Distance education programs are now offered at many major universities across the country. Advertisements on the Internet describe programs that conveniently allow students to complete degrees in a very short amount of time. But how do you decide if those programs are right for you?
A distance education program has to fit how you live and learn. Do you want classes that are scheduled at certain times and places, or do you prefer to balance a list of course assignments against all the other demands of your life? Do you want to learn on your own—mastering content at your own speed—or do you prefer to receive content from a presenting faculty member and engage in interactive discussions with the instructor and your fellow classmates? What will keep you motivated to be successful in your program? Do you need class attendance to keep you on task?
The Distance MBA Program at Ball State University
The spectrum of “convenient” MBA options ranges from independent study—wherein students master the content entirely on their own—to evening or weekend executive MBA programs which often require students to travel to and from campus, sacrificing precious family and personal time. Hybrid programs, which consist of both online and on-campus requirements, face the same barriers.
Ball State University's program blends the best of face-to-face programs with the convenience of Web-based delivery. Students learn from live instructors in real time from anywhere.
The Live, Interactive MBA through Distance Education
Looking for the best that distance education has to offer? Look no further than the Ball State University MBA program. This program is offered via live, interactive, Internet-based video streaming. While many distance MBA programs use text-based Internet courses, few are live and interactive. Ball State leverages its reputation as Intel Corporation's “Most Wired Campus” in the country by extending distance education opportunities that blend live faculty and student interaction with the convenience of the Internet as a delivery system. Ball State students can live, work, and learn virtually anywhere, accessing classes via their Web browser. Students see and hear everything in the on-campus classroom, communicating with other students via live, on-screen chat. A microphone is used to “call” into the campus classroom and add to the discussion or pose questions directly to the faculty. All class sessions are recorded so students can usually review class material as they prepare for projects and exams.
To support the live learning experience, a learning management system called Blackboard is a “one-stop shop” for course announcements, lecture notes, discussion boards, and grade tracking. Blackboard also provides a place to securely upload assignments, so there's no need to worry about papers getting lost in the mail or accidentally deleted through e-mail.
Request more information about Ball State's distance MBA program, and get started on the path to your new career today!
Ball State University's Miller College of Business, located in Muncie, Indiana, is accredited by AACSB-International, the premiere accrediting body for business schools around the world. Only 15 percent of all business schools have earned AACSB accreditation.
