Know what set the best apart; identify the best MBA programs in the market.
The best MBA programs in the country are accredited and ranked by a number of independent organizations. One of the oldest, most respected and globally recognized accrediting bodies is AACSB or The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It is a non-profit, membership organization composed of business-related schools, organizations and institutions.
AACSB offers publications, seminars, conferences, webinars, networks, sponsorships and business-development opportunities that are aimed to advance quality management education both online and in-campus. It hopes to someday see business students entering only high-quality universities and the best online MBA programs. Despite its many services to its member-organizations, AACSB is best known for its internationally recognized accreditation of university, graduate, doctorate and online MBA programs.
This means that a graduate from an AACSB-accredited business program is eligible to work anywhere in the United States and around the world. Because of the association’s wide network connections, employers and organizations in many parts around and outside the country recognize the accreditation and could give due advantage. There are other accrediting bodies, but AACSB has the widest reach as of the moment.
Other than the accreditation, there are other factors that make business schools and programs stand out from the rest. These factors include curriculum, faculty and over-all experience. A leading program must provide a curriculum of relevant courses.
Core MBA courses include Business Strategy, Economics, Accounting, Marketing Management, Manufacturing and Production, Sales, Finance, Statistics, IT systems, and Human Resource. Business schools may offer a variation or combination of these core subject areas. Others get creative and offer interesting twists such as Global Economics in the 22nd Century, Doing IT in Asia, White House Accounting, and so on.
In this fast-paced world, curricula must be up to date. A good MBA program keeps up with the changing times. The best ones, however, anticipate the trends and get ahead of the pack before the changes even take place.
Based on surveys, the five best MBA programs in 2010 were those offered by Colombia Business School, Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College), Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Kellogg School of Management. Some of the courses offered in Columbia are Managerial Statistics, Global Economic Environment, Organizational Change, and Financial Planning and Analysis, to name a few. Its faculty members include topnotch industry experts.
Finally, over-all experience in a graduate school also determines the best available programs. Over-all experience includes admin conveniences, reasonable fees and requirements, modern equipments and facilities, student affairs, campus experience, and alumni. Where the alumni are at today is a good indication of a program’s effectiveness and relevance.
The above criteria – accreditation, curricula, faculty and over-all experience – apply to online schools as well. Although online students will not have physical contact with lecturers, professors or faculty, online lessons and reading materials have been prepared and selected by the same faculty that run traditional classrooms. Top online MBA programs also have the best curricula, faculty and success rates.
Businesses are necessary to run a country. The best MBA programs are about educating future business leader who can change the business direction of America. These individuals are not only entrepreneurs but also industry leaders and nation-builders.
