A recent survey from GMAC found that two-thirds of employers believe in-person MBA programs build stronger technical skills than online ones. Even more striking, nearly three-quarters of global employers think in-person MBAs are better at teaching leadership and communication skills.
This shows that despite the growing popularity of online MBA programs, many employers still have concerns about their ability to impart critical skills. However, online MBA programs are working to change these perceptions.
They are increasingly offering the kind of hands-on experiences that employers associate with in-person education, ensuring their students gain the same valuable skills as those in traditional MBAs.
When it comes to technical training, employers often associate in-person learning with more practical, hands-on experiences. But online MBA programs are rising to the challenge, finding creative ways to deliver technical education.
Hands-on training in an online course
One way online MBAs are tackling this issue is through virtual simulations and labs. These tools allow students to practice and apply what they’re learning in real-world scenarios.
For example, a student might participate in a simulation where they must manage the finances of a virtual company, making decisions in real-time just as they would in a real job.
These simulations often mirror the technical challenges found in traditional programs, providing students with the chance to put theory into practice in a meaningful way.
“Online MBA programs can build leadership, communication and technical skills just as effectively as a program on campus,” says Shelbi N. Brookshire, assistant dean of MBA admissions for Robert H. Smith School of Business, at the University of Maryland.
At the Smith School, for example, online students can participate in a global studies course, as well as engage in consulting opportunities projects. “Our online students build connections not only with other online MBA students, but also with MBA students from face-to-face programs,” says Brookshire.
She adds: “These collaborative activities are important because employers are looking for skills like leadership, strategic thinking, communication, problem solving and resilience. You will notice that a lot of these skills are soft skills, which can’t be farmed out to bots.”
Another way online MBAs are enhancing technical skills is through partnerships with companies and organizations, with students solving actual problems for real companies, such as via consulting projects.
Matt Hente, MBA program director at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, believes that MBA students can build lasting relationships and professional networking in an online learning environment.
“At UNC, they learn from classmates and their professors in live classes and have group projects, simulations, case competitions and experiential programming like our STAR consulting program,” he says.
Challenges in leadership development
However, one of the most persistent concerns employers have about online education is that it doesn’t provide the same opportunities for leadership development and communication training as in-person programs.
“Because not all online MBA programs provide opportunities to develop skills, prospective students should determine if the schools they are interested in attending offer the skills that are most important to them and the career development,” adds Hente.
Yet, many online MBA programs are finding creative ways to build these critical soft skills by emphasizing teamwork and collaboration. And some programs require students to work together on group projects, case studies and presentations.
The virtual nature of these collaborations is also a strength in itself. As remote work becomes more common, the ability to lead and communicate effectively online is an increasingly important skill.
Online MBAs are helping students develop these abilities by requiring them to work in teams and communicate across digital platforms, much like they will in the modern workplace.
“The same kinds of technology that is used in business, to bring people together who are working in locations around the country – and even the world – are used to stimulate interpersonal experiences,” says Sarah Wanger, executive director of the online MBA program at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
Students also use technology to replicate in-person interactions through the school’s Student Leadership Association. “Many of these groups organize professional development events and community-building opportunities via Teams or Zoom, designed specifically for our population of almost 1,500 online MBA adult learners,” Wanger adds.
Best of both worlds?
Beyond that, many online MBA programs are adopting hybrid models that combine online coursework with in-person experiences.
These hybrid programs offer the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of online learning, paired with the hands-on, in-person experiences that employers often associate with stronger skill development.
So while it may take time for all employers to fully recognize the value of online education, the evidence is clear: Online MBAs are increasingly able to provide students with the same valuable experiences that have long been associated with in-person programs.
As more graduates enter the workforce and demonstrate their abilities, the gap between online and in-person education seems likely to continue to close.
