MBA Without an Undergraduate Degree? Yes, it's Possible!

M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) is a tough and expensive graduate degree that usually requires an undergraduate diploma as a prerequisite.

But, believe it or not, there are still a few M.B.A. programs around the country which accept business experience as a substitute for college degree.

1) Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business in Dallas, Texas. Marci Armstrong, the associate dean for graduate programs, has described the graduate students without undergraduate diplomas as follows: “I find that these students become very loyal and active alumni. Their executive M.B.A. credential may mean more to them than it does to other students because they don't have an undergraduate degree.” (Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2007)

2) University of North Carolina and Georgia State University are among the other big universities that do accept highly-motivated M.B.A. students with business experience who do not have a formal college education. David Forquer, the head of Georgia State's executive M.B.A. program had nothing but high praise for such students: “They almost always turn out to be wonderfully engaged students.” In 1998, the top M.B.A. graduate at Georgia State was a non-degree student.

There are also those executive education classes and management certificate programs available for non-degree students that provide quality executive training without, however, awarding an M.B.A. degree. Indiana University's Kelley School of Business is one such school.

CalTech's Industrial Relations Center also do have a good “Executive Education Program” that you might want to check out.

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a senior writer and web content consultant with 20 years of experience.

Subscribe to his FREE "Weekly Success Update" newsletter today at http://www.writer111.com

P.S. FREE BONUS "Writing and Marketing Tips" for new subscribers.

Get the Girls, Fortune and Fame With an MBA

These days business is all about being informed and getting ahead. And there are few, if any, methods better at providing the potential manager or entrepreneur with these tools for success than an MBA degree. An MBA (or Master of Business Administration) degree is a Master's degree which actually attracts various people from a wide range of disciplines and schools. Emerging as a result of the 19th century's search for a more scientific approach to management, the MBA has become very popular worldwide.

There are five basic types of MBA programs recognized around the world:

Two Year MBA Programs: These programs usually last for a total of two academic years of 18 months, in the Northern Hemisphere. Students enter with some reasonable working experience and take weekday classes much like ordinary students do.

Accelerated MBA Programs: These are more intense variations of the two-year program. They also have a more demanding course load with shorter vacations, and between semesters there may be a ten day vacation rather than a three to five week one.

Part Time MBA: Part Time MBAs are usually held on weekends or on weekday evenings, after working hours. These kinds of programs last for three years or more. The students of this kind of course are usually working professionals who take lighter course loads for a longer period of time.

Executive MBA: This is the program catered for the interests of managers and executives, which allow students to get their MBA in two years or less while working full time. Participants usually come from a wide variety of fields, from profit, nonprofit and government organizations. EMBA students usually have more working experience when compared to the average MBA student.

Distance Learning MBA Programs: These kinds of MBA classes hold their classes off-campus. These courses can be taken via postal mail or email, video live teleconference or video conference, and online/offline computer courses. Many respectable schools offer courses and degrees of this nature but it would be best to be wary of diploma mills.

There are some MBA degrees that are combined with other degrees like the MS or JD degrees to let students cut costs and specialize in their preferred fields. Having an MBA degree could be your key to success and business enlightenment!

MBA Program Types

So you have made decision to pursue MBA which is one of the most Recognized and Prestigious Degree in the business world. It is a professional degree for those who want to make a career in Business and Management world. It gives you Practical and theoretical knowledge about business principles. It prepares you for Business world and equips you with skills that can be applied when you are in Business World.

After making decision of pursuing Master in Business Management, you have to make an important decision about which type of Program you want to pursue. You need to choose the Program which suits your needs and circumstances. There are several types of Programs to choose from. All of them fall into These Categories:

Full Time - Full Time MBA is one of the most prestigious type of Management Program. It is best for fresh college graduates. Those who are not well-settled in their career or those who are looking for career-change, can do Full Time . If you want to pursue Full-Time basis, then you have to leave your day job.

Part-Time - Part Time MBA is especially designed for working professional. With Part Time you can continue your job as well as study. Part Time classes are usually held in the evening or weekend so that you don't face any problem with your job.

Distance MBA - A Type of Programe that can be completed at the comfort of your home. This is designed for remote students. In Distance learning, Students study in part time while continuing maintaining their career.

Executive MBA - As its name suggest, it is a type of MBA specially designed for executives of company who wants to enhance their Management and Business Skills. With EMBA, they can get Business Administration degree without any interruption in job and personal province and can anticipate themselves for career advancement.

Online MBA - With Online study, you need not to go any classroom. You can get your Degree Online with a very little disruption to your professional life.

Dual Degree - With Dual Degree you can Pair your degree Program with another graduate program e.g. law, engineering, technology etc.

Choose the Program that best suits your needs. Also make sure to get MBA Degree from Best Colleges to gain an edge over others.

Visit MBA Colleges in India to help you Find Best MBA Colleges in India.

Online Executive MBA Program

Executives Online - The MBA Advantage

Executive MBA online programs, or eMBA's, are graduate degree programs made available to executive students via the Internet. These programs are designed for business professionals such as attorneys, scientists, bankers, and engineers whose companies are willing to invest in their futures, by funding their graduate business degree. Business professionals are selected based on their superior level of work and their years of managerial experience. Executive students get the opportunity to network electronically with each other and exchange ideas, as well as develop advanced business skills for dealing with executives in the global business arena.

One would think that the recent fluctuation in the current economy would have caused a decline in executive MBA program applications, but surprisingly that is not the case. While some companies may have pulled the drawstrings on their financial purses, many executives and business professionals have opted to finance their MBA degrees either out of pocket, or by seeking alternative financial aid. Since the summer of 2007, applications to such programs have risen by 25 percent. One reason for this may be that as economic times worsen, business professionals may feel the need to secure their position in the corporate work place, by gaining leverage with a graduate degree.

There are countless schools that offer Executive MBA online degrees, some of which are the University of Maryland, Pennsylvania State University's World Campus, New York Pace University's Lubin School of Business, Tennessee American Graduate School of Management, and Colorado Tech Online Executive MBA Program.

While traditional MBA degrees cost tens of thousands of dollars, online programs cost significantly less, and are usually offered on a per-course basis. Courses average around $500. each, and must be prepaid before course work can begin. Some universities charge an online delivery fee, in addition to tuition and registration fees. The application process is different from school to school, as well. Some schools, such as Marylhurst University, do not require GMAT scores, while others not only require GMAT scores, but a written recommendation from your company's administrator, along with transcripts and proof of financing.

Executive MBA online programs run an average of 18 to 24 months, and require approximately 30 hours of course study to complete a degree. Lessons are offered via the Internet, and audio/video conferencing from established sites, such as corporate conference rooms, are also sometimes available for working executives. Course work is based on actual workplace situations, requiring the executive student to immediately apply what they have learned. Students make use of electronic blackboards, email, and university chat rooms, as well as participate in one on one conferences with industry experts.

The advantages of possessing an Executive MBA far outweigh the time and effort required for completion. A starting salary of $100,000 or more for someone possessing an Executive MBA is fairly average, and for someone whose continued education is sponsored by their company, the advancement potential is even higher. Nationally, graduates have reported a 21 percent salary increase after completing their programs, and more than half of graduates nation-wide experience a promotional increase in work place responsibilities. The ultimate advantage, however, is an increase in self worth and personal equity that remains with them forever. You can learn more at Online MBA Degree Reviews and get started on your path.

Be the Boss of Your Own Life - The Elite Executive MBA Program

If you want to be at the absolute top of your game when it comes to the fields of management, entrepreneurship, marketing, communication, finance, human resources, or corporate strategy, you definitely need to get an MBA degree. But if there are any among these special individuals who really stand out and can be considered the cream of the crop, they are most probably those enrolled in a special program called the Executive MBA or EMBA. This program is catered to the educational needs of managers and executives, and hence is more rigorous and only accepts candidates of exceptional quality. The candidates of the EMBA usually have about 10 years more experience than the typical MBA candidate.

Top Universities in Singapore - NUS and NTU

Undoubtedly the top ranked universities in Singapore are NUS and NTU!

National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked 33 in the Times Higher Education Supplement's World University Rankings 2007.

According to the Financial Times (FT) 2006 EMBA ranking of the Top 85 EMBA programs, NUS Business School rises in rankings for Executive MBA programs to be among world's Top 29.
NUS Business School did extremely well in two of the sub-categories - it came out Top 5 for the categories of 'International Attendees', and 'Top Salaries in IT/ Telecommunications'.

According to the THES 2006 World Ranking in the field of technology, NUS Faculty of Engineering ranked 8th in the World's top 100 in Technology

According to the Newsweek Ranking of Global University, NUS is ranked 36th in the top 100 universities.

Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is the world's top 20 technological university!

According to the Times Higher Education Supplement's World University Rankings 2007, NTU is ranked 69 in the world.

The university has 2 campuses in Singapore: NTU at one-north campus and the Yunnan Garden campus. NTU at one-north campus is located next to Biopolis, the Singapore biomedical research hub. NTU has strong reputation overseas, linkages with world famous universities such as University of Washington, Stanford University, MIT, Cambridge, to name a few.

It offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Accountancy, Business, Communication Studies, Engineering, Science and Arts.

The university is recognized globally for its excellence in science and engineering. The College of Engineering is one of the world largest engineering colleges, with 6 engineering schools offering a variety of programs and specializations to meet the needs of many students.

It is also home to the National Institute of Education (NIE), which is the only teacher training institute in Singapore. NIE provides educational services to countries such as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is the first Singapore professional art school offering courses in art, design and media.

Nanyang Business School (NBS) offers one of the world top 100 MBA programs. According to the Financial Times survey (published in Jan 2007), its MBA program is ranked Number 1 in Singapore and Number 2 in Asia.

For more information on the latest university rankings (Australia, Canada, UK, USA and the world), please visit the Good University Ranking Guide and World Ranking Guide

The author holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University (UK) and a BCom degree from The University of Adelaide (Australia).

Top Online MBA Programs Focusing on Leadership

The Master's in Business Administration degree, or MBA, has been around for years, but evolved as management styles and business structures have changed over time. Today, top online MBA programs focus less on theories of management and more on proper leadership skills. The trend began in the late 1990's and continues to gain momentum as more and more companies acknowledge that the way in which senior management and executives interact with their employees is crucial to getting the results they need.

The days of brutal, backstabbing competition and ruthless management like in the movie "The Bonfire of the Vanities" is gone. Many of today's multi-national corporations are focusing on a kinder, gently approach to management and conducting business. In response to today's increased interest in individual leadership as an essential component of good management, some of the top online MBA programs available are revising their curriculum to focus on individual leadership skills and personal growth as well as management theory and practice.

These progressive online MBA programs offer a great deal more than textbook learning and case studies. Real world scenarios, hands-on application of skills and collaboration with business leaders in a variety of industries are all central to the new breed of MBA's. They teach students that the basis for successful team management is self-awareness and attention to the individuals within a team or company.

Because so many companies are finding success with these programs, some of the top online MBA programs focus on executives, that is, they offer specialized Executive MBA programs that are tailored to the needs of busy business people. These classes are primarily online, but feature some units that are on-site immersion sessions, usually lasting a week or less, with all executives meeting for intensive group learning sessions.

If you're already working for a company and want to pursue an MBA in order to advance your career, keep in mind that not all MBA's are the same. If you want one that offers skills specifically for executives who already have some years of work experience, look for EMBA's that offer coaching or mentoring sessions in order to apply your leadership training to your own real-world situations. Look for immersion sessions that enhance your online learning experience and enrichment interaction with other executives. Also desirable would be a broad base of course work that includes leadership skills, personal development and organizational improvement strategies in addition to traditional management courses.

Be sure to look at all aspects of an EMBA. The top online MBA programs will be taught by a mix of instructors and corporate executives so that you receive a balance of theoretical and real-world experiences that will give you a firmer foundation for your own future and that of your company.

Andy West is a writer for Grand Canyon University, which offers a top online MBA program. Visit Grand Canyon University to learn more about their MBA programs.