More and more people are choosing to go back to school to study business, but with so many options available, it can be hard to know which one to choose.
A Harvard MBA is one of the most prestigious degrees in the world, and its online option allows you to continue working full-time while earning your degree from some of the most esteemed professors in the country. Here’s why this particular program might be right for you.
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A History of The Program
The Harvard University Extension School was first founded in 1910 as an extension of undergraduate offerings at Harvard College.
It opened as part of The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Building, which still stands on Mass Ave today.
Eventually, it split off and became a school in its own right and has since expanded to offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs—including professional ones.
The university was one of the first schools to create distance learning options, so when you’re looking at some of their current courses online, don’t be surprised if they’ve been around a while.
What Makes an Online MBA Different From a Traditional Campus-Based Program?
An online MBA isn’t just a scaled-down version of its campus-based counterpart. Although coursework, program length and graduation requirements are generally similar, an online degree program can have its own set of benefits.
If you’re thinking about earning your master’s in business administration, these are five things you should know before choosing between an online or on-campus program.
- An online program can offer more flexibility and accessibility than a campus-based degree. Because you’re taking classes online, you don’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts, being in one place at a specific time, or making trips to campus. Instead, online classes allow you to work on your coursework at your own pace and on your own schedule.
- An online degree can save you money on tuition. Instead of paying thousands of dollars to attend an expensive university, many universities and colleges offer their students a variety of resources and discounted tuition rates if they enroll in a virtual program. For example, students taking classes through DeVry University’s online platform pay $4,000 per six-month term, which is about $6,000 less than in-person programs at their campus locations.
Getting Started in Your Study Abroad Experience
When you’re finally in your study abroad location, getting to know people from other places and learning about a new culture can be exciting.
With that excitement comes new challenges, including how to balance your schedule with studying and how to adjust to living in a new country.
Everyone has different learning styles—some students thrive when they have all of their courses in one place and some do better by scheduling courses differently. Talk with your professors and learn what options they offer so you can make an informed decision.
For example, some universities offer online classes that allow you to watch videos at a time convenient for you while others may only allow certain courses outside of their campus.
Pursuing an Advanced Degree While Working
Advance your career while keeping things flexible. If you have a job, going back to school isn’t easy—but it doesn’t have to mean choosing between your current responsibilities and moving forward.
With an online degree program, you can earn a graduate degree without taking time off work or relocating.
Best of all, an online business administration degree from Harvard Business School allows you to tailor your coursework to align with your specific interests and goals.
Postgraduate Employment
Some online programs require students to hold full-time jobs, while others do not. Typically, you’ll need at least 20 hours a week dedicated to your studies in order to complete your classes on time and with a high level of quality.
If you’re working more than that, you may want to consider an online MBA program that does not require any classroom time (Harvard’s degree isn’t like that).
If you already have an undergraduate degree and don’t feel up to dedicating yourself completely full-time, try a part-time program instead.
Also, remember—this is business school! Make sure your employer will be supportive of your application process so they can help by allowing flexibility in how many hours per week you work or how much time off you take throughout your class.
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