How to Choose an MBA Program

By Heather Steel on August 4th, 2009

With the job market showing no signs of recovering in the near future, many businessmen and women of all ages are considering business school as a means of riding out this wave of unemployment. Going back to school to get your MBA can be a great way to jump ahead in your career or to make a career change. If you’re considering going to business school, there are some things you should keep in mind when choosing a program or programs to apply to:

The type of program: while the two-year full-time MBA program has been the norm traditionally, a variety of different programs have popped up in the past decade as a result of applicants needing more flexibility. These include night-time programs, weekend programs, programs for fully-employed students, programs targeting executives, and online programs. Consider which type will best fit with your needs and schedule.
The program’s ranking: sources such as US News and World Report and The Princeton Review rank MBA programs on an annual basis and provide a variety of information that allows potential applicants to compare programs.
The program’s curriculum and degrees: if, for example, you know you’d ideally like to pursue work in Entertainment, you’ll want to look for a program that offers an MBA in Entertainment or at least coursework related to the field. Programs vary in regard to what curriculum and degrees they offer.
Location: since a big benefit to receiving an MBA is the potential to be recruited for a job upon completion of your degree, you should take into account the geography of the program. If you go to business school in Texas, you’ll be more likely to be recruited by prominent corporations in Texas. While some nationwide corporations recruit nationwide, you best bet is to attend business school in a location where you plan on settling down post-school.