Top 25 Online Master's in Management Programs for 2019

Messiah College, located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is a Christian institution that was founded in 1909. The college offers close to 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Messiah’s master’s in business administration program emphasizes ethical leadership practices and gives students the tools they need to manage business operations. The curriculum includes 36 courses, which students can complete entirely online in about two years. The program offers six concentrations, including social entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, and digital marketing. In order to be considered for this online online master’s in business management program, prospective students must have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree in business must have completed basic courses in accounting, finance, microeconomics, and statistics.

The University of La Verne is a private institution located near downtown Los Angeles. The college offers degrees through four schools. La Verne prides itself on its online offerings, which include a master of science in leadership and management program. The degree requires 33 semester hours of coursework, or 36 for students without a bachelor’s degree in a management-related field. Students choose between three concentrations: organizational development, human resource management, and nonprofit management. For their capstone projects, students must research, write, and present a thesis or applied research project. The online master’s in management program is only available to California residents. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work, and they must submit two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a résumé.

Norwich University, founded in 1819, has the distinction of being the first private military college in the United States and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. More than 2,000 cadets and civilians take courses at the school’s Northfield, Vermont, campus, and about 1,200 graduate students are enrolled in Norwich’s online programs. The master of business administration, one of 15 graduate programs that are offered online, can be tailored to fit a variety of interests and career aspirations. Students may choose to earn a general MBA or take one of six concentrations, which include energy management, construction management, and finance. The curriculum includes six, six-credit courses that last 11 weeks. Students must attend a week-long, on-campus residency, which is their final academic requirement before graduation. Learners can begin the program in March, June, September, or December.

Concordia University is a private Christian liberal arts university that was founded in 1905. The school’s campus is located in Portland, Oregon. Concordia has one of the best online master’s in business management programs. The MBA program with a concentration in leadership and management prepares students to succeed in leadership roles. Beyond typical MBA topics, this program focuses on transformational leadership, strategic planning, and innovation and growth. The program consists of 38 semester hours, and students typically complete all program requirements in 18-24 months. For students with a more flexible schedule, Concordia offers an on-campus option that meets once per week. Courses last eight weeks, and the program is taught through a cohort format. Learners can begin the program in the fall or spring.

Webster University, founded in 1915 as a women’s college, now serves about 17,000 students worldwide and online. The school began offering online programs and courses in 1999. The university now offers more than 30 online graduate programs, as well as bachelor’s and certificate programs. The online master’s in management and leadership degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of leadership roles. Students with specific career aspirations may pursue one of four concentrations, including cybersecurity and health administration. The curriculum consists of 24 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of electives. Students have the option to earn credits completely online or in a hybrid format.

Greenville University was founded in 1892 by the Free Methodist Church with the mission of providing a Christ-centered education. The school is located in Greenville, Illinois, and offers online programs through the Briner School of Business, the School of Education, and the College of Professional Studies. The master of science in management program emphasizes team building, human relations, and other leadership skills. Online master’s in management program courses include business analysis and valuation, values based leadership, and legal and ethical environments. The final part of the 11-course curriculum is an applied research project, which demonstrates mastery of management theory. Students can complete the program in two years. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA within their last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

Bethel University, founded in 1871, is a liberal arts university located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs through its four colleges and seminary. Bethel offers 32 online programs, including the online master’s in business management. The MBA program with a concentration in management features common MBA courses along with leadership-specifics courses, such as data analysis and decision making, leading change in a changing world, and engaging your potential. Students can complete all program requirements in 18-24 months, and courses can be taken either completely online or in a hybrid format. Classes start every six weeks. Students must earn at least 42 credits to graduate.

LeTourneau University was founded in 1946 as a technical institute for general infantryman returning from World War II. While the university still offers degrees in engineering and technology, it has grown to include schools devoted to business, education, nursing, arts and sciences, and theology. LeTourneau’s outstanding Business and Technology School is a great place to earn a business management master’s degree online. The MBA program features a general management specialization, which prepares students to lead businesses in an effective and efficient manner or pursue a career as a management consultant. Students can complete the 36-credit MBA curriculum in two years or less. Students are required to attend a 10-day global enterprise trip. LeTourneau prefers applicants who have 3-7 years of work experience.

DeSales University is a private Catholic university based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The school offers an online master’s in business management program. DeSales’ MBA program is the second largest in Pennsylvania and can be completed entirely online. The program does not require an undergraduate degree in business or a related field, and students may choose to take foundation classes for an introduction to business principles. Classic MBA courses such as financial management are supplemented by concentration-specific courses like entrepreneurship and international management. DeSales offers financial aid to graduate students through tuition deferment, work-study, and other programs. Learners must complete seven core courses, three concentration courses, one elective course, and a capstone project.

Rivier University, established in 1933, is a small Catholic University that offers more than 50 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. The school is located in Nashua, New Hampshire. Rivier offers 13 distance degrees, including an online master’s in business management program. The MBA management program requires 36 credit hours for completion, and students usually complete the program in about two years. The program is taught asynchronously. Each of the 12 courses takes seven weeks to complete, and students may apply at any time. Rivier University prefers students who have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, but students below this threshold may still be considered. The core requirement consists of 27 credits and includes courses in accounting, marketing, economics, and operations and quality management.

The University of Alabama was founded in 1831 as the first public university in the state. The school is one of the largest universities in the U.S., with more than 38,000 students currently enrolled. The University of Alabama’s extensive online options provide access to the school’s vast resources without students having to step foot on campus. The university offers one of the best master’s in business management online degrees. The MA in management emphasizes leadership in a globalized business arena. Students learn about how to manage global business operations through courses such as advanced import-export strategy, global marketing management, and global business. The program consists of 30 credit hours, and students can apply at any time.

Established in 1916, Crown College is a private Christian institution located in Bonifacius, Minnesota. The small college enrolls about 1,300 students. Crown College provides access to more than 40 majors and offers online degrees through its School of Online Studies and Graduate School. Through Crown College’s MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management program, students learn the intricacies of leading social change through topics including nonprofit law, fundraising and philanthropy, and marketing for nonprofits. Students graduate with an understanding of how to address serious global issues in an organized and Christian manner. Students usually complete the program in two and a half years. The curriculum consists of 14, seven-week courses.

Minot State University was established in 1913 and is the third largest university in North Dakota. The school offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. Minot State has offered online programs for 18 years, and learners can choose from 14 degree and certificate programs. The master of science in management program can be completed on campus or online with nine to eighteen months of study, making it one of the fastest options for completing an online master’s in business management. The master of science in management program is research oriented, and research assistantships are available through the School of Business.

King University is a private Presbyterian school that has been operating for 150 years. The main campus is located in Bristol, Tennessee. King University offers 14 online programs. The online MBA program is case-based, meaning that much of the curriculum is taught through the analysis of real world business scenarios. This approach is meant to challenge and develop critical thinking and data analysis skills, making King University one of the best institutions to earn a business management master’s degree online through. Students often work in teams, simultaneously honing their business acumen and communication skills. Learners can choose from 11 specializations and typically finish their coursework in 16 months.

Goucher College is a private liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1885, the small school provides a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Goucher’s graduate programs include an online master’s in management, which is offered through the Welch Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. The master of arts in management program focuses on leadership that helps enhance profits. The 39-credit curriculum includes topics on nonprofit leadership, social entrepreneurship, and fundraising. Students are encouraged to customize their coursework through about 40 elective offerings. Learners have up to five years to complete all degree requirements, but most complete them in two. Students have the opportunity to participate in two, 10-day, on-campus residencies. Courses include principles of project management and leadership and self development.

California Baptist University, established in 1950 by the California Southern Baptist Convention, is a private Christian college based in Southern California. The school offers more than 40 online programs, including an MBA in general management program, which is one of the quickest ways to earn a business management master’s degree online. On average, students complete the curriculum in 12 months. Applicants to the online master’s in management program must have professional work experience and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5. Financial aid is available through grants, scholarships, loans, and financing plans. Students must earn at least 36 credits to graduate. Management specialization courses include foundations of accounting and finance, managerial ethics, and financial management.

Dallas Baptist University, a Christian liberal arts institution, incorporates Christian principles and teachings into all of its degrees. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate offerings. Students can complete the master of arts in management program completely online. The curriculum requires learners to earn at least 36 credits to graduate. Students can choose from concentrations such as conflict resolution management, performance management, and professional sales. Learners can pursue a dual-degree option, earning a second degree in communication, global leadership, or higher education. These flexible, dual-degree programs make Dallas Baptist University’s program one of the best online master’s in business management programs.

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian university that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. The school operates six satellite campuses as well as a distance education program. The master of business management degree can be completed entirely online or with a combination of on-campus and online courses. Students can study online one semester, and on campus the next. By enrolling in online, afternoon, and evening classes, full-time students can complete the 39-unit curriculum in 12 months. Azusa offers a two-week online orientation prior to each session, allowing new students to familiarize themselves with the online platform. Students without an undergraduate degree in business may apply, but they may be required to complete up to three prerequisite courses. The program requires students to complete one of six concentration, which include entrepreneurship, human resource management, and marketing.

Spring Arbor University, established in 1873, offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs through 13 campus locations and an online school. The school is a Free Methodist institution and is committed to integrating Christ into all of its liberal arts programs. The school currently offers 10 online bachelor’s and master’s programs, including its online master’s in management. Students can complete the MBA in management program entirely online. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of practical, face-to-face business experience. Students have the opportunity to work as consultants at partner organizations, helping to identify problems and create innovative solutions. Learners may choose to complete a four-day international business summit in New York City as part of the course in international business.

The Sage Colleges were established 101 years ago in Troy, New York. Russell Sage College, the Sage’s undergraduate branch, is an all female liberal arts college. However, Sage’s graduate programs, established in 1949, are coeducational. The School of Management, one of Sage’s three graduate schools, offers a master of science program in organization management that is geared towards future nonprofit, business, and government leaders. The program requires students to complete nine core courses and one elective, making it one of the shortest online master’s in management programs. It is free to apply, and students must submit a college transcript, two recommendations, a career goals essay, and a résumé for consideration.