July 31, 2007

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online MBA Education

Getting an online education has become a very popular technique these days. Whether you are looking for a high school diploma or a graduate degree or some specialized certification to supplement your existing knowledge, it is very convenient to obtain these without having to take time off from your schedule to attend a regular educational institution.

There are many advantages associated with online study. Some are given below:

Unlike traditional learning, distance learning can offer you greater flexibility, as you don't have to waste time- and money- commuting to the campus and you can choose a program that truly suits your interests or professional needs, because you are not confined to the classes that are offered locally.

Another advantage to distance learning is the fact that you can continue to work, because you don't have to worry about fitting your classes around your job schedule.
Online programs often cost less than their traditional counterparts, so you can save money on tuition, if you pursue your degree through an online university.
Online study is also a great option for those students with physical handicaps, which may prevent them from traveling to a traditional campus. Likewise, if you are shy, or perhaps even language-challenged, participating in an online course may be the perfect alternative to a live class.

There are some major advantages to online education, including the ability to set your own study time. You may be looking for a promotion or career change that requires additional training or you may simply be ready to learn something new. But with today's busy lifestyle, there's little time to devote to regularly scheduled class time. That's where online education can be a great asset for a motivated person.

Although there are many advantages of an online education, there are also some disadvantages. The fact that you are working on your own could very well be one of the major disadvantages of taking online educational classes.

Another major disadvantage is the lack of interaction. You aren't in a classroom and don't have the opportunity to hear questions and discussion from other students. This isn't always an issue, depending on the subject of the online education course you are taking, but it could be an important factor in deciding whether an online education is the best option when seeking out opportunities for learning new skills or gaining new training.

But above all the disadvantages the online education is gaining more esteem than traditional education.

Source: www.articlebase.com

Choosing An Online Mba Degree

Choosing An Online Mba Degree

The Master of Business Administration MBA is one of the most popular and sought-after degrees available today. As the world moves to an increasingly corporate and service-based economy, companies have an ever-growing need for business savvy and certain sets of technical skills. And an MBA-holder is likely to have those skills and savvy.

School accreditation is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an online MBA program. Proper accreditation could mean the difference between an online MBA degree that gets you a promotion and a degree that isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
There are three types of accreditation agencies that are essential to consider when earning an MBA online: regional accreditation, professional accreditation, and distance learning accreditation.

1.Regional accreditation is your best bet.
2.Personal accreditation will make your online MBA stand out.
3.Distance Learning accreditation may not be accepted everywhere.
4.Any other type of accreditation will not be as important as the three listed above.

You can earn a general MBA degree, or choose a particular specialization depending on your strengths and career goals. Disciplines are available in technology, IT, human resources, administration, marketing, and accounting; all the aspects of a well-oiled business machine. All MBA degrees will ensure you have a comprehensive education in business.

Study Option:
The mode of studying for an MBA is also evolving. The executive MBA allows students to work and study at the same time, arranging a mixture of classes, meetings, online work, and individual tutoring. A marketing MBA may allow you to prove your business credentials without having to go through the process of working in junior level positions. Since this qualification can be used across a broad range of sectors, your employability should be good.

Executive Online MBA:
An Executive MBA is a graduate degree designed for executives, managers and other leaders in business. An executive master of business administration degree may have some similarities to other business programs but is carefully focused for its intended participants.
Executive master of business administration degree programs are designed specifically for people who are currently in business but who wish to further their education. Students can usually complete their executive MBA degree within two years even when working full time. The program of study for an executive master of business administration degree covers the full spectrum of business concepts with emphasis on integrating the areas together. Course topics include accounting, statistics, finance, marketing, and management and information technology.

Marketing Online MBA:
A Marketing MBA is a master's degree program designed to give you the skills you need to successfully manage an organization. A marketing MBA could be right for you, if you wish to gain business skills and need to have a good foundation in the arts of merchandizing and creating a desire for goods or services.
An MBA degree online can create the expertise, experience, and knowledge needed to have a competitive edge in today's job markets. Getting a degree online is now much more convenient with the colleges and universities through expanding Internet options. The Internet is quickly changing the way those advancing their educations are studying, and the Internet is attracting thousands of students who want to return to school to further their experience and knowledge.

There are many different schools that offer MBA degrees online and each school has a different course of studies and requirement for completion. Those seeking degrees should investigate the limitless options that the Internet has brought in advancing educations, careers, and personal growth.

Of course, it is a good idea to investigate all that is available before committing to a specific school program. Potential students will want to make sure that any program that they are researching offers an MBA degree online that is accredited. Also, speak with academic counselors at various schools, getting information about the different requirements and estimated time tables involved. Be sure to look for hidden costs also. Why not start today and investigate getting an MBA degree online.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Who Needs a Whole MBA?

Who Needs a Whole MBA? A specialized master's degree may better fit the bill.

When you consider going back to school to hone your business skills, chances are you're thinking about getting an MBA. But an MBA isn't the only game in graduate business education. With a bit of research, you may find that what you really want may be a specialized master's degree in business.

Specialized master's business programs have been around for decades. But they proliferated in the 1990s, as business schools discovered that a curriculum showcasing their academic specialty allows them to better compete for students. The mainstays of the alternative business programs used to focus on accounting and finance, but now you can pursue a master's degree in international business, health-care administration, marketing, nonprofit management, or human resources. In the late 1990s, the hot new programs were in information technology and e-commerce. At least 60 of 403 B-schools surveyed by BusinessWeek in 2001 offered master's degrees in these new specialties. Even now, schools say, interest in the programs has remained steady.

The master's programs, which range from 10 months to 2 years for full-time students, are best suited to those who already have a business background but want to specialize in a particular field. For instance, students who have an undergrad business degree may see no point in going over similar courses in an MBA program. That was the thinking of Patricia Wycoco, 28, who will graduate in July with a master's in finance from London Business School. Wycoco, who has a bachelor's degree in business economics, was most recently an investment manager for Deutsche Bank in Manila. "I thought that developing a competence in finance was more important than getting a general business education," she says. This summer, Wycoco will join the Manila office of McKinsey's Southeast Asia Practice.

Applications to alternative programs, as with those to MBA programs, have risen in the past 12 months as students seek refuge in academia from the turbulent job market. Often, the specialized programs are slightly less expensive than their MBA counterpart at the same business school. At the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, tuition for out-of-state students in its two-year program in health-care administration is $18,604, vs. $19,199 a year for its two-year MBA program. Most alternative programs are also easier to get into because the applicant pool is smaller. For example, Texas A&M University's Mays College of Business accepted 22% of its full-time MBA applicants in 2001, vs. a 28% acceptance rate at its master's program in management information systems.

A downside is that many of these programs are new, so they don't have a track record with recruiters and employers. "It takes some time for people to figure out what a new degree of this type is all about," says Tridas Mukhopadhyay, director of the three-year-old Master of Science in Electronic Commerce program at Carnegie Mellon's Graduate School of Industrial Administration. And the degrees don't guarantee starting salaries on par with those of MBA grads. A lot depends on the specialty, the student's work experience, and the school's reputation.
Be aware, too, that selection standards vary sharply from one school to the next, particularly when it comes to students' field experience. Enrolling in a program specializing, say, in human resources doesn't ensure that your classmates will all have worked in human resources. The Rotterdam School of Management's Master in HR Leadership program requires applicants to have at least seven years of experience in the field, but students at Ohio State University's Master's in Labor and Human Resources program at Fisher College of Business range from recent college grads to managers with 26 years of experience. It will be up to you to find out the score before applying.

If you find the right program, you'll be able to delve deeper into the specialty than most MBA curriculums do. Students are committed to their chosen fields, so the depth of learning is greater, says Tasha Sims, 25, a second-year student at Ohio State's HR program. Sims, who had worked for three years in benefits and compensation before enrolling in grad school, will join ExxonMobil in August as a recruiting adviser.

Companies are showing signs of appreciating the value of these special degrees. When Peter Stephaich, CEO of Campbell Transportation in Charleroi, Penn., decided to overhaul his company's information system, he commissioned six e-commerce graduate students and two professors from Carnegie Mellon. The team, along with six Campbell executives, will create, among other things, a state-of-the-art tracking system for the company's barges, which ply the Ohio River and its tributaries. The system will use a range of technologies from handheld devices to global positioning systems. "A typical MBA doesn't have the e-commerce skills to build one of these things," says Stephaich, himself a 1989 MBA from New York University.

Ford Motor, meanwhile, currently pays for 19 of its employees to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology's System Design and Management program, which combines engineering and business courses. The five-year-old program enrolls some 50 students each January, about 80% of whom are company-sponsored. "Because of the complexity of the products being developed these days, there's a real need for people who understand both the technical and the business side of things," says Dennis Mahoney, the director of SDM.

If a specialized business degree might suit you, explore BusinessWeek Online's profiles of B-schools (businessweek.com/bschools). The profiles focus on MBA programs but also list alternative degrees. From there, you can follow links to each school's Web site to determine whether the program offered will help improve your career. Once you select the schools you would like to apply to, you may find that admissions procedures vary slightly from those at MBA programs. For starters, not all programs require the Graduate Management Admissions Test, opting instead for the Graduate Record Examination. For some specialized business courses of study, you'll need a particular undergrad degree such as engineering; for others, you must have company sponsorship.

If it's a toss-up between an MBA and a specialized degree, consider that some B-schools, such as the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, let their master's students switch into an MBA program. So do your homework. With these master's programs, you probably have more options than you think.

Source: www.businessweek.com

An Online MBA Program Grows in Gotham

An Online MBA Program Grows in Gotham - New York City's Pace University is looking to cyberspace to snare a new crop of students. Other regional schools will be watching.

Can offering an MBA online degree save a regional business school from a one way ticket to Palookaville? New York's Pace University is about to find out. On Jan. 8, Pace's Lubin School of Business will introduce its e.MBA@Pace program, which will incorporate 10 campus visits with intensive course instruction over the Web. Many regional universities will be watching its fate closely, as the top-rated business schools start to shovel big money into online MBA programs.

With so many brand-name schools taking the lead in long-distance learning, Pace -- which draws almost all of its students from the metropolitan New York City area -- decided last March that it better start reaching out, too. The school hopes to enroll 25 to 30 students in its first year and will consider expanding in the future. "We have a terrific reputation in the New York area. This will be a way of extending our reach," says James Parker, program director of the online MBA. Adds Pace management professor John Dory: "To not [offer an online MBA], we ran the risk for enrollment problems for the school."

The big B-schools aren't hesitating. Duke University, which launched its Global Executive online MBA in 1996, has been expanding its course offerings to accommodate 400 online students by August of 2001. And if you think Duke wouldn't be a threat to Pace, consider this: Duke says that of its 170 current online students, the second-largest group comes from New York, after Silicon Valley, of course. Following suit is the University of North Carolina, which will begin offering an online MBA program in the fall of 2000. And if that isn't enough to send shivers through Pace's Manhattan and Westchester County campuses, a handful of top-ranked universities are now supporting private educational efforts by companies such as UNext.com, which aimes to eventually offer degree business programs online.

MORE OUTREACH. The Pace MBA program will cost about $50,000 for two years, slightly less than the average of $57,205 for Business Week's 20 leading EMBA programs. Parker is hoping the Pace effort will "attract students that wouldn't have considered or even have heard of [Pace]."

But expanding Pace's reach beyond its base of 1,350 part-time MBA students and 650 full-time MBA students will be no easy task. When its initial round of applications arrived on Dec. 1, the school found itself with an experienced pool of candidates -- not from California, Europe, or Asia -- but from New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, and New York City. That's the same pool from which the school now draws most of its students. And it suggests that Pace will have to do more outreach.

Partnering with larger schools to offer online MBAs may be the next step, says Michael Moe, director of global growth research for Merrill Lynch who analyzes distance education markets and innovation. He says in a few years, schools such as Pace will have a hard time creating E-learning programs unless they get help from the big shots. "[Small, regional schools] need something else aside from being early," he says. "It might be cost. Or it might be offering a very tailored program. [But] if you go forward two years from today, they'll need more than being online to be competitive."

TEAM TEACHING. Until that day arrives, Pace is confident that it has a twist to attract execs. When the e.MBA@Pace students are on campus, the six faculty in charge of course instruction will teach each class as a team. That's to ensure that each topic gets input from as many disciplines as possible, whether it be marketing or global economics. And professors will be required to log on daily to answer student questions posed via e-mail.

Dory says the program is also a good opportunity for Pace to restore some luster to its reputation "as a cutting-edge school." If the program can vault the small university into the cyberage, win over more local MBA students who are too busy to take full-time classes, and appeal to long-distance learners, Pace may be onto something.

Source: www.businessweek.com

Canada: Nirvana for MBAs?

Henry Mintzberg is on a rant about business education. "MBAs should be stamped with a skull and crossbones that reads, `Not Prepared to Manage,"' the McGill University business professor declares.

What Mintzberg offers up instead is his unorthodox International Masters Program in Practicing Management (IMPM). Founded in 1996 by McGill and five international B-schools (including France's INSEAD and the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore), IMPM puts 40 midcareer students from Fujitsu Ltd., Lufthansa, and elsewhere through a 16-month course on leadership. Rather than focusing on technical subjects, it tackles students' "mindsets"--one two-week module is called Managing Self. The path to management nirvana weaves students through meditation, acting, journal writing, and trips to primitive and high-tech businesses. "It teaches you to think first, and then manage," says Taizoon Chinwalla, 46, former participant and a director at Motorola Inc.

Canada is an odd place for insights into the training of the capitalist elite, considering its statist bent, complete with high taxes and national health care. But Canadian educators have been wrestling with new ideas in management since some provinces stopped funding graduate degree programs in 1995. Making ends meet meant steep tuition hikes and struggles to retain faculty tempted by high salaries abroad. So they opened their doors to a wider pool of applicants, admitting more foreigners than ever. More important, they jettisoned the old approach of specializing in such fields as corporate finance or brand management and replaced it with a new emphasis on producing big-picture leaders. "Canadians are less formulaic about education," says Gerald Ross, dean at McGill Faculty of Management. "We don't imitate what others do."

Back in 1995, the need to raise funds quickly was an effective spur to innovation. For Queen's School of Business, that meant leaving the herd. It refocused its full-time MBA program on students who specialize in science and technology. That let Queens offer more sophisticated classes and led grads to lucrative jobs. McGill offers an IMPM program in niche markets. It's already training execs in nonprofits and plans to target health professionals next. Who knows, Ross suggests, maybe priests, rabbis, and teachers could follow?

MBA TO GO. The programs are hitting the road, too. Queens invested $10 million in its Videoconferencing Executive MBA program and is now Canada's most subscribed, enrolling about 370. Unlike traditional programs, which use less technology, Queens' is a digital affair: Only three weeks of the 20-month program are in person with professors. That has caught the alliance-hungry eye of Cornell University's B-school, which could spread the high-tech program to the U.S.

Aiming at underserved markets abroad, the schools have planted roots in Asia. McGill runs an MBA in Japan for 50 students and expects to offer another in China. University of Western Ontario's Ivey School of Business set up a campus suited with videoconferencing technology and harbor views in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center in 1998, making it among the first North American schools to open in Asia. Since then, it has followed the legendary Harvard case-study approach, producing 203 business cases on Asian companies. It has also sold 100,000 translated casebooks in China since 1997, sweetening the Ivey brand on the mainland.

The foreign programs pay off. Last year, Ivey generated $975,000 in revenues from the Hong Kong programs, with customers such as Reebok International Ltd. and Mattel Inc., both with big Asian manufacturing operations. The money helps, since Canada's B-schools are all financially squeezed. Queens has an endowment of just $17 million, for instance, vs., say, University of Michigan Business School's $268 million. But if their innovations catch on, Canada's B-schools could start raking it in.

Source: www.businessweek.com

Overview of a Canadian MBA degree, what you study and careers available when you get one.

Overview of a Canadian Online MBA degree, what you study and careers available when you get one.

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional graduate degree which instructs students in the theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully control, lead, manage, plan, organize, and adapt to ever-changing, complex, specific and/or general, domestic and global business environments, organizations, relationships, and situations. Moreover, MBA programs normally extend beyond only teaching business fundamentals and disciplines and into developing what some refer to as "soft" skills. That is, an MBA education develops students' respective analytical, communication, leadership, broadly defined, interpersonal, networking, and teamwork skills, as well as the abilities to anticipate and adapt to change, make effective use of various technologies, and operate within a globalized economic structure. MBA programs in Canada vary in duration from 10 months to over 2 years but because their respective structures and curriculums vary widely a universally applicable description of what precisely a student will learn is impossible. However, MBA programs fall within three categories including the generalized, specialized, and combined.

A generalized, sometimes referred to as a generic, general management, or traditional, MBA program exposes a student to the management knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully operate within and among a variety of different areas of business. Generalized degrees are typically 2 years in length. The first year is devoted to the study of a basic core of business fundamentals that usually includes Business Strategy Analysis, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Management Statistics and Data Analysis, Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, Managerial Finance, Managing Organizations, and Operations Management. The second year either delves deeper into general management or an area of concentration as chosen by the student among the options offered by his/her program.

Specialized MBA degrees are often 1 year or less in duration and offer an individual the opportunity to hone his/her knowledge of and abilities in a specific area or aspect of business thus developing the skills that are required by and for a particular field, industry, or sector. Some schools, such as Simon Fraser University, also offer customized MBA programs developed in accordance with the needs of specific companies. The latter type of specialized programs, sometimes referred to as "Corporate MBAs," however, is usually only available to employees of the company for which the MBA is tailor-made.

Combined MBA programs, which are often up to 4 years long, enable students to simultaneously earn a degree in Business and another discipline, including Agriculture, Arts, Engineering, Law, and Medicine, among others. The MBA portion of a combined degree may be either generalized or specialized depending upon the program's structure. There is no definitive answer regarding which type of MBA degree is more beneficial to individuals in achieving their respective goals. Some employers, for instance, favour individuals who can manage in a variety of different areas and, in such cases, prefer someone with a general management degree. Therefore, before committing to a program, you may want to inquire as to which type of degree the potential employers within the industry or sector in which you aim to work after graduation prefer. Possessing an MBA, however, has the potential to open up many new career opportunities within the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. An MBA, especially a generalized one, has the capacity to be a versatile degree enabling an individual to enter into new and diverse fields or move between different areas within a specific company and/or field. For example, an individual may switch employment from data analyst to marketing consultant to business strategist. Furthermore, despite being traditionally seen as a degree to advance one's aspirations within business, an MBA can open up career opportunities in numerous other areas. MBA graduates may, for instance, become educators in post-secondary institutions where a doctorate degree is not necessary, media analysts, researchers, or pursue doctorate-level studies, among others.

The exact form, content, and opportunity a program affords a learner differ from program to program and school to school. Some programs, for instance, like those offered at the Universities of McMaster and Windsor, afford comprehensive cooperative learning and are targeted at individuals with minimal work experience while Queen's University focuses on a specialized MBA designed for individuals interested in science and technology. Thus, depending on what an individual wants in and from a program, he/she may be limited in his/her choices of schools and locations in which to study.

In sum, an MBA is a professional degree designed to equip students with the specific and/or general knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to advance one's career aspirations in business and beyond. Typically, to be considered for admission to an MBA program in Canada, an applicant should possess a 4-year undergraduate degree, a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, work experience, and, for international applicants whose primary language of education is not English, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Each individual school establishes the specifics of the aforementioned admissions criteria, as well as any other prerequisites.

Online MBA Energy Elective at Athabasca University

MBA Online Degree with Energy Electives at Athabasca University's Centre for Innovative Management

A new way to power your career in the energy industry. Athabasca University's Centre for Innovative Management and the University of Alberta's School of Business have embarked on a unique collaboration that brings you the strengths of both institutions.

AU's renowned online Executive MBA degree helps you develop the solid management skills you need to succeed in any industry. Guided by academic faculty who are experts in their fields, you connect coursework from the MBA online degree curriculum to your own organization. Because you immediately apply theory to your workplace, you practice what you learn as you learn it, leading to very high absorption and retention of knowledge.

The MBA with Energy Electives allows you to take advantage of the University of Alberta School of Business's unparalleled academic expertise in the energy field with three electives that explore current industry issues and opportunities.

Program Objectives

The AU online MBA with Energy Electives will help you:
  • develop a strategic organizational perspective
  • foster critical thinking and effective decision making abilities
  • enhance your change management skills
  • explore new directions in management thinking and practice
  • build leadership and related personal skills
  • understand the complexities of the energy industry, including challenges and opportunities in Alberta and around the world

AU MBA Alumni Testimonials

Athabasca University offered a program that was right for me, because it had both the credibility I desired and the flexibility that I needed. I live in Texas, but my work in the area of energy software consulting required me to travel a significant percentage of the time. My laptop, an Internet connection, and a few textbooks per course were usually all I required to stay on track with my MBA studies while I was traveling. Given the demands of my career, I believe I would have been hard pressed to have finished my MBA any other way.

Mark Warne, MBA '04, Houston, Texas

Customer Service

Our knowledgeable customer service representatives are available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (Mountain Time). Call 1-800-561-4650 or 780-459-1144 to:

ask any questions you may have about any online MBA program, admission requirements, application procedure, etc.

  • be put in touch with a student or alumnus in a field similar to yours
  • have an AU online MBA brochure and/or application form sent to you by mail.

MBA in Project Management (MBA PM) at Athabasca University, Canada

Athabasca University, Canada - Online Degree MBA in Project Management (MBA PM)

Master the complexities of project management in a world where targets and objectives often shift . . . Today's project manager must be able to integrate business and project goals, lead organizational change, and deliver strategic results aimed at creating competitive advantage. That's why the global demand for experts in project management is growing at a dramatic rate.

Athabasca University AU's online MBA in Project Management is designed for experienced project managers who already have certificate level training and/or professional certification, and want to move beyond 'tools and techniques' to senior-level, strategic project management.

Cutting edge curriculum, developed and delivered by leading specialists in the field of project management, ensures that you will study relevant issues and develop critical insights into successfully managing complex projects from inception to completion.

If you want to contribute to your organization at a higher strategic level by mobilizing team resources, managing expectations, and evaluating risks, apply today. You'll increase your personal and organizational effectiveness . . . and deliver key business results.

All without having to put your career, or your life, on hold.

Program Objectives

The AU online MBA in Project Management will enable you to:
  • understand and communicate the strategic value of project
    management to your organization
  • develop your critical thinking and decision-making skills to
    deliver key business results
  • enhance your planning skills to clearly identify client expectations
    and deliverables, and mitigate risks
  • increase your effectiveness as a project leader and promote a
    positive team environment
  • understand how to integrate the human and business needs of projects
  • learn how to manage sudden change and exploit opportunities as they arise

Alumni Testimonials

As the leader of a large organization, my need to stay current on complex projects drove my decision to pursue my MBA in Project Management. The Athabasca University program provided me the ability to collaborate with instructors and students who had a combination of academic expertise and practical experience. The skills I learned are already providing a positive return to my organization.

Tom Barlow, MBA PM '04
President, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Toronto, Ontario

Customer Service

Our knowledgeable customer service representatives are available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (Mountain Time). Call 1-800-561-4650 or 780-459-1144 to:

  • ask any questions you may have about any online MBA program, admission requirements, application procedure, etc.
  • be put in touch with a student or alumnus in a field similar to yours
  • have an AU online MBA brochure and/or application form sent to you by mail.

AU Accreditation and Rankings

AU Accreditation and Rankings - Accreditation in Canada

Athabasca University (AU) is a publicly funded institution of the Province of Alberta that reports to the government through the Minister of Advanced Education. Through Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act, the government authorizes Athabasca University's Governing Council to grant degrees and govern its own affairs. Members of Athabasca University Governing Council are appointed under orders in council of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

Authority to grant MBA degrees
The Athabasca University Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs are approved by the Universities Coordinating Council (UCC). The UCC is a body of all public universities in Alberta whose evaluation and approval is required before a university is granted provincial government permission to offer an MBA program.

Accreditation in the United States
Athabasca University (AU) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in the United States. AU became the first Canadian university to be awarded accreditation by any of the six higher education regional boards in the U.S in July of 2005. View press release and background information »

Rankings
Athabasca University has been ranked among the top three Executive MBAs in Canada (Canadian Business, 2001) and among the top Executive MBAs in the world (Financial Times, UK, 2003, 2004 and 2006).

AU Memberships

Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
Canadian Association for Distance Education (CADE)
Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS)
Canadian Virtual University (CVU)
International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
Western Governors University (WGU)

Athabasca University Online Education

Message from the Executive Director - Lindsay Redpath, PhD

Welcome to Athabasca University's Centre for Innovative Management
As Executive Director of Athabasca University's Centre for Innovative Management (CIM), distance education online, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our Web site, and to encourage you to explore all areas of this e-campus. Whether you are a prospective student, an alumnus, a corporate partner or student, this site gives you a broad view of our exciting business school.

In 2004, the Centre for Innovative Management, distance education online, celebrated its tenth anniversary, a milestone for CIM and for Canada's largest, and the world's first, online Executive MBA program. From its launch until today, the AU MBA online degree has grown from 130 to over 1,000 students, while increasing in stature and reputation to take a place among the world's premiere Executive MBA programs.

Our faculty and staff are driven by a passion for quality learning, scholarship and service—factors that have shaped our school and contributed to our ranking within the top Executive MBA online programs in Canada (Canadian Business magazine) and the top Executive MBAs in the world (Financial Times, UK).

Selecting an Executive MBA program is a huge decision that can dramatically affect future career success. We are proud that today more Canadian managers and professionals choose Athabasca's business school than any other, and that our advanced online learning environment is helping to transform management thinking and practice in Canada and around the world. Our graduates, who now number nearly 2000, have proven time and time again that pursuing an Athabasca MBA is an excellent career decision.

I encourage you to discover the world of flexible, applicable, rigorous, and quality business education that the AU MBA provides. We look forward to learning more about your aspirations and showing you how our AU MBA can help you succeed.

Dr. Lindsay Redpath
Executive Director

July 27, 2007

Distance Learning for Your MBA

Distance Learning or Online Degree for Your MBA by Jay Moncliff

In today's job market, a bachelor's degree often isn't enough to give you the edge over other job applicants. However, getting your MBA at a local college or university may be just too much for a full-time breadwinner with a home and family to care for. There are still ways to advance your education, though, and one of the most popular is getting your MBA through distance learning, MBA degree online program.

Distance learning via internet, online degree, is a relatively recent phenomenon. Usually, a student will enroll in an online university and take the all of the classes online. Sounds like a great deal, right? There are many pitfalls for the distance learner.

Be sure to choose the right school. As with every other category of business, there are good and there are not so good distance learning programs. Don't waste your time and money on a school that is not accredited by a nationally recognized agency. Your diploma needs to be from an accredited university or school to help you advance, so do some homework up front and check the credentials of the school. They should be accredited by one of the nationally recognized agencies (New England, Middle States, North Central, Northwest, Western and Southern). These are the valid accreditation agencies.

Verify that the classes are all online. Don't enroll in a distance learning program across the country, only to realize later that you'll need to attend one or two sessions in the classroom.

Check out the technical capabilities of the classes. Are the classes available through technology that you can access, like websites, email or bulletin boards? Will you have to use complicated, proprietary software? Steer clear of programs that are not simple and easy to use. After all, isn't that why you want an online degree program. Just in case there are problems, make sure that technical help is available when you'll be working.

Look for programs with a proven track record. Even though the idea of internet learning is new, you should look for a program with a good success rate an satisfied graduates. Ask if you can email or talk to some of the graduates, or read recommendations. Ask about the school's completion rate.

Does the school offer adequate financing? If the school is accredited, they should be able to participate in the federal student loan programs and offer financing to distance learners.

Finally, investigate who is teaching the classes. Do they have experience in online teaching? Managing a virtual classroom is different that teaching the typical college course, so the teachers should be experienced in this type of learning.

Of course, distance learning, online degree, is not for everyone. In order to succeed at this type of coursework, you will need to be self-motivated and dedicated to getting your MBA. You will need to be organized and disciplined. Procrastinators have a difficult time working at their own pace, because they can always finish an assignment "tomorrow". Of course, this can turn a 2-3 year program into 6-8 years.

Investigate online distance learning, online degree, to pursue you MBA, but first, make sure that you are ready to commit to self-directed learning.

Online MBA, Distance Learning

Online MBA, Distance Learning by John Lim

No Time To Take Up An MBA Degree Program? Now You Can With Distance Learning And New Online MBA Degree Courses!

Are you looking to forward your career? Thinking of taking up a Master of Business Administration MBA degree program but just don't have the time? Perhaps you should consider an online MBA degree program through distance learning!

Distance learning, online degree, is a form of education that has been around for years. The concept of home study is something that we have all heard of but it is only recently that only degree programs have become popular. And for many good reasons too!

For one, people who cannot afford to put their lives on hold for a year or two to take up a MBA degree program can now study while continuing with their normal lives! An online MBA program allows you to study at your own time which means that you can hold on to a part-time or even full-time job.

Distance learning, online degree, has also become popular because it saves time and is cheaper than attending classes at a university. You save travel costs, lodging and even paper cost. Everything is downloadable and all you will need is a computer that connects to the university's server to get started with an online MBA program.

Distance learning's popularity will continue to grow as more and more universities offer online MBA programs and other degree courses. There are some who prefer to attend classes and meet up with their peers and lecturers but for others, distance learning is truly an opportunity for them to improve themselves. Without online MBA programs and distance learning, they would have little chances of taking a course.

Distance learning is definitely here to stay as more universities adopt this online learning concept.

Distance Learning MBA, MBA Degree Programs

Distance Learning MBA, MBA Online Degree Programs by John Lim

Discover The Many Benefits Of Distance Learning With MBA Degree Online Programs And Why They Can Help You Advance Your Career.

More and more top business schools and universities are offering online learning and the option of distance learning MBA Online programs. This is because there are many advantages both the institute and the students can benefit from distance learning.

Taking up an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program means that you are able to study for your certificate from the comfort of your own home, wherever that may be. This works out great for a lot of people who previously never had a chance to take up a course or degree program simply because they did not have the time to attend classes.

With distance learning MBA programs, MBA degree online program, the schedules are a lot more flexible. Adult students who wish to attend an online MBA to further their careers can now do so and still hold on to a full-time job while attending to family responsibilities. The ability to study from home also provides the convenience of not having to live in a campus. You will also not have to make multiple trips to the university or school.

Plus, with the wealth of resources available on the Internet, anyone can tap into it for their MBA degree program, MBA degree online. More and more institutes of learning are starting to recognize this and are trying to introduce the concept of a faculty as a coach rather than instructor. Distance learning programs help illustrate and push this concept forward.

Finally, the reason online MBA degrees are getting more and more popular is because distance learning programs do not discriminate. Everyone who takes up a course is on equal footing, no matter their age, personality or physical appearance. Distance learning programs also create opportunities for students to take up a course even if they are halfway across the world.

There are many good things about distance learning programs that can benefit both the schools and the students. We can see why more and more working people are turning to online MBA degree courses - it is simply much more convenient than having to quit work to further their career. As time goes by, you will definitely see a change as more and more universities and schools start offering online MBA degrees because they are just such a great option!

Distance Learning Mba Courses Take The Next Step In Your Career

Distance Learning MBA or Online MBA Courses Take The Next Step In Your Career by D Fraser

We all reach points in life when we feel that everything has plateaued. We can't push any further processionally in our careers and because of this other areas of our life might seem stalled. Promotions don't just grow on trees at most companies so it's tough climbing the corporate ladder, not to mention all the other demands placed on you outside the office from your family and friends. You think wouldn't earning an MBA degree just push you over the edge to the next level in your career. But how on earth would you ever find the time to make it happen? Most work places aren't to keen on granting leave of absence for education, and of course quitting is pretty much out of the question unless you win the lottery. How can you progress your education and still support your families financial needs?

Distance learning MBA programs as a solution

So just when you didn't think you could have your cake and eat it to, along comes distance learning MBA degrees, or MBA online degree. You can keep your current day job, and be able to study towards your MBA at the same time. No need to goto classes at a campus every week, you study when and where you want on your terms. You're able to pursue your career goals and enhance your education on your terms not some high priced college or university.

One of the best features of an online distance MBA course, MBA degree online, is that there are no hard and fast schedules for classes. You're able to complete course work at your own pace, and can move faster or slower at different points in the year when it suits your schedule. Exams can be written when you're ready for it, and if life becomes to busy to manage your course work at particular times you can always put off exams to a later date when time permits.

While some people may tell you that a distance MBA program, MBA degree online, doesn't hold the same prestige as a conventional program at a brick and mortar college their mistaken. Enrolling and completing an online MBA program is in many ways an even better option for your education than a conventional offline degree. Because distance learning allows you to enroll in your degree program while at the same time working full time to support yourself and your family.

While financial support is available for most distance learning programs, the benefit of being able to work and study usually allows most students to avoid taking on large volumes of debt in order to graduate. This means you can enjoy the financial benefits of your education faster.

A distant student enjoys as much if not more attention from instructors then those that attend classes at a local college. All material and guidance can be done via the Internet. This provides you with more options to communicate with classmates and instructors such as instant messaging, chat rooms, and email.

Master Your Career with an MBA Distance Education

Master Your Career with an MBA Distance Education by Dana Stephens

Someone has to take the lead; someone needs to take charge; is that someone you? Do you want to be in a position to effect change within your community? If you are leadership material, want to take charge, or simply want to make a difference, Master your career with an MBA distance education, MBA degree online, in less than two years of study.

Although the world is full of dreamers, leadership requires more than a desire to be the boss. Individuals in positions of management need credibility. People are more like to follow, if the boss has the education and credentials to back up his/her decisions. Thus, an online MBA degree is available through distance education, online degree, for aspiring leaders. Alleviate any doubts; utilize a search engine using "Online MBA degree". For example, Grand Canyon University came up with 162 hits. Essentially, colleges across the United States are offering MBA distance education programs. Institutions understand; tomorrow's leaders need to retain current employment, while gaining the necessary MBA degree for advancement up the corporate ladder.

Maybe leadership is not a personal career goal; you simply want take charge of your career and not become restricted by educational limitations. Perhaps you are looking forward to the future and considering your long-term options. You cannot afford to quit your job, sell the house, and uproot your family; but, with a tightening job market, you do not want to be in the soup line, if your company decides to downsize or go another direction. With an MBA distance education, MBA degree online program, you will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to increase your career options.

While increasing your career options is probably the main reason individuals choose to obtain an MBA distance education, MBA degree online program, many people want the education to give them the knowledge, credibility, and expertise to effect positive change in today's society. For example, with an MBA in education, you can be in a position to promote positive changes in the educational system. In business, instead of complaining about office policies and procedures, you will have the background knowledge to successfully suggest improved working conditions for both employees and employers. Maybe you are interested in improving healthcare for the elderly, but patient care is not your cup of tea. (You faint at the sight of blood or needles.) You have realistic ideas to keep quality care up, and patient costs down, but you need the education to give your recommendations voice. Thus, if you want to make a difference within your community, consider mastering your career with an MBA distance education.

In summary, regardless of your personal motivations, an MBA distance education, MBA online, will help you master your personal or occupational goals. Maybe you aspire to a position of leadership like a future presidency. If so, online courses are available to reach your leadership goals. However, for the majority of career-minded individuals, job security is a concern, or the career is a venue for effecting positive changes within a community. Promote your potential and master your career with an MBA distance education.

For more information on MBA distance education degrees please visit www.eLearningTips.com today.

MBA Distance Learning: Know Your Facts

MBA Distance Learning: Know Your Facts by Chonticha Marijne

So you're ready to pursue your Master of Business Administration MBA degree. You've done most of your homework, found a number of online college programs that offer an MBA degree, but now it's time to get down to the specifics. Most people have lots of questions that need to be answered about obtaining an MBA degree, so let's get started.

Most business schools, as well as major universities, both online and off, offer Master of Business Administration MBA degrees. Today, more than ever before, students seeking any Master's degree are doing so online, most often because it affords a flexibility not found in traditional brick and mortar college campuses and coursework schedules. In this method, full coursework loads are sent to students who then develop their own pace for completing required coursework and exams requirements.

Today, nearly 93% of students attending online colleges for an MBA degree work full time, and nearly 81% serve in management positions. That doesn't leave a lot of extra study time, but determination and focus offer the drive necessary to earn degrees in spare time. While many older adults are now pursuing Master's degrees online, most men and women doing so are around 35 years old and have been employed in the workplace for at least 10 years. What does this say? It says that the value of education, especially a Master's degree, of any type, will offer many in the business and science world the opportunity to step up the ladder of success.

Keep in mind that there are many jobs and careers that don't require employees or management staff to hold a Master's degree, so if you're earning one for employment, and not self-improvement reasons, make sure that your time and money will be well spent in the pursuit of one. Today, most students seeking an MBA degree are already employed in government, manufacturing, IT, finance, self-employment and consulting positions, just to name a few.

Most MBA online degree programs allow students to specialize in various fields, so take the time to do a little research and determine the best program to suit your needs and personal desires. Most students will spend approximately 3-4 years to complete coursework in order to obtain their Master's, but that's just a general, and some take longer, while others may take less time. Fees will vary depending on the online campus you choose as well as your specialty. When seeking the right college for you, determine the availability of financial aid and student support, and take the time to seek scholarships and grants when needed. Seeking a Master of Business Administration MBA degree won't be easy, and it certainly won't be cheap, but it will be more than worth your efforts in the long run when compared to an increase of earning power and reputation. However, you must be able to work independently and pursue your coursework goals with a minimum of student/instructor assistance, so those who are serious about their goals will achieve the best results from this type of learning method.

A Guide To A Distance Learning MBA

A Guide To A Distance Learning MBA by Nic Haffner

In response to the need for busy professionals to further their education, while continuing to advance their career, many online and physical universities are now offering distance learning MBA programs.

Many accredited universities are beginning to offer distance learning MBA courses in an attempt to reach students who are not able to attend on campus classes for a wide variety of reasons. Many institutions that offer distance learning MBA courses are considered a distance learning college, but many traditional educational institutions are also offering distance learning courses that allow alumni to get a distance learning MBA from their alma matter. However, many times a degree from a distance learning college carries the same weight as a degree earned by students who had the opportunity to attain the same degree in a traditional classroom setting. In fact, some employers and industries actively recruit graduates from a distance learning college because of the ability and discipline it takes to graduate from a distance learning program, especially a distance learning MBA. Graduating by taking advantage of distance learning courses also shows a lot of determination and the drive to succeed, which are the kind of qualities many companies like to see in their new recruits.

However, because of many factors, there are many different distance learning formats you can take advantage of to get your distance learning MBA. Correspondence courses have always been very popular, but many distance learning colleges also offer e learning courses, which mean that it is a strictly online class. Many professionals with busy schedules prefer e learning courses because of the convenience and the ability to access class information from any location with an internet connection.

Other programs take advantage of a technology called Live Interactive Television. Live Interactive Television allows students to view a real time lesson by an instructor in a distant location. This technology makes it possible for students to ask questions and interact with instructors, which bridges the distance that separates them. Although this format takes some time to get used to, it can allow an instructor to reach a very large audience, as well as exposing students to instructors and guest speakers that they normally would not have access to. It also allows much of the structure that comes along with a traditional classroom.

Many distance learning MBA programs may televise the lectures so that students can watch or record lectures without physically being in class. In many ways, televised courses are better for many students than Live Interactive Television although they do not have the opportunity to ask the teacher questions.

A bachelor's degree can do wonders for a person's career, but an MBA will take them even further and may warrant an automatic pay increase without a job change. Distance learning MBA programs make it possible for may people to get an MBA.

Grand Canyon University MBA Online in Accounting

Grand Canyon University MBA Degree Online in Accounting

Description: The Master of Business Administration MBA Degree Online with an Emphasis in Accounting combines the broad-based, general management curriculum of the MBA degree online program with specialized study in accounting that prepares students for advanced management positions in corporate or public accounting.

Accreditation: The Association of Business Schools and Programs accredits Grand Canyon University for the Master of Business Administration degrees (?)
Delivery Format: Online (?)
Educational Level: Master (?)
Language: English
Requirements: Must have a bachelor's degree to apply.

Source: www.elearners.com

DeVry University - MBA Online Accounting and Financial Management

DeVry University Online Master of Accounting and Financial Management

Description: The MBA Degree online Master of Accounting and Financial Management (MAFM) program offered by DeVry equips students with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to function as accounting and financial managers in public accounting, industry, education or government. Coursework is taught from the practitioner's perspective and focuses on applying accounting and financial management concepts and skills to real-world applications.

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission; North Central Association (?)
Delivery Format: Entirely Online (?)
Educational Level: Master (?)
Language: English
Requirements: Graduate applicants must hold an undergraduate degree.

Source: www.elearners.com

South University - MBA Online Accounting

South University Master of Business Administration - Accounting

Description: The Master of Business Administration - Accounting MBA online degree program offered by South University prepares students for a leadership role in the Accounting industry. The foundation provides a firm grounding in economics, decision making, behavioral sciences, and strategic environment. Graduates from this program may be eligible to sit for the CPA examination. Topics, Accounting MBA degree online, covered within this specialty include: External Auditing and Assurance; Advanced Financial Accounting; Advanced Financial Reporting; Advanced Taxation; Advanced Accounting Information Systems; Forensic and Fraud Auditing; Corporate Controllership; and Accounting Services Consulting.

Accreditation: South University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Delivery Format: Online, asynchronous - participation-based and facilitator-led
Educational Level: Master
Language: English

Requirements: Applicants must have proof of high school graduation or GED, completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale, or completed a bachelor's degree with a minimum combined GMAT score within the 50th percentile.

Source: elearners.com

Capella University - MBA Online Accounting

Capella University - Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Accounting

Description: Capella University’s MBA degree online specialization in Accounting will expand your knowledge in areas such as budget planning and control, audit and evaluation of controls, and the nature and function of accounting information in the decision-making process. This program will build the strategic perspective you need to interact effectively with executive management and strengthen your ability to succeed in middle and senior management positions. This MBA degree online program can be completed in two years. Admission to the accounting specialization requires that learners complete and submit the School of Business and Technology Certification of Accounting Experience form. Capella University does not guarantee that the MBA with a specialization in accounting, on its own, will provide learners with the educational requirements necessary to be eligible to sit for the CPA examination or other professional licensures. Learners are encouraged to contact their state boards of accountancy for requirements in their state.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Delivery Format: Entirely Online
Educational Level: Master
Language: English

Requirements: Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree (or its foreign equivalent) from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution and an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent from an international institution.

July 26, 2007

Advantages of Accredited Distance Learning

Advantages of Accredited Distance Learning Degree Online by Groshan Fabiola

There is a new type of higher education other than attending a traditional college campus, which is attending accredited online schools. With accredited degree online distance learning, students can accommodate their educational goals while continuing with their daily lives. All sorts of digital, high quality techniques are available for students to complete any kind of curriculum.

Accredited degree online distance learning has come so far that in Sweden an online medicine course was developed that simulates real patients with interactive presentations of clinical cases. Virtual and clean heart dissection directly from a desk at home is possible with distance college degrees. Accredited degree online distance learning is one of the fastest growing segments of the higher education system. There have been distance college degrees for a long time, but what is distinct today is that many are accredited. Accredited online schools are high-quality and well perceived in terms of professional licensing and certification.

Only accredited degree online distance learning allows students to learn at their own pace and engage their mind without being forced to learn in strict settings. In addition, accredited online schools are safe, they can be less expensive, and are just as reliable as traditional schools. In many cases students can save a considerable amount of money by completing distance college degrees.

Accredited distance learning degree online helps students rest easy that their educational goals will be met, so they can start to set some of their own personal goals to coincide with what is needed from school. There are, however, some drawbacks. With accredited distance learning, students don't get as much direct interaction with other people. With teachers lecturing for hours on end in traditional classrooms, though, this can actually be beneficial because students can get the information they need without all the side stories and useless facts.

Attending accredited online schools substitutes face-to-face contact with a collaborative community spirit by requiring sharing activities between students and teachers. Distance college degrees provide constructive criticism, require personal motivation, and include assessment tools with timely feedback. Accredited distance learning also keeps the learning environment flexible. Web pages used by accredited online schools are maintained regularly, so students can get the latest information in their chosen field.

Thanks to accredited distance learning degree online, students learn to give special attention to how their online courses are displayed. Studying for distance college degrees trains students to notice and to memorize important details in the field they are studying.

Degrees issued by accredited online schools will help raise people's salaries and improve their status to future employers. The term "accredited distance learning" means a high quality education that respects students' schedules.

About the Author
For more resources about accredited distance learning or even about accredited distance learning college and even about accredited online courses please review one of these links.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Why Distance Learning and Online Education?

Why Degree Online Distance Learning and Online Education? by Sara R

More and more people are turning to degree online distance learning and online education programs to further their education and meet their career goals. In fact, distance learning has become a more accessible option for many who are looking for continuing education programs or receiving their high school diploma. As a growing number of students are considering distance learning, this form of education has extended beyond individual online courses, and education is offered in the form of online colleges and online universities as well as online high schools (and equivalency).

Who Benefits From Degree Online Distance Learning?

There are many reasons why people choose to further their education via distance learning programs. One of the most common of these reasons is simply that distance learning often provides a less rigid schedule and allows students to work from home; this creates an ideal learning atmosphere for individuals who simply do not have the time necessary to incorporate traditional learning systems into their lives. Distance learning may therefore benefit the following:

people who do not have time to attend classes
those who do not have the means of transportation to travel to campus
individuals who work in addition to studying or want to advance their current careers through education
individuals raising a family
individuals who have disabilities that make it difficult to attend classes
those who have illnesses and cannot travel to campus
individuals who want to earn their education at their own pace
Some of the benefits of online or distance learning include the following:

flexible scheduling
wide selection since online degree programs are now available from hundreds of different schools, and location does not need to be taken into consideration
technological experience through the use of online and distance learning resources
students who have a degree have a competitive edge in the workforce in comparison to those without degreed

How are Degree Online Distance Learning Programs Viewed By Employers?

In the past, online education was not viewed with as much respect by employers and other educational institutions as traditional learning systems were. However, increasing popularity and the growth of degree online distance learning has contributed to new perspectives. Most colleges and universities as well as the majority of employers now accept online degrees. In particular, accredited distance education programs often hold as much merit as traditional degree programs. This is what makes researching an institution's accreditation status so important when considering degree online distance learning or online education.

Accreditation of degree online distance learning programs ensures that a student is receiving a legitimate degree and that an employer is hiring an individual who has completed a legitimate education program. This also ensures that any credits earned through online or distance education may be transferred to other institutions if this need arises.

About the Author
Learn-source.com provides information on a range of educational options for those looking to further their career. If you're looking to improve your job potential, be sure to check out http://www.learn-source.com.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Now You Can Have Distance Learning and Take Your Degree From Home

Now You Can Have Distance Learning Degree Online and Take Your Degree From Home by Nic Haffner

With the hectic schedule of today's world and a seemingly endless list of responsibilities and obligations, many people are turning to distance learning to increase their education level.

There are many institutions that currently offer distance learning degree online courses, and while quality will vary, advancing your education can never hurt. There are several different types of degree online distance learning courses that both traditional and non-traditional students use to fit education into their hectic lifestyle. The purpose of degree online distance learning is to connect instructors and students across a large distance, but the format and scheduling used can have a large impact on the learning experience.

E learning courses are degee online distance learning courses that are conducted online. One of the big advantages of e learning courses is that they are considered to be 'open study' courses. Open study means that you are responsible for getting online and finding the information and readings you need on your own time, instead of having to meet for class at a certain time or place.

Some degree online distance learning courses require students to commute to a classroom on a nearby campus where they will receive instruction and lectures indirectly. The most common format is a classroom with a TV that is either connected to a live feed where the teacher resides, or a recorded lesson is played. Many towns and cities with mid to large colleges, will broadcast certain classes over public access channels so that students can receive lectures and class information from the comfort of their home. One advantage of broadcasting lessons over public access television is that with a VCR or Tivo, you can record the lesson and watch or rewatch the lesson when you have time or if you do not understand a particular point. Having lessons recorded can be a valuable tool when studying for a test since you can watch the actual lecture again or review certain points.

Although distance learning degree online has caught on and is heavily used by non-traditional students who have day jobs and a busy lifestyle, many high schools are taking advantage of distance learning as well. The reason behind this is because the school does not have to hire another teacher, therefore high schools can gain access to extremely skilled and knowledgeable teachers through distance learning courses. It can also allow high schools to offer specialized classes and develop high caliber programs that can delve deeply into a particular field. This is particularly useful for rural school districts that may have difficulty attracting and paying for the best teachers, but with distance learning classes, they can provide their students with instruction from the best available instructors.

Distance learning degree online courses continue to increase in popularity and variety. E learning courses are especially becoming more popular since nearly everyone has internet access and e learning courses allow students to complete assignments at their own pace in the comfort of their own home.

About the Author
Nic Haffner likes to publish good online degree info. You can
go to the website http://www.online-accredited-degrees.net for more.
Source: www.goarticles.com

How Can A Distance Learning Course Help You Meet Your Educational Goals?

How Can A Distance Learning or Degree Online Course Help You Meet Your Educational Goals? by Chonticha Marijne

These days, who's got time to sit in a classroom? Between working hard all day, or night, and other responsibilities, finding the extra time to attend a traditional campus to further education is a dream that may never come true. Because of the Internet however, online learning is becoming the wave of the future, and the future is catching up when it comes to education.

More and more schools and universities around the country and the world are offering online learning courses to students and adults who have long ago put their educational needs on hold. For many, attending a school campus for classroom instruction is just not feasible, or possible. Now, a farmer from China or a home business owner in Oregon or anywhere else in the world can log on and study to their heart's content on the Internet, thanks to the growth of online coursework offerings available today. While some distance learning degree online courses may be simple and consist of one subject, others offer complete course loads for certificates to degree programs. More people today than ever before are earning Master's degrees online, which is convenient for busy work schedules and obligations. Whether you want to take a course in home business management, computers, or medical terminology as a course unit or as part of a larger program, there is an online school out there that will cater to your goals and desires.

When searching for any distance-learning degree online course however, the first thing to do is to make sure that a national recognized accreditation board properly accredits the school you're looking at. Online schools are held to the same standards of quality and course requirements as traditional colleges and universities, so don't worry that your certificate or degree from an online school won't hold water. Did you know that more nurses are able to advance their careers and education through online universities and programs that specialize in medicine? The same is true for those seeking careers in education or other medical careers, and we're not just talking dental assistants.

Distance learning degree online has become the preferred method of attending school for millions of students around the United States as well as the world. As long as enrollment requirements are met and coursework grades can be transferred, students can also attend foreign universities and distance learning programs that they wouldn't otherwise be able to take advantage of, thanks to the World Wide Web. With a computer or a laptop, men and women are now able to access the degree program they've always dreamed of, and the best part of all is that they can do so when it's convenient for them and not the other way around.

There's no longer any reason not to pursue the degree that you've always desired. Student financing and payment methods are available to online students as well as those who attend university programs. If in doubt, call the online school that you're interested in and ask them about student financing, loans and payment methods they offer. Remember, a college education will earn higher wages, bigger promotions and open doors that have otherwise stayed closed for years. Taking distance-learning programs can change all that.

About the Author
Looking for the right distance learning degee online course for you? Find out more at http://DistanceLearningRevealed.com.

Source: www.goarticles.com

July 24, 2007

Bradford University - MBA Degree Online UK

The Bradford MBA Program

Pathways Understanding the need for flexible study programmes, Bradford University offer three pathways through the MBA programme - full-time, executive part-time, distance-learning (MBA degree online program).

Recognising that your personal circumstances can change during the programme, we allow you to move between the pathways

Duration You may take between one and six years to complete the Bradford University MBA.

Ranking Our one-year full-time MBA is ranked among the top 20 in Europe and the top 100 in the world by the Financial Times. Students on our full-time MBA programme, on average, more than double their salary four years on from beginning the programme.
See the UK rankings table

The FT executive part-time MBA table places us among the world's top 50 programmes. We are among the top 20 European business schools on the strength of our executive part-time MBA. Part-time students, on average, enjoy a 81 per cent increase in salary, earning in excess of £55,000 per annum three years after graduation.

Accreditation The UK Treasury has included us on its list of the 50 top business schools in the world. The ranking means that Bradford MBAs from outside the EU enjoy "fast track" status if they apply to work in Britain under the UK Government's highly-skilled migrant programme up to 12 months after graduating.

Now, more than ever, your career success can be determined by where you choose to study. The accreditation of our MBA programmes by EQUIS and AMBA assures you of our international reputation.

MBA Degree Online Program, Distance learning MBA at Bradford University

Target audience People seeking maximum flexibility to combine MBA study with work, home and family life

Entry requirements First degree from an approved university, or an acceptable professional qualification. Usual entry requirement is: UK degree minimum 2:2 (honours); European degree gross percentile average (GPA) of 2.5 out of 4.0 or 6.5 out of 10, or overall average of 70 from 100 per cent.

At least three years' relevant postgraduate work experience

Proficiency in English - a 6.5 score on IELTS test of English, 580 in written TOEFL, 240 in computer-based TOEFL or 94 or better in the internet-based TOEFL are needed from non-native speakers.

GMAT score of 550, if we ask you to take this test

Alternatively, applicants may be invited to take the Bradford Test to assist evaluation of the application.

Related link: Pre-Masters English language course - for international students wishing to improve their English.

Starting date Apply now for September 2007 and January 2008 intakes
Duration 2 to 6 years
Attendance requirements Three-day induction programme that starts the course
Intake 30 a year at Bradford (plus intakes from administrative hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore)
Fees £10,000 paid over three years
Average age 33
Average business experience 10 years
Gender Male 76 per cent
Female 24 per cent
Accreditation EQUIS
AMBA
Financial Times ranking Distance learning MBA programmes are not ranked by the Financial Times.
Our full-time version of this programme is ranked 11th in UK, 19th in EU and 65th in world.
Our part-time version of this programme is ranked top 10 in UK, top 15 in EU and top 50 in world.
It is the only FT-ranked part-time MBA programme in UK north of Warwick

Compulsory modules Induction
Business Economics and Accounting
People in Organisations
Operations Management and Marketing
Strategic Management
Business Research

Personal Development Planning
Management Project
Elective modules Five from a range
Assessment Written examinations and assignments. You may, on payment of an extra fee, arrange to take the examinations at a centre closer to your home.
Employment background of participants Marketing and sales 28 per cent
Public sector 20 per cent
Production and operations 20 per cent
Finance 12 per cent
Human resource management 12 per cent
Engineering 8 per cent

Director of studies Dr Damian Ward
Tel: +44 (0)1274 233194
E-mail D.R.Ward@bradford.ac.uk
Strategic partner RDI is a strategic partner of the University who will answer any questions you may have about distance learning programmes and assist you with the application process. More details are available at www.rdi.co.uk

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Aston University - MBA Degree Online UK

Why Choose the Aston University MBA Degree Online?

Maybe you want an MBA degree online that will put your CV in the 'interview' pile. Maybe you want an MBA that will equip you to start a successful business. Or, maybe you want an MBA degree online that will make you stand out from other managers in the eyes of your employer.

You definitely want an MBA degree online that will repay your investment many times over. The Aston University MBA has a track record of achieving all of these objectives. It marks you out as a well-informed, effective manager, able to analyse and solve complex business problems. Quite simply, it equips you to fulfil your own ambitions.

And, while there are different modes of study through which to achieve the Aston University MBA, you’ll find the content and value is the same whichever you choose.

Aston University MBA degree online programme has been consistently recognised as one of the leading MBA programmes in the world. The MBA is accredited by AMBA, and the school is also accredited by EQUIS and AACSB, one of only a small number of schools worldwide to hold this triple accreditation.

The quality of the Aston MBA degeee online rests on the excellence of our teaching and research, and the very strong links with employers that run through everything that we do. All MBA modules feature corporate connections and an international dimension. The vast majority of academic staff at Aston have many years of experience in industry and are at the cutting edge of research in their particular fields.

In early 2006, we opened a £22 million extension to the business school, offering first class teaching and study facilities for our MBA students. And for a change in scenery, full time students visit and study at a top European Business School for a week, which is included in the cost. In previous years, MBA students have visited New York, Nice, Paris, Barcelona and Leuven. In turn we host MBA students from our International partners. The Aston MBA is a programme for candidates who really mean business and who have the confidence and stamina to make the grade.

MBA by Distance Learning at Aston University (MBA Degree Online Program)

(Available in the UK and the rest of Europe only). Commences January, April & October.

For many years the Aston MBA has been pioneering distance learning. You will be sent DVDs that contain a recording of the actual lecture that was delivered at Aston to the oncampus students, plus PDF files of notes and handouts. It’s like having a seat in the classroom but without the need to leave your home or office. And three times a year you must attend a study weekend here at Aston. Examinations also take place on-campus.

Unlike many other business schools, the degree awarded is the regular Aston MBA, not a special Distance Learning version.

MBA Degree Online Structure and Modules at Aston University

All students study ten Core Modules. In addition, they choose two Elective Modules. Finally, they choose a Project in a field of interest to them.

Many students choose to be awarded a generalist MBA. But by linking your choice of Elective Modules to the subject of your project, you can gain a specialist MBA in your chosen field. You could then be awarded:

MBA e-Business
MBA Finance
MBA International Business
MBA Managing Public Services
MBA Marketing
MBA Organisational Studies - Human Resource Management
MBA Strategic Management

For example, for a MBA Marketing, you would choose Marketing Strategy and International Marketing as your Elective Modules. Alternatively, you may choose any 2 electives and develop a project in any subject to be awarded a general MBA.

Whatever option you choose, in every module you will be drawing upon the world-class research done by our academics, and using it to reflect upon real-world business issues. Every module also has a strong international element.

Professional Exemptions
All modes of the MBA are accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA)

Source: http://www.abs.aston.ac.uk/
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Australia MBA Degree Online

MBA Online in Australia - Overview

A Master of Business Administration program in the online/off-campus mode is the smart way to study for individuals who know how to take advantage of their opportunities, maximise their potential, and effectively balance a range of competing interests in their lives.

The business schools in Australia that have developed off-campus MBA, or MBA degree online, or distance learning MBA programs have done so by working closely with business, industry, and government. Along with this they have consulted with current, past, and prospective students and made sure that they offer a curriculum that is both relevant and useful. Search this guide for an idea about the wide range of online/off-campus MBA degree online programs available and find the ones that match your own particular set of requirements.

Southern Cross University - Graduate College of Management - Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA degree online Program Specialisations: Accounting, Business Analysis, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, International Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Management, Health Services Management, Sport Management, Research Project, Action Research and Evaluation

Central Queensland University - Faculty of Business and Law - Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Specialisations: General Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Information Systems, International; Management Accounting, Marketing Management, Tourism, Public Sector Management, Quality Management, Health Services Management.

University of New England - Graduate School of Business Administration - Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Specialisations: Accounting, Agribusiness management, Association management, Business administration, Business law, Education management, Human resource management, Information technology management, International business, Local government, Marketing, Project management, Public sector management

Murdoch University - Murdoch Business School - Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Specialisations: Aviation management, Business administration, International business: China

University of Newcastle - Faculty of Business and Law - Master of Business Administration Australia

Program Specialisations: Accounting, Finance, Economics, Organisational Behaviour, Information Systems and Marketing.

Deakin University - Faculty of Business and Law, Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Specialisations: Accounting and Finance; Arts and Entertainment Management; Economics; Education; Electronic Commerce; Human Resource Management; International Business; Law; Leadership and Communication; Marketing; Public Management; Strategy and Planning.

University of South Australia - International Graduate School of Management, Master of Business Administration MBA Degree Online Australia.

MBA Degree Online Core Units: action learning and problem solving (equivalent to 3 units), corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, information strategies for management decisions, intergrative case studies (equivalent to 2 units), international marketing, management foundations, people organisations and leadership, strategic concepts, strategic leadership and management

Curtin University of Technology - Curtin Business School, Master of Business Administration MBA Degree Online Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Specialisations: Corporate Administration, eCommerce, Engineering Management, Finance, Futures Studies, Health Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, International Management, Language and Culture, Leadership, Logistics, Management Accounting, Marketing, Mineral Economics, Procurement, Public Relations, Public Sector Management, Research, Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Strategy.

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Southern Cross University - MBA Degree Online Australia

Southern Cross University - Graduate College of Management - Master of Business Administration Australia

MBA Degree Online Program Overview: The MBA program focuses on the development of key attributes and skills of senior and middle managers in public and private sector organisations. The program is designed to build your individual management skills with a focus on the application of knowledge in business organisations.

Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time, Distance, Mixed Mode,
Program Locations: Gold Coast and Distance Education
Fees Australian: AUD$15,000
Fees International: AUD$19,200

Program Specialisations: Accounting, Business Analysis, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, International Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Management, Health Services Management, Sport Management, Research Project, Action Research and Evaluation

Total Units: 5 Core, plus 7 Elective or 3 Elective and 1 four-unit specialisation

MBA Degree Online Core Units: processes of management, accounting and finance for managers, marketing management, management information systems, strategic management in the global context

Elective Units: concepts of entrepreneurship, contemporary trends in the business environment, e-commerce for managers, economics for management, global marketing communications, human resource management, industry based project, international management, leadership in the diverse organisation, legal studies, operations and quality management, organisational behaviour, project organisation and management, quantitative analytic techniques for management, corporation and securities law

Assessment Method: Continuous assessment and final examinations
Entry Requirements: Selection of MBA candidates is not based solely on academic criteria. Applications for admission to the MBA will be considered on their merit.

Applicants for admission to the MBA shall have:
- fulfilled all the requirements for admission to a degree or equivalent qualification at this or another acceptable university or tertiary institution, and evidence of at least one year's relevant professional experience
OR
- have demonstrated academic or professional standing considered by this University to be equivalent to the above,
- English language proficiency,
- any other evidence of aptitude necessary to succeed in the program e.g. references, awards, social or business achievements.

Applicants without an undergraduate degree, who meet the admission criteria, will be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration stage of the MBA program. On successful completion of four units they can then progress to the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and then to the MBA.

Credit Past Study: Advanced standing (i.e. a reduction in the number of units required to be completed for the award) may be granted where a candidate has successfully completed units, which are substantially equivalent in content, standard and duration to units offered in the MBA program provided that these units have not been counted towards a completed tertiary award. Advanced standing may be granted for up to 50 percent of the program to which you are admitted. Applicants seeking advanced standing for previous studies must lodge with the application for admission:
an Application for Advanced Standing Form (available from the University)
OR
a statement outlining the basis of your application for advanced standing for previous studies undertaken.
Detailed course outlines of previous studies and certified copies of transcripts of results must accompany applications for advanced standing.
Commencement Dates: Trimester (usually January; May; September )
Application Deadline: Trimester A close on 30 November of the previous year, Trimester B close on 31 March, Trimester C close on 31 July.

Contact Name: The Manager
Contact Address: Graduate College of Management
Southern Cross University
PO Box 157
Lismore NSW 2480
AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 2 6620 3434
Fax: +61 2 6621 2717
Email : gcmadmin@scu.edu.au
Source: http://www.mbaonline.com.au/programs/scu/

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