Online MBA Programs

Both traditional universities and online business schools may offer Online MBA Programs to working students. In addition, many of these schools may offer rolling admissions and interactive learning.

What is an Online Masters of Business Administration?

The Masters of Business Administration Online is a professional practice business master’s degree. This program may be beneficial for working professionals looking for career enhancement. It is usually designed by a school of business to meet the needs of on-the-go adults and professionals. Most often referred to by its initials, the MBA degree aims to teach students how to lead and manage. Many programs may teach business analytics, problem solving, and critical thinking. Graduates tend to be business savvy that spans finance, marketing and operations.

How Many Credits for an Online Masters of Business Administration?

Some online Masters of Business Administration programs may entail about 48 credits. This may include core credits and concentration course work. Yet, credit requirements may vary. Programs with fewer credits may be designed for students with managerial experience or a Bachelor of Business degree.

How Long Does it Take to Earn an MBA Degree Online?

Earning an MBA degree online could take about two years for a full-time MBA student in a traditional program. These are usually geared to students with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-business field. However, many online business schools may offer other formats. Students with a Bachelor’s degree in business may require fewer courses.

What Types of Online MBA Programs Are There?

There are several different types of MBA degrees online that you could earn and various ways to tailor a program of study. Online MBA No GMAT or GRE: Often the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) score has been a criterion of master of business administration programs. However, some business graduate schools may be opting to admit students without the GMAT or GRE. Instead, they may tend to use recommendation letters, undergraduate transcripts, internships and work history when considering candidates.

Part-time MBA degree online programs are not only flexible. Some schools may allow students up to six years to complete their MBA requirements.

One-Year MBA degree online programs are also called ‘Accelerated MBAs’. These more intensive programs are often designed for recent graduates and those with working experience. Online MBA students who have an undergraduate degree or minor in business may usually be able to complete the program in 12 months.

What is an Online Executive Masters of Business Administration?

An online Executive MBA program, or EMBA, is often for applicants who have a great deal of work experience as a manager or as a business leader. Often, an online EMBA program appeals to those who want to learn new practices in management or have higher career goals in the business world.

Steve Benson Founder and CEO of Badger Maps

Expert Insight

We asked CEO of Badger Maps, Steve Benson, how earning an MBA helped him start his business:

I think an MBA is a solid background for starting a business. An MBA is a broad degree and you need to be at least capable in most areas of business like finance, accounting, sales, marketing, and HR.

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Why Earn an Online Masters in Business Administration?

A recognized professional credential, the MBA degree, whether earned online or in person, may be a valuable one. Earning an online Masters in Business Administration may develop systems thinking. And aside from quantitative analysis (finance, accounting, economics), students may fine tune leadership skills, make industry connections and prepare for Doctorate Business Administration (DBA) degrees.

In addition to a practical business skill set, some students may be looking for a career boost. They might have an eye on middle management or wish to start their own venture. In the case of the EMBA, many of the students may have long since graduated. However, learning current theory that could be applied on the job may be incentive enough.

Potential Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for Management occupations in May 2021 was $102,450. The BLS also reported that employment will increase by 8 percent by 2031, resulting in 883,900 new jobs over the decade.

Format and Structure

Earning an MBA degree online may, above all, provide minimal disruption to an ongoing work life. Formats may vary though, so make sure to research what ‘online’ means at any future university. Some online MBA degree programs may be 100% web based with no group projects. Others may deliver all the courses online but may have an in person requirement for group projects.

Asynchronous: Most often, courses may be pre recorded and students have access 24/7 to this online format. Assignments and readings must be handed in on time. However, students may have scheduling flexibility.

Synchronous: In other schools, an online MBA program could mean participating in live lectures via your home computer.

Online with residency: Brief residency or intensive workshops may allow students to meet instructors, network with peers, and take team performance class.

Online MBA Curriculum

In many cases these programs may have rolling enrollment. They may also require a minimum undergraduate GPA and a bachelor’s degree. Often, on-campus and online MBA degrees may have the same courses. Curricula may span all the functional areas of business, and strategy. Students may be exposed to principles and practices that are vital to modern management. Courses may vary by school but may include some of the following.

Accounting

In this course students may go over the uses of accounting information. The course may also cover financial statements and their underlying development.

Economics

This course often covers economic theories and how they are applied in business today. The class may also cover macroeconomics and microeconomics.

Data analysis

In this course, students may learn to look at data from different perspectives. The class aims to provide information on how to collect and interpret data through data analytics.

Financial reporting

In this course, students may go over how to read financial reports as well as how to present them. The course may also teach how to gather the data that goes into making these reports.

Leading and motivating teams

This course often focuses on the management aspect of business. It usually goes over different ways to get the most out of teams and how to find what drives different individuals.

Business ethics

In this course the class may learn how to best approach the legal side of business. This course may cover what is acceptable behavior and how to ensure it is happening.

Supply chain management

This class often covers how a product may get one from one point to the next. Starting with the creation of the product all the way to the customer’s hands. This course may also cover topics in international business.

Computer skills for business

This course often covers the technical aspects of data entry and how to use and implement the programs to provide better information. The students may have some hands on practice and an introduction to different types of software and information systems.

Marketing

This course may cover how companies use advertising and the different methods of it. The course may cover a history and spend time on current methods based on age and demographics of customers.

Personnel

This course often covers many human resource topics. Topics such as hiring and terminations as well as benefits and equal opportunity. In addition to these courses others may be included. Many times the school may require the completion of a capstone project in order to earn the degree.

Online MBA Concentrations

Aside from core courses, many MBA degree online schools may offer concentrations and electives. Students typically select an area of interest so they may develop a concentrated skill set. Some concentrations are listed below.

• Business Administration (general)
• Finance
• Management
• Business Systems and Analytics
• Marketing

Online MS Degree vs. MBA

A Master of Science with a major in Management (MSM) program may be one alternative to an MBA degree. Often, it is a 36-hour graduate program. The objective is often to develop or enrich technical management skills. Courses are often designed around the theme of leading in private and public business settings.

The Value of an Accredited MBA Degree Online Program

Wondering if you might earn an MBA degree online from online MBA programs? Many of the online business schools and traditional universities with online MBA programs may be regionally or nationally accredited. Some online MBA programs may also be accredited through the DEAC. The Distance Education Commission and six regional accrediting agencies are recognized by the Department of Education. This level of accreditation is a stamp of approval. It means Federal Financial Aid may be available to those who qualify, and that the institution meets a level of quality standards.

On top of this, individual online MBA programs may be accredited by specific accrediting agencies. In some cases, online MBA programs may have these. These agencies look at the types of courses offered, relevance and other professional business standards. Three of these agencies are listed below.

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – AACSB international
• Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs – ACBSP
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education –IACBE

GradSchools.com offers 273 Graduate Schools with Online Business Administration & Management Graduate Masters Programs