In today’s world, both traditional and online classes are offered by virtually every university, and the popularity of home-based learning continues to grow. With so many options available, choosing the right online MBA program can be challenging. You’ll have to evaluate the pros and cons of an on-site versus virtual learning environment before making a choice that will affect your future. Let’s look at the various factors you should consider before committing to an online MBA program, including the advantages and disadvantages of each type of learning environment. 

On-site Versus Virtual Learning

While it’s always best to learn in person, remote learning is a proven method of teaching and a growing field. Thanks to tools like Skype and Hangouts, instructors can engage with students via live video calls or online chats, and allow them to ask questions and get clarification on class concepts whenever needed.

These interactive learning tools make a particularly useful addition to an online MBA curriculum, and give students the opportunity to ask questions about the class material as it is presented. Even better, because you’re not in a classroom with a bunch of strangers, you can be sure that you’ll get high-quality assistance if you need it.

On-site learning has several advantages, not the least of which is that it allows you to take the course at your own pace. If you miss a class, you can always log back in and catch up. If you need to take a sick day or holiday, there’s no need to worry about missing a lecture. You can just catch up on the work later.

In addition, on-site learning allows you to stay in touch with faculty and staff, who you might otherwise meet only once every two years. It also means you’ll get the most out of your course material, because you’re interacting with your instructor and fellow students, as well as getting access to other learning resources like library and tech labs.

On the other hand, virtual learning has a few distinct advantages, the foremost among which is convenience. Being able to take a course anywhere in the world is incredibly appealing, especially if you’re traveling for work. In addition, with a virtual classroom environment, you don’t have to worry about finding a place to study or living in an area where there aren’t any good universities. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a computer or a mobile device.

The biggest disadvantage of a virtual learning environment is arguably flexibility. If you’re unable to take an online course due to work obligations or personal reasons, you’re out of luck. In addition, there’s no way to ensure that you’ll have adequate equipment (Internet connection, computer, etc.) in the same way there’s no way to ensure you’ll have a stable WiFi connection at home or in a coffee shop. This means you’ll need to factor in additional costs for a computer (around $500 for a new MacBook Pro to take just one online course), internet access (around $100/month), and software (for example, Adobe Creative Cloud Stores are $5/month).

Why an Online MBA Marketing Degree?

If you’re looking to better yourself via an online MBA degree (or just want to learn more about marketing), you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover the various aspects of an online marketing degree in more detail below.

Traditional MBA Vs. Online MBA

Whether you’ve decided to pursue an online MBA program or a traditional one, you’ll need to make a choice regarding which degree to pursue. As you may imagine, there are several options available, and it might be worthwhile to research the differences between a traditional MBA and an online MBA degree.

Traditional MBA degrees focus on providing you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a world-class marketer. With a traditional MBA, you will study the theory behind marketing, learn how to plan marketing strategy, and conduct market research. In addition, you’ll get the chance to put all of this theory to practice by developing marketing plans for specific businesses or organizations. 

On the other hand, an online MBA degree is exactly what it sounds like: marketing theory and practice via the internet. An online MBA does not require you to attend class or buy a book; rather, you will learn through a combination of classroom instruction, group projects, and individual assignments (which you’ll complete using relevant materials and tools).

The biggest difference between these two types of degrees is the amount of practical experience you’ll get. While it’s important to learn the theory behind marketing, you must also realize that your practical knowledge will be much more important in the real world.

Advantages Of An Online MBA

Thanks to the internet and the various platforms designed for educational purposes, virtual learning has revolutionized the way we get educated. If you’re looking for a platform that provides the best of both worlds (the convenience of online learning and the experience of being in a classroom with real people), an online MBA is the perfect choice. 

For starters, because you won’t have to worry about finding a place to study or a mode of transportation, you’ll have more time to focus on your studies, which is important because online learning is usually more efficient. In addition, with an online MBA, you can take the course at a time that works best for you. While some universities offer hybrid options where you attend part of the class online, you can take as much or as little practical experience as you need via web conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet. 

Another advantage of an online MBA is the level of interaction with professors and other students. Thanks to modern technology, an online classroom can feel a bit like a real-life, interactive classroom, which means you’ll be able to get as much support as you need, when you need it.

One of the biggest advantages of an online MBA is the flexibility it provides. If you’re looking for a change in your career path, or want to better yourself via an online degree, you can do so much more now with an online MBA than you could have done a few years ago. Thanks to advances in technology and the rise of the gig economy, more and more people are able to work remotely and pursue an online education. This is exactly what Travis Hodges did to get his master’s degree in business administration. Between working remotely for a marketing firm and spending time with his family, Hodges was able to complete his MBA online through Strayer University. He now works remotely for a marketing firm, where he manages search engine optimization, web development, and social media campaigns. 

Another plus of an online MBA is how easily you can get a degree. Thanks to the growing field of online masters, applying for a degree has never been easier. Because so many universities have made their courses available, you can study for an MBA in just a few hours each week, between work and family duties. 

One of the biggest advantages of educational resources like Coursera and edX is how open they are to the general public. While most universities only offer space to those who can pay the room rate, Coursera lets anyone access their massive database of lectures and assignments, as long as you have a wired connection. As a result, more and more people are gaining access to higher education, allowing them to pursue their masters and MBA online.

Disadvantages Of An Online MBA

As we discussed above, the biggest difference between a traditional MBA and an online MBA is the practical experience gained by the student. While traditional MBA degrees provide you with the necessary theoretical knowledge to become a marketer, the primary goal of an online MBA is to give the student the practical experience. Just because a degree is online doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. It just means that you won’t get as much one-on-one instruction as you would in a classroom setting.