Online MBA Degrees and Careers

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers one of the best online MBA programs in the nation. With an average of 10.3 years of work experience, online learners in this rigorous program hail from more than 16 countries. Students at MBA@UNC can specialize in investment management and sustainable enterprise corporate finance, marketing, data analysis and decision making, management consulting, or entrepreneurship. UNC offers its MBA candidates the opportunity to participate in a global immersion program each quarter, where individuals spend a weekend in various cities around the world. This online MBA consists of 66 credits and can be completed in 18 to 36 months. Courses are offered through UNC's online learning platform, 2NC, where students have 24/7 access to coursework and materials, as well as a mobile app. Courses are offered synchronously with live classroom settings and interactive activities. Applications for admissions are accepted on a rolling basis, and admitted students can begin in January, April, July, or October.

Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lehigh University's college of business and economics offers a one-year, full-time, flexible online MBA designed for experienced professionals. This 36-credit online MBA degree begins with a mandatory, on-campus weekend orientation. At the end of the program, students complete a three-credit final capstone project, in which they participate in case discussions and a simulation. Prerequisites for the program include financial accounting, statistics, and principles of economics. Lehigh MBA students typically have an average GPA of 3.4 and eight years of work experience. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience; however, this does not necessarily have to be in a business-related function. GMAT/GRE scores may be waived if applicants have 10 years of full-time professional experience or a master’s degree with six years of full-time professional experience.

Carnegie Mellon offers a part-time online MBA designed for working professionals. The curriculum of this program focuses on strategic analytics and leadership development, and students receive leadership and communication coaching throughout the duration of the program. Classes include managerial economics, managing networks and organizations, corporate strategy, and interpersonal communication. Students also complete a capstone project in their second year of study. Online students participate in both synchronous, interactive sessions and asynchronous, self-paced coursework. Distance learners also attend "access weekends," which are held every two months for a total of six weekends each year; these provide ample opportunities for networking. Students typically earn their degrees in three years. This program’s low one-to-five student-to-teacher ratio sets it apart from many other schools and allows for increased attention from faculty. Online learners also receive recruiting support through a partnership with the Accelerate Leadership Center. Admitted students begin classes in September.

New York University’s school of business offers an executive-friendly, blended MBA program. Providing a collaborative learning environment and global experiences, students in NYU’s TRIUM MBA program participate in six modules over the course of 17 months. Within each module, students complete 1.5 to two weeks on site at varying locations, including in London, California, Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Modules cover topics such as the global political economy, technological disruption, entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance. Throughout the duration of the program, students participate in leadership development activities in the form of self-assessments, group work, and guest lectures. To graduate, online learners must complete the TRIUM capstone project, where they develop a business idea from inception to launch. Students in this online MBA degree program are an average of 40 years old and have 15 years of professional work experience. NYC partners with the London School of Economics and Political Science and the HEC Paris School of Management to host this program.

Located in Fairfield, Iowa, the Maharishi University of Management is a 501(C)3 nonprofit university that offers an online MBA for individuals interested in learning about sustainable business options. With a focus on helping the environment, while still maintaining profitability, the curriculum of this program includes coursework related to science and technology of consciousness. Students can participate in real-time synchronous web conferences or watch recordings at their convenience. The program consists of 60 credits and can be completed in three years. Notable classes include business process improvement, operations management, employee health and wellness, socially responsible investing, and mediation for dispute resolutions. Students also participate in one-credit creative intelligence modules each semester. With a unique focus on transcendental meditation, students in this program also learn how to reduce stress and clarify their thinking. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.

University of Virginia's business school offers two executive MBA online programs: an executive MBA (EMBA) and a global executive MBA (GEMBA). Both degrees feature 21-month lockstep programs, where all students begin and end the program at the same time. The programs commence in August and consist of 10 two-month quarters. Students typically take three or four classes per quarter. Approximately one-third of the coursework is delivered through distance learning; however, students must attend multiple on-site residences in either Charlottesville or the District of Columbia. EMBA students must attend at least one international residency in China, Europe, India, or South Africa, while GEMBA students must carry out all four international residencies. Distance learners in these executive MBA programs participate in action-oriented discussions, workshops, and leadership coaching. Applicants should have at least seven years of professional work experience and hold a managerial position. Students are required to work full-time during the course of their studies.

George Washington University’s business school offers a part-time, 55.5-credit MBA degree online. Students in this rigorous program gain expertise in the areas of social responsibility, ethical leadership, sustainability, and corporate citizenship. Distance learners can choose up to two concentrations from finance, consulting, project management, global management, government contracts, and information systems technology management. Students can also participate in a four-day, on-site “business in society” residency in the District of Columbia, which gives them the opportunity to visit the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Congress, and the World Bank. Online courses are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. Students can participate in live, synchronous sessions or watch recorded versions asynchronously at their convenience. Students typically take six credit hours per semester, but they have the freedom to complete the program at their own pace. Semesters last for 14 weeks, and admitted students can begin in August, January, or May.

Babson College offers an online MBA degree that has a few on-site components. The program commences with a week-long startup residency, where students participate in simulations and networking events and take a class in entrepreneurship and leadership. Throughout the duration of the program, Babson offers signature learning experiences, where students have the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge to complex problems. Notable classes in the curriculum include mergers and acquisitions, brand management, entrepreneurial finance, global strategic management, global marketing strategy, and product management. Online learners participate in synchronous, real-time webinars and conferences as well as asynchronous discussion boards. The program culminates with a final corporate entrepreneurship capstone project, in which students form teams to develop a business plan. Students can choose a concentration in business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, global management, or marketing. Incoming students have an average of 10 years of professional work experience.

The District of Columbia’s oldest accredited business school, American University's school of business offers an MBA online degree program for domestic and global professionals. Students can choose one of six predesigned concentrations or create their own self-designed degree track. Predesigned options include finance, marketing, international business, consulting, business analytics, and cybersecurity. With a comprehensive curriculum, students take classes in forensic accounting, investment analysis, portfolio management, database and big data, and predictive analytics. Students must participate in two three- or four-day "business in capitals" immersions, where they have the opportunity to network with classmates, professors, and other business professionals. Individuals looking for an online MBA with no GMAT requirements will be happy to learn that there are no standardized test requirements for admission into American University. Students can begin this practice-based program in October, January, April, or July.

The University of St. Francis is a Catholic university located in Joliet, Illinois. USF's online MBA degree was recently redesigned and is offered through the university’s business and health administration college. Students in this program have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of concentrations, including accounting, business analytics, finance, health administration, human resources management, supply chain management, management, or training and development. The curriculum consists of 36 semester hours, and students typically earn their degrees in 12 to 18 months. There is also a rigorous, one-year option; students interested in this track must meet foundation prerequisites. Distance learners can transfer up to nine semesters hours of credit, and the program runs on trimesters. Applicants must have at least two years of full-time managerial experience or appropriate GMAT scores. Incoming students can begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Qualified students also have the opportunity to join the international honor society Delta Mu Delta.

The online MBA at North Carolina State University is an AACSB-accredited program. Distance learners in this program do not declare a concentration; however, they do complete a six-credit "depth requirement" in a particular business area. Options for depth requirements include biosciences management, financial management, marketing management, innovation management, supply chain management, and technology entrepreneurship and commercialization. Students participate in two three-day residencies in Raleigh on NC State’s main campus. This MBA program is offered primarily asynchronously through the Moodle and Blackboard learning management systems. Students take online courses by accessing discussion boards, podcasts, and video presentations. The program consists of 40 credit hours. Students can choose an accelerated option and complete their degree in as few as 21 months. Alternatively, distance learners can opt for a slower-paced, flexible program where they have up to six years to graduate. Incoming students can begin classes in the fall or spring semesters.

Pepperdine University is a Christian university located in Malibu, California. The university's school of business and management offers an MBA degree online that is designed for working professionals. Students in this program can choose between four elective concentrations: finance, leadership and managing organizational change, marketing, or general management. Classes in these curricula include behavior in organizations; accounting information and control systems; prices, profit, and the market economy; quantitative analysis for business operations; and information and process systems. Students also take part in a one-credit personal and leadership development workshop. The MBA program consists of 52 credit hours and can be completed in two years. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience; however, they do not need to have an undergraduate degree in business. Applicants with more than five years of full-time professional work experience may be able to waive GMAT requirements.

Located in Poughkeepsie, New York, Marist College offers an MBA degree online through its school of management. This AACSB-accredited degree can be completed entirely online and boasts a comprehensive business curriculum that focuses on technological infrastructure, leadership and ethics, and business analytics. Online learners can choose a concentration in ethical leadership, financial management, or healthcare administration. There are no required on-site residencies in this program; however, students do have the option to participate in residency weekends in NYC. This flexible, 36-credit program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students who opt for part-time study typically graduate in 2.5 years. The majority of core courses run for 15 weeks, while the elective and concentration classes run for eight weeks. Applicants who already hold an advanced degree do not need to submit GMAT scores. Admitted students can begin in August or January.

Villanova University’s business school offers one of the top online MBA programs in the country. Notable classes include performance measurement and reporting fundamentals, business operations in the 21st century, analyzing and leveraging data, and strategic marketing management. Concentrations include finance, marketing, and strategic management. Students must attend an on-site “leadership challenge” weekend residency at the beginning of the program. Midway through the program, students participate in a “social enterprise consulting” practicum. Students also complete a final capstone project, in which they have the option to travel abroad and complete a seven-day international immersion experience. The 48-credit program can be completed in two years. As a lockstep program, MBA students take 21 courses as a chort over the course of six semesters. Courses run for 16 weeks. Online coursework features synchronous and asynchronous elements. Students may transfer up to nine previously earned credits towards their MBA.

A Christian school located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah College offers a flexible MBA online degree. Classes in the curriculum include innovation and entrepreneurship, organizational effectiveness, social media strategy, global business and economic development, and best practices in leadership. Students can choose a concentration in digital marketing, management, organizational and strategic communications, social entrepreneurship, or strategic leadership. Individuals who have completed an ACEND-approved, nine-credit dietetic internship can also opt for a concentration in dietetics. Students in all concentrations complete a three-credit management capstone class. The program consists of 36 credits and can be finished in two years. Online coursework is delivered through the Canvas learning management system and consists of both asynchronous and synchronous components. These include live chats, real-time audio and video files, and discussion forums. Applicants must hold a regionally accredited bachelor's degree; however, there are no GMAT requirements.

Located in Glassboro, New Jersey, Rowan University offers one of the top part-time MBA online programs in the United States. The curriculum includes classes in marketing management, managerial decision-making tools, international business and society, corporate entrepreneurship and new venture development, and developing and leading high-performance organizations. Online courses are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. This accelerated program consists of 36 semester hours. Graduate students complete 12 eight-week courses, including nine required core courses and three electives. Students can complete the six-semester program in less than two years. Incoming students have an average GMAT score of 501 and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.25; however, students only need a minimum GMAT score of 450 and a GPA of 2.5 to apply. Admitted students can start in January, February, April, June, August, or October.

Stevens Institute of Technology offers two online MBA programs designed specifically for individuals interested in the role of technology in business. MBA students can choose between five concentrations, all of which emphasize technology-focused management components. Concentrations include business intelligence and analytics, finance, information systems, marketing, and project management. The program consists of 48 credits. Curriculum includes economics for managers, global business and markets, managerial judgment and decision making, technology and innovation management, and discovering and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities. Students also participate in a field consulting program, in which they work in teams to assess an opportunity at a partner business. Applicants should have competitive GMAT or GRE scores. Candidates are not explicitly required to have work experience; however, it is highly recommended that they have at least two years of full-time professional experience. Applicants with more than five years of work experience may be interested in SIT’s executive MBA; however, this program requires eight on-site weekend classes per semester in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Located in western Ohio, Cedarville University offers an online MBA degree for Christian professionals. Designed with the belief that professional work is a platform for ministry, this program offers graduate students three options for study: a generalist MBA, a concentration in operations management, or a concentration in healthcare administration. Core courses include executive financial management, information technology for competitive advantage, managerial data analytics, and organizational design and behavior. Students must also take a biblical and theological foundation course. Course activities include projects, simulations, and case studies. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and make a profession of faith. Online coursework is delivered through Moodle, Hoonuit, and Google Hangouts. Although an undergraduate degree in business is not required, students must complete certain prerequisites, including financial and managerial accounting, fundamentals of economics, and business statistics. Admitted students must participate in an online orientation.

The University of Florida offers two MBA online programs: a 16-month option and a 27-month option. The 16-month, 32-credit program is an accelerated program designed for business professionals who earned an undergraduate degree in business within the last seven years. Alternatively, the 27-month, 48-credit degree is designed for business professionals with more than seven years of work experience; this option is open to individuals with an undergraduate degree in any major. Both programs include core classes in finance, marketing, management, operations, and economics. The two-year program allows students to choose an area of focus in entrepreneurship, finance, international business, or marketing. Two-year students also have the option to continue taking classes online in their sixth term, complete a one-week on-campus intensive, and participate in a global immersion experience where they take a one-week international study trip. Students in both programs must participate in quarterly weekend residencies as well as an on-campus orientation. Both programs are cohort based. Applicants must submit GMAT scores and have a minimum of two years’ full-time work experience. Admitted students can begin in January or August.

One of the best online MBA programs in the country, Clarkson University offers graduate students a business education on a part-time or full-time basis. With a comprehensive curriculum of 11 core courses and five electives, students in this 48-credit program are prepared to lead organizations across a variety of industries. Classes include decision analysis and supply chain modeling, business information systems, corporate ethical and social responsibility, and managerial economics. Students also complete a leadership and organizational behavior class, which is offered as an on-site intensive weekend course. The program ends with a capstone project in strategic management. To graduate, MBA students without professional business experience must complete 400 hours of employment in a business setting. Online learners can choose between asynchronous and synchronous learning options. Admitted students can begin at the start of any term.

The business college at the Rochester Institute of Technology offers an online executive MBA designed for working professionals who hold mid- to upper-level positions. RIT's program is cohort-based. Courses are offered in six-week terms, and students take two classes at a time. Online coursework is delivered synchronously through video and audio sessions. Classes include leadership development skills, statistical analysis for managers, strategic thinking, valuation and capital budgeting, and systems support for operations. Students also complete two consulting capstone projects during their final semester. Online learners must take a three-day, on-campus orientation prior to starting classes, as well as a seven- to 10-day international business and cultural education seminar. This 17-month, four-semester MBA online degree has two start dates each year in August and January. Applicants must have a minimum of six years of work experience; however, there are no GMAT or GRE requirements.

Purdue University offers two options to individuals who want to earn an MBA degree online: a dual MBA with a master's of science in engineering (MSE-MBA) and a dual MBA with a master's of science in food and agribusiness (MS-MBA). Both programs are offered in conjunction with Indiana University's school of business. Designed for engineers, the 60-credit MSE-MBA is delivered in three segments: technical and engineering classes, bridge coursework, and MBA courses. This program commences with specialized engineering classes and coursework in economics, IT, and operations. It culminates with MBA courses that include organizational and strategy development, globalization, project management, and financial management. MSE-MBA students typically complete their degree in five years, including two one-week, on-campus immersion residences at IU in Bloomington, Indiana. Alternatively, the MS-MBA program begins in August and can be completed in 27 months. With five, one-week residences and a one-week international residency, students gain exposure to global business challenges and have the opportunity to expand their professional networks. Students also complete a six-credit final capstone research project.

Rutgers University's online MBA is a top-ranked program offered by an accredited business school. Core coursework covers accounting for managerial decisions, financial statement analysis, corporate social responsibility, and leadership and managing human capital. Featuring small class sizes, students in this program enjoy personalized attention from professors as well as access to student coaches, advisors, and tutors. Distance learners have the option to customize their degree with a focused learning module in business analytics, digital marketing, or investments and private wealth management. This 33-credit program consists of 11 required courses, three electives, and four foundation courses. Students can pursue their degrees on a part-time or full-time basis. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, a minimum GPA of 2.9, and competitive GMAT, GRE, or LSAT scores. Admitted students can begin at the start of the fall, spring, or summer terms.

LeTourneau University is a Christian school that offers two options for students who want to earn a graduate business degree online: an MBA program and a professional MBA (PMBA) program. The online MBA program consists of 35 credits, in which students take classes such as leadership and ethics, organizational behavior, managerial economics, and managerial finance. Coursework is delivered consecutively and can be complete in two years. The professional MBA is a 36-credit program designed for working professionals who want to move into mid-level management positions. Students in this program choose a specialization in finance, human resources management, information systems management, or oil and gas management. They can also opt to pursue a general management degree. Students who take one course every seven weeks can earn their PMBA in two years. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for the PMBA program and a GPA of 2.8 for the regular MBA program. Admitted students can choose from six start dates throughout the fall, spring, and summer terms.