| In a tight job market, job seekers need to find ways of | | | | accredited, but U.S. News and World Report rated |
| making themselves attractive to employers. And in this | | | | them in the same category as the Ivy League schools: |
| jobless economic recovery where more and | | | | in the top-tier. So as you can see, students who |
| more jobs are being shipped overseas (many call | | | | choose an online education instead of going on |
| center and IT jobs may be lost to India forever), an | | | | campus do not have to sacrifice quality of education |
| advanced degree offers some protection against | | | | for convenience. |
| being outsourced. | | | | But perhaps the greatest advantage of earning a |
| By earning an MBA degree, candidates can | | | | degree online is the fact that classes are open 24 |
| demonstrate: their willingness to learn, their | | | | hours a day, so even the busiest person can make |
| entrepreneurial drive, and their commitment to a career | | | | time to learn. |
| in business qualities that most employers are eager | | | | My biggest regret about my participation in the |
| to find. And holders of an MBA gain skills that can help | | | | Regis University Online MBA program is that I did not |
| them launch a new business enterprise or move | | | | enroll sooner, says Chuck Jaape of Florida. Why |
| several rungs up the corporate ladder. | | | | did I wait? I was too busy to go to school. Did my load |
| An MBA degree offers monetary benefits, as well. | | | | suddenly lighten, allowing time for studies? Absolutely |
| According to a 2003 survey by Salary.com, those with | | | | not! It simply occurred to me that I would always be |
| a professional degree earn an average of $81,000 a | | | | too busy,’ so I jumped in. I work 55 hours a |
| year, compared with $43,000 for those who have only | | | | week, have two small children and a wife who works. I |
| a bachelor’s degree. BusinessWeek’s | | | | found the program to be manageable because I could |
| 2004 survey of 30 MBA programs turned up similar | | | | go to class anytime, day or night. I found the program |
| figures. Starting salariesfor graduates ranged from | | | | to have more depth, because my fellow learners were |
| $74,000 at the low end to $100,000 at the high end, for | | | | all as committed as I was. |
| an average of $84,031. | | | | Most online programs typically offer MBA degrees in |
| But despite the many benefits that earning an MBA | | | | two years. At Regis University, students can take the |
| can bring increased job security, a higher salary, | | | | 12 course program one class at a time and still finish in |
| better business skills, prestige and better job | | | | the standard 24 months. Or the driven student may |
| qualifications some potential students have been | | | | look for an accelerated program, like Regis’ |
| reluctant to enroll in traditional B-schools. The Graduate | | | | MBA Fast Track taking their first four courses one |
| Management Admissions Council found that 78 | | | | at a time, then doubling up on their classes to earn the |
| percent of business schools suffered a drop in | | | | degree in only 16 months. |
| applications to their traditional full-time programs for the | | | | Online students should expect to receive just as much |
| 2003-2004 school year. Tuition has been rising across | | | | support as their on-campus counterparts, if not more. |
| the board, and adult students are finding it difficult to | | | | At Regis University, they have a full virtual-campus |
| take on additional debt while at the same time giving | | | | — including multi-media courses featuring |
| up their full-time jobs. They may also have family | | | | streaming video, access to Regis University’s |
| obligations or other commitments that would make it | | | | Dayton Memorial Library, and a dedicated academic |
| difficult for them to enroll in a full-time, two-year | | | | advisor. And if any technical problems should arise, |
| program, especially if they would have to relocate to | | | | Regis University’s partner, University Alliance, is |
| do so. That is why online MBA programs have been | | | | on hand to offer technical support. And if that |
| increasing in popularity. | | | | weren’t enough, after graduation students can |
| For many prospective students, online interactive | | | | join the alumni association and make networking |
| programs are an enticing option. Students learn at their | | | | connections that could help them find their next job. |
| own pace, so they can continue to earn income from | | | | Keep in mind that all universities do not offer all these |
| a full-time job and maintain a family life while taking | | | | benefits — so make sure you ask plenty of |
| classes when it’s convenient for them. They | | | | questions. |
| don’t have to travel to campus or arrange for | | | | MBA holders make more money and move up the |
| childcare. They can even receive financial aid, just as | | | | career ladder faster. And programs like Regis |
| they would with a traditional program. With online MBA | | | | University’s online MBA have taken away all |
| programs students receive all of the benefits of | | | | the obstacles to earning that advanced degree. So |
| traditional instruction, with none of the drawbacks. | | | | there are no more excuses — you can learn at |
| Case in point: Regis University’s online MBA | | | | your own pace; on your own time. And in the case of |
| programs. | | | | Regis University, you have all the resources of a |
| Regis University is a traditional, ground based school | | | | traditional campus to back you up. There’s |
| that offers four MBA degree programs 100 percent | | | | nothing stopping you now. |
| online. And not only is Regis University regionally | | | | |