An MBA is one of the most versatile graduate degrees available, but common misconceptions often stop qualified professionals from pursuing it. Find out what the degree actually offers.
Earning an MBA attracts ambitious professionals, but misconceptions can hold back qualified candidates. A true understanding of what an MBA is—and what it is not—empowers prospective students to make confident, well-informed decisions about their futures.
Myth: An MBA is simply a “business lite” degree or a compressed version of an undergraduate business program.
Fact: An MBA from Old Dominion University is centered on foundational business ideas, yet goes much further. Rather than focusing on memorization or introductory coursework, online MBA programs emphasize real-world problem-solving. Students learn how to study complex organizational challenges, evaluate tradeoffs and make decisions in ambiguous situations. The goal is not to teach students what to think, but how to think like managers and leaders.
Myth: An MBA is only appropriate for those with an undergraduate degree in business.
Fact: ODU’s MBA program is designed for students from many intellectual and occupational backgrounds. Engineers, healthcare professionals, military service members, public servants, artists and educators bring important perspectives to MBA classrooms. For students without a business background, introductory coursework or refresher resources help level the playing field.
Myth: Some believe earning an MBA at the same institution as a previous degree is professionally limiting.
Fact: Employers care more about skills, experience and results than about matching or varied credentials. What matters is how graduates use what they learn. Staying at one institution can offer continuity, strong advising and a clear path without lessening the degree's value.
Myth: Some assume an MBA demands stepping away from work or committing to a rigid, full-time schedule.
Fact: While MBA coursework through ODUGlobal is demanding, many programs are intentionally designed for working professionals.
Flexible pacing, online options, and accelerated formats help participants balance graduate study with professional and personal responsibilities. Success in these programs depends less on unlimited time and more on discipline, time management, and consistency.
Myth: An MBA is too quantitative or too challenging for those returning to school after time away.
Fact: While the program includes quantitative components, support systems are often in place to help students succeed. With preparation and a desire to learn, many students find that the challenge becomes one of the most fulfilling parts of the experience.
An MBA in Practice
By separating myth from reality, prospective students can better understand what an MBA truly offers. At its core, the degree prepares managers to navigate complexity, lead decisively, and solve the kinds of problems organizations face every day.
Learn more about ODU’s online MBA program here.
