Are Online International Business Degrees Legit?

Over the last decade, and especially the last few years, online degrees have become far more common. As a result, these programs are becoming more respected and recognized.

Business degrees are especially common online, including fields like international business. Online international business degrees are legitimate and respected, and we explain why below.

Do Employers Respect Online International Business Degrees?

As online international business bachelor's degrees have become more popular over the last several years, the overall attitude toward these degrees has become more positive. In most cases, employers will respect online bachelor's and online master's degrees in international business, as long as they are earned from accredited schools.

However, not all degrees are the same. It's important to research your degree to ensure you're choosing a respected, reputable business program.

What To Look For in an Online International Business Degree Program

When looking for an online international business degree program, you want to find one that's respected. Looking at things like accreditation, reputation, and nonprofit status can help you find respected schools.

These things can also help you find academically solid programs, as can the graduation rate. We've broken these different factors down below.

Accreditation

Whatever college or university you choose, it should be either regionally or nationally accredited. Regional accreditation is most common and is generally preferred.

When choosing a business program, you should verify that they are programmatically accredited by either the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Reputation

A school's reputation can tell you a lot about how respected your degree will be in the job market. It can also give you insight into how strong the program is.

To learn more about the reputation a program has, check where it falls on ranking lists, like those produced by the U.S. News and World Report and Forbes. You can also read reviews from alumni and current students.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

While public schools are always nonprofit, private schools can be nonprofit or for-profit. You can learn if a school is nonprofit or for-profit by searching online or using the National Center for Education Statistics's College Navigator tool.

In general, it's wise to stay away from for-profit institutions if possible. These institutions often have a negative reputation for putting profits above education.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rate is a metric that looks at how many first-time, full-time students graduate with their bachelor's degree within six years or their associate degree within three years. It's a metric that can help identify strong schools.

However, these metrics don't take into account graduate degree programs. They also don't work well for institutions that primarily enroll adult or returning students.

Differences Between Online and Traditional International Business Degrees

Students who enroll in traditional, in-person international business degree programs come to classes on campus for their classes. These classes have a set schedule and students listen to live lectures and interact with peers.

Most online courses have set assignments with due dates, but students can log in at times during the week that work best for them. Online assignments may include reading, videos, and online discussion boards.

Benefits of Earning Your International Business Degree at an Online School

For most students, the biggest benefit of earning their international business degree online is the flexibility offered by online courses. Students can complete their coursework on their schedule, working around things like full-time jobs and family obligations.

Another benefit to online programs is that they allow students to earn their degree through colleges and universities that may not have been an option otherwise due to their location. Now students can earn degrees from schools across the country.

Online degrees also have reduced rates and fees compared to on-campus learning, making an online international degree more affordable in most cases.

Featured Online International Business Degree Programs

Several legitimate colleges and universities offer online business degrees at the bachelor's and master's levels. These degrees are designed to help students understand the complexities of international business and trade.

Below, we've featured several top online international business degree programs. All programs listed are regionally accredited and nonprofit.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers a variety of online degree programs and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The following international business degrees are offered online at ASU:

• Global Leadership - BA in Business
• Global Logistics Management - BA in Business
• International Business - MBA

2. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit university in Bellevue, Nebraska that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers several online degree programs.

The following international business degrees are offered online at Bellevue University:

• International Business Administration - BS
• International Management - MBA

3. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is the online campus of the public Colorado State University. It offers a range of online degree programs and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The following international business degrees are offered online at Bellevue University:

• International Business - BS in Business Management
• International Management - MBA

4. Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university in Miami, Florida. It's regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers multiple online degree programs.

The following international business degrees are offered online at FIU:

• International Business - BBA
• International Business - MIB
• International Real Estate - MS

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It's known for its wealth of online degrees and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The following international business degrees are offered online at SNHU:

• International Business - BS in Business Administration
• International Business - MBA