faculty ratio, graduation rate, career services and types of MBA programs. A top school that wants to attract a dynamic group of business professionals will offer traditional, full-time programs, as well as part-time or remote access alternatives, making it possible for even more qualifying students to enroll. Evening, weekend and online courses allow professionals from other regions to commute less frequently or not at all, and part-time schedules allow them to continue working at their current job while planning for a promotion or total career switch. Top MBA schools also offer variety within their programs, giving experienced students the opportunity to enroll in an Executive MBA program, a fast-track MBA program, or special concentrations within a traditional MBA program. The chance to specialize in a certain business area — like accounting, international business, or marketing — can help you find a niche market within the broad world of business. While general MBA programs are helpful and valuable, the lack of focus may leave some students wanting more from their education.

Business schools today prepare students for the real-world practices and knowledge they need to contribute to a global market. Cutting edge business schools should reference this mission and offer opportunities for study abroad, language specialization, and even making global contacts through sponsored networking events. This emphasis on international business is extremely important for all MBA candidates, even if their concentration is in an area like finance, entrepreneurship, or human resources management. In the current economy, all aspects of business are affected by global issues. Experience with business technology and related information systems is also important for managers who need to oversee office technology like databases and business networks. MBA programs that incorporate this field into their core or elective curriculum recognize the significance of technology in today’s business world.

Top Online Business Schools & MBA Programs

A.A. in Accounting B.S. in Business Administration B.S. in Accounting	University of Phoenix - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Perhaps the most well known online university, University of Phoenix Online lends its vast faculty to assist its students in higher learning at home or on one of their many campus locations. For students seeking a bachelor’s in business or a MBA, University of Phoenix offers 21 business degree plans to fit the individual’s needs.
A.A.S. in Business Administration B.S. in Accounting B.S. in Business Administration	Kaplan University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. As one of the largest and most prolific online universities, Kaplan University provides numerous MBA & Bachelor of Science Degrees in Business at their campus and online locations. Full-time and part-time students will be satisfied with the business degree plans offered by Kaplan.
B.S. in Business Administration B.S. in Human Resource Management B.S. in International Business	Walden University - Bachelor’s Degree – For years, Walden University has been educating students at different campuses all over the United States. Now, Walden offers affordable business degree plans for students seeking for a career in fast growing industries across the world.
A.A. in Business Administration B.B.A in Management	American InterContinental University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. With multiple business concentration degrees, American InterContinental University is ideal for any student looking for a degree focusing on Accounting, Marketing, Finance, International Business, or Management. Their flexible programs also allow students to engage in other responsibilities while earning their degree entirely online.
M.B.A. - General M.B.A. in Innovation Entrepreneurship M.B.A. in Finance	Northeastern University - Master’s Degrees. Northeastern University"s Distance Learning Program offers business degrees that prepare men & women to take leading roles in the business sector. At Northeastern University, students can reach their personal and career goals quickly and conveniently.
M.S. in Project Management M.S. in Business Analysis M.S. in Organizational Management	Capella University - Master’s Degrees. An ideal choice for working adults, Capella University is dedicated to providing quality learning environments for all students. With business degree options that are affordable, Capella lets the student choose when and where to take classes.
A.A. in Business B.A. in Business Management B.A. in Accounting	Ashford University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Ashford University offers advanced, quality education for students seeking to further advance their career into leadership or management roles in several different entities. Their programs are based on current business practices and trends to prepare students for the competitive, demanding business industry.
Associate’s in Business Bachelor’s in Business Associate’s in Accounting	Everest University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Offering business programs in three different degree levels, Everest University is able to accommodate your career plans geared towards the business sector. They offer interactive and convenient courses to ensure students get the most out of their educational experience at Everest University.
Bachelor’s in Business Administration A.A.S. in Business Mgmt. A.A.S. in Internet Marketing	Rasmussen College - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Focused on helping students attain industry-current degrees, Rasmussen College prepares students with career-centric learning. Rasmussen College is accredited and offers 49 different business degree plans.