Redlands Business & Society Blog

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How to Choose the Right Online MBA Program

With hundreds of online MBA programs out there, choosing the right one can be confusing. If you are considering earning your MBA to advance your career, you’ll need a checklist to help you choose the right program as you consider the value of the degree against the cost.

Choosing a program from a highly regarded school like the University of Redlands will increase that value manifold. Redlands’ graduate and professional education offerings have featured a top Southern California business school for more than 40 years. Washington Monthly ranks the University in the top 10% of the “best master’s universities for contributing to the public good,” and U.S. News & World Report places Redlands at #11 among “best regional universities in the West.” An online MBA degree from Redlands will prepare you with 21st century business skills, connect you with thousands of high-achieving alumni, and give you an edge over your competition in the business world. Here are the four Cs to consider when choosing an online MBA program:

Curriculum

Look into the program’s curriculum to see if it aligns with your career goals. Career-focused courses will aid in growing your aptitude for managerial decision-making. In the University of Redlands Online MBA program, students gain an in-depth knowledge of management, organizational behavior, marketing, finance, and investment portfolio analysis.

Curriculum should also align with emerging industry needs, such as spatial business. For example, the global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) market, also known as Location Analytics, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%  through 2023. University of Redlands’ online MBA offers a concentration in Location Analytics that equips students with the skills needed to unlock the potential of spatial data. The program is part of the University’s Spatial Business Initiative with Esri, the leading GIS company, also based in Redlands, California. This unique partnership gives Redlands students unparalleled access to industry insights, plus networking opportunities that no other online MBA program in the world can offer.

Also look for a program that offers an interdisciplinary capstone course that provides an immersive experience to help you make complex business decisions with ease.

Career Outcomes

The right choice is a school that focuses on teaching students the business fundamentals for an ever-changing, digital world. In addition to functional business knowledge, essential areas of learning include analyzing problems from different perspectives to offer practical solutions, making ethical business decisions, effective communication, and purposeful leadership. This holistic approach to business education creates a workforce that is ready to take on the challenges of the global business world.

The University of Redlands has been ranked in the top 7% of four-year colleges for “alumni earnings above expectation” by The Economist. The online MBA program with the three concentrations focuses on building business savvy and real-world problem-solving skills. Redlands has also been ranked in the top 15% of “best universities for salary potential” by Payscale.com.

Connections

A school that has a strong alumni network adds value to the online MBA experience. Your student experience should not only enable you to interact with fellow students, but also with a larger network of professionals with whom you can connect for future career opportunities. University of Redlands offers a thriving learning community including accomplished, connected faculty and alumni to help students reach their individual academic and career goals.

Convenience and Support

Online MBA programs offer an opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge in business as you continue to work. University of Redlands Online provides a robust student support system and convenient format that leads to high student success rates amongst working professionals. Multiple start dates, credit and course transfer options, a 100% online format, and 24/7 accessibility allow students to complete the program at their own pace within their busy schedules.

Redlands not only makes a high-quality business education accessible, but also provides each student with a dedicated Student Success Advisor who is there to assist from initial enrollment through graduation. This individualized support within an active learning community offers an interactive, collaborative, and enriching experience for students.

A degree from a long-established, respected institution like University of Redlands is a definite value addition to your resume. As a top Southern California business school, Redlands has 1,500 students across seven campuses throughout California and online.

Sources:

https://www.topmba.com/blog/mba-jobs-blog/where-are-most-high-paying-mba-jobs-2018

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/geographic-information-system.asp