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Top 10 Online MBA Programs in Information Systems

  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 Information Systems

An online MBA in information systems will give you the tools and skills you need to advance into managerial positions. This program usually takes two years if you enroll on a full-time basis. Some programs offer an accelerated option. Both online and traditional degree programs will teach you new strategies and methods of managing sensitive company information and large data sets.

What Does an MBA in Information Systems Cover?

An online information systems MBA is designed for professionals and/or recent college graduates. These individuals should be interested in learning more about managing the informational and organizational systems used by nonprofit and for-profit companies. You will also learn how to improve the technical efficiency of certain organizational structures that companies employ. Once you complete the required online courses for an MBA in information systems, you should be able to better assess the overall system operations of a company. You will gain the knowledge and skills to write quarterly reports on how to reach optimal systems usage and efficiency within a company. Furthermore, you will learn how to address information system problems. Advanced courses will help you develop small scale systems on your own. To excel in this particular program, you should have some experience or knowledge in programming languages and concepts. Work experience in the field is not necessary for some online Information Systems MBA programs. However, the rigorous course load of an MBA in information systems may require you to work at a fast pace. Thus, already having knowledge about certain subjects can be beneficial. Some of the courses you will take for the degree program are networking concepts, database administration, database applications in e-commerce, business intelligence systems, Java programming, enterprise data management, C++ programming, IT outsourcing and information programming. Most Information Systems MBA programs will also require you to complete an advanced group project/seminar.

Getting Into an Information Systems MBA Program

Students who wish to enroll in an Information Systems MBA program need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. A business bachelor’s is not necessary, but those who earned their undergraduate degree in a field other than business may need to take as many as 12 foundation courses before they begin their MBA program, according to the University of Scranton. Most schools will accept only those applicants who earned an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher. Those who do not meet this minimum may be able to submit GMAT or GRE scores to gain admittance. Some schools may also ask for the following documents:

  • letters of reference
  • professional resume detailing work experience
  • statement of intention
  • official transcript

Why Should I Get an AACSB Accredited Information Systems MBA?

Make sure that your program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is an internationally recognized association that provides accreditation for business and accounting programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level. Schools are required to go through self-evaluation and peer-review processes to maintain and meet university standards as well as the association’s expectations. The AACSB also assigns a mentor who works with the university as it goes through the accreditation process. The mentor makes sure international curriculum standards are met by both traditional and online programs. There is also a five year check to make sure the program is not falling behind on its requirements. Because the AACSB offers both institutional and specialized accreditation, you may want to ask potential employers whether they expect both accreditations from applicants’ Information Systems MBA programs.

What Jobs Can an MBA in Information Systems Online Get Me?

  • Chief technology officers (CTOs): Chief technology officers evaluate the latest technological developments and devise means of implementing them. They are responsible for adopting new technology with the aim of improving their companies’ technical issues while upgrading strategic standards. When a new tool has been recommended to a company’s IT department, it is the CTO who determines implementation strategies, cost-benefit and return on investment analyses. The CTO is charged with presenting those strategies to upper management. The CTO also supervises information systems managers and other members of the company’s technology unit.
  • Information Systems Manager: This manager is in charge of information management within an organization. Information systems managers play a vital role in implementing and administrating the technology within their organizations. In large companies, information systems managers may delegate responsibilities to lower level managers, while in smaller or mid-level firms, they may take on the responsibility of creating plans, coordinating them and directing computer-related research for businesses. While working with other managers, they help determine the needs and goals of an organization and implement the necessary technology to meet them.
  • IT Managers: Information technology project managers are responsible for developing requirements, budgets and schedules for their organization’s information technology projects. IT managers also help coordinate the transfer of those projects from the development nest to the implementation floor. IT managers work with the firm’s other IT workers, vendors and clients, as well as with consultants. Their efforts are crucial to the technological health of a company, as they are becoming increasingly involved in projects that bolster information security.

Top Industries for Jobs

Chief Technology Officer:

  • Financial Services: $108,556-$197,155
  • Internet and New Media: $99,192-$193,579

Information Systems (IS) Manager:

  • Informational Technology Services: $64,003-$103,470
  • Retail: $67,407-$102,498

IT Manager:

  • Financial Services: $72,679-$111,158
  • Insurance: $67,172-$101,266

How Do I Find Online Information System MBA Programs

You can search for the best online MBA information systems programs on various websites. When looking at rankings, you may want to see whether the same ranking applies for the online and on-campus programs of a particular brick and mortar university. For example, Drexel University is one of the top universities featured on the U.S. News & World Report List of Best Colleges for 2011. The virtual distance program of the university has also received significant praise and recognition. The university received the Sloan-Consortium Award for Excellence in Institution Wide Online Education for its comprehensive online learning curriculum. To find out more about online Information Systems MBA rankings based on total enrollment, you can:

  • Check out general online MBA rankings.
  • Explore the program’s courses and requirements. Do you think you will be able to use the course material from an online MBA in information systems for future jobs? If you are unsure, do further research on information systems MBA careers and salaries.
  • If you know which employers you would like to work for, find out about their requirements for their IT managers and directors. Will your program meet their requirements?
  • Read the list of AACSB accredited institutions.

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