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Top 10 Online MBA Programs in Professional Studies

  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 Professional Studies

An online MBA in professional studies is a versatile graduate program that teaches students about the business sector of a particular industry such as health care, engineering, humanities or law.

What Does an MBA in Professional Studies Cover?

An online Professional Studies MBA focuses on the managerial, financial and legal issues associated with a particular industry or field. It should take about two to three years to complete an online Professional Studies MBA degree. Some online Professional Studies MBA schools offer accelerated programs that can shorten the time it takes to earn the degree.

In the beginning of the program, students will take fundamental courses in accounting, marketing, finance, leadership and strategy. In the second year they will be able to choose a concentration in a particular industry including human resources management, paralegal management, educational policy, environmental management, health care management, information technology and homeland security. Near the end of the program, students will complete a capstone project pertaining to their concentration/specialty.

Getting Into a Professional Studies MBA Program

Those interested in pursuing a Professional Studies MBA program will need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. This degree does not need to have been earned in business, but students who majored in something else should take a few basic business courses before applying to an MBA program. All applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75, though some schools may have different requirements. Some programs also have GMAT restrictions, such as Strayer University, which mandates that only those applicants with a minimum cumulative score of 450 will be considered. Most colleges also require that letters of recommendation, essays of program intent and resumes be submitted.

Why Should I Get an AACSB Accredited Professional Studies MBA?

Make sure that the school you select is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This nonprofit organization is in charge of monitoring and ensuring that most undergraduate, master and doctoral business programs meet a certain educational standard. Online Professional Studies MBA degrees earned from schools accredited by the AACSB will be viewed more favorably by employers than those from programs that haven’t earned that distinction.

Who Should Pursue an Online Professional Studies MBA?

An MBA in professional studies should be undertaken by only those who already have some work experience. This is because both online Professional Studies MBA programs and traditional ones require applicants to have three to five years of employment history. Thus most online Professional Studies MBA applicants use their bachelor degrees in accounting, finance, business management or marketing to get hired as general managers, operation managers or sales managers before they begin their advanced degrees.

What Jobs Can an Online Professional Studies MBA Get Me?

  • Financial Manager: These professionals are generally responsible for overseeing the preparation of a company’s financial reports, investments, cash management strategies and budgets. They also create plans and strategies to implement immediate and long-term goals. It is very important for financial managers to be trained and keep up to date on technological advancements. They must also be knowledgable about tax laws and regulations that may affect their strategies and business.
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager: Computer and information systems managers play an important role in implementing and administering technology within their organizations. They oversee most technological aspects of their organizations by evaluating departments and sectors and implementing technology to meet the goals of those areas. This can include software development, network security and Internet operations. Their job responsibilities also commonly include upgrading software and hardware, implementing computer networks, programming and designing systems, and development of Internet sites.
  • Medical and Health Care Service Manager: These professionals plan, coordinate and supervise the services and delivery of health care. They can be responsible for a specific department or clinic or manage a general facility or system. Their job responsibilities typically include improving the efficiency and quality of care. They must be ready to deal with a number of challenges in the field including technological innovations, the integration of health care delivery systems and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Top Earning Industries for Jobs

Financial Manager:

  • Information Technology Services: $76,000-$142,000
  • Manufacturing and Distributing: $58,958-$105,142

Computer and Information Systems Manager:

  • Retail: $67,407-$102,498
  • Health Care: $66,149-$95,339

Medical and Health Care Service Manager:

  • Health Care: $44,126-$74,737
  • Medical Services: $42,645-$85,200

How Do I Find Online Professional Studies MBA Programs?

Here are some good places to start your search:

Additional Resources: