Accelerated Online MBA Programs
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Graduates with an MBA degree can work in roles such as operations manager, marketing manager, general manager, and financial manager. An MBA also prepares graduates for roles like CEO and entrepreneur.
MBA programs train graduate students in areas like management principles, business analytics, and organizational leadership. Enrolling in an accelerated online MBA program offers a fast and flexible route to an MBA degree.
Many jobs for graduates with an MBA offer high salaries and strong demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marketing managers, healthcare administrators, human resources managers, financial managers, and top executives all earn median salaries of more than $100,000 per year.
Students in accelerated online MBA programs can advance their career in less time than students in traditional MBA programs. While a typical MBA program takes two years to complete, students can often finish an accelerated online MBA program in one year.
What Can I Do With an Online MBA?
An MBA degree prepares graduates for management-level roles in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, and accounting. During an accelerated online MBA program, graduate students take courses on topics like executive leadership, organizational behavior, and management.
Many career opportunities for professionals with an MBA offer above-average salaries and strong projected job growth. For example, marketing managers earn a median annual wage of nearly $137,000, with faster-than-average projected job growth between 2019-2029. Financial managers make a median wage of nearly $130,000 per year, while top executives make a median annual wage of over $104,000.
Many employers prefer to hire candidates with an MBA for these roles. As a result, earning an MBA degree can help professionals advance their current career or begin a new one.
Will I Need a Graduate Degree for a Career in Business Administration?
A graduate degree helps business professionals advance their careers. While a bachelor’s degree meets the requirements for many entry-level careers, many employers prefer to hire candidates with a graduate degree for managerial and supervisory roles.
According to Payscale, professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration report an average salary of $64,200 per year. Professionals with an MBA degree report an average salary of $88,600 per year.
An MBA degree helps specialists in marketing, human resources, finance, and other fields compete for promotions and qualify for more opportunities. Earning an MBA online can also help professionals specialize in a certain area of business, such as supply chain management, entrepreneurship, or healthcare management.
Accreditation for an Online MBA Program
Prospective applicants should always check a school and program’s accreditation status before applying to an online MBA program. Accredited schools and programs meet high standards for educating students and granting degrees.
At the institutional level, regional accreditation remains the gold standard. Applicants can look up a school’s accreditation status in the U.S. Department of Education database. MBA programs may also hold accreditation from a specialized accrediting agency, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.
Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, many professional certifications require an accredited degree.
What Are the Requirements for an MBA Program?
Applicants to an online MBA program generally need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. While an undergraduate business major can be helpful, many programs accept candidates with majors in different fields. Most MBA programs also require GMAT scores, and some expect work experience from applicants. Applicants also typically submit transcripts, a personal statement on their reasons for pursuing an MBA, and letters of recommendation.
After gaining admission to an online MBA program, graduate students typically complete 30-45 credits to graduate. Most MBA programs also require an internship and a capstone project.
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Courses in an Online MBA Program Program
An MBA degree builds strong research and analytical skills. Learners explore theoretical and practical approaches to corporate leadership while strengthening their marketing, human resources, and strategic management abilities. MBA students can also take specialized electives based on their interests and career goals.
During an online accelerated MBA program, graduate students apply classroom training through hands-on projects and internship opportunities. Online programs typically work with students to arrange an internship in their local area.
While courses vary by program, the following list outlines courses commonly found in online MBA programs.
Certifications and Licensure for MBA Students
Earning professional certification can help MBA graduates stand out in the job market and increase their earning potential. By researching certifications, MBA students can find the best fit for their career goals.
Professional Organizations for MBA Students
MBA students can expand their network and advance their career by joining professional organizations. These associations offer resources to stay current in fields like finance, accounting, and management. Members also benefit from career and professional development resources. Many professional associations offer membership discounts for students.
Scholarships for MBA Students
Students in an accelerated online MBA program qualify for many scholarship and fellowship opportunities offered by professional organizations, private foundations, and private donors. The following list outlines several scholarship and fellowship opportunities for students earning an MBA online.
Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2020
Part of the University of Texas System, UTRGV enrolls students online and at multiple campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Serving a bicultural region, the Brownsville-based school maintains membership to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Ranked among the most affordable programs of its kind, UTRGV's accelerated online MBA program prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in their current careers or seek out opportunities in new sectors. Students typically earn their degree in about one year.
The 36-credit curriculum features foundation courses in finance, accounting, and statistics. Additional classes explore marketing, management, and information systems. Concentrations in financial planning, healthcare administration, and international trade allow students to customize the degree to suit their career goals.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GMAT or GRE scores. UGTRV is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The MBA program is accredited by AACSB International.
A public university based in Laredo, TAMIU offers a fully online MBA program with concentrations in management, international business, international bank and finance, and international logistics. Accredited by AACSB International, the program teaches multiple business skills focused on international issues.
All MBA students begin with a core sequence designed to develop their knowledge of fundamental business areas like marketing, management, and finance. Students can complete the 30-credit accelerated MBA program in 15 months of full-time study.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Six annual start dates allow learners to begin the program at their convenience. Applicants without an undergraduate business degree must take prep-module courses before beginning their main course of study. TAMIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
City Vision University is a nonprofit Christian university that operates exclusively online. The Kansas City-based school's MBA program trains graduates for senior management-level careers. The 36-credit program attracts candidates who seek to balance business expertise with Christian values. About 70% of City Vision MBA graduates find employment in religious organizations or other nonprofits.
Enrollees can complete the accelerated MBA program in five semesters of full-time study. They can pursue a concentration in education management or social entrepreneurship and nonprofit management.
All MBA candidates take core courses on topics like marketing, accounting, and organizational behavior. Consistent with the program's emphasis on the nonprofit sector, learners also study grant writing and fundraising. Other courses explore the intersection of Christianity and business. The program accepts applicants with a bachelor's degree in any field, and it does not require entrance exams.
City Vision University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
FSU offers a fully online MBA program through its Broadwell College of Business and Economics. Ranked among the best and most affordable online MBA programs in North Carolina, this 36-credit program caters to working professionals seeking new opportunities and military service members transitioning to civilian careers. Students can complete the accelerated MBA program in as little as one year.
FSU's customizable program features 10 concentrations. All candidates complete a capstone project in collaboration with the school's Small Business and Technology Development Center. Classes are available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, with a multitude of interactive features. Veterans and active-duty servicemembers enjoy personalized support through the school's Veteran's Business Outreach Center.
FSU's MBA program is accredited by AACSB International. The school is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Part of the California State University System, CSUB serves over 11,000 learners annually across its distance education division and two Southern California campuses. Students can earn an MBA online through the public university's School of Business and Public Administration.
CSUB's AACSB-accredited 36-credit MBA program emphasizes functional knowledge and ethical practice while building skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Nine core classes provide a foundation in accounting, finance, management, and marketing. A wide array of electives allow students to tailor the degree to their career goals.
Learners can also engage in independent study under instructor supervision. Students demonstrate their management acumen through a culminating project that uses interactive technology to simulate marketplace competition.
Applicants need an undergraduate GPA over 2.75. Accepted students who lack prerequisites can get up to speed with low-cost, self-paced foundational knowledge courses. CSUB is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
A private school based in Salt Lake City, WGU offers an online MBA program with a flexible, competency-based structure. Designed for working professionals, WGU's program cultivates the skills graduates need to succeed as business leaders.
The program's unique, self-paced format allows learners to accelerate through material they have already mastered through previous education or work experience. Most students earn their MBA in about two years. Program mentors provide individualized guidance and help students develop a personal degree plan.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree and three years of work experience in a business setting. WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Programs offered through its College of Business are accredited by ACBSP.
Offered through the university's Spears School of Business, OSU's accelerated online MBA program caters to individuals who plan to earn their degree while working full time. Students typically complete the Stillwater-based school's program in one year of part-time enrollment.
Emphasizing collaboration and entrepreneurship, the 33-credit curriculum cultivates core competencies in management, marketing, and strategy. Students explore ethical issues, learn standard financial practices, and use analytics to solve business problems. Online learners can choose from nine concentrations, including business sustainability, data science, and nonprofit management. Students take classes asynchronously. Both online and on-campus students enjoy access to school-sponsored networking events.
OSU offers several dual-degree opportunities, including a partnership that allows students interested in international business to earn their MBA concurrently with master's degrees in a variety of subjects from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla.
OSU's MBA program is accredited by AACSB International. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Enrolling students at two campuses and online, Stanislaus State is part of the California State University System. One of the public university's most popular degrees, Stanislaus State's AACSB-accredited online MBA program provides a comprehensive grounding in contemporary business practices and concepts.
The 30-credit curriculum teaches students to use principles of financial management, corporate strategy, and product development to analyze and solve managerial problems. Core courses in accounting and computer information systems develop practical skills. Students can graduate as generalists or elect a concentration in finance or human resource management. Most courses are asynchronous. Learners interact with professors and classmates through video conferencing, chat sessions, and online office hours.
The program is geared toward applicants with a professional and/or academic business background. Enrollees with non-business undergraduate degrees can satisfy prerequisite requirements at Stanislaus State before taking major coursework. Stanislaus State is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Located in Trenton, New Jersey, TESU is a public university designed to meet the needs of working adults. The school offers an accelerated online MBA program through its School of Business and Management. Students can complete the 39-credit, ACBSP-accredited program in about 15 months.
MBA candidates explore the theory and practice of management through a curriculum informed by ethical, global, and strategic perspectives. Students can declare a concentration in several subjects including data analytics, healthcare management, and marketing. Alternatively, they can craft their own emphasis, choosing among electives that address topics like social media and sustainability. Learners culminate the degree with an independent capstone project. Some classes require periodic live attendance, but most are asynchronous.
Applicants without an undergraduate business degree can fulfill program prerequisites through the school's noncredit, online preparatory program. TESU is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
At Southeastern, students can earn their MBA online in about a year. A public university based in Durant, the school offers a customizable, accelerated online MBA program through its John Massey School of Business.
All MBA candidates take a 24-credit course sequence covering foundational topics like economics, behavioral management, and data analysis. After completing these core requirements, students take 12 additional credits in one of 15 concentrations, such as aerospace logistics, women in leadership, or Native American leadership.
Southeastern's program is ranked among Oklahoma's most affordable online MBA programs, with tuition rates the same for all enrollees regardless of residency. Students enjoy online access to tutoring, tech support, and library resources. The MBA program is accredited by AACSB International. Southeastern is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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