Schools offer MBA’s online, but TCU prefers quality
By Jacque Nguyen
Staff Reporter

Along with hearing “You’ve got mail” when online, some schools nationwide will soon be hearing “You’ve got an MBA.”

But not TCU.

Bob Greer, associate dean of graduate programs for the M.J. Neeley School of Business, said TCU does not offer an online program for a Masters in Business Administration and would be surprised if plans are being made for a future program.

“(Online courses for an MBA) don’t capture a major part of the experience — the interaction and the networking,” Greer said. “Social networking is important for graduate studies.”

Becky Beasley, academic program director, said as much of the student learning takes place through the interaction in the classroom as does outside the classroom.

“You just can’t replace the face-to-face interaction,” Beasley said.
Christine Kalish, a second-year Professional MBA, said that because she works full time, she could benefit from an online program. But she said the reason she chose TCU was for the classroom experience.

“I am in a large, incredibly diverse class and we would not be able to network as we have if we were in online classes,” Kalish said. “Classroom time gives the opportunity to function in teams and groups, a necessary skill in the workplace.”

Greer said schools that have online MBA programs, such as the University of Indiana, University of Florida and Arizona State University, are in isolated areas and do not have access to large numbers of MBA students, so online programs are started to attract more students to their schools.

“It makes no sense for TCU (to offer an online program) because we are in metropolitan area,” Greer said.

Greer said convenience and worldwide access is a major selling point for an online MBA program.

“What’s nice about online courses is they can be global,” Greer said. “Having access all over the world would be a benefit for the university and the students.”

First-year, full-time MBA student Shwetha Fernandes-Prabhu said an online program can reach a larger group of potential students because it offers flexible times for international students and those who work.

Some graduate students said the best ways for students to learn are through interaction and teamwork.

“One of the biggest skills learned through an MBA is people management,” Fernandes-Prabhu said. “How is this possible with almost no interpersonal interaction?”

Jason Kuester, a first-year, full-time MBA student, said an online program could give the university a broader appeal, but he would be concerned if TCU decided to use online courses for the full-time program.

“As a full-time student, I have committed to the traditional classroom,” Kuester said. “I feel the students would be disconnected from the community of the university and their classmates if they only participated in online courses.”

Greer said much of what a student can get out of an MBA program, such as guest speakers and presentations, cannot be obtained online, and hopes students will opt for quality over convenience when choosing a graduate program.

j.f.nguyen@tcu.edu