Our 2015 list of the Top 10 Online MBA Programs on the West Coast. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
Washington State University is home to the Carson College of Business that offers a 36-credit-hour online MBA and a 44-credit-hour online Executive MBA (EMBA). The online MBA program offers three concentrations – Marketing, Finance, and International Business, and may completed in as little as 22 months. Students without a bachelor’s degree in business may have to take up to 17 additional credit hours, which will increase their completion time.
The online EMBA consists of Marketing-Marketing Management and Administrative Policy, Finance-Problems in Financial Management, Management Information Systems-Information Systems Analysis, Business Administration-Business Analytics, and Accounting-Administrative Control. The EMBA program, which also offers the opportunity to travel to China for a weeklong residency, may be completed in as little 18 months. Both the online MBA and EMBA are AACSB International-accredited.
2. Pepperdine University, Malibu, California
The Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University offers an online MBA program that features four elective concentrations. Students may choose between Finance, General Management, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, and Marketing. Accredited by AACSB International, the 52-credit-hour program takes as little as two years to complete.
3. City University of Seattle, Seattle Washington
The School of Management at City University of Seattle offers an online MBA program with 11 emphasis areas. Options include Accounting, Change Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Management, Global Marketing, Human Resource Management, Management Consulting, Project Management, Sustainable Business, and Technology Management. The 48-credit-hour program is also available via "mixed-mode,” which allows students to complete part of the degree in class and part online.
The online MBA program at City University of Seattle is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
4. University of La Verne, La Verne, California
The College of Business and Public Management (CBPM) at the University of La Verne offers two MBA programs that may be completed online or a combination of online and on-campus. For online students, the 33-credit-hour MBA and the “MBA, Experienced Professionals” offer concentrations in Finance, Management and Leadership, and Marketing.
The University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
5. Brandman University, Irvine, California
Brandman University offers a 36 to 48-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online or via a blended (on-campus and online) format. Either format may be customized by choosing electives in the areas of Accounting, e-Business Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Administration, Human Resources, International Business, Marketing or Organizational Leadership. Courses for the online MBA program and the blended MBA are eight weeks in length and they are offered six times year round.
Brandman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
6. California State University-Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
The College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) at California State University-Dominguez Hills offers a professional MBA program that may be completed 100% online. Students may choose between the general MBA and the MBA with a concentration. Concentrations include Finance, Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management,
Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, International Business, Management, and Marketing Management. Depending on the concentration, students will complete 30 or 33 units.
Enrollment for the program takes place four times each year in spring, summer, fall #1, and fall #2. Each session is scheduled in 12-week intervals and students typically complete two courses per session. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the online MBA program at CBAPP takes around 18 months to complete.
7. California State University-Stanislaus, Turlock, California
The College of Business Administration at California State University-Stanislaus offers a 33-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online. The Online Master of Business Administration (OMBA) program utilizes Skype video conferencing, Elluminate! Live virtual classroom sessions, and online office hours to deliver coursework and connect students with the programs Sloan Consortium-certified instructors. Students may also collaborate via online chat sessions and practice leadership skills in a “global virtual setting.”
Online MBA students can expect to complete the AACSB International-accredited program in less than two years.
8. California Baptist University, Riverside California
California Baptist University Online (CBU Online) offers two MBA programs—a Masters of Business Administration in Accounting (MBA-ACC) and a Masters of Business Administration in General Management (MBA-GM). Both 36-credit-hour programs take around 16 months to complete and coursework is delivered entirely online. According to the university, “the primary objective of the MBA program is to provide graduate students with a Christ-centered business education that is rigorous and designed to prepare students to effectively lead organizations, implement change, and manage business affairs with conviction and in a manner that is honoring to God.” The programs offer small classes, the latest distance learning tools, and “experiential learning through practical application of theory.”
California Baptist University's online MBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
9. California State University-San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California
The College of Business and Public Administration at California State University-San Bernardino offers 12-course MBA program that may be completed entirely online. Courses are taught in five-week sessions and students typically dedicate 20-25 hours of study time per course. Fully accredited by AACSB International, the online MBA program takes just 18 months to complete.
10. Fresno State University, Fresno, California
Fresno State University is home to the Craig School of Business (CSB) which offers a 36-unit MBA program that may be completed online, on-campus, or a combination of the two. The combined option is known as the “Online Blended MBA.” With the exception of an orientation, selected final exams, and final culminating experience presentations, this general MBA may be completed entirely online. The program, which utilizes the Blackboard Learning System, provides the opportunity for all students to participate in CSB’s Summer Study Abroad Program.
In addition, the online MBA program at CSB is AACSB International-accredited.
