North Carolina State University’s Jenkins MBA

Flexibility takes on new meaning in the online MBA program at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management. The OMBA can be earned in as little as 21 months or up to six years. It kicks off in either January or August, with a go at your own pace format. Students can log into class when they please, or show up for the face-to-face courses in Raleigh or Research Triangle Park.

The Poole online MBA core curriculum takes an integrated approach to learning, emphasizing technology, business processes, and practical applications. Primarily asynchronous (the school estimates that 95% of the programming is online and not in-person), the online courses are taught through podcasts, video, and online presentations. Through a mix of coursework, virtual simulations and team-based projects, students connect with each other and faculty. The program’s profs maintain office hours through a virtual collaborative space, phone, email, and online chat.

Poole has a virtual practicum course, which typically includes a consulting project for a company, and an advanced quant class as well as a one-credit-hour course on critical thinking in response to feedback from corporate recruiters. The school also added another three-day residency over a Thursday-Saturday long weekend in Raleigh, N.C., to provide for more leadership development workshops and networking opportunities. This was in addition to an existing three-day residency held in the first semester focused on team building and career training. Short-term study trips abroad are also available, though not required.

Unlike some other online options, Poole takes career development seriously. The school provides executive coaches for online students, company-hosted…

Flexibility takes on new meaning in the online MBA program at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management. The OMBA can be earned in as little as 21 months or up to six years. It kicks off in either January or August, with a go at your own pace format. Students can log into class when they please, or show up for the face-to-face courses in Raleigh or Research Triangle Park.

The Poole online MBA core curriculum takes an integrated approach to learning, emphasizing technology, business processes, and practical applications. Primarily asynchronous (the school estimates that 95% of the programming is online and not in-person), the online courses are taught through podcasts, video, and online presentations. Through a mix of coursework, virtual simulations and team-based projects, students connect with each other and faculty. The program’s profs maintain office hours through a virtual collaborative space, phone, email, and online chat.

Poole has a virtual practicum course, which typically includes a consulting project for a company, and an advanced quant class as well as a one-credit-hour course on critical thinking in response to feedback from corporate recruiters. The school also added another three-day residency over a Thursday-Saturday long weekend in Raleigh, N.C., to provide for more leadership development workshops and networking opportunities. This was in addition to an existing three-day residency held in the first semester focused on team building and career training. Short-term study trips abroad are also available, though not required.

Unlike some other online options, Poole takes career development seriously. The school provides executive coaches for online students, company-hosted office hours, corporate presentations, company tours, and treks.