Why did you choose to enroll at University of Phoenix to earn your online master of business administration degree?

I chose to enroll at University of Phoenix to earn my online MBA because I needed a flexible program to accommodate my work schedule as the owner of an events marketing company. I was actually introduced to University of Phoenix by a friend who had nothing but good things to say about it.

I decided to obtain my master of business administration degree because I wanted to further my career in the business field. I have been working in corporate America for over 15 years and wanted to be eligible for higher level positions.

What are the benefits of earning an MBA degree online?

The main benefit of earning an MBA degree online is the convenience. Instead of attending class at specific times at an on-campus school, I can work toward my degree on my own time. I love the fact that an online program fits into my schedule.

What are some drawbacks to earning an MBA degree online?

The main drawback to earning an MBA degree online is the time commitment. It can be difficult finding time to focus on school, especially as a working professional. I often work 12- or 13-hour shifts, so my time is limited. Plus, I am exhausted by the end of the day, so I tend to feel a little overwhelmed by the writing-intensive program requirements.

How can prospective students be sure that an online MBA program is legitimate?

To make sure an online MBA program is legitimate, I would recommend that students do plenty of research. I explored different online programs on the Internet and spoke to academic counselors to get more information. I also spoke with my friend who had attended an online school, and I trust her opinion.

What do you learn in an online MBA program?

In my online MBA program, I have taken classes in human resources, integrated marketing communications, public relations, calculus and corporate finance. My calculus class was particularly difficult to complete online because of all the symbols I had to work with while completing my assignments on the computer.

How is the curriculum in your online MBA program at University of Phoenix presented?

The curriculum in my online MBA program at University of Phoenix is presented through online documents and discussion boards. It is actually quite similar to an on-campus school, except students reference an online syllabus and submit their projects and papers to instructors online. In order to gauge class participation, each week students are required to log in 4 times and submit 2 substantive posts.

What kinds of computer skills are necessary to succeed in an online MBA program?

To succeed in an online MBA program, students need to have intermediate computer skills.

What are the credentials of your faculty?

Based on the bios they post at the beginning of the class, my instructors have diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Most instructors have their masters degrees or PhDs as well as hands-on experience working in various fields. As a result, instructors have an insider’s perspective on the field and can provide students with helpful information and examples. My instructors are great resources if I want to gain insight about a particular career path.

Can you describe your interaction with your professors?

I interact with my instructors using an online forum that allows students to post questions and receive feedback from the instructors. In my experience, instructors respond quickly to my questions.

How are you funding your MBA program?

My MBA program costs about $40,000 total. I believe each class costs about $4,200, and I need to take 15 to 18 classes to graduate.

I am funding my MBA program through student loans. I worked with University of Phoenix to fill out all of the necessary paperwork, such as the FAFSA, which is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The loan process was challenging because it took quite a bit of time for my paperwork to go through.

Do you feel like you are getting your money’s worth?

Yes, I do feel like I am getting my money’s worth. My program has provided me with skills to help me build my business. I have acquired information and tools that I can apply to the real world. My MBA program also encourages students to think outside the box and draw upon personal and professional experience in order to formulate ideas.

Do you think that employers value an online MBA degree as much as an MBA from a brick-and-mortar school?

Yes, I think that employers value an online MBA degree as much as an MBA from a brick-and-mortar school. If anything, I would say it is more difficult to obtain a degree online. In my experience, employers are very receptive to and interested in my online education.

Does an online MBA program allow you to network?

Yes, my online MBA program allows me to network. University of Phoenix provides students with chat rooms, smart applications and other tools to help students network. Personally, I haven’t done any networking.

What are your career goals?

I would like to continue to grow my event marketing company and hopefully turn it into a franchise someday. As an entrepreneur, I am interested in investing in products like clothing, cosmetics and perfume. I would also love to get involved with the entertainment and hospitality industries.

What advice can you offer students who are trying to decide if an online MBA program is right for them?

I would advise students who are trying to decide if an online MBA program is right for them to make sure that they are dedicated. In many ways, it is more difficult to obtain a degree online than from a brick-and-mortar school. Students have to be motivated to complete the writing-intensive assignments and log in to the online classroom regularly.