Whether you’re seeking a midcareer salary boost, a larger professional network, or a job promotion, an online MBA can help you grow professionally and personally. But it’s important to choose a program that is right for you. The best mba online programs will be flexible enough to accommodate your schedule and meet the demands of your career, family and personal life.

Many online MBAs offer a wide range of emphases that allow students to focus on specific areas of business management. This allows students to develop the skills and knowledge that are most relevant to their careers and interests. This flexibility is especially beneficial for distance learners who are unable to relocate or drop out of work to attend an MBA program.

While the most popular online MBA degrees focus on finance, information technology, marketing, and operations management, there are plenty of other options for distance learners who are interested in more specialized subjects. For example, students in the top-ranked online MBA from Virginia Tech can select from a range of nine concentrations, each consisting of three courses and allowing students to go more deeply into an area of their choosing.

As a general rule, online MBAs require more discipline and self-motivation than traditional on-campus programs. It’s important to choose a program that values its online students and provides ample opportunities to connect with other members of the program, such as networking events, student groups, and online discussions.