MBA programs prepare people for managerial and executive roles across the professional landscape. In some industries, people with MBAs earn salaries higher than their counterparts with a bachelor's degree.
The leading industries in Oklahoma include aerospace and defense, financial and information services, and manufacturing. An MBA could boost earning potential in any of these fields.
Finding the right online MBA in Oklahoma is the first step to reaping the benefits of an advanced business degree. Knowing what online MBA programs include prepares aspiring students to decide on a degree.
Why Get an Online MBA in Oklahoma?
Earning an MBA not only increases career opportunities, but also understanding of the global business landscape. The knowledge gained during an online MBA program in Oklahoma provides professional benefits while boosting personal confidence and credibility among peers.
An expanded professional network: Enrolling in an online MBA makes a student part of a wider community of business learners and professionals. Making connections during an online MBA program may lead to future career opportunities.
Career advancement: People with an MBA possess the know-how to take on leadership roles in businesses and organizations. With an MBA, you can move up in your current workplace or seek out new employment opportunities.
Transferable skills: MBA programs build understanding of strategic and practical business concepts and functions. They allow students to hone communication, time-management, and analytical skills. These skills transfer well beyond the boardroom.
Online degrees provide flexible and convenient options for advanced study. Living in Oklahoma may contribute to choosing an online MBA, but an online MBA in Oklahoma can offer benefits to students outside the state.
Some institutions in Oklahoma offer online MBAs at the same tuition rates for resident and nonresident enrollees.
What To Expect From MBA Programs in Oklahoma
Online MBA programs last two years, although some part-time degrees allow students up to five years to finish. Accelerated online options may help learners earn an MBA in as few as 12 months.
The cost of an MBA in Oklahoma varies. Overall expenses include length of the degree, school and program type, and overall reputation.
An MBA integrates roughly 30 credit hours of foundational business coursework with advanced classes and practical requirements. Many institutions offer concentrations in subsets of business like finance, accounting, and management.
Research courses and thesis options influence the length of an online MBA.
Synchronous online MBA programs in Oklahoma include structured virtual meeting times and specific course sequences, while asynchronous online MBAs allow for a more flexible schedule. Some online MBAs feature hybrid components like an orientation or campus residencies.
Admission Requirements for MBAs
Applying to an online MBA in Oklahoma varies by institution, but some requirements remain relatively consistent. Applicants submit transcripts from a bachelor's degree and any previous graduate coursework for consideration.
A program may have a minimum GPA requirement or need documentation that an applicant has completed prerequisite coursework. For online MBA programs with degree specializations, prerequisite classes may include ones related directly to concentrations within the curriculum.
Requirements for GRE and GMAT tests also vary. Some schools may waive a GRE or GMAT based on GPA and years of professional experience, and some schools don't require a GMAT at all.
Some MBA programs accommodate people with no business or practical background. Regardless of admission requirements, professional experience may increase chances of admission.
Additional application materials include letters of recommendation, personal statements, and a full resume. Applicants might also participate in an admissions interview.
MBA Concentrations for Oklahoma Students
Oklahoma's top employers include several universities, health centers, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the U.S. military.
To make the most of an MBA program in Oklahoma, students can select a concentration and direct their studies toward a flourishing industry in the state.
In Oklahoma, a healthcare management specialization could equip a graduate to work in a health facility, while a supply chain management or marketing specialization could prepare a degree-holder for employment in a large retail corporation.
To learn more about available MBA concentrations, visit our specializations page.
Oklahoma's Economy
Online MBA students who specialize in one of these fields can increase their chances of employment in Oklahoma. Healthcare administration is experiencing particular growth in the Sooner State, with healthcare companies and hospitals making up some of the state's largest employers.
Students specializing in healthcare administration can anticipate an attractive job market, as the need for healthcare is universal and should continue expanding in Oklahoma in the coming years.
The following table covers additional details about the four largest employers in the Sooner State.
COMPANY | LOCATION | MAIN INDUSTRY | NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES |
|---|---|---|---|
Ou Health – Phys Adult | Oklahoma City | Medical Centers | 15,000 |
Oklahoma State University | Stillwater | Colleges and Universities | 12,000 |
Center for MIS Studies | Norman | Colleges and Universities | 10,000 |
Showtime | Tulsa | Broadcasting Company | 10,000 |
Source:Career One Stop
An MBA can help professionals advance into managerial positions with the organizations listed above. Moreover, earning an online MBA in Oklahoma can demonstrate a commitment to the state and the local economy.
Careers for MBA Grads in Oklahoma
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health facilities. These professionals manage budgeting and finances, supervise staff, handle schedules, and facilitate communications.
Many healthcare administrators hold a master's degree, like an MBA, which prepares them for strategic management, human resources, law, and accounting — all aspects of a healthcare administrator's job description.
Oklahoma employed 5,560 healthcare administrators as of May 2021. These Oklahoma professionals earned an annual mean wage of $99,920, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Financial Manager
Financial managers oversee their companies' financial operations. They research the market and control company investments, manage employees on budget-related matters, ensure their companies follow financially relevant regulations.
Because an MBA prepares students to understand intricate financial operations, reporting, software, and leadership skills, many employers seek financial managers who hold the graduate degree.
According to the BLS, Oklahoma employed 5,850 financial managers as of May 2021, and they earned an annual mean salary of $127,190.
Projections Central expects a large increase in demand for financial managers in Oklahoma, projecting a 22.8% growth from 2020-2030
Human Resources Manager
Employed across a variety of industries, human resources managers oversee personnel-related matters for their organizations. They coordinate and participate in recruitment and hiring processes.
They also administer benefits and consult on issues that may arise between staff and management. MBA graduates are equipped to work for larger organizations, where they may oversee a variety of departments and projects.
Oklahoma employed 1,450 human resources managers as of May 2021, and they earned an annual mean wage of $110,690, according to the BLS.
Projections Central expects a 10.4% growth in demand for human resources managers in Oklahoma between 2020-2030.
Development Manager
Development managers work for nonprofit organizations, coordinating across departments like finance and marketing to oversee long-term growth plans for their organization.
Working with staff and executives, development managers create and carry out fundraising campaigns, which may include grant writing, community engagement, event planning, and donor cultivation.
Employers may prefer candidates to hold MBA degrees, which build essential skills such as finance and staff management.
PayScale reports that nonprofit development managers earn an average annual salary of $54,281 as of June 2022. Location, education level, and experience can affect salary specifics.
Top Executive
Responsible for overall company operations, top executives work with department heads to establish strategic directions and enact plans. Top executives in smaller companies may manage more detailed aspects of their companies, while those in large corporations focus on the big picture. Many top executives hold MBAs, preparing them to manage the many facets of a business.
According to the BLS, Oklahoma employed 3,920 chief executives and 29,750 general and operations managers as of May 2021. Chief executives earned an annual mean wage of $148,610, while general and operations managers earned $96,510.
Projections Central expects a -5.4% decline in demand for chief executives in Oklahoma between 2020 and 2030, and 13.6% growth for general and operations managers.
Oklahoma's Online MBA Programs Accreditation
Institutions like those listed below hold accreditation. Accreditation can influence financial aid and transfer options, and students must assess the status of their potential institutions.
Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific degrees, programs, or departments. Specialized bodies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education provide accreditation to business programs using standards put forward by business professionals.
To find out more about accreditation and its importance, please refer to the MBA accreditation guide.
The Top Online MBA Program in Oklahoma of 2022
We determined the top online MBA programs in Oklahoma for 2022 using our ranking methodology. Factors included academics, affordability, reputation, and availability.
The programs below are the best online MBAs Oklahoma has to offer using the most updated data available.
Online MBA Programs in Surrounding States
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