Traditional graduate programs are not a perfect fit for all students. Whether a student moves on to graduate school immediately after undergrad school or pursues additional education to improve in an existing role or find a new job, additional demands in the personal and professional life may make scheduling and attending classes in-person difficult.
Pursuing an online Master’s degree in Business Administration through top-rated Xavier University provides the academic rigor of a classroom experience with fewer set time demands. Instead, classes are flexible, and most assignments and coursework can be completed in a multi-day range. Lectures and study discussions take place in an online portal that provides ongoing interaction with professors and peers at the hours a business student can commit to learning — whether it’s 8 a.m. or 8 p.m.
Online MBA Programs vs. Traditional
The online MBA program at Xavier University is a unique combination of academic rigor and convenience. We recommend each student enrolls in one course per eight-week term. This means two courses may be taken in the traditional 16-week time period. The reduced course time for each class is offset by enrolling in only one course. This allows our students to focus fully on the lessons and material of the class without further academic distraction and find time for business, marketing and management course requirements in an already busy schedule.
An online portal provides access to the classroom materials students need, such as video lectures on corporate management, presentations on business accounting and marketing topics, class project guidelines, exams and discussion questions.
Deadlines are used to keep students on pace and vary based on the decisions of individual professors. However, most deadlines are staggered throughout the school week and specified in advance to allow for adequate planning and routine adjustments.
A traditional MBA with classes held in a physical classroom is not always as structured as an online course. Reading and work may be assigned the day before and expected at the next class.
Students get the opportunity to pick a class time at the launch of a course but are not always able to adjust when they attend to suit work schedule changes or personal needs. For the student continuing education mid-career, the experience is not always easy and may not provide the scheduling help required for successfully obtaining a degree.
The courses offered for the MBA degree program are consistent with new courses added routinely for MBA program electives. Xavier University routinely adjusts elective offerings in the online business school and traditional MBA programs to reflect new business trends in topics such as management and marketing. All business school programs need to respond to a changing landscape, and Xavier is always ready to provide the best experience possible for students as they prepare for new careers or promotions.
Both traditional online MBA programs provide students with a quality educational experience from a top-rated and nationally recognized university. Xavier is committed to incorporating the same Jesuit ideals of academic discipline and commitment to the common good in the online program. The same faculty members teach both physical classes and online.
Difference between Online MBA Programs and Regular MBA
There is not a difference between an online MBA and a regular MBA. Both Xavier University programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provide the same level of academic challenges. Many of the professors on the Xavier University campus also provide instruction in the online programs.
The only difference is the manner in which the program is delivered. An online education allows students to get a MBA while attending classes able to fit around an existing schedule, improving opportunities for success in the program.
Online MBA Programs vs. Full-time MBA
Obtaining a MBA from a top-rated school online or full-time is an excellent investment in future business and management opportunities. Xavier University programs provide all the academic rigor of the classroom environment while providing enhanced access for students unable to attend traditional business schools.
Xavier University requires a minimum of 39 credits and a maximum of 45 credits in graduate programs. The MBA program flexibility arises due to required foundational courses, Foundations of Financial Accounting and Business Statistics. If these prerequisites are met prior to business school, students only need 39 credits. These are spread across accounting, management, marketing and other courses designed to provide a well-rounded and thorough education.
Full-time students typically complete business school MBA programs in two years. Online students may take longer depending on course scheduling and whether a summer semester is utilized.
Campus MBA
Obtaining an MBA on campus is the traditional way of attending graduate school. For some students, the social connections of campus life and the interaction of the classroom environment are necessary for success. Other students are able to embrace attending school online and find themselves able to commit to the required reading and text-based discussions of web-based programs.
Students who prefer a school-based educational experience will find Xavier University is an excellent choice for graduate school. It is also a top option for those who need the flexibility of an online classroom.
Online MBA Programs vs. Part-Time MBA
Traditionally, part-time MBA programs filled the same gaps in graduate school that online MBA programs now address. A part-time MBA program uses night and weekend courses to provide flexibility to graduate students with day-time commitments to careers and families. Fewer courses are typically taken at one time to accommodate the student’s schedule.
With technology advancements, an online program is now best for many students as it provides more scheduling flexibility while reducing other barriers to graduate school attendance, such as commute time. For students already pursuing management positions at work or managing school and career commitments for children and themselves, it may create the only opportunity to attend a program at a best business school and level up in a career or get a deserved promotion.
Traditional graduate programs are not a perfect fit for all students. Whether a student moves on to graduate school immediately after undergrad school or pursues additional education to improve in an existing role or find a new job, additional demands in the personal and professional life may make scheduling and attending classes in-person difficult.
Pursuing an online Master’s degree in Business Administration through top-rated Xavier University provides the academic rigor of a classroom experience with fewer set time demands. Instead, classes are flexible, and most assignments and coursework can be completed in a multi-day range. Lectures and study discussions take place in an online portal that provides ongoing interaction with professors and peers at the hours a business student can commit to learning — whether it’s 8 a.m. or 8 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online MBA respected?
Online MBAs are respected, but students need to focus on picking a “best” school with a challenging and respected business degree program that is offered online. Xavier University is a consistent top 10 university in the Midwest and nationally recognized. Xavier University also boasts a 98% success rate for students moving into the job market or pursuing additional education post-graduation. This is a testament to the quality of a Xavier University education and our many successful students in business and management programs and beyond.
Is an online MBA the same as a regular MBA?
Yes. Xavier University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This means the online MBA program meets or exceeds the required academic standards established for business schools.
Which online MBA program is the best?
When choosing an online MBA program, attending an accredited school helps guarantee the program meets the goals nationally recognized as important. It also allows for the transfer of credit between schools. Transferring credits between the 28 Jesuit Colleges & Universities in the USA is also available for students in all our programs, including the MBA programs. Next, students should search for an academically rigorous school environment with a commitment to students and society. For students without existing business and personal connections, tapping into a robust alumni network post-graduation is best for networking and can help when former students search for a job or get a new career after obtaining a graduate degree.
Do any Ivy League schools offer online MBA programs?
Most Ivy League schools do not offer online MBA programs, but this doesn’t stop students from obtaining an award-winning education at one of the best Midwestern schools that offers business school online. Xavier University is nationally recognized, award-winning and consistently ranked as a top 10 Midwest university.
