What You Should Expect In
AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM Things to consider as you explore options for earning a master’s of business administration online.
A Guide From Clarkson University’s Reh School of Business
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
Chapter title
Contents Introduction 03 Things to Look For 1 The Academics 04 2 The Delivery 05 3 The Faculty 06 4 The Community 07 5 The Support 08 6 The Experience 09
The Checklist 10 The Clarkson Online MBAs
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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
Chapter title
Introduction Technology is changing the way we do business. It’s also changing how business leaders approach their education. Online education isn’t new. Many colleges and universities have been doing it, and doing it well, for a long time. However, many institutions have responded to the pandemic by hastily bringing their own campus-based programs online. The result is a selection of online offerings that vary greatly in academic quality and student experience. Earning a master’s of business administration is a big investment in yourself and your future—and your personal ROI hinges on choosing the right program for YOU. If you’re looking to pursue your MBA online, you have more options than ever before. We developed this guide to help you ask the right questions, uncover the right details, and, ultimately, make the most informed decision you can. Inside, we’ll cover six major topics you should consider when looking for in an online MBA program:
The Academics What you will learn and why The Delivery How you will learn it and put it into practice The Faculty Who you will learn from The Community Who you will learn with (and from!) The Support How you’ll get help along the way The Experience What you’ll encounter We’ll also explore factors such as affordability, accreditation, and the overall student experience. No matter where your MBA journey leads you, we wish you the best of luck in your career.
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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Academics
1. The Academics A modern MBA program goes beyond the books.
You should expect an up-to-date curriculum.
You should gain practical skills.
Technology is rapidly advancing — and it’s changing the way businesses operate and communicate. MBA programs should still have a strong foundation in the fundamentals, but they must also offer modernized core and elective courses, concentration areas, and experiential learning opportunities that reflect the world of today and tomorrow. As you scan course requirements for online MBA programs, look for classes that align with the needs of today’s organizations.
Along with specialized knowledge in key business areas, you should leave an online MBA program with strong communication, writing and analytical skills. Your coursework should provide plenty of opportunities to put learning into action, such as through case studies or simulated patient/client communication.
You should expect a personalized experience. While MBA programs require core courses, consider how you can customize the curriculum to meet your career interests. For example, do the programs you’re considering offer concentrations, additional certificates, or even specialized MBAs in in-demand areas such as healthcare management or supply chain management?
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You should expect more than a degree. Carl Strang, a professor at Clarkson University, likes to say that business school is more than earning a degree you can hang on the wall; it’s about developing a demeanor and a set of attitudes. “We want our students to be investigating the future of the businesses that they serve and to be collaborators, not just in the classroom but in their work.”
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Delivery
2. The Delivery Innovation in online education is not about shiny features of a learning management system. You should expect more than recorded lectures. Online learning should be way more than “watch a video” and “post a reply.” Whether synchronous or asynchronous, there are many ways your instructors can present material, create assignments, promote discussion, provide feedback and assess performance.
You should expect authentic learning experiences. There’s no reason an online MBA program can’t offer hands-on, real-world experiences comparable to the ones you’d find in on-campus classes. Practical application matters, so be sure to ask for concrete examples of how faculty members bring learning to life.
You should expect an enriching, engaging learning environment. An online experience, especially at the graduate level, shouldn’t be an isolated one. Rather, it should be engaging and filled with opportunities for meaningful interaction with your peers, your instructors, and with the course content itself.
You should look for a school with a dedicated instructional design team. Instructional design combines technology with the art and science of teaching. Browse your school-of-interest’s website to see if there are instructional designers on its IT team. Better yet, is the institution a member of an online learning standard-setting organization like Quality Matters?
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CASE STUDY
Online Learning In Action John DeJoy, an accounting professor at Clarkson University, leads many real-world learning activities in his online classes. Among them is a role-playing assignment where students craft a not-so-pleasant email to a client who misunderstood an accounting concept. “Managers sometimes have to deliver bad news. That is a skill, that is an art. And I want them to practice that in my class; it’s a safe environment, I can’t fire them or cost them their bonus,” he said. “We’re creating leaders and managers here, and they need strong communication skills.”
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Faculty
3. The Faculty Teaching in an online MBA program takes more than business acumen and subject matter expertise. Your faculty members should be experts in their field.
You should expect faculty to be available and responsive.
An MBA program’s faculty typically comprises full-time professors and part-time instructors, which brings a diverse mix of academic expertise and industry experience to the classroom. It’s obvious that you should consider the scholarly work, professional achievements and career backgrounds of your future teachers and mentors; however, if you’re looking at schools with on-campus and online programs, it’s critical to ask if the same faculty teaches across formats. An online faculty fully divorced from its in-person counterpart is a possible sign a university isn’t fully committed to its online program. Dr. John Huppertz, professor in Clarkson’s Healthcare MBA, explains, “Whether I teach the course online or in physical class, it’s the same content but a different delivery system. Online, we designed it to be online.”
Many professors in on-campus programs tout that their door is always open for students. Faculty members in online programs can adopt that same student-centered sentiment with “virtual” office hours, providing multiple methods of contact (email, mobile phone, etc.), and, in general, responding to 1:1 questions and discussion board comments in a timely manner.
You should expect your faculty to be skilled at online instruction. MBA faculty members are expected to have deep knowledge in a specific area of study, from accounting and finance to organizational behavior. Pedagogy — the art and science of teaching — is just as important as business acumen and subject matter expertise. What’s more is that online teaching requires a whole other set of skills and best practices; consider how a school supports its online faculty, such as technical training and professional development opportunities.
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CASE STUDY
Online Learning In Action When you’re not seeing your students live and in person, it might not be as clear if learners are connecting with the material. That’s why Carl Strang, a professor at Clarkson University, uses synchronous class time to dive deeper into the weekly online discussions. His IT course also features an in-depth research project that allows students to use evolving technology to solve a real-world business challenge at their current place of employment. He says, “You will have the opportunity to meet and present your ideas to leaders within your own organization, which also gives you the chance to present yourself as someone capable of leadership.”
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Community
4. The Community An online MBA community can be just as vibrant as its campus counterparts. You should look for a diverse learning environment. An online MBA program can bring together professionals at all levels in their careers, from various industries, of different generations and with a range of cultural and economic backgrounds. This only enriches the educational experience as you share with and learn from each other. Ask about the typical class profile to get an idea of the diversity of the learning environment.
You should look for a strong alumni network. Your MBA program could potentially help you build and maintain a lifelong network. Consider how the size and reach of an institution’s entire alumni network can help you make connections, find opportunities, grow your business and even present ways for you to give back to the community.
You should expect a sense of community and a feeling of belonging. An online MBA program should provide ways for you to build relationships outside of the classroom, such as student forums and special online events. Also, consider how you might benefit from an institution with brick and mortar roots, even if you never set foot on campus. Perhaps it has a footprint in a city with a large business community. Maybe it brings top-notch speakers to campus for lectures and conferences that you can attend live or via streaming platforms.
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CASE STUDY
Online Learning In Action Attending an online MBA program doesn’t mean you can’t be part of a brick and mortar campus community. Martha Codio and Aaron Walters — a couple, classmates and coowners of Codio’s Bagels in Albany, New York — took full advantage of The Cube, a student business incubator located inside Clarkson University’s Shipley Center for Innovation. This hub for student entrepreneurs provided resources and guidance as they launched their bagel business.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Support
5. The Support You should feel supported academically, socially and professionally. You should expect access to the same support as on-campus students. As you participate in classes, complete assignments and navigate the online learning environment, you’re bound to need some support every now and then. And you should be able to find it. Here are just a few of the tools and resources you should have as an online student:
• • • • •
Online library and research assistance Course advisement Tech support Career planning Writing center
Your support resources should go beyond academics. As a working professional, you’re juggling a lot of responsibilities. A solid online MBA program will understand the pressures you might encounter as you work toward your degree. Be sure to ask your potential schools if online graduate students have access to health and wellness programs, such as 24/7 mental health counseling.
The program faculty should receive support from IT. Students aren’t the only ones in an MBA program who should have readily available support. It’s critical for instructors to be competent with the technology they’re using to teach. Consider if and how a school trains its faculty on the technical aspects of a learning management system as well as best practices in online teaching. Clarkson University
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CASE STUDY
Online Learning In Action For Erin Blauvelt, an instructional designer at Clarkson University, innovation in online learning is not about flashy technology; it’s helping faculty discover what technology can present as an opportunity. She says of her course design team, “We’ve formed relationships with faculty members that trust us and come to us with any little question or issue, whether it’s ‘I don’t know how to do this, or ‘I’d like to do this but I don’t know how to get there.’”
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Experience
The 6. The Academics Experience Today’s online MBA students are seeking a flexible, efficient and authentic student experience.
You should expect a level of flexibility in your schedule.
You should look for opportunities to engage with classmates in and out of the classroom.
Earning an MBA online is flexible and convenient by design, but could it get even more flexible? Consider how you might be able to customize your schedule further by choosing to attend part-time or full-time — or how you can control your own timeline by adjusting and readjusting the number of credits you take each term, on a termby-term basis.
Aside from group projects and in-class discussions, consider the other ways you can connect with your peers. As you explore programs, ask about graduate student organizations and active online communities, such as Linkedin, Facebook, Discord or other social media communities.
You should expect opportunities to engage with alumni and industry leaders.
You should expect high-quality student services Many people say that one of the best parts of an MBA exand support. You’re bound to have questions before, during and after you start an MBA program. It can be frustrating to get the run-around. One indicator of a truly student-centered graduate program is a “one-stop shop” for assistance with enrollment, financial aid, registration, transcripts and related needs. Centralized services — a team of crosstrained, highly knowledgeable staff members — means better and more efficient help whenever you need it. Clarkson University
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perience is connecting with other professionals. A quality online program should capture those same opportunities for students. Ask how these engagement opportunities present themselves, from “visits” to individual courses to program-wide opportunities.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Checklist
The Checklist Here’s a quick recap of what to consider, along with sample questions to ask, as you explore online MBAs:
The Academics
The Delivery
The Faculty
Does the curriculum align with the needs of today’s business world?
Is the online learning platform easy to access and navigate?
Are faculty members experts in their fields or leaders in their profession?
Will you get authentic learning experiences?
Is course content engaging and delivered in multiple formats?
Are they experts in online instruction?
The Community
The Support
The Experience
Who are your classmates and what can you learn from them?
Do you have access to the same academic resources and services as on-campus students?
Are there ways to tailor the program to fit your career interests?
How do you engage with industry leaders throughout the program?
Is there strong IT support for students AND faculty members?
How does the overall student experience fit your expectations — and into your everyday life?
YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER:
Affordability, Accreditation & Accolades Does the school offer scholarships, state/federal student aid or flexible payment plans? Is the program nationally accredited? Is it recognized on rankings lists?
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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Checklist
How Clarkson University’s Online MBA programs check all the boxes:
Academics
Our innovative online MBAs are built on the strength of a nationally ranked research university. Our curriculum is relevant, rigorous, hands-on, and globally focused. In addition to industry-focused concentrations, we offer a specialized MBA in healthcare management.
Delivery
The accessible, engaging online courses in Clarkson’s MBA programs are driven by expert faculty members and powered by an accredited instructional design team.
Faculty
Full-time and adjunct faculty members at the Reh School of Business are outstanding educators, seasoned entrepreneurs, and active in the business and academic community.
Support
All students — on-campus or online, undergraduate or graduate — have access to our library, career services, academic assistance, health and wellness resources, and much more.
Community
Our online MBA students are CEOs, entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives, healthcare managers, and business leaders in a range of industries. Our global university alumni network is 38k strong.
Experience
Clarkson’s flexible programs were ranked #3 for classroom experience among online MBA programs worldwide. And opportunities abound, from career fairs to networking events.
Affordability
Scholarships aren’t always the norm in online degree programs, but Clarkson offers several merit-based awards which cover between 15 to 75% of tuition. (Also, our active alumni network has invested in future students by creating generous donor-funded scholarships.)
Accreditation
Clarkson’s career-launching MBA programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); our healthcare MBA is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education CAHME, only one of 10 programs in the United States with both AACSB and CAHME.
All of these factors come together to create an unparalleled academic experience at Clarkson University.
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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
The Clarkson Online MBA
The Clarkson Online MBAs Clarkson University has a long-standing tradition of setting the bar in online business education. Flexible. Efficient. Accessible. For decades, Clarkson University has embraced the idea of educating students from afar, whether across town from our Capital Region campus or across the globe. Creating quality online programs takes more than implementing a solid learning management system. Heavily invested in the success of our online offerings, we’ve added instructional design expertise to our IT team and continually provide professional development opportunities for our faculty. A shining example of how IT and instructors collaborate to bring enriching, student-centered course material to life can be found in the David D. Reh School of Business at Clarkson University with its nationally ranked online MBA programs.
#3
Online MBA classroom experience QS Global Ranking
Best
Business Schools U.S. News & World Report
Top 50
Global Online MBA Program
Top 10
Online MBA in the U.S. Northeast
QS Global Ranking
Fortune Magazine
A Career-Launching MBA Program Clarkson University was an early adopter of online education — and we have an even longer history of preparing business leaders for successful careers and fulfilling lives. 1 in 5 of our alumni is a CEO, president, owner or senior executive of a company
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PayScale Inc. ranks Clarkson in the top 12 of best master’s degree programs for salary potential
Top 50 Best Value School, U.S. News & World Report (2022)
The Clarkson Online MBA program allowed me to develop pertinent business skills and meaningful connections with other students. – Samuel Kaplan ’22
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Time to Pursue Your MBA? Talk to Clarkson. Our graduate admissions team is here to help you determine if one of Clarkson’s online MBA programs fits your personal needs and professional goals. Here’s how to get in touch: Call Us 315-268-6613
Email Us busgrad@clarkson.edu
Attend an Info Session www.clarkson.edu/rehevents
In the meantime, you can learn more about all of our business programs at www.clarkson.edu/business