You can advance your career with advanced training, such as an MBA. An MBA degree is a master’s degree in business administration.
This degree may be the right choice for a business professional seeking additional credentials. You can even earn an MBA online, meaning you can complete courses from anywhere you have an internet connection.
In this article, we explain online MBAs and share some programs known for their online MBA offerings.
What is an online MBA?
An online MBA is an advanced degree, meaning it is a higher degree than a bachelor’s degree and is earned by taking online classes at an accredited institution. MBA programs, whether in-person or online, typically cover topics such as business communication, accounting, statistics, and entrepreneurship, which can help you build a successful business.
Taking these classes online means that you can complete your coursework from anywhere in the world, as long as you can access the university’s online learning environment, also known as the Learning Management System (LMS).
16 programs offering online MBAs
If you decide that an online MBA is the right option for you, your next step may be to research programs that may fit your needs. To help you begin the research process, here are 16 programs that offer online MBAs:
Arizona State University
Students in Arizona State University’s online MBA program take two classes at a time, allowing them to focus on course content while possibly also working on the business. They emphasize providing flexibility to students who work while attending the program.
Babson College
Babson College, a Wellesley, Massachusetts institution, offers an online MBA that prioritizes flexibility and hands-on, real-world experiences. In addition to focusing on elective options that can allow students to pursue a specific area of interest, they pair students with real clients to complete project-based learning objectives.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers an online MBA program that can last between 21 and 32 months. Students can complete the program in a fully online format or in a hybrid version and can pursue their studies part-time or full-time to meet their scheduling needs.
Florida State University
Based in Tallahassee, Florida State University offers an online MBA program that requires 39 credits to complete. One of the advantages of this program is the possibility of specializing in a specific area of the company, such as the real estate sector, insurance, or risk management.
Indiana University
Indiana University, based in Bloomington, accepts applications for its online MBA on a rolling basis. Almost all of its students are working professionals, so attendees are likely to experience opportunities for collaboration and networking.
Lehigh University
Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers an accredited online MBA that offers flexibility to working business professionals. Students who enroll can start at three different times each year, and will likely enjoy small class sizes.
Penn State World Campus
Penn State University’s online MBA offers more than 20 different ways to specialize in your course of study. Students study concepts such as operations and management and meet in an in-person session to meet and work with their cohort as part of the program.
Rice University
Rice University in Houston, Texas, offers an online MBA that is known for its emphasis on entrepreneurship. The program typically takes two years to complete.
University of St. Thomas
The online MBA program at the University of St. Thomas, based in Miami Gardens, Florida, allows students to complete half of the required credits in specific courses and choose electives for the other half. This can allow professionals greater flexibility to take courses that are aligned with their career goals.
University of Florida
The University of Florida in Gainesville offers an online MBA that can be completed in 16 months or two years. One of the advantages of this program is that it offers limited class sizes and emphasizes interpersonal interaction in the online environment.
University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
The online MBA program at the University of Illinois, based in Urbana-Champaign, offers a lively, interactive online experience. This format can be beneficial for students who prefer to interact with their peers and teachers in real-time.
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina’s online MBA program offers multiple start dates to accommodate the scheduling needs of busy professionals. They provide five areas of concentration and offer 25 elective options.
University of Southern California
The online MBA offered by the University of Southern California uses online teaching methods to offer a collaborative and rigorous learning experience. The program usually lasts five semesters.
University of Texas–Dallas
The University of Texas online MBA program provides a rigorous business education, as well as the option to earn a master of science (MS) degree at the same time. The program requires 53 semester credits, and students can begin any semester of the year.
Walsh University
Walsh University in Ohio offers an online MBA program that can be completed in one year. Students can enroll in this program six times throughout the year, making it a viable option for many professionals with variable schedules.
Webster University
The MBA program offered by Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format that provides online instruction alongside in-person learning. Students can also pursue a combined MBA/MHA, or a master’s degree in healthcare administration if they wish.
Benefits of taking an online MBA
To help you make an informed decision about your educational future, here are some potential benefits of earning an online MBA:
- Flexibility: An online MBA program can be completed from anywhere a stable Internet connection can be accessed. This can be a benefit for established professionals who may need to remain in their current location.
- Accessibility: Online learning can be more accessible to people with diverse personal circumstances because classwork can often be completed asynchronously, or at different times of the day. Be sure to research the instructional format of the programs you are interested in.
- Cost: Online MBA programs can be more affordable, depending on the program. You may also find that you can achieve significant savings by completing your MBA online because you don’t have to worry about the cost of relocation, different housing, and on-campus fees.
- Diversity: Since online MBA programs can bring together people from many different places, it is possible to be part of a diverse cohort. It is common to see a variety of different backgrounds and perspectives represented in an online MBA.
- Innovation: Online MBA programs often take advantage of new and exciting technologies to ensure the highest quality of teaching. This can be an advantage for professionals who are interested in both using innovative technology in the classroom and in their own careers.