Are you ready to go back to school, but not ready to quit your job?
Choosing graduate school online will allow you to maintain momentum in your career while pursuing your degree. You'll not only master a specific body of knowledge, you'll also learn to think critically and creatively, analyze and synthesize information, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems — all skills that give you that decisive competitive edge.
But remember that there are two sides to every story. Just because something sounds great at first glance, it’s important to think critically about program offers and then decide the best options to consider.
So, is an online program best for you? Let’s talk about it.
1. Maximize Flexibility: Continue Your Full-time Job, Study for School, and Live Your Life
If you have been working in the field for a number of years and are simply looking for an opportunity to develop a more advanced skill set, an online MBA program may be the best option for you to consider.
In fact, Jorgan Friedman, Editor at U.S. News and World Report, published an article with the following claim:
And while it is important to emphasize flexibility in terms of opportunities for real-world application, productivity, and career advancement, I also want to highlight an online program’s ability to maintain a life outside of work and school.
Here is what Dr. Kimberly Roop, an online Executive MBA student, had to say about her appreciation for work and life balance at WVU:
2. Time Management: Accountability and Opportunities for Collaboration
Time management skills are required in order to get the most out of an online education. If you are someone who values the structure of a classroom and face-to-face accountability, an online program may not be in your best interest.
But don’t worry — if you really have an interest in an online program but fear the lack of interaction would result in a lack of value (or accountability), there are online programs that offer a hybrid experience. For example, West Virginia University offers a hybrid MBA program that still maximizes flexibility with an online format for the majority of the year but also requires residency experience.
WVU requires four mandatory 3-4 day residencies built into the program, one each fall and spring semesters. During our residencies, you’ll connect what you learn in the online classroom to tangible issues and develop confidence in what you know and what you can do while incorporating course curriculum. These experiences will provide interaction with faculty, experiential learning, and networking opportunities with peers.
Here is what one MBA student had to say about his online experience at WVU:
3. Virtual Classroom Perks: Reputation and Curriculum Experience
The College of Business and Economics at WVU offers the Online Hybrid MBA program for working professionals who want the convenience and flexibility of online learning from a nationally recognized university.
According to U.S. News and Reports, an MBA degree is one of the most popular programs to pursue online. This fact may come as no surprise — especially when you think about the skills and versatility of the degree — however, because MBA programs are so common, it helps to find a school with a reputation that helps set you apart from the crowd.
We are excited to announce the following accomplishments of WVU’s Online Hybrid MBA program:
- Ranked in the top 50 online MBA programs by U.S. News and World Report for four consecutive years
- Continually recognized as a "Best for Vets" program by Military Times
- Accredited by AACSB international, the principal organization for business schools (Only 5 percent of business schools achieve this distinction.)
And while we are proud of our accomplishments as a University, we feel as though they would not be possible without our noteworthy faculty and devoted students.
Here is an example of our student’s success:
Ask Questions and Explore More
If, after reading this, you still have hesitations about an online program — that’s okay! I am excited that you are thinking critically about your future.
Maybe an online program is best for you, or maybe it isn’t. Either way, there is a program that best suits your needs. Just keep looking and questioning every possibility.
If there are any questions that WVU can answer for you, you can explore our various resources — website, Resource Library, YouTube — or contact us for more information.
If you want to experience West Virginia University for yourself, and if you want to explore the online graduate programs available at WVU, we hope you'll download our Online Graduate School Toolkit for a comprehensive look at the online offerings at WVU!
