Master’s in Business Administration
Learn to Lead in Modern Business
MBA@American is the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program delivered by American University’s Kogod School of Business. MBA@American is designed for mid-career professionals who want to learn strategic management and communication skills that will help them advance into leadership roles.
The Kogod School of Business takes an inclusive and forward-thinking approach to business education, prioritizing diversity and recognizing that 21st century development requires a global perspective. The curriculum focuses on foundational business practices and takes advantage of Kogod’s Washington, D.C. location by giving students the opportunity to create new connections within our nation’s capital during in-person immersions.
Ranked a Top Online MBA Worldwide
Secure your position as an international leader by earning your degree from our online MBA program—ranked the No. 12 online MBA program worldwide by QS World University Rankings.1 This ranking represents the global respect and recognition our program has solidified in today’s hyperconnected business world.
AACSB Accredited
American University’s Kogod School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). AACSB accreditation is known worldwide as the longest-standing, most recognized form of specialized and professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn.
A Curriculum at the Intersection of Business and Politics
The online MBA program prepares students to apply leadership and financial analysis skills to help businesses operate more effectively across a wide range of industries. The curriculum features in-person immersions, during which students learn from leading experts in business capitals around the world, and the opportunity to select electives that personalize learning toward career goals.
Most students complete the program on a 24-month course sequence, but the program can also be completed on a 12-month, 15-month, or 18-month track.
Program Requirements
48
credits to complete
12
core courses
3
elective courses
2
in-person immersions
Core Courses
- Business Law, Ethics, and Governance
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Financial Management
- Managerial Accounting and Operations Management
- Management of Organization and Human Capital
- Manager in the International Economy
- Managerial Statistics
- Management Information Systems
- Strategic Thinking for Decisions
- Marketing Management
- Strategic Decision Making
Focus Areas
Students can choose from five pre-designed focus areas of study or create their own by selecting electives that best suit their goals. Focus areas include:
Business Analytics
Through the business analytics focus area, students gain data analysis skills to solve a variety of business challenges and help them make data-driven decisions. Courses include Business Insights Through Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence, and Database and Big Data.
Finance
Students in the finance focus area will study how organizations make investments and manage risk in an ever-changing economy. Courses include Fraud Examination and Litigation Support, International Finance, and Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management.
Consulting
Students in this focus area study a wide range of consulting topics and learn problem-solving methods involving research and analysis. This focus area combines analytics and management courses, such as Management Consulting Practices and Methodologies, Business Intelligence, and Integrated Marketing Communication.
Cybersecurity
In this focus area, students look at cybersecurity through a management lens, focusing on strategies to prepare for, prevent, detect, and respond to cybersecurity attacks. Courses such as Cybersecurity Risk Management, Database and Big Data, and Cybersecurity Governance are designed in coordination with the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center (KCGC).
Marketing
The marketing focus area explores strategies and tools for creating marketing campaigns, helping students advance their knowledge of brand management, advertising account management, sales promotion, media planning, and market research. Courses include Brand Strategy, Integrated Marketing Communication, and Business Intelligence.
In-Person Immersions
The curriculum includes two in-person immersions that allow students to solve business challenges with real companies. Each year, at least one of these sessions takes place in Washington, D.C., where students collaborate with peers in group projects, network with D.C. professionals and faculty, and explore the nation's capital. Immersions are also hosted in international cities such as Beijing, Madrid, and Brussels that provide students with new perspectives on how different cultures conduct business.
Applying to MBA@American
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to apply. GMAT and GRE scores are not required. To complete the application, you must submit the following:
- Online application
- Application fee
- Personal statement
- Résumé
- Letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Test scores (optional)
Application Deadlines
The MBA program has four start dates throughout the year. Kogod accepts applications on a rolling basis.
| Program Start Date | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| January 6, 2020 | October 28, 2019 | November 25, 2019 |
| April 2020 | January 20, 2020 | February 17, 2020 |
Bridge to Business Course
Kogod encourages MBA@American applicants who may be less confident of their quantitative abilities or who have been away from the classroom for an extended period of time to participate in Kogod’s Bridge to Business course. Kogod’s holistic approach to evaluating potential students allows individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to contribute unique perspectives to our academic community. The Bridge to Business course builds confidence and ensures each student is prepared to succeed.
This introductory course offers a foundational understanding of core business principles and acts as a gateway to the full online MBA program. Applicants who have a background in liberal arts or other non-quantitative fields may be admitted to MBA@American on the condition that they take the Bridge to Business course. Conditionally admitted students must earn a grade of B or better to fully matriculate into MBA@American.
Course Description
The Bridge to Business course introduces concepts and quantitative tools used in real-world business environments. Students will gain a stronger foundation in core business and finance theories and models, and their course grade will count toward their GPA. The course is offered through the same online platform as all other MBA@American courses. Students attend live online classes via webcam and complete weekly assignments that inform class discussion.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop a simple business plan by integrating qualitative and quantitative information
- Understand time value of money concepts, cost concepts, and break-even analysis
- Understand financial statements
- Understand drivers of demand and supply as well as product pricing techniques
- Perform foundational statistical analyses using Excel
- Prepare baseline budgets and pro forma financial statements
Class Profile
MBA@American students bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the classroom.2 The Kogod School of Business is proud to encourage these viewpoints in an inclusive learning environment. Kogod offers students personalized support—giving them access to career resources, alumni events, and one-on-one mentorship from professors.
The Value of an MBA
Earning an MBA continues to prove a wise decision for professionals pursuing fulfilling careers. In 2018, the Graduate Management Admission Council conducted their annual Corporate Recruiters Survey Report that shows:
85%
U.S. employers who reported in 2018 that they plan to hire recent MBA graduates.4