Online MBA Today is sitting down with Elizabeth Rozell, the Associate Dean and Director of the MBA Program for the College of Business at Missouri State University, to help answer some of these important questions about their online MBA program. As the largest public college of business in the Midwest, Missouri State University graduates are highly trained and prepared for their profession. Located in Springfield, Missouri, their 33-credit hour, AACSB accredited program offers a Graduate Certificate in Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Financial Analysis, Forensic Accounting, International Business, Leadership, Management, Marketing and Tax Accounting. This allows students many options for specific focus in their studies. This top-notch online MBA is ranked #5 in our Top 50 Best Value Online MBA Programs and one of the most affordable programs available.

Online MBA Today: What are some key differences between an online MBA and a residential MBA that prospective students should be aware of?

Elizabeth Rozell: Students should be aware that online programs can differ significantly from residential programs. Students should investigate about the amount of interaction students are afforded in online programs. The Missouri State online MBA program is the same regardless of modality. That is, the same faculty and curriculum is used in our face-to-face program and online modality. Students should also look at the accreditation of online programs (ours is accredited by AACSB—the premier accrediting agency for business programs).

Online MBA Today: What do you think are some advantages of an online MBA program versus a residential program?

Elizabeth Rozell: Online programs offer significant flexibility compared to residential programs. This is especially important to working professionals.

Online MBA Today: What makes your program unique among online MBAs?

Elizabeth Rozell: The Missouri State online MBA program is the same regardless of modality. That is, the same faculty and curriculum is used in our face-to-face program and online modality.

Online MBA Today: What do you look for in successful applicants to your program?

Elizabeth Rozell: We look for work experience, academic success, and strong GMAT scores.

Online MBA Today: What has been the experience of your graduates in the job market?

Elizabeth Rozell: Our graduates have been highly successful in the job market. Several of our graduates work for Fortune 500 companies as well as small and medium size firms.

BIG TAKE AWAYS

Flexibility – The ability for this program to be offered online allows students to have a high level of flexibility in their schedules, work options, and availability to pursue this degree. It is extremely important for some students to be able to work full time while pursuing an MBA degree. Also, circumstances in life change where people need to take care of family members, travel, move from state to state, and many other unforeseen situations and all this can happen while acquiring an MBA as an online student here at Missouri State University. This program also offers the same faculty and curriculum to both the online student and the residential student. This helps ensure the same level of teaching and content no matter the modality of the student.

Accreditation – To have an AACSB accreditation shows the extraordinary value of this program. This accreditation is known worldwide as the longest standing, most recognized form of specialized and professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn. This accreditation helps students trust that Missouri State’s Online MBA program will fully prepare them for job success.

Knowledgeable Peers – As a high level, highly valued program, it is important to Missouri State University to see certain attributes and achievements in the students they accept into this online MBA program. A student should have academic success which portrays that the student is a hard worker, can persevere to accomplish a goal, and cares about their education. A student should also have some work experience which portrays that they have some knowledge of the business professional world and could be successful in it. This is important, not only to a business school, but also the peers in an online MBA. So much learning is done in dialog with peers in online discussion forums and working on group projects. In some online programs, there is actually more interaction and dialog with peers than with the instructor. Thus, a high level of knowledgeable peers greatly elevates the overall learning and processing in an online MBA program.