7 tips to choose a good distance MBA college

If you are opting for distance MBA course and college, you should make sure that the institute you choose meets these seven criteria.

Choosing a professional course is a Herculean task, for it’s one of the most important decisions of one’s life. It can make you or break you. Okay, if not break then certainly make a dent in your career.

And when it comes to a distance learning course, the task becomes two times bigger its size. Since distance learning has still not been able to make an entry into the mainstream, those who opt for it have to keep a lot of things in mind.

In this article, we tell you a few things that are ‘a must’ while choosing a distance learning college for MBA.

Affiliation and Recognition

If you are opting for a distance learning college for MBA, you should make sure that the institute you choose is recognised by Distance Education Council, New Delhi, for its diploma courses. In case the institute offers a degree, you must ensure that the college, through which it provides a degree, is recognised by the University Grant Commission.

Placements

In today’s time, an MBA degree is of no use unless it is backed by immediate placement. In case of distance learning, it is even more important because those who opt for distance learning MBA in India are either financially weak or students with gap years. In today’s world of cut-throat competition, no one can afford to wait. Therefore, when you are surveying about distance learning MBA colleges, you must check with every institute’s placement cell, its record of placement over the years, the companies and other details. If possible, try to talk to ex-students about the same.

Duration of the course and classes

Next thing on your ‘to ask’ list should be, what is the duration of the course and what are the class arrangements like? A distance learning MBA programme must offer weekend and evening classes because a large number of working professionals opt for distance learning courses. Extra classes, doubt clearing sessions and other such assistance should also be kept in mind. It should also have flexibility vis-à-vis on-site attendance and meetings.

Faculty 

A teacher is the one who shapes the future of the student. Hence the faculty is the most important aspect to be kept in mind when choosing a distance learning MBA college. Three things that you must check are: (a) If the faculty is flexible i.e. if are teachers available to solve the student’s queries before or after the class. (b) If teachers share extra study material with the students and help students prepare study material. (c) How often can you meet the teachers? Is it possible to have the lecturer’s assistance with test exercises and while preparing for the exam? And (d) Will your queries be solved in time or will you have to wait for the next class?

Semester Exams

There are high chances that if you are looking for a distance learning course, ‘flexibility’ is at the top of your list. And it applies not only to the classes and the faculty but also to the examinations. A desirable distance learning institute should be flexible in conducting exams. It should have provision for online exams along with on-site exams. If the institute allows the examination to be held over a period of time and not only on a particular day, then that’s an added advantage as many students may not be able to take the exam on the same day. This kind of flexible arrangement allows the students to appear for the exam as per their convenience and preparation.

Number of students in the class

Since the time duration of distance learning courses is less than the regular courses, it is important to know the strength of the class. It would give you an idea as to how much personal attention can the teachers give to each student.

Read: Top Online MBA Courses in India

Virtual classes/Infrastructure

In today’s world, it is mandatory that the distance learning institute provides virtual classes. Virtual classes help students from different regions and different walks of life to unite at a common forum to study together and share ideas. Moreover, since a distance learning course is still not considered at par with a regular course, the student must make queries about whether the course and study material is in sync with the latest curriculum. Their course curriculum must have all those topics and elements that a regular college/university offers. Online library, study material, test papers, seminars and workshops are other important aspects one should keep in mind while choosing a distance learning course.

Fee structure

The distance learning courses are usually affordable, but what makes the difference is flexibility in payment. For instance, payment in installments, facility to pay the fees online etc.

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