MBA
Courses Checklist
Every individual will have their
own personal circumstances and requirements, but
as an initial guide, this simple checklist of
points to consider may assist when embarking on
choosing institutions and MBA courses:
Is
the institution accredited by a national or international
body?
In the case of UK schools, the relevant
body is the Association of MBAs (AMBA). The American
Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
is the US accrediting body. Also, what is the
research rating and teaching quality of the MBA?
Many countries have independent assessments of
research and teaching quality. In England, the
latter is assessed by the Higher Education Funding
Council for England (HEFCE).
How many full-time faculty does
the institution employ, and is it large enough
to sustain a varied programme?
How many teaching hours does
the programme include?
UK MBA courses for example can range
from 28 to 42 taught weeks, so make sure you are
getting value for money.
What is the size of the course?
Bear in mind that larger courses
have the potential of bringing you into contact
with more people and therefore extending your
network.
What is the learning environment
- is it competitive or collaborative? Is teaching
and learning technology incorporated into the
programme?
Some courses, for example, offer
group software such as Lotus Notes for study support.
What is the cost of the programme?
You will also need to look beyond
the course itself to consider if it really will
enhance your career prospects. Find out what the
reputation of the MBA is with recruiters. Do multi-national
companies and consultancies recruit at the institution?
How extensive is the network
of alumni or past students, and do they actively
support the programme?
This is just a sample of questions
that you need to answer. Some of the information
you will require can be found in guides to MBAs
and business schools. For detail on individual
institutions, consult their course brochures.
These can be supplied by using our Free
MBA Information Service. At the same
time, you should also talk to friends and colleagues
who have completed an MBA for their impressions.
Once you have arrived at a shortlist
of schools, if at all possible you should visit
them. This may not be necessary if you are considering
a distance learning programme, however, if you
are going to spend a significant amount of time
at the place of study you need to see what it
is like for yourself. Schools will be more than
happy to see you and you will be able to ask all
your questions direct. Ask to sit in on a lecture
and see the dynamics of the class for yourself.
Then at the end of the day, ask yourself if were
you stimulated and excited by what you saw.
Remember, an MBA is more than
a brand name - it is an experience of a lifetime
- so choose wisely, and good luck!
Author: Martyn Jones, Cranfield School
of Management U.K
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