Choice Questions

While online universities such as University of Phoenix, Walden University, and Capella University offer the ultimate in flexibility, they often transcend the perceived need for classroom time with high expectations for participation. “You can’t hide in the back of an online classroom,” Linberg warns.

Consider class size and model. “In smaller programs or cohort-based MBA programs, students won’t get lost in the crowd,” Craig says. “They have more personal access to professors, faculty, and staff.” A cohort system (in which students who enter in the same year stay together as a group throughout the degree program) allows for a sense of togetherness and cohesiveness that lends itself to team-building and networking, while students in larger programs or programs without a cohort system might find themselves in the same “class” as students in Paris, London, or China.

4. Is the program accredited?

Accreditation means that the program is certified by an external accrediting agency that sets minimum standards for excellence. Regional accreditation is the most broadly acknowledged standard. Accreditation is especially crucial for online programs, Linberg says, because it ensures that the degree is as valid as any from a traditional university and assures that degree-seekers avoid “diploma mills.” For Minnesota schools, regional accreditation is conferred by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional college and university accrediting agencies in the United States. Schools that are accredited by the association’s Academic Quality Improvement Program submit to an annual review. Internationally accredited programs, such as the Carlson School, belong to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the highest rank of accreditation.

5. What career resources are available?

Linberg suggests that students ask “how will the program support me?” Capella offers what Linberg calls a “life cycle of services,” including enrollment counselors, academic advisors, and professional coaches. Students might ask whether a program offers mentoring opportunities, or provides affinity groups that reflect their lifestyle or background. What kind of relationships does the program have with the local business community, both in support of the program and for recruiting? Both Carlson School of Management and the Augsburg MBA program offer management consultant programs in which students work with a range of businesses from Fortune 500 companies to local nonprofits on marketing, funds management, and operations projects.