Sunday, July 1, 2012

MBAs: What to Consider in Choosing a Program

Deciding on the right MBA program for you can be a daunting task. The following article will help you to consider various approaches to study as well as the usefulness of rankings and school reputation in deciding on a suitable program.
Different Ways to Earn an MBA
Traditional, two-year programs generally involve a core curriculum in the first year, and room for specialization in the second. However, in recent years, more non-traditional MBAs are emerging both here in the United States and around the world, enabling students to create a program structure that fits their current professional situation.

  • Joint MBAs combine business studies with other disciplines-such as law, international relations, or public health-allowing students to "double-count" coursework for quicker degree completion.
  • Modular MBA programs usually require less frequent (though longer) periods of group study. These enable flexibility via the Internet with an element of face-to-face interaction with peers.
  • Cohort-based programs, similar to modular MBAs, place a group of students together (usually 10-20) who work through the program simultaneously. These involve face-to-face interaction, called "residencies," which are short, on-campus gatherings typically held at the beginning and middle of a program.
  • Part-time MBA programs have become increasingly popular, primarily because more people are seeking to earn MBA degrees, and life circumstances do not always allow for students to commit to two full-time years of study.
Common Core Curricula
While core requirements may vary from school to school, coursework will generally include some of the following:
While core requirements may vary from school to school, coursework will generally include some of the following:

  • Finance and accounting
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Economics
  • Marketing
  • Organizational behavior and leadership
  • Business strategy
  • Human resources
  • Marketing management
  • Manufacturing and production
  • Operations management
  • Statistics
  • Technology and information systems
Importance of Reputation and Rankings
While rankings remain useful for getting an overall impression of an MBA program, they should not serve as a substitute for considerations such as program practicality, location, course structure, duration, cost, job placement services, content, specialization offerings, and student body.
However, an excellent resource for global MBA program rankings can be found at http://www.mbainfo.com/rankings.html. The MBA Program Information site provides rankings from several U.S. and global polls, as well as extensive information on selecting an MBA program, the application process, GMAT tips, etc.
When considering which MBA program is right for you, it is important to look both inward and outward. In other words, consider what your professional goals, expectations, and financial resources are (looking inward), alongside school rankings, specialization offerings, and reputation (looking outward). These considerations, in combination, will put you in a position to make the best possible decision.

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