Our 2021 list of the Top 25 Online MBA Programs in the South. We define the South as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | North Carolina |
| 2 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 3 | Auburn University | Alabama |
| 4 | North Carolina State University | North Carolina |
| 5 | University of Miami | Florida |
| 6 | Florida State University | Florida |
| 7 | Clemson University | South Carolina |
| 8 | Florida International University | Florida |
| 9 | Louisiana State University | Louisiana |
| 10 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi |
| 11 | University of Mississippi | Mississippi |
| 12 | University of Memphis | Tennessee |
| 13 | University of South Florida | Florida |
| 14 | Georgia WebMBA | Georgia |
| 15 | West Virginia University | West Virginia |
| 16 | Florida Atlantic University | Florida |
| 17 | East Carolina University | North Carolina |
| 18 | University of Tennessee at Martin | Tennessee |
| 19 | University of Tennessee Chattanooga | Tennessee |
| 20 | The Citadel | South Carolina |
| 21 | Samford University | Alabama |
| 22 | Arkansas State University | Arkansas |
| 23 | Loyola University New Orleans | Louisiana |
| 24 | Marshall University | West Virginia |
| 25 | Florida A&M University | Florida |
In 1795, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) became the only public university in the U.S. to award degrees in the 18th century. The School of Commerce was established in 1919 and is known today as Kenan-Flagler Business School. With more than 42,000 graduates working in all states and dozens of countries, UNC Kenan-Flagler is considered one of the nation’s top business schools.
The online MBA program at UNC (MBA@UNC) is one of the most recognized and established in the country. This 66 credit hour, STEM-designated degree program allows students to interact with faculty weekly using a face-to-face online platform. Program highlights include a customizable curriculum, on-campus summits, and experiential global opportunities that allow students to travel to major business centers around the world such as Johannesburg, Istanbul, London, Singapore, and others. MBA@UNC students can customize their studies and refine their leadership skills with 25+ elective options in five concentration areas including Data Analytics and Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, and Strategy and Consulting.
Students may participate in several additional programs to gain even more hands-on business and international experience. Optional programs include Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR), the Exchange Program, and Doing Business In (DBI). STAR students "students learn by doing as they take on the role of consultants to real companies,” says the school, while the Exchange Program “allows MBA@UNC students to study at another top-ranked business school in countries across the globe." Doing Business In (DBI) "gives students an opportunity to study abroad at an MBA exchange partner school."
With four annual start dates (January, April, July and October), the MBA@UNC can completed in as few as 18 months or as many as 36, depending on the students schedule and other commitments. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Founded in 1853 and serving nearly 58,000 students, the University of Florida (UF) is one of the largest and oldest universities in the state. The school houses more than 200 bureaus, education centers, institutes, and research & service centers, along with more than a dozen colleges and schools.
In 1999, the Warrington College of Business at University of Florida became one of the first schools to offer a fully accredited, 100% online MBA program. The school says the “innovative 24-month option does not require a single campus visit.” The school also offers a 16-month accelerated option for those who have an undergraduate degree in business and graduated in the last seven years.
A concurrent Outreach Engineering Management (OEM) Master’s (OEM/MBA) is also available. This degree option “reduces the amount of time and coursework required for students to obtain both the MBA and the OEM degree from UF."
Course highlights for the online MBA include Business Plan Formation, Business-to-Business Marketing, Customer Analysis, Introduction to Real Estate, Marketing Analytics, Measuring and Managing Value, and The Art & Science of Negotiation.
All online MBA students are encouraged to enroll in UF's MBA Global Immersion Experiences (GIE). Students register for the two-credit course that meets in person and online over the course of the semester and includes a seven- to 10-day experience abroad in Argentina, Brazil, China, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, and others.
The Online MBA programs at UF’s Warrington College of Business are AACSB-accredited.
Auburn University was chartered in 1856 as East Alabama Male College—a Methodist institution. Beginning with EAMC, the school has had four official names: Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and Auburn University. Classes were first held for 80 students with a faculty of six in 1859. Today, the school serves approximately 30,737 students enrolled in 140 programs within 13 colleges and schools.
The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, which has grown an impressive 50% over the last seven years, offers a video-based Distance MBA that may be completed in 2.5 years, part-time. The 36 credit hour program offers an optional three-day orientation at the beginning of the program and a three-day on campus residency on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before graduation. Otherwise, all coursework for the program is delivered through the University's online student learning platform CANVAS.
Students use CANVAS to view lectures, work with team members on group assignments, ask questions and hold discussions with professors and classmates, submit homework, and access course materials. The lock-step curriculum allows online students to watch the exact same lectures, take the same tests, and communicate with the same professors as on-campus students.
Students can live-stream classes or choose to watch at the time most convenient for them. Courses are taken at the student’s own pace, with most online students taking one or two classes each semester. The curriculum includes a mix of core business classes and business electives and the final semester includes the Capstone Course, where groups of MBA students provide consultation to a number of real businesses on various topics.
In addition to optional concentrations in Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems, Supply Chain, Business Analytics and Human Resource Management, this AACSB-accredited program offers dual degrees (MBA/MS) in Finance, Information Systems, and Industrial and Systems Engineering as well as graduate certificates that complement the online MBA. Certificates range from nine to 24 credit hours and include Business Analytics, Cybersecurity Management, Management Information Systems, and Supply Chain Management Innovation to name a few.
Graduate research assistantships, which are awarded annually, are also available.
North Carolina State University (NC State or NCSU) held its first classes in the fall of 1889 with 72 students, six faculty members and one building. Today, NC State is the largest of the 16 higher-education institutions in the University of North Carolina system, with over 2,000 faculty members, an administrative and support staff of more than 5,500, and a current enrollment of more than 36,700 students from across the state and around the world. Through its 11 colleges, NC State offers 100+ undergraduate programs, 100+ master’s programs, 60+ doctoral programs, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
The school’s most popular majors are Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Engineering.
Founded in 1992 and serving more than 3,500 students, Poole College of Management at NC State offers a 40 credit hour Professional Online MBA that has six “Depth Areas” comprised of the same functional area options as concentrations, but with fewer credit hours required to graduate. Known as the “Jenkins MBA,” areas for the program include Biosciences Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology Commercialization, Financial Management, Innovation Management, Marketing Management, and Supply Chain Management. This AACSB-accredited program also offers the opportunity to earn Decision Analytics or SAP Certification. SAP is the world's largest enterprise applications software company, with a wide range of software used by more than 38,000 firms in over 120 countries.
Students in the Jenkins Online MBA program may choose the Accelerated Path, which takes as few as 21 months to complete, or the Flexible Path, which allows students to complete their degree in as little as 21 months or up to six years. Both pathways “integrate proven technology strategies to help connect” students with professors, guest speakers, and peers, “using podcasts, videos, and online presentations.” Students will work with virtual teams during discussions and on group projects. Professors also provide office hours through a virtual collaborative space, phone, email, and online chat.
The Jenkins Online MBA requires two three-day residencies on NC State’s main campus in Raleigh. In addition, students are encouraged to complete an optional International Immersion that lasts for seven to eight days. “The focus of the trip is to provide global business and cultural awareness skills,” says the school.
For 2019, travel experiences include France: MBA, Art & Science of Negotiation in Paris and Germany: MBA, Innovation & Marketing Systems in Munich. Study abroad trips take place during the Spring and Summer semesters, (usually mid-March or mid-May).
Established in 1925, University of Miami (UM) serves more than 17,000 students enrolled in more than 180 majors and programs across 11 schools and colleges. One of the region’s top research universities, UM houses the School of Business Administration, which offers an inline MBA known as the “UOnline Professional MBA.” This 42 credit hour, AACSB-accredited program is “taught by the same high-caliber faculty members that also teach on-campus,” says the school, and it takes 24-48 months to complete.
Focus areas for the program include Accounting Practice, Corporate Finance, and Financial Decision Making. Accounting Practice requires an additional nine credit hours of study and Corporate Finance and Financial Decision Making require an additional five credit hours.
Though the MBA program is delivered entirely online, students may attend an optional, on campus residency and/or an optional on campus orientation and campus tour. The residency is a “week-long immersion session, during which you will take one full, accelerated course on campus.” The orientation allows students to meet faculty, University staff, and fellow classmates before their studies begin.
The GMAT is not a requirement for admission to the UOnline Professional MBA Program.
Founded in 1851, Florida State University (FSU) is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. Serving nearly 42,600 students. FSU is also one of the largest universities in the state serving. With notable alumni such as Benjamin Crump, Deion Sanders, Jim Morrison, and Sara Blakely, members of the New York Yankees, and over twenty current and former generals and admirals in the U.S. military, FSU also has a network of more than 360,000 alumni from Florida and around the world.
The College of Business at FSU (COB FSU) serves more than 6,000 students enrolled in dozens of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. The school offers two online MBA programs: the Part-Time MBA and the Part-Time MBA with a Real Estate Specialization. The 39 credit hour Part-Time MBA offers a General Track or a Specialization in Management Information Systems or Risk Management and Insurance. The program may be completed in two to 2.5 years or seven semesters.
Online MBA students may participate in the Global Business Seminar for Graduate Students, which provides the opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea at firms such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai, Kia and LG. The program, which also features several cultural excursions, focuses on the "globalization and sustainability of Korean multinational firms," says the school.
The Part-Time MBA with a Real Estate Specialization also consists of 39 credit hours and features a “rigorous set of elective courses focused on real estate and analysis.” The program, which also offers a study abroad option, may be completed in two to 2.5 years. As part of the FSU College of Business, both the Part-Time MBA and Part-Time MBA-Real Estate are AACSB-accredited.
Founded in 1889, Clemson University is a public, land-grant research university that serves around 26,400 students. The second-largest university in South Carolina, Clemson offers more than 170 majors and minors, and 130+ graduate degree programs in 10 colleges and schools.
The College of Business launched an online MBA program in 2019 for candidates with more than two years’ work experience. This part-time, AACSB-accredited program designed for working professionals “utilizes the same corporate MBA curriculum and faculty and is designed to accelerate careers into areas of management and executive leadership,” says the school. The flexible format allows students to “select the class structure that best fits their schedule and learning style - and change it anytime during the semester.” This means, students can “join a live class through video conferencing,” allowing them to “participate fully and ask questions at any time.” Access to recorded lectures is available as well.
Other program highlights include the opportunity to earn a certificate to enhance the students’ credentials (Cybersecurity Business Practices and Reliability Engineering are just a few options), networking, seminars, conferences, and extensive resources in career planning. Students also have access to optional short-term study abroad opportunities in places such as Paris, Rome, and the UK.
Graduates of the Clemson University Online MBA Program enjoy a 95% job placement rate.
Founded in 1965, Florida International University (FIU) is Miami’s first and only four-year, public research university. The school, which has the highest research classification offered by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has earned more than $1 billion during the past decade and it operates the world’s only underwater ocean laboratory—Aquarius. Serving nearly 54,000 students, FIU is one of the top 10 largest universities in the nation.
More than 250 programs are offered at FIU, including popular majors such as Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Psychology; and Social Sciences.
The FIU Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business offers a fully online MBA tailored for busy, working professionals. Known as the “Professional MBA (PMBA) Online,” the program
offers the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere, and at the students own pace. Students may choose from three different pacing tracks, five term starts, and ten specializations. In addition, the PMBA Program offers unique performance-based scholarships of up to $15,000.
FIU lists the following specialization options: Business Data Analytics, Business Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, International Business, Leadership, Marketing Channel Strategy, Real Estate, Sports Management, and Strategic Negotiations. Each specialization consists of two courses (out of the 14 total in the program).
In addition selecting a specialization, students will are required to take three Professional Development Seminars (PDS) during the first quarter of the program. Professional Development - Work Preference Indicator Assessment, Professional Development - Presentation Skills Seminar, and Professional Development - Career Services Seminar. An optional two-day MBA residency in Miami is available and highly recommend. The school says that the residency is “is a great opportunity for students to come to our beautiful campus to meet their professors, the program’s administrators, and network with their peers.”
During the two-day residency, the program focuses on “developing soft, career-enhancing skills. Activities include expert speakers on hot topics, case-method analysis, team-building workshop, an etiquette luncheon, and networking events.” The residency is included in tuition.
The FIU PMBA Online utilizes discussion boards, chat, and email, online e-advising and e-tutoring, and academic coaches. This AACSB-accredited program requires 42 credit hours of study to graduate and students interested in the healthcare industry may choose the Online Healthcare MBA. This program also requires 42 credit hours of study, which may be completed in as few as 18 months.
Depending on factors such as whether student attends full- or part-time, prerequisite requirements, and more, the FIU PMBA may be completed in as few as 18 to 21 months, or 33 months.
Louisiana State University (LSU) welcomed its first class on January 2, 1860. Today, the school is in the elite 1% of U.S. universities having land-, sea-, and space-grant designations. Serving 34,290 enrolled in more than 235 programs in 15 colleges and schools, LSU is known for graduating students that leave the school with zero debt and the chance to earn, on average, $12,000 more than those graduating from other universities.
The E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University (LSU) is home to the Flores Online MBA. Designed for professionals with at least five years’ work experience, this AACSB-accredited program offers six start dates annually.
Flores MBA students are required to take 14 courses (42 credit hours) and they have the opportunity to choose elective courses to create a focus. A few options include Negotiation, Persuasion and Influence, and Seminar in New Developments in Business Administration.
There are no residency requirements for the LSU Flores Online MBA and students may complete the program in as few as 18 months.
Mississippi State University (MSU) was established in 1878. This comprehensive, doctoral degree-granting institution holds the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s designation as a Doctoral/Extensive institution. As the state’s leading research university, the school serves nearly 23,000 students enrolled in more than 175 programs leading to a baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degree.
MSU programs are offered in the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art and Design; Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Forest Resources; Veterinary Medicine; the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, and Shackouls Honors College.
The College of Business at MSU is recognized as the oldest business school in the south. It offers a 30 credit hour fully online MBA and a 33 credit hour online MBA with a Project Management Concentration. Courses for both programs emphasize Accounting, Business Decision Analysis, Finance, Management, Marketing, Strategic Management in a Competitive Environment, and Supply Chain & Operations Management.
Both AACSB-accredited programs offer enrollment in fall, spring, or summer and they typically take two years to complete. However, students who have completed all undergraduate prerequisites can finish either program in as few as 18 months. Prerequisite courses are also available online.
Chartered on February 24, 1844, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss or UM) is Mississippi's flagship university. The school opened its doors in 1848 to just 80 students. For the next 23 years, UM was Mississippi’s only public institution of higher learning. For 110 years, it was the state’s only comprehensive university.
Today, UM serves nearly 19,000 students at the Oxford campus and regional campuses in Grenada, Southaven, and Tupelo. UM offers hundreds of programs in the College of Liberal Arts, nine schools, and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
The School of Business Administration at UM offers an Online Professional MBA that “employs a fully supported online learning system integrated with features such as video conferencing, interactive discussions and similar collaborative technologies necessary for effective online instruction,” says the school.
The 36 credit hour program covers Communication, Entrepreneurial, Interpersonal, and Leadership skills as well as Critical and Strategic Thinking, and Creativity. Geared towards working professionals, the UM Online MBA highlights courses such as Contemporary Business Analysis, Managerial Accounting, Mobilizing Technology, and Organizational Behavior.
The UM Online MBA is AACSB accredited and it may be completed in as few as two years or extended to accommodate any work schedule.
University of Memphis (UofM) was founded in 1912 as West Tennessee State Normal School. The school serves 22,203 students enrolled in 17 bachelor’s degree programs in more than 250 areas of study, master’s degrees in 54 subjects, doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines, education specialist degree in two areas, a Juris Doctor, and graduate certificate programs in 44 areas of study. Programs are offered in 13 colleges and schools.
The Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE) at UofM offers six different tracks to earn an MBA, including the Online MBA. This 36 credit hour, AACSB-accredited program has no prerequisite requirements for the core curriculum, and learning is synchronous (time-specific delivery of selected course activity) and asynchronous (does not require specific compulsory time windows for meeting online).
Course highlights for the FCBE Online MBA include Business Analytics for Managers, Global Financial Management, Global Strategic Management, Information Systems in the Global Enterprise, Leadership and Negotiation, Supply Chain Operations Management, and the Global Strategic Management Capstone. All students have access to the FCBE Professional Development Center (PDC), which offers resources such as the Fogelman Internship and Career Network (FIN), resume building resources, career training resources, and networking events.
Graduates of the FCBE Online MBA Program have found success in positions at top companies such as Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), FedEx, Hilton Worldwide, McDonald’s, Nike, Toshiba, the U.S. Army, Verizon, and Wal-Mart.
Founded in 1956, the University of South Florida (USF) serves more than 50,000 students at locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, Florida. The school is the fourth largest public research university in Florida and one of the largest in the U.S. USF students choose from 180 majors and degree programs at the graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, in 14 colleges.
The Muma College of Business at USF offers an AACSB-accredited MBA Program that may be completed entirely online. The school says the Online MBA is not a “one-size-fits-all” program. With an advisor, students have the option to “choose electives curated for this limited access program according to particular career aspirations,” or they “may opt to select one of four concentrations unique to the online program. Concentrations include Compliance, Risk, and Anti-Money Laundering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Healthcare Analytics.
Courses are asynchronous and the program highlights teamwork, weekly discussions, and collaboration sessions. Most MUMA MBA students are working full-time while enrolled and complete the program in two-three years. Others may choose to enroll full-time and finish in one year.
Recent USF MUMA MBA graduates are employed at international companies as well as in positions at some of Florida’s top corporations.
Established in 2001, the Georgia WebMBA is jointly offered by seven University System of Georgia Schools—Augusta University, Columbus State University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University.
Designed for professionals who want to earn their MBA without the restrictions of set class times and locations, the program requires just one onsite two-day orientation in Atlanta. After this, all required activities are exclusively online. However, Georgia Web MBA students have access to the same services as other participants in the home university MBA programs, including career services, on-campus events, and networking opportunities.
This AACSB-accredited program relies primarily on virtual team-based learning. This unique cohort structure “promotes efficient student interactions, peer-to-peer learning, and long-lasting relationships,” says the school. Course highlights include Global & International Business, Entrepreneurship, Managerial Decision Analysis, Strategic Marketing, Management Information Systems, and Human Behavior in Organization, to name a few.
Georgia WebMBA students have the option to complete the program in five consecutive semesters within a year and a half. This accelerated option allows students to begin the program in January or August and complete two online courses each term. Otherwise, the program typically takes around 20 months to complete.
The Georgia WebMBA has graduated over 2,700 students and many have gone on to successful careers at top companies across the U.S. and around the world.
West Virginia University’s research classification is R1: Doctoral Universities—the highest research activity as described by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Founded in 1867, this public, land-grant institution serves just over 29,100 students across the entire WVU system, which includes Morgantown (26,269), WVU Tech (1,645), and Potomac State College (1,193). Nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate majors are offered in more than a dozen colleges and schools.
The John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University offers an online hybrid MBA that takes two years to complete. This asynchronous program consists of 13 courses and it has two start dates each year including August and January. Students must attend two three-day residencies to meet their professors, network with classmates, and engage in experiential learning.
During the final semester of the program, students will participate in the mock venture capital fair held in Morgantown, WV where they will work with teammates to navigate through a simulation and pitch their business's needs to mock VCs. The project is part of the Integrated Global Business course. Other course highlights include Export Management, Management Information Systems, Negotiation Strategy, Personal Financial Planning, and Strategic Communications.
Students will also complete Executive Project 1 & 2, which provides the opportunity to develop and demonstrate project management skills through the preparation and presentation of a full and complete project/business implementation plan. Students may choose from several unique specializations including Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, Energy Finance, or Integrated Marketing Communications. To enhance the degree, “Bolt On” Certificates are available in Business Data Analytics, Business Cybersecurity Management or Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination.
The AACSB-accredited Chambers College of Business and Economics at WVU also offers a 39 credit hour Healthcare MBA, delivered fully online. This program can be completed in less than two years. A Military Online MBA, Dual JD Online MBA, Dual PharmD Online MBA, and the Dual MBA/MS Nursing Online MBA are also available.
Established in 1961, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) officially opened its doors in 1964 with 867 students and as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, with six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast, FAU serves more 37,625 students enrolled in more than 170 degree programs in 10 colleges.
The College of Business (COB) at FAU offers an MBA program that may be completed 100% online. Designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees in any discipline, the 16- to 23-month OMBA program has no GMAT/GRE, residency, or international residency requirements. While OMBA is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any area, four years of work experience is required for admission to the program.
COB FAU Online MBA highlights include a 100% asynchronous format, allowing students to access courses at any time and from any location, with an internet connection, a 40-46 credit curriculum (28-34 core MBA credits, 12 elective credits), a team-based cohort format, and VIP Concierge Service and Support. The program also contains the same curriculum, and is taught by the same professors, as the campus-based programs. Students will learn and engage with faculty and peers through recorded online lectures, presentations, discussion, and chats.
The AACSB-accredited FAU Online MBA program was recently ranked #1 in Florida and #5 in the U.S. in terms of a student’s return on investment (ROI), with one of the nation’s highest average salary-to-debt ratios after getting an MBA. Programs start in May, August, and January.
Note that FAU also offers Caribbean and South American OMBA programs tailored to individual’s living in these areas.
Established in 1907, East Carolina University (ECU) held its first classes in 1909, opening its doors to just 174 students. Today the school serves around 28,800 students from all 100 North Carolina counties and 47 states plus DC. More than 100 undergraduate degree programs, over 70 master's degree programs, two intermediate programs, and over 60 graduate certificate programs are offered in 11 colleges and schools. In addition, more than 100 online degree and certificate programs are available, along with 13 research doctoral programs and six first professional programs (AuD, DMD, DNP, DPT, EdD, MD). ECU holds the distinction of being classified among the Doctoral/Research Universities by the Carnegie Foundation.
AACSB accredited since 1967, the College of Business at East Carolina University (COB at ECU) offers an MBA program that may be completed entirely online or in hybrid format. There are no residency requirements for the 100% online MBA and students can create a schedule that works with theirs, with the support and guidance of a dedicated advisor. Students may set their own pace throughout the program – taking between one to five courses each semester, take off a semester or more off if needed, and complete courses in any order, provided prerequisites are met.
The customizable ECU MBA is designed for both business and non-business undergraduates. The degree is “completely self-contained, requiring no prerequisite business experience or coursework,” says the school. The program consists of a maximum of 18 courses, or 54 semester hours, and “provides an engaging and flexible education in the theory and practice of business management – exposing students to a range of subjects,” including accounting, finance, economics, information systems, marketing, operations management, strategy, and supply chain management. Courses are divided into three categories including seven foundation courses, eight common body of knowledge courses, and three electives/graduate certificate courses.
Students can choose from more than 30 different electives to customize their MBA experience to their career goals or opt for one of 12 COB-affiliated graduate certificates to satisfy the elective requirement. Most certificates require four or five courses, which will add one or two additional courses to the program. Certificates are designed to provide students “with meaningful insight into the issues of a specific industry from colleges or departments both inside and outside the College of Business.”
Certificates are awarded from the respective colleges or departments in conjunction with the degree and successful completion of a certificate is reflected on the graduate’s transcript.
University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) dates back to the founding of Hall-Moody Institute in 1900. The Institute established UT Junior College in 1927, which would eventually become University of Tennessee at Martin. Today, this comprehensive, public university serves 1900 of Hall-Moody Institute, through the establishment in 1927 of UT Junior College. Students choose from more than 100 different undergraduate and graduate programs in five colleges and more than 20 departments.
The College of Business and Global Affairs at UT Martin has an AACSB-accredited MBA program that has been in existence since 1978. The program has an online option that consists of 33 credit hours. Designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree and at least one year of full-time work experience who are seeking to advance their careers, this cohort-based pathway allows students to interact with peers and faculty via discussion boards, email, virtual classrooms and virtual group meeting rooms.
Courses for the program are delivered sequentially and include Banking and Financial Services, Corporate Financial Management, Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, Organizational Theory and Design, and Strategic Management and Business Policy, to name a few.
Trips to the UT Martin campus are not required, so all interaction between the programs diverse group of students and faculty takes virtually. Other assignments and exams are completed and submitted online. The UT Martin Online MBA emphasizes that it has just 25 students per cohort “to keep each other motivated.” Students typically begin the program in January or June, and most will complete their MBA in approximately 18 months.
University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) began as Chattanooga University in 1886. Today, UTC has become a statewide system of higher education comprised of four primary campuses including Chattanooga, Knoxville, Martin, and Memphis. UTC Serves just over 11,700 students enrolled in more than 100 programs in the areas of Accounting, Business and Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, and Marketing. Programs are offered in six colleges and schools and more than 25 departments.
The Gary W. Rollins College of Business offers an MBA program that may be completed entirely online or in hybrid format (combination face-to-face and online). Rollins business programs are the only AACSB-accredited business graduate programs in the area. Other features include cooperative education assignments, experiential learning opportunities, and three career-focused concentrations—Business Analytics, Finance, and Healthcare Administration.
Students may also supplement the core curriculum in the UTC Rollins General MBA program by taking the elective courses that align best with their career goals. For the 100% Online MBA, interaction with instructors and colleagues takes place virtually via Zoom meetings, online chats, email, and phone calls. Hybrid students (Flexible Online MBA) will attend some classes during evening hours.
The programs consist of 12 courses (36 credit hours), including eight core courses, three elective courses or three concentration courses, and one capstone course. Students in both programs have access to support services such as graduate career services and coaching, counseling services, and the UTC library.
Part-time and full-time study options are available for both programs with four start dates: Fall, Spring, Summer 1, and Summer 2. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as 18 months, while part-time students can graduate in as little as 24 months.
Founded in 1842, “the Citadel is a landmark in Charleston and South Carolina, noted for its educational reputation as well as its rich history,” says the school. The Citadel Military College serves “an undergraduate student body of about 2,300 students who make up the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Another 1,000 students attend The Citadel Graduate College, a civilian evening and online program that offers graduate and professional degrees as well as undergraduate programs.”
“The Citadel is best known nationally for its Corps of Cadets, which draws students from about 45 states and a dozen countries. The men and women in the Corps live and study under a classical military system that makes leadership and character development an essential part of the educational experience.”
The Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business at The Citadel offers an MBA program that may be completed 100% online. This AACSB-accredited program helps students develop essential management and leadership skills that can be immediately applied to their current positions, sharpen ethical and critical thinking skills sought by employers, expand professional opportunities and become a principled leader in business, and build a strong network of peers through involvement in classroom interactions.
Students have access to specialized electives in Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Supply Chain as well as the opportunity to complete a dual degree or MBA + Certificate. Options include the MD/MBA, MBA/Technical Project Management (TPM) Certificate, and the PharmD/MBA. Programming is offered on a yearly rotation and classes start six times a year (programs start every eight weeks).
The commitment for the program is based on how long students wish to take to graduate. The Citadel School of Business will work with students to meet their goals. On average, Online MBA students finish the program in two years. However, full-time students can complete the program in as little as 12 months.
Founded in 1841, Samford University (SU) is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The school serves more than 5,700 students from 47 states and 30 countries. Programs are offered in 10 academic schools: Arts, Arts and Sciences, Business, Divinity, Education, Health Professions, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. The university also has one of three accredited law schools and one of only two accredited pharmacy schools in Alabama.
Brock School of Business at Samford offers an MBA program that can be completed on campus, online or in hybrid format. The program teaches “core business functions,” says the school, with “a focus on problem solving and practical application in the workplace,” allowing students to “instantly apply” these skills to their career.
The MBA has concentrations in Data Analytics, Finance and Sports Business and a number of joint degree options are available. These unique programs allow students to “simultaneously pursue degrees in two areas of interest with less credit requirements than earning the degrees separately.” Options include the MBA/MAcc, MBA/JD, MBA/MSEM, MBA/MDiv, MBA/PharmD, and the MBA/MHA.
The curriculum requirement for the Brock Online MBA ranges from 36-45 credits depending on previous academic experiences. To complete a concentration as a part of the degree, students will take 39-48 credits. Students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA in the program to graduate or add a concentration.
Arkansas State University (Arkansas State) developed from an agricultural school founded on April 1, 1909 by Act 100 of the 37th Arkansas General Assembly. The school was created as one of four Arkansas high schools to teach Agriculture, Horticulture, and the Art of Textile Manufacturing. Today, Arkansas State grants bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in more than 140 fields to more than 14,000 students in eight colleges and the Graduate School.
The Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State houses the Department of Management and Marketing, which has an MBA program that can be completed fully online or in the traditional on-campus format. This AACSB-accredited professional degree program professional degree program is “designed to prepare students of all educational and professional backgrounds for management positions in all types of organizations,” says the school. “As such, the program stresses the development of analytical, problem-solving and decision making competencies for the dynamic, complex global organizational and social environments.”
“The program of study includes the functional areas of business with the opportunity to obtain emphasis areas in each, as well as the option to select specialty emphasis areas. This provides students with the flexibility to tailor their MBA degrees to individual needs and goals.” Emphasis areas include Finance, Healthcare Administration, International Business, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. The Finance and Supply Chain Management options are available online.
The Neil Griffin Online MBA requires 36 to 39 credit hours to graduate and it takes just two years to complete.
Loyola University New Orleans (Loyno) was established in 1904 as Loyola College and chartered as a university in 1912. The school, which bears the name of the Jesuit founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, serves around 4,550 students enrolled in 110 undergraduate programs and 36 graduate and professional programs. Academic divisions include the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Law, Music + Media, and Nursing & Health. Loyno also houses Loyola Online, which offers flexible paths to earning a degree.
Loyola Online and the College of Business offer several Online MBA Programs including the Traditional MBA and the Dual MBA/Master of Criminology and Justice, MBA/JD, and MBA/Master of Pastoral Studies. The Online MBA is designed for all types of learners including those who want to advance their careers quickly (accelerated seven- and eight-week terms are available) and working professionals and students with other commitments who can take advantage of the programs’ part-time options, completing six or fewer credit hours each term.
The Loyno Online MBA consists of 40 credits, including 24 core MBA courses, 12 hours of electives, and four hours of immersion week course. Each immersion week is one credit hour. Through elective courses, students may specialize in any area or opt for the Concentration in Finance. Just a few elective options include Business Decision Modeling, Consumer Analysis & Research, Digital Marketing & Analytics, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Project Management, and Quality & Performance Excellence.
Graduates of the Loyno Online MBA Program are prepared for advancement opportunities or to pursue positions such as Account Executive, Business Consultant, Entrepreneur, Financial Manager, Health Services Manager, Investment Fund Manager, Marketing Manager, Nonprofit Director, Operations Manager, and many others.
Founded as Marshall Academy in 1837 and named after Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (1755-1835), Marshall University was one of West Virginia's first public institutions of higher education. Today, the school serves 13,000 students across four campuses and it offers 120 programs in 13 colleges and schools. Business programs are offered in The Brad D. Smith Graduate School of Business” and the Lewis College of Business.
The AACSB-accredited Online MBA is housed within the Lewis College of Business and it offers Concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Health Care Management, Management, Supply Chain Management, and Military Management. Just two electives from any area are required to complete a Concentration. Course highlights include Advanced Marketing Management, Business Policy and Strategy, Financial Management, Management Information Systems, Profit Planning and Controls, and Quantitative Methods for Business.
Graduate of the programs are prepared to pursue careers such as Chief Executives, General and Operational Managers, Financial Managers, Management Analysts, Marketing Managers, and many others.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, better known as Florida A&M University (FAMU), opened on October 3, 1887 as a State Normal College. When it opened, the school had just fifteen students and two instructors. Today, the school is part of the State University System of Florida and houses nearly 11,000 students served by hundreds of faculty and staff. Students come from across the country and more than 70 countries such as Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Netherlands, and Trinidad.
With additional satellite campuses in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, FAMU offers 54 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees, three professional degrees and 12 doctoral degrees. Programs are available in seven colleges including Agriculture and Food Sciences, Education, Engineering (FAMU-FSU), Law, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Institute of Public Health), Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Science and Technology, and in the Schools of Allied Health Services, Architecture and Engineering Technology, Business and Industry, Environment, Graduate Studies and Research, Journalism and Graphic Communication, and Nursing.
Established in 1974, the FAMU School of Business and Industry (FAMU SBI) offers an Online MBA that can be completed in just one year. The program, which consists of 44 credit hours, “equips” students with “managerial and behavioral skills for leadership positions in global business, industry and commerce,” says the school. “The program is broad in approach; it integrates the functional areas of business with carefully tailored behavioral skills enhancement programs to develop holistically competent managers.”
Elective courses allow students to “develop depth in one or more areas, e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, supply chain management or information systems.” Other program highlights include a special emphasis on team collaboration, cohort-based coursework, case competitions, and work abroad opportunities.
The FAMU SBI Online MBA is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any area.
