Online business schools have exploded in popularity in recent years. Whether it’s a working professional that wants to advance in his career or a younger student that doesn’t prefer the traditional classroom, online business education has become popular with all different types of students.
If your job dictates that you can’t attend a traditional classroom during the day or live too far away from a campus, online schools or distance learning can help. Many new programs are hybrids–half classroom learning and the other half online. Many of these classes are also at night, so students can still work during the day.
Online Education: Job-Saving Alternative
Many businesses pay more and give you more responsibility–and more pay–when you have a business education. But if you’re a working adult, that can put you in a pickle: keep working dutifully and stay in your current position, or quit altogether and go back to school and earn the degree that can put you ahead. Online business schools create a third and much preferred option: Keep your job and work toward your preferred degree via the Internet on your own schedule.
Online Classrooms Direct to You
Many online business schools market themselves heavily toward the busy adult. For the distance learning institution, the traditional college student might be a stay-at-home-parent, willing to advance his career but preferring to avoid the ivy-covered buildings and throngs of recent high school graduates who tend to be more concerned with the university social scene than their education. Distance learning schools have irregular schedules to meet your needs or no schedule at all. Classes tend to go one at a time and are heavily concentrated. Remember summer school?
Competing for Your Dollar
Online business schools also give rise to regular competition for your local university. The local college used to be the only school. But now online studies are available to you almost anywhere in the country. If your college is based in Boston, Mass., but you’re in the middle of a garlic farm in Gilroy, Calif., you can still attend that school full-time without ever leaving home. If you don’t like what your local university has to offer, there are literally hundreds of online schools, all clamoring for your dollar.
Admissions
Admissions at online schools tend to be more lenient. Don’t let that fool you, as the work loads are the same, but look for a few things:
- Work experience in a field related to your business degree is almost as important as prior education.
- For many undergrad programs, you can apply with just a GED.
- MBA programs usually want more work experience than the undergrads. They obviously require a bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be in a business-related field or carry a high GPA.
- Despite higher tuition costs, most online business schools are quick to get you on the fast track for student aid.
Online College Explosion
Online education, or distance learning, has exploded in recent years. Colleges and universities that offer any form of distance learning is at 66 percent of all accredited schools. According to the Department of Education, more than 12 million students enrolled in distance learning: 77 percent online, 12 percent in hybrid/blended online and classroom courses.
A Popular Online Study
There are specific areas of study to choose from as well as degree levels that can help students be on their way to the future they long for.
Careers
There are a variety of career possibilities for those that would like to seek professional employment in business. Accredited online business schools and colleges can help students train to enter popular careers as entrepreneurs, business administrators, conflict managers, small business owners, and more.
After the decision has been made as to which career will be pursued, students can choose the intensity of education that they will need to obtain. This will also provide them with additional information regarding the specific areas of study that they will train in.
Educational Training
Obtaining an education online for an occupation in business may be completed at different degree levels. Those looking to obtain training can choose the degree level that will help them obtain the educational training to enter the occupation of their choice.
Accredited online studies can be completed at popular levels such as the undergraduate and graduate degree levels. Undergraduate degree programs can last two to four years in length and will prepare students for various professions.
Obtaining a graduate degree through an accredited online business school or college can require that an additional two or four years of study be completed. Depending on the desired career and the level of training, students can choose a specific area of study.
This can include areas such as six sigma technology, leadership, global business, business administration, and more. The path that is selected will provide coursework that is relative to the students desires.
Training
Accredited online business colleges are able to give students the educational training that they will need in order to pursue successful careers. Training and coursework will vary based on the online school of enrollment and the path each individual student chooses.
Coursework may cover popular topics such as online training in accounting and finance, marketing, financial management, business strategies, and other topics. Choosing to complete training in this field may also provide the chance to study online in management, trade controls, communication, negotiating, and more.
After the completion of coursework, students will receive their degree and be able to look for employment. Online training will teach them to work with businesses providing various services in order to help them run smoothly.
Business schools that offer online training can allow you to complete training at your own leisure and from just about anywhere. These are a few of the reasons that obtaining an education in business through distance learning is becoming more popular.
A number of online schools also provide the chance for you to obtain a Masters of business administration (MBA) which is a highly desired degree for both professionals and their employers. By choosing to complete training in this field, you can be on your way to the popular career you dream of.