Spears School distance learning degree options named ""Best Buys"" by national review team

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

As distance learning and online classes become more prevalent, distance learning options in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University continue to provide affordable solutions for students to earn a high-quality degree in a flexible format. Three Spears School degree programs offered via distance learning recently were named a “Best Buy” by a national editorial review team for combining quality and affordability.

A national review team from GetEducated.com recently ranked the Spears School’s Master of Business Administration program fifth nationally and the Master of Science programs in Telecommunications Management and Management Information Systems sixth and seventh nationally, respectively.

“The Spears School of Business has more than 2,250 distance learning enrollments at the graduate level and offers almost 80 graduate distance learning courses annually,” said Shona Gambrell, Spears School Distance Learning program manager. “The distance learning students at both the graduate and undergraduate level are located in 41 states and 6 countries and individuals from over 200 companies take the courses annually.”

GetEducated.com is a consumer watchdog and advocacy group that rates, ranks, and verifies the cost, quality and credibility of online colleges and universities. A “Best Buy” designation from GetEducated.com indicates a program has been reviewed and judged to offer a high-quality distance master’s degree to a national audience at tuition rates well below the national average.

The “Best Buy” rankings were calculated by comparing tuition and distance learning fees for similar programs at colleges and universities accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business-International. All three of the Spears School’s programs that were recognized cost less than $11,000 for Oklahoma residents and less than $25,000 for non-residents, which is well below the national average.

In addition, Gambrell said the distance learning graduate programs in the Spears School differ from other online programs because they incorporate the same teamwork focus that is found in traditional programs. She said the MBA program in particular was developed for working professionals who already have work experience and are reaching for a higher level of education.

“Oklahoma State University and the Spears School have a long history in delivering distance education programs,” said Robert Dooley, Spears School associate dean for graduate studies and research. “We are pleased to be recognized in these rankings as validation of our commitment and dedication to making high-quality graduate education more accessible to non-traditional students and working professionals.”

For more information about distance learning options in the Spears School of Business, call the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development at 1-866-678-3933 or 405-744-5208 or visit cepd.okstate.edu.