Online MBA Education and MBA Distance Education
Going back to school full time even for something as valuable as an Online MBA Education is simply not possible for more and more people due to today's difficult economic climate. A growing number of professionals are turning to online or MBA Distance Education to earn a much needed degree as these are specifically the times that making sure you stand out in the job market is even more important. Getting an online MBA education is also ideal for those who live in more remote areas or for people that have a disability that makes is difficult for them to get to a traditional campus. Many of the top colleges, universities and business schools understand the personal and financial responsibilities and challenges that people face and have adapted to the situation by offering an MBA distance education program. These degrees are of the same high caliber as those earned on traditional college campuses.
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Knowing the area you wish to focus your studies in will help a great deal when trying to choose which online MBA program is best for you. Since geographic location is not an issue when it comes to your MBA distance education, the two most important criteria would be the school's accreditation standing and the types of MBA programs they offer. Once you have narrowed your search to the business schools that offer programs in your area of interest its important to verify their accreditation. This process differs greatly between Canada and the United States.
Although regional accreditation in the United States is the most recognized accreditation body, there are six separate accreditation agencies and any school that you are thinking of needs to be accredited by at least one of them. They are:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education - info@msche.org
- New England Association of Colleges and Schools - Kwillis@neasc.org
- North Central Association of colleges and Schools - info@ncacihe.org
- Northwest Association of Accredited Schools - northwest@boisestate.edu
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - info@sacscasi.org
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges - wascsr@wascsenior.org
In Canada, accreditation specifically for MBA programs is granted by three main agencies which are:
- AACSB - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- EQUIS - European Quality Improvement System
- AMBA - The Association of MBA's
For more general information on the Canadian Accreditation system you can go to the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
Some of the top business schools that offer online MBA education or MBA distance education programs in Canada and the United States are:
- Athabasca University
- DeVry University
- Herzing University
- Keller Graduate School of Management
- Capella University
- Kaplan University
- Westwood College
- University of Phoenix Online
- Jones International University
- Brock University
- Concordia University
- Dalhousie University
- HEC Montreal
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- University of Ottawa
- Simon Fraser University
- University of British Columbia
If you have made the decision to pursue your MBA, you are definitely headed in the right direction. Choosing the school that best suits your particular interests and career goals is the next step. Simply take some time to verify the accreditation of any school that you are considering. Speak to people in the industry and the HR department of organizations you would like to work in. They will be happy to let you know which schools they consider to be on the top of their best business schools list.
