The 2021 Guide to Online Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Programs

The Master of Business Administration, or as it's commonly called MBA, is a graduate degree achieved at a university or college that provides theoretical and practical training to help graduates gain a better understanding of general business functions. An MBA can include a variety of specialties or focuses such as accounting, financial management, and business analytics. Central to any traditional MBA program are key lessons in managing a business or business function and a broad curriculum designed to prepare graduates to be effective leaders within their field.

It's common for busy working professionals to wish to earn an MBA in order to gain further expertise in business and advance their career. In many cases the most efficient way for these professionals to gain a graduate degree without having to pause their job and sacrifice income is to enroll in an online MBA program. Fortunately, as we continue to advance modern technologies, MBA programs that can be completed entirely online are becoming much more prevalent and abundant.

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Syracuse University’s Online MBA

• Top-ranked online MBA¹
• No GMAT Required
• As few as 24 months to complete

¹The Princeton Review – Top 50 Online MBA Programs 2021 (Retrieved January 5, 2021)

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UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School- Online MBA

• #1-ranked online MBA²
• GMAT waivers available for experienced professionals
• As few as 18 months to complete

²UNC Kenan-Flagler's online MBA program was ranked #1 in 2021 by U.S. News & World Report

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American University’s Online MBA

• No GMAT required
• Six focus areas available
• Complete in as few as 15 months

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University of Denver's Online MBA

• GMAT waivers for experienced professionals
• As few as 21 months to complete
• Concentration options available in marketing and finance

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Rice Business- Online MBA

• Ranked No. 1 in the nation for graduate entrepreneurship education by the Princeton Review³
• Residential Intensive Learning Experiences (ILEs) hosted on campus
• Faculty remain active in research and publish insights in Rice Business Wisdom, an online business periodical

³The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur Magazine

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The University of Dayton- Online MBA

• As few as 12–15 months to complete
• GMAT waivers available
• AACSB accredited

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University of California, Davis- Online MBA

• On-campus MBA ranked among the top 50 MBA programs by U.S. News & World Report since 1996
• Students can complete the program in as few as 24 months
• The Graduate School of Management at UC Davis is AACSB accredited

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Pepperdine Graziadio Business School- Online MBA

• Top-ranked online MBA—ranked 21st by U.S. News & World Report
• GMAT waivers are available to qualified applicants
• Scholarships available

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Why Should You Get an MBA Online?

There are many reasons one might consider getting an online MBA degree, from enhancing their earning potential to gaining a speciality in a new field. One of the great things about MBA programs is the versatility in both coursework and career opportunities that they offer.

A Master of Business Administration traditionally prepares graduates to pursue careers in the private sector in fields such as finance, marketing, and management. Some students equipped with an MBA, however, opt to use their newfound skills to tackle philanthropic or social issues, such as education reform, by working in the public and nonprofit sectors. Some of the skills one develops in an MBA program, such as leadership and public speaking, are universal and can be applied to a broad range of careers.

Finding The Best Online MBA Program For You

In searching through the many MBA online programs that exist across the country, it’s important to weigh a variety of factors in determining which program best suits your needs. A few main points to consider are GMAT and standardized testing requirements, the accreditation status of the program, and the length of time the MBA program takes to complete. Below are a few sponsored online MBA programs that might be a great fit for working professionals across the country.

Online MBA Program Admissions Requirements

Before you begin the MBA application process, be sure to contact the accredited institutions you are interested in for information about any prerequisites you may need to fulfill before applying to business school. The majority of comprehensive MBA programs will ask you to submit the following items in order to be considered for admittance:

Note: Some additional measures are needed for international students. If you are from a country outside of the United States, check with your chosen school/schools to see what is needed from you.

Online MBA Program Curriculum

The curriculum and how many credits are required to graduate vary greatly depending on the school and whether or not you have a specialization. The number of required credits in most standard MBA programs usually falls between 48 and 62 credit hours, though some executive MBA programs can be completed sooner. Typical MBA coursework includes courses in:

• Accounting
• Operations/Organizational Management
• Finance
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management
• Business Analytics
• Information Technology and Systems

Online MBA Program Concentrations

One of the best things about masters in business administration degree programs is how highly customizable they are. There are numerous MBA concentrations that exist so that people can tailor their degree specifically to their business interest. Below are brief descriptions of just a few of the many MBA concentrations that are available to students - in both on-campus and online masters in business programs.

What Can You Do With An Online MBA Degree?

Recent graduates of MBA programs have a wide variety of career options to choose from. Below are just a few of the typical careers (and their average salaries according to Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 data) that students enter into upon graduation:

• Financial Manager (Median Salary - $129,890)
• Business Operations Manager (Median Salary - $123,030)
• Marketing Manager (Median Salary - $135,900)
• Management Analysts (Median Salary - $85,260)

Although the careers outlined above are common jobs for MBA graduates, one of the best things about the degree is the freedom it grants you. Graduates can also pursue options that marry a love of business with a love of something else like philanthropy or education. Discover whether an MBA career is right for you.

Online MBA Programs to Consider

Teach.com has compiled a list of online masters in business administration programs from across the United States and has included information about their testing (GMAT or GRE) requirements, their accreditation status, and the length of time they take to complete. Look through them carefully before determining which is the best online MBA for you!