Why Online MBA has yet to gain popularity?

Online MBAs offer great opportunity to learn about management and its application in various businesses across industries and job functions. Unfortunately, there are several things that are lacking that discourages competent applicants from joining the program.

a) Reputation among Recruiters

The number #1 reason why online MBAs have yet to catch up with Full-time and Part-Time MBAs is because of its reputation among recruiters. Although an Online MBA is convenient and with the right technology creates a collaborative learning experience, recruiters don’t look at the program purely from a curriculum point of view. Recruiters still value the learning experience through face-to-face interactions more than virtual learning environment.

b) Peer to Peer Learning

Online collaboration software creates the experiences that are integral part of peer-to-peer learning but a virtual environment has its limitations. What you communicate and share online is different from the discussions that you have over a cup of coffee, in a classroom debate, and during case analysis.

c) Reputation of Universities

Most universities that offer online MBAs have no experience in offering reputed full-time or part-time MBA programs. This hinders competent applicants from choosing the program, and attracts a less than impressive group of students. It impacts the learning experience of the class.

d) ROI

Although the programs cost 1/4th of the full-time MBA program, there are no conclusive data to prove that the return on investment for these programs is comparable to Full-time, Part-Time or Executive-MBA programs.

Unless top universities start offering Online MBA programs, the widespread adoption of this mode of education is a distant dream. For students who are not worried about ROI and just want to learn about various management concepts and its application in Businesses, an online MBA program is an economical program for them.