Although an undergraduate business degree is often enough academic training for entry level job placement, an MBA can afford business professionals many more benefits. Higher degrees often lead to increased salary potential, more respect and responsibility at work through promotions and project leadership, a better office space, more client interaction and responsibility, opportunities for networking, and a chance to work on issues that are more interesting and fulfilling. Going back to school to get a higher degree also affords the opportunity for more upward mobility and lateral mobility, giving students the chance to specialize in a focused area like global management, human resources management, or finance. In addition to offering the opportunity for specialization, MBA programs also train students to think in broader terms, analyzing many different aspects of a business as they relate to each other and affect consumers, the economy, and the overall success of the business. This new skill positions them in the right spot for new jobs as managers and on the track to becoming a top executive.

MBA programs vary by school, and there are many options available to working professionals. Whether you want to take a leave of absence from your job in order to take advantage of a traditional schedule and a week-long campus-based MBA program, or you want to explore other alternatives to full- or part-time study, many of the top MBA schools can meet your needs. Programs that cater to individuals who are also trying to juggle a career while they study may offer evening or weekend classes, or even online MBA programs that follow the same or very similar syllabi as the school’s regular program and award the same degree as students who enroll in campus-based programs. Online study may be interpreted as a fully online experience, part online study and part on-site study, enrollment in an online division of a traditional university, or enrollment in a fully online institution that is not associated with a brick and mortar campus. Depending on the exact program and your decision to enroll full-time or part-time, an online MBA can be completed in 18 months or within the span of a few years. Some online programs require students to complete in-person residencies which could entail one or two trips to the campus but can offer valuable networking opportunities and tangible project and teamwork experience to add to your resume. Other programs may offer or even require students, especially those focusing in global management or global MBA studies, to study abroad or complete a residency abroad. Aside from these few exceptions, online MBAs can be earned completely online, helping busy professionals make the time for class work and allowing those who do not live close to a top business school the chance to attend without moving away from work and family.

Both traditional and online MBA programs follow similar curriculae and the shared belief that MBA graduates should be capable leaders in all facets of business. Besides taking core courses in finance, accounting, management, organizational behavior, systems analysis, information systems and more, online MBA programs allow students to specialize in a certain area like information technology, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources management, marketing, operations management and other concentrations. A student’s focus area can be vital to his or her potential success within a company or as a consultant, as it gives the professional the opportunity to pursue a subject that is interesting and to become a more marketable individual in the business world.

Accredited online MBA programs can be just as helpful to your career as a traditional MBA program. Class discussions and interaction between professors and students is often highly encouraged, leading to great networking benefits as well as study help. A flexible schedule allows you to remain a dedicated asset to your current job while pursuing a promotion or a new career path.

When researching online MBA programs, you will want to ensure that you enroll in a school that is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council if it is a fully online school, and by one of the six regional accrediting agencies if it is an online program linked to a traditional school. Other accreditations to look for include The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). These accreditations ensure that your program has met certain quality standards set forth by these organizations and that the school is a legitimate operation interested in your future success.