Our 2014 list of the Top 25 Online MBA Programs offered by Colleges and Universities in the US affiliated with the Catholic Church. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
The Villanova School of Business offers a 48-credit-hour online MBA program that consists of 21 courses taken over six 14-week semesters. The program, which may be completed in as little as two years, requires “one intensive residency” in the first or second semester of the program. The campus-based Leadership Challenge is a three-day residency that “provides an environment for students to engage in group work and begin to develop a learning community with their classmates.” An optional second residency is on the menu as well.
The Global Practicum features an elective immersion in Dubai, United Emirates; Sydney, Australia; Milan Italy; Belgium and Poland, The European Union, or Shanghai and Beijing, The People’s Republic of China. A domestic option is available for students who are unable to travel.
While students are required to visit the campus once, all coursework for the AACSB-accredited MBA program is delivered online.
2. Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Erivan K. Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University offers a 33-credit-hour MBA that allows students to complete foundation, gateway, core, and elective courses entirely online. The AACSB International-accredited program also offers both eight and 15-week semesters. Students can expect to take courses such as Accounting Concepts, Business Analytics, Ethical Practices in Business, Marketing Strategy, and Shareholder Value Management. The Online MBA also offers a focus in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Marketing.
3. University of Scranton, Scranton, Pennsylvania
The University of Scranton offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA that features four specializations. In addition to the General MBA, students have the option to specialize in Enterprise Resource Planning, Healthcare Management, International Business or Operations Management. The 36-credit-hour online MBA features one-on-one interaction with professors and classmates via email, online discussion, and virtual meetings. There are no required residencies, so the program and all of its components may be completed 100% online.
Students can expect to complete the online MBA program in two years “at a comfortable pace of one course per term.” Students also have the option to complete the program sooner by taking more than one course per term—with advisor approval.
4. Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
The Heider College of Business at Creighton University offers a 33-credit-hour MBA that may be completed 100% online, on campus, or a combination of the two. The program is offered over 11 eight-week terms, and may be completed in two years and eight weeks. The Heider College of Business also offers six unique dual degree programs. Two are available online.
Students may choose between the MBA/Master of Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (MSAPM) or MBA/MSAPM, and the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Analytics (MS-BIA) or MBA/MS-BIA. Both programs are available 100% online and they require 48-credit-hours of study to graduate. As part of the Heider College of Business, all online MBA programs are AACSB International-accredited.
5. Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida
The School of Business at Saint Leo University offers an online MBA with eight specializations. Options include Accounting, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Information Security Management, Marketing, Market Research and Social Media Analytics, Project Management, and Sport Business. The 36-credit-hour program allows students to pursue up to two MBA concentrations concurrently. In addition, students may start the program “at any of the six terms each year.” An internship opportunity is also open to all students.
The online MBA program at Saint Leo University is IACBE-accredited.
6. University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois
The University of St. Francis (USF) offers a 36-credit-hour online MBA program that may be completed in as few as 12 to 18 months. According to USF, the program has “recently been redesigned to respond to the increasingly competitive, technological and global world of management.” Students have seven MBA concentrations to choose from including Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Health Administration, Human Resource Management, Logistics, and Training and Development. The flexible curriculum features courses that run three semesters each year (fall, spring, and summer). With an 8-week course accelerated delivery, students may enter the ACBSP-accredited online MBA program on any of five points each year.
7. Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island
Salve Regina University offers a 36-credit-hour MBA that may be completed entirely online. The program offers concentrations in Cybersecurity Issues in Business, Entrepreneurial Enterprise, Health Care Administration and Management, and Social Ventures. The program, which may be completed in three years or less, is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
8. Regis University, Denver, Colorado
The College of Professional Studies at Regis University offers a 36-credit-hour online MBA program. Students may choose the General MBA curriculum or an area of specialization. Specializations include Finance and Accounting, Health Industry Leadership, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Performance Management, and Strategic Management. The college also offers a unique bilingual MBA option—Emerging Markets (ITESO Bilingual Program) and an accelerated online MBA option.
The College of Professional Studies at Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and it is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
9. Saint Joseph’s College, Standish, Maine
Saint Joseph’s College offers a 42-credit-hour Leadership MBA (LMBA) that may be completed entirely online. Students can expect to engage in a wide range of leadership courses such as Quality Leadership, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Strategic Leadership of Human Capital, Self-Leadership, and more. Courses are offered in either 10-week online terms or five-week online/executive summer weekend terms. While campus visits are not required, students are encouraged to take advantage of optional campus visits which can “fast-track degree completion to as little as 18 months.”
Saint Joseph's College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
10. University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
The Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary offers an online MBA with
six areas of focus. Options include the Executive MBA (for students interested in Leadership), Accountancy, Energy Management, Health Care, Human Resource Management, and Management. The online MBA program is delivered in an accelerated format or students may choose the blended format, with a combination of on-site and online courses. The online accelerated format allows students to complete the MBA program in as few as 18 months.
As part of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary, the online MBA program is fully accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
11. Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Dominican University offers an online MBA with an optional concentration in Leadership. The 36-credit-hour program can be completed in as few as 16 months or students may take up to two years (or more) to complete it. According to the school, the program is delivered over five, 8-week sessions throughout the year and the non-cohort based format keeps the program flexible to fit students’ schedules. The online MBA program at Ohio Dominican University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).
12. DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania
The Division of Business at DeSales University offers an accelerated MBA that may be completed entirely online. The online MBA program features six concentrations including a unique Self-Designed option. Concentrations include Healthcare Systems Management, Human Resources Management, Management, Marketing, and Project Management. The Division offers three 12-week terms in the fall, winter, and spring, and one six-week term in the summer. Thanks to an open enrollment policy, students may start the 36- to 48-credit-hour program at the beginning of any session.
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the online MBA program at DeSales University takes two to three years to complete.
13. Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, Oregon
The School of Business at Marylhurst University offers an MBA program that may be completed in as few as 18 months. The accelerated program format features short five-week sessions. Specializations include General Management, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management. Degrees include an MBA in Health Care Management, an MBA in Real Estate and an MBA in Sustainable Business. Students have the option to complete any specialization or degree entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. The online program does not have any residency requirements.
All business degree programs at Marylhurst University carry specialized accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
14. University of Dallas, Dallas, Texas
The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas (UD) offers a 30-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed in four to five terms or a 42-credit-hour program that may be completed five to seven terms. Students may complete either program entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. Concentrations include Accounting, Cybersecurity, Finance, and Information & Technology Management.
According to UD, "the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business uses a trimester system, with fall, spring and summer terms. With year-round classes and multiple starting points each term, students can choose from 12-week, six-week or intermester classes." The online MBA program at the University of Dallas is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
15. University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Saint Francis offers two online MBA programs: the General MBA and the MBA in Sustainability. The 36- to 42-credit-hour programs may be completed in as little as 12 months. The online MBA programs at Saint Francis carry both regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and specialty accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
16. University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
The H-E-B School of Business at the University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The school offers an MBA in General Business and an MBA with a concentration in International Business. Both programs may be completed entirely online and students must complete 36 hours of advanced coursework to graduate. Depending on whether students attend full or part-time, the online MBA program may be completed in as few as 12 months up to two years or more.
17. Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois
The College of Business at Benedictine University offers an online MBA program with seven optional concentrations. Options include Accounting, Entrepreneurship and Managing Innovation, Financial Management, Health Administration, International Business, Internet Marketing, and Marketing Management. Dual MBA degree opportunities are also available. Regardless of their chosen concentration, students may begin the online MBA program at the beginning of any of six sessions per year. The program may be completed through a traditional one-course-at-a-time track or an accelerated two-courses-at-a-time track.
The traditional track may be completed in two years (possibly more) and the accelerated track may be completed in as little as one year. The full MBA program (without waivers) consists of 64 credits. Students with an educational background in business may be eligible to waive up to four foundation courses (or 16 credit hours).
18. Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The College of Business and Management at Cardinal Stritch University offers an online MBA program that requires 36-credit-hours of study to complete. All students will focus their studies in four common areas of business including Leadership, Business Technical Strategies, Finance, and Business Strategy. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
19. Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas
The School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University offers a 36-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online. The program features two concentrations—General Management and Healthcare Management, as well as the popular “MBA Bootcamp.” According to the school, the MBA Bootcamp (better known as Fundamentals of Business Administration) gives students “all the foundational knowledge in accounting, economics, business law, management, finance, and statistics they need to begin the MBA program.” Students take only the modules they need and they may start taking MBA classes upon completion of the Bootcamp—usually in 16 weeks or less. The purpose of the Bootcamp is to save time and money when compared to studying each subject separately.
The online MBA program at Our Lady of the Lake is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
20. Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania
Alvernia University offers an MBA that may be completed entirely online. The degree curriculum ranges from 36 to 45 credits depending on whether students have a business or other background. Courses are offered in eight-week modules and students may accelerate their program by taking between 30 and 39 credits to complete the program in just one year. The online MBA program at Alvernia University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
21. Anna Maria College, Paxton, Massachusetts
The School of Business at Anna Maria College offers an online MBA program with five specializations. Options include Business, Health Informatics, Public Sector Management, Sport Management, and a unique Self-Designed specialization. The Self-Designed option allows students to choose courses from existing electives of the MBA and MPA specializations. The program (with specialization) may take as little as one year to complete or up to two years if prerequisites are required.
As part of Anna Maria College, the School of Business is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Business Program is an Educational Member of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
22. Carlow University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carlow University's College of Leadership and Social Change offers an MBA program that may be completed 100% online or through a combination of on campus and online courses. The 36-credit-hour program offers concentrations in Business Administration, Global Business, Healthcare Management, and Project Management. Students can expect to complete the program in as little as two years, while continuing to work full-time.
As part of Carlow University, the online MBA program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
23. Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii
The School of Business and Communication at Chaminade University offers three MBA programs that may be completed entirely online or through a combination of online and on campus. Programs include the Traditional MBA, the Not-for-Profit MBA, and the Accounting MBA. Students can expect to take anywhere from 36 to 48 credit hours to complete any of the three programs. Most(not all) MBA elective courses for the IACBE-accredited programs are available online throughout the year. However, students will work with an MBA advisor to ensure that they complete all coursework in their desired timeframe.
24. Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin
The School of Business at Edgewood College offers an online MBA with six concentrations. Students may focus in Accounting, Finance, Health Systems Management, Management, Marketing or Sustainability Leadership. A Dual MBA/MSA is also on the menu as well as an optional international experience. Online classes for the program are offered year round and in an accelerated eight-week format. This will help students complete their degree faster.
The Edgewood online MBA program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
25. Fontbonne University, Clayton, Missouri
Fontbonne University's Eckelkamp College of Global Business and Professional Studies offers an online MBA with five concentrations. Options include Accounting, Apparel Studies, Management, Nonprofit Management, and Supply Chain Management. Each course for the 36-credit-hour program takes eight weeks to complete and students also have the option to complete the program through a blended format (half of the classes are online and half are on-campus).
The online MBA program at Fontbonne University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
