Online MBA News – November 2018

Online MBA programs have become so popular that students have more options today than ever before. Students can choose to enroll in a hybrid program close to home or an online program at a school across the country. They can even enroll in an online program at a school overseas. The options are plentiful, and the growth trend for these flexible Online MBA programs is expected to continue with dozens of programs set to debut in 2019.

We are pleased to announce that Florida Institute of Technology, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, University of Houston-Victoria, and University of North Texas now offer convenient Online MBA Programs designed to prepare graduates for entry into today’s most in-demand industries. And all are accepting applications for 2019.

1. Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida

Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) has launched an accelerated business program that allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in four years (3+1 program). The school has also launched a 4+1 program that allows students to complete a BS to MBA in five years. Offered through the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, the MBA program “focuses on honing technical and managerial skills necessary for dealing with the global challenges of the 21st century,” says the school.

“A key component is creating solutions while working effectively in a multicultural team environment.” Students in the MBA program will learn about “strategic management and executive leadership necessary to address complex problems associated with today’s technology-driven environment. Business faculty with a strong entrepreneurial spirit bring into the classroom a depth of knowledge and real-world experience within and across industry sectors.”

Students in the MBA program will “apply critical thinking through experiences such as analyzing business cases and related ethical issues, exploring new venture development, conducting financial analysis of publicly traded firms, and developing strategic plans for multinational corporations.” Students in the new accelerated programs will also have the option to take courses both on-campus and online.

The GMAT or GRE are not required for admission to the Florida Tech Online MBA program.

Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, Florida Institute of Technology serves nearly 9,000 students enrolled in more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, as well as associate and certificate programs. The school consists of four colleges and the Aldrin Space Institute. Colleges include the College of Aeronautics, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, the College of Engineering and Science, and the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.

The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business is an accredited member of IACBE (International Accreditation Council for Business Education).

2. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ) has introduced a 100% Online MBA that it says offers “the same academic excellence as on-campus instruction, delivered in an accelerated, online format.” Offered through the School of Business, the new offering was developed through close collaboration “with the region’s top business professionals to bring theoretical knowledge and real-world experience to this rigorous online program.” The school says, “many of those same leaders serve on the SIUE advisory board, as do alumni who ensure the course work is relevant, up-to-date and tailored to real business needs.”

The new program will consist of 36 credit hours of study with the opportunity to choose from the General MBA or high-demand specializations in Management, Management Information Systems or Business Analytics. The specializations will “prepare for higher-level roles as business management professionals and leaders.”

“Designed to engage students in a supportive, intellectually rich learning environment with the goal of enhancing their professional achievement,” the SIUE Online MBA program can be completed in as few as 12 months “at an affordable tuition price of $17,269.” Initial classes start on January 19, 2019, with six start dates per year, and no foundation courses required for students without an undergraduate degree in business.

Founded in 1957, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville serves nearly 13,300 students enrolled in more than 100 programs in eight colleges and schools. SIUE’s School of Business and the accountancy programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).

3. University of Houston-Victoria, Victoria, Texas

The School of Business Administration at University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) is home to one of the first Online MBA degrees in the Greater Houston Area. Now, the school has streamlined its Global and Strategic MBA degrees to “accommodate students’ changing lifestyles and better prepare them to compete in the business world,” reports the UHV newsroom. The revised programs will be more integrative and rigorous, and answer the needs of potential employers in Houston, across the U.S., and abroad.

Per Interim Dean James Jordan-Wagner, “The School of Business Administration is committed to meeting the needs of our students by offering affordable, quality programs and being responsive to changes in the marketplace.” So, beginning this fall, the requirement to complete either the Global or Strategic MBA programs will be 36 credit hours. In addition, the fees for both programs will be reduced to $45 a credit hour.

With an international focus, the Global MBA is offered 100% online. Classes for the program are offered in an eight-week format. Offered at the UHV Katy Teaching Center, the Strategic MBA focuses on business strategy and policy. Some courses for the program are available online. As part of the School of Business Administration, both programs are AACSB-accredited.

University of Houston-Victoria 1973 began in 1973 as an off-campus center of the University of Houston called the University of Houston Victoria Center. In its inaugural year, 100 students enrolled in at the center. Today, the school serves more than 4,400 students from 19 states and 38 countries. Some 70 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and concentrations are offered in the arts and sciences, business administration, and the education, health professions and human development fields.

4. University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

The College of Business at University of North Texas (UNT COB) has added a rare STEM-designated MBA in Business Analytics to the school’s long list of graduate business offerings. In a UNT News Release, UNT Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences Chair Leon Kappelman said, “We are now one of the only MBA degrees in the U.S. with a STEM-designation.”

Per UNT COB, the program is designed for technical professionals who want to move into a managerial career path and lead the teams that solve problems related to analytics and data science. “The beauty of this unique configuration,” says Kappelman, “is that students not only get a strong foundation in business analytics, but they will also graduate with a core-management foundation.” This is “great for those who aspire to managerial and C-suite positions,” he said.

The new STEM-designated MBA in Business Analytics will offer both online and traditional, face-to-face courses. In addition, classes will be held on the Denton campus and in Frisco, TX. Students can begin taking classes for the program in August 2019.

University of North Texas serves 38,000 students, making it one of the nation’s largest universities. Founded in 1890 as the Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute, the school offers 103 bachelor's, 86 master's, and 38 doctoral degree programs in 13 colleges and schools. The School of Business, which serves 5,800 students, is AACSB-accredited.