MBA GUIDE A Cleveland Jewish News Special Section Online MBA perfect option for working students

BECKY RASPE | SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF REPORTER braspe@cjn.org | @BeckyRaspeCJN

Having a full-time job makes it difficult to return to school for a higher degree.

Frank Braun, dean of the school of business at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, and Ray Henry, director of graduate programs at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, said post-grad students have an option in online MBA programs.

“The online MBA is designed for working professionals who want the flexibility to complete their degree without the time constraints that come with traditional lecture classes,” Henry noted. Braun said online MBA programs offer unique opportunities.

“The environment offers a great networking opportunity,” he mentioned. “Even though you’re online, that opportunity is still there. It’s not really about what you know, but whom you know and that is still available in online MBA courses.”

Both agreed online MBA courses work best for working professionals.

“It’s for those that have work or personal demands, like maybe they can’t commit to being in the classroom at 6 or 7 p.m. every night or they’re traveling,” Braun explained. “But, these students want to feel like they’re part of the learning community. This is about truly engaging and getting a sense of their fellow students and faculty. We believe that an MBA is an educational