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Top 10 Online MBA Programs in Economics

  1. 1University of Phoenix

    Similar to the University of Phoenix's other progressive online MBA programs, the school's online MBA in accounting provides an extensive staff of knowledgeable academic advisors to prepare its students for management-level accounting work. Focusing on contemporary economic conditions, Phoenix's program will give MBA graduates a cutting-edge understanding of current accounting technology and tools, as well as an understanding of financial statements, cost behavior, budgets, and how to make informed executive decisions. Along with CPA test prep courses, students will be required to take a graduate-level accounting course and courses, such as Applied Business Research and Statistics, Corporate Finance, Economics, and Strategic Planning and Implementation.

  2. 2Capella University

    As the brainchild of a former CEO, Capella University has become one of the most well respected online educational institutions for adult learning. Capella today offers 136 specialized areas of study, including an online MBA in accounting. Capella\’s online master\’s of business administration in accounting pairs general business courses such as Applied Managerial Statistics, Leading for Results, and Leading Teams with specialized accounting courses such as Budget Planning and Control, Accounting Information for Decision Making, and Advanced Accounting. All students in the MBA accounting online program are also required to take an accounting capstone course in their final quarter to tie all of their new skills and knowledge together.

  3. 6Benedictine University

    The online MBA program in advanced accounting offered by Benedictine University is designed to provide students with a solid background in high level corporate financing and advanced accounting methods in particular. All facets of accounting theory and practice are covered as part of the program. There are both standard and advanced accounting courses to choose from, and the popular courses, including Financial Accounting and the Theory and Practice of Financial Reporting, are perfect examples of these different levels offered within the program. For individuals who are considering a full-fledged MBA at some point in the future, the credits accrued as part of this program may be applied toward that degree.

  4. 9Jones International University

    Jones International University prides itself on creating an accounting program specifically designed to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Account's 150 credit hour requirement. This includes an excellent program for an online MBA in accounting. The accounting MBA online includes courses in accounting and management, as well as business administration courses, such as Making Ethical Management Decisions, Economic Theory and Applications, Managerial Accounting, Financial Management, and Marketing Management. There are also accounting-specific courses in Auditing, Advanced Accounting, and Forensic Accounting. The online MBA in accounting requires prior coursework in accounting and an understanding of strategic management. A capstone course and five specialization courses are also required before graduation.

  5. 10Grand Canyon University

    Grand Canyon University's accounting MBA online program seeks to help transform students into community leaders who are dedicated to enacting change and improving both their professional and business lives. Students enrolled in the program will develop their skills through a comprehensive course series, including classes in Organizational Behavior, Accounting Practices, Finance Principals, Applied Business Probability and Statistics, Economics, Quantitative Methods, Marketing Management, Managerial Accounting, Operations Management, Managerial Finance, and Strategic Management. Students who do not work full-time are encouraged to participate in internships during their course of study, and consult with the advisors at Grand Canyon University to find and apply for these opportunities.

  6. 11Strayer University

    Strayer University has developed a reliable reputation with employers as an institution that produces quality graduates and valuable employees through its strong curriculum and quality of instruction. Students seeking an online MBA in accounting from Strayer University will find that they have many excellent job opportunities upon graduation. Courses for this program include Financial Accounting, Contemporary Business, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, Law, Ethics, Corporate Governance, Quantitative Methods, and Marketing Management. Accounting students are also encouraged to take additional courses that focus on accounting, like Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and Organizational Tax Research and Planning.

  7. 12Florida Tech University Online

    U.S. News & World Report ranks Florida Tech University as a Tier 1 Best National University, making programs such as its online MBA accounting programs highly respected and successful. As part of the program, students will complete five core business courses, including Managerial Accounting and Managerial Finance. They will also complete the specialized accounting curriculum, which includes Advanced Problems and Current Topics, International Accounting and Reporting, Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, and Strategic Cost Management. Before graduating, students are required to complete a strategic management capstone course in addition to satisfying other degree requirements, which allows them to explore their individual interests and demonstrate their learned skills.

  8. 13Saint Leo University Online

    An online MBA in accounting from Saint Leo University provides graduates with quality skills in all areas of accounting. The program also uses innovative and creative delivery tools and was voted into the Top 100 Degree Producers in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Students at Saint Leo University complete courses in advanced business practices, including Managerial Economics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Decision Support Systems. They also take accounting-specific courses, such as Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Global Business Management. The program focuses on managerial skills and the courses are designed to fit into an 8-week term in order to give students focused, specific skills to implement in their current and future careers.

  9. 15American InterContinental University

    American InterContinental University prides itself on providing a culture of diversity and acceptance to each student's individual goals through carefully designed degree programs. Students pursuing an online MBA in accounting from American InterContinental University take core MBA courses, including Strategic Management, Global Finance Management, and Business Research in order to strengthen their fundamental business skills. Specialized courses, such as Accounting for Managers and Public & Not-for-Profit Accounting, help students focus on their training on important skills. Students use real-life case studies and business plans in their classes, and also have the opportunity to earn credits for internships or work experience in order to further hone their practical skills and increase their potential for career success.

Online MBA in Economics

This MBA is the perfect fit for someone who wants a broad business education at the graduate level while specializing in economics as it applies to the business world. The online MBA in economics is typically a two-year program that prepares students for careers in finance, banking, government and the corporate world.

What Does an MBA in Economics Cover?

An MBA in economics is a challenging graduate program that generally takes two years of full-time study to complete. Even so, some online MBA economics programs are accelerated, meaning they can be completed in less than two years. Some students who need to balance work and other obligations may take longer than two years to finish their programs. The number of credit hours you must complete to earn an online Economics MBA will vary from program to program, but you can expect 45 to 58. Students who enroll in an online Economics MBA generally start out taking preliminary, prerequisite or bridge courses that introduce them to the graduate program; such classes might include business writing and calculus for applications. From there, students move on to core, elective and concentration courses. Core classes make up the bulk of every MBA program and include organizational leadership and behavior, financial accounting, financial management, marketing management, business law and ethics, and operations management. Online Economics MBA students must also take a limited number of general elective courses, which might include international business. Finally, a student must complete three to five courses pertaining directly to economics to fulfill the specialization requirement. These might include advanced microeconomics/macroeconomics, business and economic forecasting, and econometric methods for business analysis. The highlight of many online Economics MBA programs is a capstone project in which students apply what they learn in class to a real-world situation. Many programs also require students who are completing their MBA in economics online to conduct research, either as part of the capstone project or as a separate course. Many MBA online economics programs also require or encourage students to complete an internship for course credit.

Getting Into an Economics MBA Program

Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than business can gain admittance into an economics MBA program as long as it was earned from an accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.0, though some schools may have lower or higher GPA requirements. For example, the University of Scranton requires that applicants have a minimum GPA of 2.75. Schools may also ask for letters of recommendation and GMAT or GRE test scores if your GPA is lower than the minimum accepted.

Why Should I Get an AACSB Accredited Economics MBA?

When you are looking for online Economics MBA programs, it is important to choose one that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The AACSB is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the advancement of quality management education and serves as an accreditor for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in business and accounting. Knowing that your business school is accredited by the AACSB, you can rest assured that your degree will be accepted in the workforce and that you are attending a quality institution—not a degree mill with classes that are too easy to be legitimate and that issues worthless diplomas.

Who Should Pursue on Online Economics MBA?

There are two different types of people who could benefit greatly from an online Economics MBA degree. The first is someone who already has a career in the business world but who would like to advance in it. The second is a career changer, someone who is outside of the business world and would like to transition into it. There are programs that cater to both groups, although most schools will prefer that you have at least one to two years of experience in business.

The classes you take will equip you with essential skills in financial accounting, regional and urban economics and econometric methods for business analysis that will give you direct training for your future career roles. The internships and capstone projects ensure that you are ready to hit the ground running as a new  employee, a quality that hiring managers find desirable.

What Jobs Can an MBA Economics Online Get Me?

  • Financial Reporter: This position requires you to conduct research and interview sources to write stories that cover financial markets, government and business. Financial reporters work can be found in newspapers, business magazines and on websites. The salary of this position is dependent upon the amount of experience you have, the length of an article, and which media outlet will be featuring your work. Story topics may include stock trends, monetary facets of the government and company mergers.
  • Public Finance Economist: These professionals specialize in studying the role of government in the economy. They look at data that reflect the impact of decisions made by the government, such as tax cuts or welfare policies. They study how budget deficits happen and figure out what action can be taken to stabilize an economy. These economists work in multiple settings including colleges and government offices. Sometimes they will serve as private consultants for major corporations that have a tradition of heavily impacting the nation’s economic stability.
  • Microeconomist: The primary function of this profession is to focus on the supply and demand decisions made by firms and individuals. These can include how profits can be maximized and what price should be set for a company’s services or products.

Top Earning Industries for Jobs

Financial Reporter:

  • Information Technology Services: $44,446-$61,824
  • Investment Banking: $44,279-$66,259

Public Finance Economist:

  • Banking: $50,868-$127,223
  • Education, College/University: $58,661-$113,003

Microeconomist:

  • Financial Services: $50,886-$103,170
  • Consultancy: $50,000-$100,692

How Do I Find Online Economics MBA Programs?

Although there are many MBA schools across the country, there are only a limited number of online Economics MBA programs. A good place to begin your search for online Economics MBA schools is the AACSB website. When you rest your cursor over the “accreditation” tab, click on the “accredited institutions” tab to begin your search. The AACSB lists institutions worldwide that offer MBA programs, so you may want to narrow your list to schools in the U.S., and from there, schools that offer online MBA programs with a specialization in economics. For rankings, check out:

  • U.S. News & World Report
  • Bloomberg Businessweek
  • Financial Times
  • The Economist

Another useful resource in your search is the Online Education Database, which ranks the best online universities using metrics such as retention and graduation rates and student-to-teacher ratios. For a ranking of general MBA programs (not necessarily ones with a specialization in economics), Macquil.com has compiled a useful top 10 list.

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