Best North Carolina MBA Schools and Programs

Look at Student Information
Student information can help identify the strengths and weaknesses of a program. Students may be able to get clues about the program and decide whether it matches their goals. You can do this by looking at surveys of student satisfaction. The surveys do not predict the student’s experience, but they can point to areas that lead to questions and answers. Many students have a preference for the atmosphere in which they study. Some schools have an intense and competitive environment, other schools promote teamwork and offer supportive environments. Reading surveys can expose these differing classroom styles.

One can research the time needed for completing the degree. The schools post the minimum and maximum time for completing a degree. They also provide the typical time estimated for completion, and the average time is a useful guideline when considering the resources needed. The graduation rate is always helpful and interesting. The level of indebtedness at graduation is another revealing piece of information.

Setting Goals
The MBA should not stand alone in the scope of your plans; rather, the degree should be part of a larger question. When considering the online MBA, many successful students assess their long-term goals. For example, some question where their careers may be in ten years. The MBA should be part of the answer. Some students have specific purposes, such as a promotion or other advancement, in an existing career path. Other students may have a goal of entering a different profession and that MBA will provide access to the new occupation.

Students must invest time and resources into the degree. For the time needed to complete the degree, the MBA will occupy a central place in the student’s daily life patterns.

Financing the MBA
North Carolina schools can consider online students for financial aid as they do other students. Most schools offer need-based financial assistance as well as merit-based assistance for high achievers. Online MBA students typically cannot get Graduate assistant positions or work-study types of aid because they do not attend on campus.

Online students have an advantage however, in their ability to continue working while in school. Their connection to an employer can open an avenue for financial assistance. Many employers recognize the value of an accredited MBA; the degree adds value to their workforce. To promote educational attainment, many employers provide tuition and expense reimbursement programs that pay for all or part of tuition, fees, and expenses. Some employee assistance programs require a commitment to remain with the employer after graduation. The search for employment-related financial assistance should include business associations to which the employer belongs, and local business and civic groups that offer aid for local students.

The MBA School Community
Many schools have large and active groups of alumni. They sometimes have businesses and associations in their school community that support the MBA program as a source of talent. The school community is a potential asset that students should consider when selecting an MBA program.

The alumni can be an excellent source of information before entering the program, and they can provide valuable contacts and referrals after graduation. During the course of study, alumni can be helpful sources for internships and hands-on experience.