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Best Online MBA Programs for Non-Business Majors Online MBA Rankings

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Business & MBA Editor
B.S., MBA
Tammie Cagle is a writer, editor, entrepreneur, and certified academic life coach. Tammie received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A & M University-College Station and her MBA from Marylhurst University.

It may come as a surprise, but currently in the United States, more distance learners enter MBA programs than any other graduate program available today. As it is one of the most versatile graduate degrees out there, the MBA properly trains students for advanced careers in a wide range of industries. Online MBA programs allow graduates to move into positions of management, start their businesses, change jobs, or even shift their career focus into a new facet of professional business leadership.

Many business schools across the nation with distance degree programs provide MBA programs that train students to become specialists in a particular business field like finance, marketing, international business, executive management, and international business. But what about those graduate students who did not pursue an undergraduate major in business? While you might think this would be an exceptional situation, students lacking a bachelor’s degree in business make up more than half of all MBA applicants. Loads of working professionals without business backgrounds realize that an MBA would jettison their careers to new heights, so they begin to look for programs to apply for. Like all business leaders who want to progress in their careers, these students desire to advance their careers or find a way to move into management positions.

Recommended Online MBA Programs

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The Graduate Management Admission Council, which created and oversees the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT), recently performed a survey and discovered that around half of all MBA candidates had non-business bachelor’s degrees. The fact that more and more professionals who bypassed business degrees at the undergraduate level are discovering the benefits of an online MBA is undeniable. As a professional distance degree, the online MBA program centers on practical, real-world understanding rather than theoretical or research-based information. Many online MBA programs will include an internship or practicum as part of their program requirements. These features allow students to widen their scope of influence and networking base. Here are some of the very best online MBA programs for non-business majors.

Methodology

To find the best Online MBA programs for non-business majors, we researched almost 580 online MBA programs from around the country. We narrowed in on the online MBA programs that had no undergraduate business degree requirement, no advanced degree requirement, and no preliminary classes needed for non-business undergraduates. With this list of accessible programs, we ranked them based upon their affordability, reputation, and convenience.

Affordability

All tuition is gathered from each individual program or university website. The base tuition amount, for the entirety of the online MBA degree, is calculated. This figure does not include fees, books, or lodging. To find the Affordability Score, this base tuition is inverted and then placed on a 100-point scale. This score attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

Reputation

To hone in on the online MBA program’s reputation, we collected data from leading national MBA ranking sources: US News and World Report, The Economist, and Businessweek. The rankings were converted to scores and averaged to find a balanced consensus. This averaged score was placed on a 100-point scale for the Reputation Score, and attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

Convenience

Each online MBA program’s convenience is based upon if it can be completed in a 100% online format and if the GMAT/GRE requirement is waived or omitted during the admission process. This Convenience Score attributes to 33% of the final ranking score.

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The top online MBA program for non-business majors is provided through the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. Questrom has partnered with the industry-leading online learning entity, edX, to bring the very best in distance learning to working professionals. Program designers have made available a high-quality, interactive, and rigorous online MBA program that is the perfect fit for a part-time student looking for an accelerated graduation time of as little as twelve months. The business school has worked for years to build this 45-credit hour program from scratch with the global distance learner as the top priority. The curriculum is packed with sound business theory and practical insights shared by over 3,000 international industry influencers. The BU Questrom Online MBA degree provides an innovative learning experience that centers on global business leadership in the 21st century. For less than $25,000 in tuition, an online student has the same access to world-class instructors who teach in the brick and mortar buildings at Boston University.

Affordability Score
90.58
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
58.95

The Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides an online MBA. Graduate students enrolled in this degree can expect core courses like Strategic Leadership and Management, Global Challenges in Business, Business Analytics, Managerial Economics, Business Analysis, Financial Management, Digital Marketing, Value Chain Management, and Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship to provide them with a high level of business learning. This degree is referred to as the iMBA by the Gies College of Business. Instead of traditional concentrations, online MBA students are encouraged to complete a total of six emphases and a program-wide experiential learning experience. This degree is split into several areas that allow distance learners to gain from a wide field of business concentrations. The degree is made up of 18 complete courses that account for 72 credit hours. The tuition for this degree is well below $25,000. GMAT and GRE scores are not required during the application process.

Affordability Score
92.47
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
39.94

Pittsburg State University delivers an online MBA at the Kelce College of Business. This 30-credit hour MBA program is the perfect fit for the distance learner wanting a top-shelf distance degree at an attractive price. The base tuition for this MBA program sits just over $10,000 and is the most affordable program within this listing. International Business, Human Resource Development, and Accounting are the three concentrations currently offered by the business school to online MBA students. Distance learners disinterested in a specialization may also want to consider pursuing the program as a general online MBA. While Pittsburg State University’s campus is a beautiful place, this degree’s 100% online structure means graduate students will never have to step foot on the school to satisfy all program requirements. There is no GMAT or GRE score submission required of candidates during the acceptance process. A no GMAT rule saves a student time and money during the application process.

Affordability Score
100.00
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

An online MBA is available at the College of Business at the University of North Alabama. Program specializations that accompany this degree include Executive, Information Systems, Accounting, Sales and New Business Development, ERP Systems using SAP, Finance, Global Business, Health Care Management, Project Management, and Human Resource Management. The price tag of just over $15,000 makes this 34-credit hour degree one of this ranking’s most affordable degrees. Incoming students are not responsible for submitting any placement test scores, including the GMAT and GRE, if they hold a professional or graduate degree. The admissions office of the business school prefers students to have at least four years of responsible or management-focused professional experience before applying for his program. While eth university’s campus is located in Florence, Alabama, online MBA students will not have to travel there as all program requirements are fulfilled through a 100% online format. The University of North Alabama is home to the Lions.

Affordability Score
96.25
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

The School of Business at Howard University delivers an Executive online MBA. A student interested in one of the nation’s best online MBAs can pursue this degree that features a tuition rate of well below $70,000. Since all course requirements are satisfied through an online format, graduate students enrolled in the degree will never need to travel to the university campus in Washington, District of Columbia, for residencies, interviews, exams, or assemblies. This excellent online MBA program has been designed to give working business professionals the education they will need to impact the multiple levels of management environments they will be exposed to when leading for-profit, non-profit, and governmental organizations. The School of Business at Howard University is determined to equip a distance learner for a rewarding career as a diverse manager. Professors and instructors will guide MBA students to find purpose and meaning while developing a world-class business understanding. EMBA students are no responsible for submitting GMAT scores.

Affordability Score
60.34
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
43.40

The Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University delivers one of the best online MBA programs for non-business majors. The business school at Oklahoma City advertises a tuition rate of just over $20,000. The cost of a program is often one of the highest factors graduate students consider when considering a degree. This attractive tuition rate will allow students to get a lot of bang for their buck without gaining an unmanageable amount of student debt. Effective Leadership and Communication, Accounting for Business Decision Making, Technology and Operations Management, Business Strategy for Creating Value, Data Analysis for Business Decisions, and Managing at the Crossroads: The Global Economic Environment are some of the excellent core courses distance learners are exposed to throughout this program. Every aspect of this graduate degree in business is delivered through the internet, meaning students will never have to visit the university’s campus in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for assemblies, interviews, or residencies. Oklahoma City University currently maintains a student body of over 2,700.

Affordability Score
92.57
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

The Montford College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado delivers an online MBA. Distance learners enrolled in this MBA have the choice of pursuing this online degree as a general MBA or choosing a specialization to accompany the curriculum. Current concentrations provided with this degree are Healthcare Administration and Human Resource Management. The AACSB International grants the Montford College of Business with its premium business accreditation. The top-notch business accreditation ensures a distance learner that she is receiving the best in business leadership education from a university that exhibits transparent academic integrity and is consistently committed to providing one of the best graduate-level programs in the nation. The tuition rate for this program is advertised at just above $20,000. While many would agree that the city of Greeley, Colorado, is a scenic area and that the campus of Northern Colorado is a treat to visit, online MBA students are not required to travel there as all program requirements are met through a 100% online experience.

Affordability Score
92.39
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

An online MBA is available at Bryant University’s College of Business. Program designers have specifically designed this online MBA to meet the needs of graduate students who have at least five years of professional work experience under their belts. Distance learners looking for a convenient and flexible online program need look no further than this 31-40 credit hour program offered at Bryant University. The College of Business at Bryant offers an accelerated course track that allows students to complete all program requirements in just one calendar year. Many business schools across the country only provide online graduate students with one or two start times each year. Bryant University’s business school welcomes incoming students five times each calendar year. The alumni network of over 45,000 students at Bryant will undoubtedly create excellent networking and support opportunities for graduate students. The AACSB International accredits the College of Business at Bryant. An attractive tuition rate of well below $25,000 is advertised by the business school. All incoming business school students must go through a course called Strategies for Success.

Affordability Score
91.86
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

California State University, San Bernardino, features an online MBA at the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration. Core courses like Marketing Management, Data-Driven Decision Making, Advanced Managerial Communication, Information Systems & Technology Management, Managing the Supply Chain, Corporate Strategies in a Global Economy, Organizational Theory & Behavior, and Financial Theory & Corporate Finance are just some of the top-notch courses students will be exposed to during the program. The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration understands the complex needs of today’s working professional who wants to better herself through business leadership education. For years, professionals had to choose between staying in their current jobs or pursuing an advanced degree that would offer work training and better future opportunities. The online MBA has become the gold standard for many in business as the 100% distance education format enables them to stay working as they work through courses on weekends and evenings through the internet.

Affordability Score
81.92
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

The University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics offers an online MBA. The business school provides several concentration options, including Hospitality Management, which is available to part-time and online students only. Some specialization courses are open to online students exclusively or in one of the university’s physical locations. The emphases currently offered at the University of New Hampshire include Growth & Innovation, Finance, Global Business, Marketing, and Information Systems & Business Analytics. The AACSB International grants the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics its exemplary business accreditation. A tuition rate of $35,000 and $40,000 is advertised with this 48-credit hour program. Core courses like Managing Yourself & Leading Others, Accounting: Financial Reporting, Data-Driven Decisions, Budgeting, and Analysis, Marketing: Building Customer Value, Economics of Competition, Leveraging Technology for Competitive Advantage, and Managing Operations act as the backbone for this well-thought-out degree. Over 15,000 students are currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire.

Affordability Score
80.19
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

The Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida provides an online MBA. Twenty years ago, the Warrington College of Business was a trailblazer in advanced business education as it was one of the first elite business schools to provide distance learners with a fully accredited online degree. Today, graduate students have the option of tuition and time of completion rates. The two-year option offered at Warrington College of Business is split between a hybrid experience with some courses offered over the internet and some classroom meetings required. The other option is a 100% online format. Distance learners with more available time will want to look into the one-year option, which also is balanced between online work and classroom presence. The two-year program is featured at a tuition rate between $55,000 and $60,000, while the one-year program is offered for less than $50,000 in tuition. Online MBA students will have access to stellar courses, including Professional Writing, Financial Accounting, Problems and Methods in Marketing Management, International Finance, Managerial Accounting, Economics Organizations and Markets, Economics of Business Decisions, Financial Management, Organizational Behavior, and Operations Management.

Affordability Score
66.04
Convenience Score
50.00
Reputation Score
80.12

Colorado State University’s College of Business provides an online MBA. A Marketing Data Analytics concentration is also offered within this online degree. A tuition rate between $40,000 and $45,000 is advertised by the business school. The 42-credit hour degree can be pursued as a 100% online program with zero visits to the campus in Fort Collins, Colorado, ever required. The trusted AACSB International stands behind the business school with a business accreditation that students can trust. Program designers want students to learn in an environment of challenging academic surroundings. Students enrolled in this 420credit hour degree will be led by the same distinguished faculty of industry-leading practitioners that traditional students enjoy every week in Colorado. While this is an online degree, students studying from a distance will still be responsible for assignments and projects with other students who are also experienced professionals from many diverse backgrounds. One of the benefits of this online MBA is that students get to apply relevant knowledge and concepts to on-the-job decisions immediately.

Affordability Score
77.65
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University delivers a great online MBA for non-business majors. Some students will be interested in completing this 100% online degree as a general MBA with no specialization. Distance learners looking for extra training in a specific field of business will want to consider pursuing a specialization in Business Sustainability, Data Science, Non-profit Management, Energy Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing Analytics, Global Marketing, and Information Assurance. The Spears School of Business at OSU has priced this degree at an attractive rate of just over $15,000, making it accessible as an excellent value for the budget-minded graduate student. U.S. News and World Report Best Business Schools calls the business school at Oklahoma State the 73rd best place to pursue an online MBA in the country. Program designers want to see students meet their career goals by acquiring the skills, experience, and knowledge leaders need to stand at the helm of business management.

Affordability Score
95.87
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
16.73

Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business delivers an online MBA. Besides a stellar curriculum of core courses, the business school features a list of excellent focuses a distance learner can add to her degree as specializations. These fields in business offered as emphases include Finance, Supply Chain Management, Healthcare Management, High Technology Management, Sustainability, Innovation Entrepreneurship, International Management, and Marketing. The degree is formatted as a 100% online experience with zero campus visits required to Boston, Massachusetts. Distance learners do have the option of adding a short campus-based residency, which counts as three credit hours and lasts one week total. There are also study-abroad opportunities tied to this program, which give business graduate students the chance to learn key components of business on the international level. The international residencies take place in China, Peru, Russia, and Turkey. The price of this 100% online MBA comes in at between $80,000 and $85,000.

Affordability Score
48.72
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
37.55

The LaPenta School of Business at Iona College provides an online MBA. This excellent online MBA became entirely online in November 2019. The business school currently offers certifications in Business Continuity and Risk Management, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Health Care Management. The exciting 39-credit hour program features a tuition rate of right between $45,000 and $50,000. The AACSB International can vouch for the quality of this degree as the trusted ranking organization deems the business school worthy of its business accreditation. Applicants lacking the GMAT, as well as those not wanting to report test scores, will be happy to know that the business school does not require a GMAT or GRE submission during the acceptance process. Many students will complete all program requirements of this online MBA in just 18 months. The same staff and faculty that educate at the school’s campus in New Rochelle, New York, teach courses online to distance learners.

Affordability Score
73.96
Convenience Score
100.00
Reputation Score
7.85

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business provides an online MBA. The business school offers a veritable cornucopia of specialization choices sure to whet the appetite of any graduate student wanting to feast on a high-quality concentration in business education. Emphases easily added to any MBA program include Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Finance, Strategic Management, Global Supply Chain Management, Marketing, and Information Technology Management. The business school has designed this reputable program to include 54 credit hours of excellent leadership training. The bulk of the workload involved in the degree is delivered via the internet. The school features Kelley Connect Weeks as part of the program’s curriculum. The short residencies allow students to visit the university and receive course credit for the tasks performed there. The advertised cost of this incredible online MBA comes in at just under $75,000. As for courses, Topics in Directed Business Interaction, Economics, Quantitative Analysis, Accounting, Topics in Directed Business Analysis, Strategic Marketing Management, Operations Management, Financial Management, and Strategic Management and Business Planning are just a few of the classes students are exposed to during the program.

Affordability Score
54.12
Convenience Score
50.00
Reputation Score
87.87

The School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville delivers an online MBA. Online students can add a specialization to their degree from the business fields of Business Analytics, Project Management, and Management Information Systems. The cost for this top-notch degree will come as a surprise to some when considering just how much a distance learner gets. Students can finish their degree with a base tuition of less than $15,000. The program is split between core courses and specialization courses for a total of 36-credit hours. Operations Management and Process Analysis, Accounting for MBAs, Information Systems and Technology, Managerial Economics, Marketing Analysis, Corporate Finance, Quantitative Analysis, and Decision Making in Organizations are just some of the courses designed by the business school for optimal leadership development. The fourteen classes included in the 100% online MBA are divided between four electives and ten core courses.

Affordability Score
99.08
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
7.85

Clayton State University’s College of Business offers an online MBA. The College of Business at the university features a 12-month completion time. A shorter time of completion means a graduate student can invest more time in her career and less time working through course materials. Program designers know that a working professional needs to use her time wisely while working on this advanced degree. A tuition less than $15,000 accompanies this program. This attractive price tag means students looking for value in advanced education may have found the perfect opportunity in this 33-credit hour degree. All assignments, discussions, lectures, exams, and projects are given to students through a 100% online structure. No visits to the campus in Morrow, Georgia, are ever required throughout the duration of the program. There is no need to travel for acceptance interviews or even short residencies during the program’s period. Distance learners within this program set their own pace for course completion.

Affordability Score
98.73
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
7.85

North Carolina A&T State University offers an online MBA at the College of Business and Economics. Distance learners can add emphasis like Accounting, General Management, Supply Chain Management, and Human Resource Management to this degree for even more top-shelf business leadership training. The tuition for this 100% online program is less than $15,000 making the degree a smart choice for today’s budget-minded student. Program designers have created the degree to aid students in their ability to engage collaboratively as a group of learners towards superiority in research, creative expression, scholarship, and community engagement. Students enrolled in this program will never be responsible for visiting the school’s campus in Greensboro, North Carolina, as all program requirements are fulfilled through distance learning. The AACSB International grants the College of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University its business accreditation. Over 12,000 students are enrolled at NC A&T State.

Affordability Score
97.54
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
7.85

An online MBA is featured at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. The business school offers a plethora of unique specializations to the distance learner, including a focus on Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Health Care, Management Information Systems, Finance, and Management and Organizations. A tuition rate of just over $50,000 is advertised by the business school. The AACSB International grants the Eller College of Management its exemplary business accreditation. Students looking to complete all program requirements as quickly as possible will be pleased to know the program features an accelerated format of just 14 months. Distance learners requiring a slower pace can take up to four years to graduate if professional and personal duties affect schedules. Communication for Managers, Economics for Managers, Business Strategy, Strategic Management of Information Systems, Survey of Finance as Analyst, and Leadership in Organizations are some of the high-quality core courses students are exposed to during this stellar online degree.

Affordability Score
70.71
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
36.92

The University of Southern California delivers an online MBA at the Marshall School of Business. USC’s business school has a long history of providing great degrees to undergraduate and graduate students. The school’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the Marshall School of Business as the location for the 17th best online MBA in the country. The Economist has awarded the school with its #18 spot as the best online MBA in the nation. Businessweek recognizes the business school as the 14th best place for an online MBA in the United States. The bulk of this program is delivered through an online format, yet students are responsible for a one-week residency during the program’s duration. This 51-credit hour degree features a tuition rate of just under $100,000. Core courses within the degree include Role of the Manager, Opportunity Recognition and Implementation, Business Environment & Leadership, Fundamentals of Business, and Managing Outside the Firm.

Affordability Score
35.95
Convenience Score
50.00
Reputation Score
100.00

An online MBA is delivered by the Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Distance learners wanting a 100% online degree will be pleased to know there are no residencies or campus visits required for the completion of this program. Candidates either lacking the GMAT and GRE placement test or uninterested in submitting the scores they received will be happy to know there is a GMAT waiver during the acceptance process at the Bryan School of Business and Economics. For just over $20,000 in tuition, a graduate student can pursue this degree, which has been designed to train tomorrow’s business leaders. The program consists of 42-credit hours and may turn out to be a 33-45 credit hour degree depending on a candidate’s previous academic experience. This online MBA is the perfect fit for a student lacking a business education as there are no prerequisite courses attached to the degree.

Affordability Score
92.75
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
7.85

Florida State University provides an online MBA at the College of Business. Students looking for a substantial specialization to add to their program will be pleased to know an emphasis in Real Estate, Risk Management and Insurance, Business Analytics, and Management Information Systems is also provided by the business school. Graduate students not interested in a focus can pursue the 39-credit hour degree as a general MBA. The admissions office does not require incoming students to have had previous coursework in business. Still, all students are expected to have a broad knowledge of accounting, economics, finance, calculus, statistics, and management principles. While business prerequisites are not required for this 100% online program, the MBA faculty at the College of Business strongly recommends the completion of prep courses by all candidates who have not taken previous coursework in accounting. The tuition rate advertised for this degree is just over $30,000. The business school does not require a GRE or GMAT score during the acceptance process.

Affordability Score
85.94
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
14.85

Texas Tech University features an online MBA at the Rawls College of Business Administration. The coursework for this MBA degree is delivered through a 100% online format. Distance learners with a need to find a program that features no business prerequisites, and that is accessible to all graduate students with a nonbusiness background will want to take note of this exceptional program. The business school provides applicants with a GMAT or GRE waiver making it possible to get accepted into the program with no placement test submission necessary. The tuition rate for this program is advertised at well below $40,000, making it a sound investment for tomorrow’s business leader. Online MBA students can choose between the two concentrations of Information Technology and Health Organization Management. Businessweek calls the Rawls College of Business Administration the 105th best business school to seek an online MBA through. Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, Texas, and maintains a student body of over 38,000.

Affordability Score
80.76
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
19.83

The College of Business at Tennessee Technological University delivers a top-notch online MBA for non-business majors. The business school advertises that the completion of three elective courses within a discipline will constitute a specialization within a specific field in the MBA program. While there are no particular concentrations listed, the business school does feature a hybrid Industry Immersed MBA in Healthcare. TTU’s College of Business is endorsed by the AACSB International and granted excellent business accreditation through the trusted ranking entity. Accounting Information for Management Decisions, Financial Management, Business Strategy, Analytical Decision Making, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Marketing, and Management of Information Technology are some of the classes students within the 30-credit program are exposed to. This high-quality online MBA lists no prerequisites for acceptance and has been designed for graduate students regardless of previous undergraduate majors. There is a GMAT waiver available to qualified candidates during the acceptance process. Tennessee Technological University currently oversees a student body of over 10,000.

Affordability Score
91.36
Convenience Score
75.00
Reputation Score
7.85

While academic graduate degrees emphasize research and knowledge in a specialized field, the online MBA includes a broad range of general business topics. The program’s interdisciplinary approach caters to distance learners with diverse undergraduate majors, including degrees in engineering, the social sciences, and the humanities. Online MBA programs prioritize working professionals. Many business schools provide MBA programs that require a minimum amount of professional work experience, and the degree is the perfect fit for current professionals seeking to build management skills that will advance their careers.

Even though most online MBA applicants are non-business majors, incoming MBA students will typically demonstrate foundational business skills. MBA coursework stresses business and management. Many programs across the nation require students to take core classes in finance, statistics, accounting, and other vital fields before taking core MBA classes, while others will include these courses within the core curriculum. Without these necessary business abilities, students struggle to develop managerial skills.

An online MBA is available to non-business majors.

Business schools often make it a priority to register a diverse cohort of incoming MBA students. Since students come from a variety of bachelor’s and professional backgrounds, the online MBA admissions process puts high marks on student diversity that engenders development through a variety of perspectives.

Online MBAs emphasize practical skills, and diversity in a program’s student body improves learning outcomes. Distance learners with diverse backgrounds and outlooks tend to learn from each other’s strengths while working together toward a common goal. It is no secret that MBA programs emphasize management skills, and a diverse cohort more closely reflects real-world management issues. Prospective graduate students bring a range of professional experiences that adds to the diversity of ideas, strategies, plans, and business ventures within a program. A work-experience diversity solidifies an MBA program’s primary goal of communicating and extrapolating business and management skills. So, if non-business majors meet the program’s application and understand the basic concepts behind leadership and business, they stand a great chance at excelling in an online MBA program.

An online MBA can be extremely advantageous for business leaders.

Graduate students possessing an undergraduate degree in a field other than business can take advantage of several benefits from pursuing an online MBA. Today, many organizations prefer to hire non-business majors who seek an advanced degree in business. Specialized fields like medical research, recruitment, and technology can be especially attractive areas for these types of hires. Some industries are in need of employees who specialize in business and in another field of commerce. Spending the time and effort to attain an online MBA prepares graduates for a successful career change to business or professional advancement within her current industry.

An online MBA provides corporate-level management training, which will allow a graduate to pursue an upper management position, a job as an analyst, or a position as a director or program manager. All MBA programs stress management skills like how to understand and process corporate organization. A distance degree’s coursework is designed to build skills like how to manage people, evaluate business decisions, and manage financial resources. An online MBA worth its salt will equip students in the vital areas of management, delegation, and task completion.

There are keys to pursuing an online MBA as a non-business student.

Specialized graduate degrees offer a laser focus on just one aspect of a given field. A degree like the online MBA delivers a wide range of career opportunities for graduates. Topics within this type of degree can cover managing private or nonprofit corporations, how one would pursue director or analyst positions, and the keys to becoming a financial manager. During the all-important research process, an applicant will want to consider whether an MBA serves his career ambitions. The wise graduate student will seek to find out if an online MBA enables her to move into upper management positions within organizations that specialize in the undergraduate’s area of expertise. Today’s working professionals who are researching an online MBA should meet with mentors or colleagues to expressly discuss career advancement opportunities with such a degree.

Business school candidates need to weigh the options available to them with specialized training programs, graduate certificates, and advanced certifications to see what opportunities might make more sense than an online MBA. The MBA will often require a substantial amount of time and a more significant financial commitment. Some advantageous career paths require an MBA. In some professions, a stand-alone certification will provide advancement opportunities in some fields. When a student commits to an MBA, he needs to research the prerequisites for the online MBA program, which will always vary by business school. Applicants lacking a business undergraduate degree are sometimes responsible for completing MBA core courses before taking graduate courses, which can increase their degree from three to even fifteen hours. While many business schools require the submission of a placement test score, a competitive GMAT score helps demonstrate a prospective candidate’s business acumen. Since online MBA programs value diversity in incoming classes, a candidate’s lack of a business degree at the bachelor’s level should not stop prospective students from pursuing an online MBA.

Non-business majors should be aware of the prerequisites of an online MBA program.

It is common for an online MBA program to require that incoming applicants hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants will typically submit official transcripts to prove this academic reality. While it is a rare scenario, some students earn an MBA without first completing an undergraduate degree. The Graduate Management Admission Council allows students without a bachelor’s degree to pursue an MBA if the student demonstrates exceptional capabilities. However, the norm is for business schools that offer an MBA program to require a bachelor’s degree for admission. Students interested in an online MBA without a business degree may be responsible for a few prerequisite courses before moving onto the MBA classes. Others include these courses within the regular curriculum to make sure that all students progress through the degree with the same business foundation. Most students seeking an online MBA will also need to have a history of work experience. Hands-on professional experience teaches students relevant skills and abilities that are often learned outside of the classroom. An online MBA is a rewarding degree that is available to business and non-business majors alike.

Related Resources:

Best No-GMAT Online MBA Programs
Best EMBA Programs
Best GMAT Prep Courses Online
Best 1-Year Online MBA Programs

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?