In the U.S., there are more than 100 business schools offering online MBA programs. Taking this type of program would mean that the country of the business school offering online MBA is of lesser importance. But it is still best to choose programs from accredited online schools. Some experts may undermine the online MBA degrees but do remember it’s how you have absorbed your newly acquired knowledge and developed new skills in your chosen field and eventually how you perform in your work that count. A 2000 survey estimated that 5,000 students enrolled in online MBA programs and the number would have risen to 50,000 by 2002.

Rankings of online MBA programs have not yet been fully determined. However, two online business schools stand out mainly due to the reputation of their mother schools. These are the Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Duke University is considered ahead with a tuition fee of almost $100,000 in 2001 alone.

The Duke University’s MBA program provides a strong business foundation and leadership skills to help its students attain success. It responds to the present business issues affecting all parts of the world. It boasts of faculty members who are leaders in their own fields and who share their business knowledge and leadership with students.

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business boasts of being the only top 20 b-school to offer online graduate programs. It promises a unique experience, creative delivery methods and success through its innovative education system. The school’s high rankings have enabled it to provide online degree programs to big companies.

Some online MBA programs totally use the Internet like the University of Baltimore while others still require class contact time on certain occasions such as the Pace University and Portland State.

The MBA programs offered online are mostly similar to those offered in the full time on campus programs. Among the top program is the MBA in accounting which aims to improve skills in financial management needed within organizations to function well. The program’s curriculum covers advanced costing strategies, accounting theory, accounting information systems, corporate taxation, executive management, budgeting, managing human resources, organizational development, strategic planning, information and conflict management and decision making.

The finance MBA is also one of the best online programs. Earning an MBA in finance will surely place you in top level jobs in practically any industry from banking to management to health care. Finance professionals are in demand because of their extraordinary skills.

The marketing MBA is equally popular. It covers such fields as advertising and public relations, market research, product management advertising, new product planning, retailing management, distribution channel management, among others.

The management MBA can provide you with a good chance of being in one of the highest paid fields worldwide. Pursuing this program will give you the necessary advanced management skills that most businesses and organizations require. Those highly experienced in management are very in demand.