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Why Choose the Online Executive MBA Program at George Mason University?

3 Students Give You Their Reasons

By , About.com Guide

There are a lot of reasons professionals decide to earn a master's degree in business administration, and there are a lot of good choices out there. It can be difficult to choose. George Mason University shares with us the stories of three students in its Online Executive MBA program. Stephanie, Jamey, and Shannon share why they looked for a program, and how GMU accommodated them.

GMU is included in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 list of best colleges.

The tuition for the 2011–2012 Online Global EMBA at GMU is $56,700 USD. Costs for the required global residency, including accommodations, and breakfast and lunch on class days, are included in the tuition. Airfare is the responsibility of the student.

For more information, visit GMU's website at onlineemba.gmu.edu.

See Allen Grove's profile of George Mason University.

1. To Sharpen Your Competitive Edge

Stephanie - George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University
Stephanie is a financial consultant for a firm that employs lots of sharp people. To stay ahead of the curve, she knows she needs more executive training. She wants to sharpen her competitive edge and make sure she's eligible for promotion.

Stephanie is interested in an online program, but she prefers working with a team and worries that an online class will be too solitary. Will it?

The Online Executive MBA Program at George Mason University involves online work groups and direct interaction with the faculty. Students in the Global EMBA and National Defense EMBA also participate in a "deep dive" one-week residency at an international location that changes.

Other interactive advantages:

  • Online blogs and discussion room functionality so that students and faculty can exchange real–time comments in course–related topics
  • Relationships with leading business professionals who can serve as valuable educational and networking resources
  • Interaction with emerging businesses
  • Camaraderie with high–caliber peers translates into future networking throughout your career.

2. To Give Your Investors More Confidence

Jamey - George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University
Jamey owns an apparel manufacturing company and is ready to expand globally. He needs more capital and wants to earn an MBA so his investors will have more confidence in his ability to return a profit, but he worries he'll have trouble finding time for the program.

GMU understands the demands of business, especially global business that never sleeps. The EMBA program allows students to study when and where they like, and takes less than two years to complete. The program at a glance:

  • Innovative, online format
  • Courses taught in seven–week modules
  • Eight–day residency in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, or South America during the second half of the program to broaden international business exposure
  • 48 credit hours earned
  • Three program starts per year to suit your timing: January, May and September

3. To Develop Your Company's Human Resources

Shannon - George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University
Shannon is a human resources director. She wants to help grow her company by setting up continuing education opportunities for her employees -- ambitious, highly disciplined professionals with an average of seven years of experience.

The EMBA program at GMU provides her employees with:

  • Flexibility
  • Rigorous and relevant course work
  • Valuable real-world experience
  • Technology–rich tools specifically designed for executive education
  • Development of real-world skills that translate into real-world business decisions

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