More and more people are becoming interested in earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) because it is such a prestigious degree that opens many different career doors. An MBA is a graduate degree that focuses on the various foundations of business practice. These include things like finance, accounting, management and marketing. Additionally, many MBAs now have certain specializations, such as Sustainability, Entrepreneurship or Risk Management. This allows graduates to apply business practices to highly specialized fields.
Those who graduate from an MBA program are in high demand in the workplace. This is because they understand interdisciplinary approaches to operating a business of any kind. Additionally, they are trained in problem solving, have great analytical skills and are true critical thinkers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with an MBA often take on top executive positions. Their average annual salary stands at $101,650, and there is an expected growth in demand of 11% between now and 2022. However, these are the statistics for someone with a bachelor’s degree, and it is known that those with a master’s often earn as much as $20,000 per year or more. Furthermore, as the world of business is becoming more global, those who have not just an MBA, but an MBA with a certain specialization, are in even higher demand.
Generally speaking, MBA students are already employed, usually in lower management positions, and they are looking at advancing their careers. Indeed, in many cases, they are sponsored by their employer to obtain their MBA. As a result, however, going to an on campus school can be very difficult, although many MBA programs do offer evening and weekend classes. However, there has been a surge in demand for universities that offer online programs.
If you are looking at enrolling in an online MBA program in the state of California, it is important that you spend some time researching the different options that are out there. Choosing a school that is suitable to your needs is down to a range of different options, including how much it costs, how long the degree takes to complete, what the admission requirements are and what specializations the school offers. Below are what we believe to be the top 5 online MBA programs in California to help you get started in your search.
1. United States University
Those who graduate from an MBA at United States University are highly effective communicators in terms of business concepts. They can also understand and use quantitative data in order to help make strategic decisions. Furthermore, they are trained to identify, access and interpret data to achieve this. Graduates are known for their analytical and critical thinking skills, and their ability to use their knowledge to create out of the box solutions to complex business challenges. Additionally, there is a strong focus on ethical decision making across the business world, particularly in terms of cultural differences. This university does not have a GMAT requirement for admission.
Campus: Chula Vista, California
Type: Private
Accreditation: WASC
Tuition: $575 per credit hour, or $13,800 per year. Military discounts are available.
Degree requirements: Undergraduate degree in business or completion of BUS440
Minimum time commitment: 36 credit hours or 18 months
Programs: General MBA
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid
2. California National University for Advanced Studies
The MBA program offered by the California National University is designed to create general managers. It focuses on a number of different areas important to the world of business today, which include the influence of various issues on the world of business (social, political, regulatory, legal, technological and environmental), ethical and global issues and how demographic diversity impacts organizations and how this can be properly supported.
Campus: Los Angeles, California
Type: Private
Accreditation: DETC
Tuition: $330 per credit hour, or $11,800 for the base program
Degree requirements: Basic math skills, computer skills, Business Administration background or prerequisite courses, GPA of 3.0
Minimum time commitment: 24 months
Programs: MBA with elective areas in: accounting, business elective, business law, economics, finance, health care management, human resources management, international business administration, management, management information systems, management science or marketing
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid
3. California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University offers their program both on campus or online. The on campus option requires students to attend school twice a week, on an evening. The online option is asynchronous, giving students more flexibility in terms of how they wish to complete their degree. The focus of the degree is on the multidisciplinary skills that are needed in today’s business world. This means it looks at things, such as team work, integration, critical thinking and communication.
Campus: Carson, California
Type: Public
Accreditation: WASC
Tuition: $460 per credit unit
Degree requirements: GMAT, bachelor’s degree, good standing with previous institution, GPA of 2.75, TOEFL if applicable, personal statement, references, Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement
Minimum time commitment: 33 credit hours
Programs: General MBA
School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
4. California InterContinental University
Students at the California InterContinental University all take part in the same core MBA courses, regardless of their chosen specialization. This means that they all focus on issues, such as managerial practices, business strategy and organizational leadership. Their chosen emphasis then dictates which elective courses they also have to look at. The school prides itself on always having a fully up to date curriculum that incorporates the latest practices and information from the world of business. As such, graduates are in high demand across the globe for their advanced skills in their chosen specialization. This university does not have a GMAT requirement. The school also offers the Doctorate of Business Administration degree. All students are encouraged to enroll in the doctorate program on completion of their master’s.
Campus: Diamond Bar, California
Type: Private
Accreditation: DETC
Tuition: $295 per credit hour
Degree requirements: Transcripts, GPA of 2.0 minimum, curriculum vitae, bachelor’s degree
Minimum time commitment: 45 credit hours or 24 months
Programs: MBA with an emphasis in Finance, Healthcare Management and Leadership, Information Systems and Knowledge Management, International Management and Marketing, Organizational Develop and Human Resource Management, and Project and Quality Management
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid
5. National University
The MBA program offered by National University has a clear goal: to create true and effective leaders in the world of business. They achieve this goal by creating graduates that have all the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to manage an organization through the various complex and ever-changing business needs. The program creates graduates who have fantastic problem solving tools, as well as full conceptual understanding of the various challenges that a business faces. All students, regardless of the specialization they choose, will receive core and foundational knowledge as part of the MBA program itself. This includes economics, accounting, finance, data analysis, management, marketing and leadership. This is designed to prepare them to become excellent team builders, as well as quantitative and qualitative decisions makers. Furthermore, they are highly creative problem solvers. Interestingly, this school is one of the only ones in the country that offers an MBA with a specialization in professional golf management.
Campus: San Diego, California
Type: Private
Accreditation: IACBE
Tuition: $394 per quarter unit
Degree requirements: GMAT for those with a GPA below 2.75, bachelor’s degree, transcripts, interview
Minimum time commitment: 50 credit hours
Programs: MBA with a specialization in Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Integrated Marketing Communication, International Business, Management Accounting, Marketing, Mobile Marketing and Social Media, Organizational Leadership, and Professional Golf Management
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid
