Everybody knows that getting any college degree can drastically increase your earning potential. Someone who has an MBA can earn substantially more than someone with just an undergraduate degree. However, there are plenty of people out there who think that only traditional Brick and Mortar education programs are worthwhile. The fact is, there are quite a few myths concerning getting an online education, especially about a degree as prestigious as a Masters in Business Administration. With that being said, I am here to debunk 12 of those myths about online MBA degrees.

1. An online degree isn’t as respected as a traditional degree – The next time someone tells you this, you ought to laugh in their face. Online MBA degrees are very respected by many businesses around the world. Just because you didn’t physically attend class doesn’t mean you didn’t attend class. Online degrees cannot be obtained without doing coursework and studying. Most online institutions are fully accredited and recognized as legitimate. This logic also loses weight when one considers that there are schools, which offer both on-campus, and online degrees. The degree would hold the same weight regardless of where it was earned. Contrary to popular belief, many traditional schools are embracing the online atmosphere. Some even have MBA blogs now.

2. Online MBA schools are all scams – This is another one of the outrageous claims detractors will try to cite as fact. This myth is believed by many because of people’s inherent distrust of many things on the internet. While it is true you need to be careful to see if the school is accredited, what others say about it, etc. It is not true that any online schooling is a scam. If a school was handing out bogus degrees, and no graduates were getting jobs, they wouldn’t be in business very long. You should always research the school before enrolling, but don’t let horror stories keep you from pursuing all options.

3. Professors who teach online classes are not as educated as professors in traditional settings – This myth loses weight right at the start. Many professors who teach online classes ALSO teach in traditional classroom settings. Online professors have just as much education as professors in brick and mortar institutions. You will find that they know just as much about their subjects as any other specialized professor. Some may wonder why a professor would choose to teach online. The answer is simple. Some professors may like being able to conduct classes from home. Others may like being able to teach a class when they have a semester off in a traditional university.

4. You won’t learn as much in an online setting – That’s like saying you won’t be as interested in the Superbowl with your home team in it if you aren’t actually there. The game will still be exciting, and you’ll still want your team to win. Online classes and universities make every effort to make learning engaging for students. While you miss out on actually being in the room with the professor, many classes offer video feeds so you can watch the professor talk (if you are a more visual learner). Depending on the program, there may be a wide variety of exercises designed to generate discussion and thought.

5. Online degrees cost more than traditional degrees – I’m not quite sure how this myth got started, as it goes against a huge benefit of online education. Online degrees are typically much cheaper than a traditional degree. This is great for persons who may have had misgivings about pursuing an MBA because of the financial implications (not everyone is fortunate enough to have their company pay for their MBA). Also, you won’t have to worry about living close to campus. This will make your college housing decisions much easier.

6. Companies won’t pay for an online MBA – Every company is different, but it’s a myth to say that a company won’t reimburse you if you’re getting your education online. One of my friends recently obtained his MBA online, and it was paid for by his company. If you think about the benefits, it makes perfect sense that a company would be willing to pay. An online education gives you the flexibility to still be able to work almost full time, while also learning new things that increases your usefulness to the company. Also, with online degrees often being substantially cheaper than a traditional degree, it makes perfect sense for them to be open to the idea.

7. You won’t be able to interact with your peers in an online setting – This is just another unfounded myth propelled by people who have never taken an online class. Most online classes make extra efforts to be interactive because of the absence of a physical presence. Many MBA degree programs online offer chat rooms, message boards, and other means for students to ask questions and exchange ideas. Much of business is about effective communication, and this can be accomplished in online settings.

8. Tests are easier online – While to some this may seem like a myth that shouldn’t be debunked, alas, I must. While tests can be perceived as easier because you can have greater access to certain materials, many classes may limit this, or off-set it by having more opinion-based essay tests and the like. Online programs may also lock you into a timed test which can limit your ability to look things up.

9. Online classes are unreliable because of internet and electricity issues – While technology can sometimes let people down, it would be a rare event indeed if it resulted in issues for an online class. One of the benefits online MBA programs offer is flexibility. If you have a power outage, you may not have a specific class time, so you can easily log-on later, or at the very least find another computer to use, or place to go.

10. You cannot specialize as much with an online MBA – Quite contrary to what some people might say, you can certainly specialize in a wide variety of areas with an online MBA. In many cases, the variety of degree focus is much higher in online institutions. If you are interested in a particular area of business, and do not want just a generic degree, then getting your education online is a good idea.

11. There will never be any hands-on experiences if you get your degree online – While there are some programs that will be entirely online, a large amount of MBA online programs require at least a bit of on-site learning. Some programs require students to do presentations or projects in a traditional classroom setting as part of their final grade. Others have on-site requirements in order to graduate. Whatever the case may be, there are many opportunities available for real, hands-on, experience, even if it’s an online class.

12. If you get an online MBA, you won’t be as successful as someone who got an MBA from a highly ranked university – Success is something all people strive for, and so it seems natural that someone wanting you to not take an online class would cite a lack of success. The truth is, that getting an MBA in and of itself is a success. Whether it’s done online or in the classroom makes no difference. People can be just as successful with educations that aren’t ranked in the US News and World report as people who are at ranked schools.

Too many people listen to negative opinions rather than taking the time to research things for themselves. If you decide to pursue an online MBA degree, chances are, you’ll hear at least one of these myths. If that happens, you can debunk it right in front of the person who said it. An Online MBA Degree is a great, practical decision that many people can make. No matter where you go, getting an MBA is a great choice and can drastically increase your earning potential and help your career.
 

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