How to Find the Best Online Business Degree for You
When choosing an online business degree, it’s critical that you don’t sacrifice the quality of your education for the flexibility of learning remotely. But the sheer number of options out there can make it difficult to distinguish one online business program from the next.
To put it bluntly, some institutions are simply more adept at catering to the needs of remote learners than others. Keep reading to learn about some of the top characteristics you should be looking for in a high-quality online business degree program.
6 Things the best online business programs have in common
As you begin to research different schools, it can help to consider the following criteria that many schools offering the top online business degrees share.
1. Affordability
The flexibility of learning online is just one aspect of accessibility when it comes to online business degrees. It’s equally important to find a program that fits within your budget. Online learning tends to be more cost-effective in general, but it’s still worth researching your options to find a college that prioritizes affordability.
You can usually find the tuition information you need right on a school’s website. It’s also helpful to reach out to a financial aid counselor at the institutions that catch your eye. When schools offer grant and scholarship opportunities, for example, the “sticker price” of tuition is rarely what you’ll end up paying. Learning specific details regarding the cost of your target programs and your financial aid eligibility can help you narrow your options.
2. Accreditation
Looking into whether a school is properly accredited can serve as a form of quality assurance when analyzing different online business degree options. Accreditation signifies that the program and/or school has been thoroughly evaluated and has been found to provide an adequate education that meets the standards set by an approved accrediting body.
The importance of earning a degree from an accredited institution does not change when studying online. When it comes to higher education pursuits related to business, you’ll want to look for a school that has received accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
3. Esteemed faculty
When perusing the web pages for the online business programs that pique your interest, you might be most concerned about finding programs with a dynamic curriculum and compelling specialization options. But don’t overlook the importance of a program’s faculty.
You want to be sure you’ll be learning from instructors who are experts in the world of business and have amassed years of real-world experience within their specialty areas. This is important with any degree program, but it can be particularly critical when learning online.
As a remote learner, you’ll get less facetime with your professors in general. For some, this can make it slightly more difficult to grasp complex theories and lessons. Choosing a program with courses facilitated by experienced professionals who bring their wealth of real-world expertise into the online classroom can make a world of difference.
4. Online student resources
While accomplished faculty can have a major impact on the experience of remote learners, you’ll still want to be sure you’re selecting a business program at a school that offers a range of helpful resources for online students. From technical assistance to academic tutoring, your online learning experience will be much smoother if you find a program that has support services in place to help you when challenges arise.
It’s also smart to look for an institution that offers tools to help you with your next steps beyond graduation — you want to feel confident in your ability to plan for your career pursuits after earning your online business degree. Career counseling, job search assistance, and networking opportunities are all benefits to look for.
5. Opportunities for experiential learning
One of the most prominent challenges with online programs is the perceived lack of hands-on learning opportunities. While hands-on instruction might feel more important in fields like nursing or education, it’s also beneficial for business students.
But it can be difficult to know what to look for when it comes to experiential learning within an online business program. Some programs may facilitate connections to impactful internship programs, which can be a great way to put the theories you’re learning into practice. You can also seek out online degrees that include a hands-on practicum component, which would allow you to perform research projects and/or case studies that apply directly to real-world business challenges.
The more you are able to apply what you learn to true-to-life business scenarios, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities to tackle your future career duties once you graduate.
6. Proven student outcomes
Finally, you want to be sure the online business degrees you’re evaluating are effective in preparing students for the types of career goals you have for yourself. In addition to looking into a school’s graduation rate and student learning assessments, you can often find degree-specific information on a program’s web page.
The web pages for the online business programs at Utica University, for example, regularly list examples of career opportunities graduates can go on to pursue after earning each degree, with corresponding job summaries and salary data. Having access to info like this can help you envision how a particular program might help steer the trajectory of your career, and you’ll be better equipped to decide if it’s the right path for you.
Some schools may even facilitate opportunities to speak with program graduates to learn more about their experiences earning their degrees online and how it impacted their career pursuits thereafter.
Reach your career goals with an online business degree
Now that you’ve reviewed the top factors to look for in a high-quality program, you can begin researching different online business degrees with confidence.
Utica University offers a dynamic variety of affordable online business programs taught by accomplished faculty practitioners who are eager to help developing business professionals like you achieve their career goals. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, learners have direct access to instructors for individual support when needed. This is just one of the many reasons the school is considered one of America’s Best Value Colleges.
Learn more about how you could unlock your potential as a business professional at Utica University by browsing our Online Business Programs.
