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.
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
Concentrations
Students can choose from six concentration paths or create their own concentration by selecting electives that best suit their goals. Concentrations include:
Business Analytics
Through the business analytics concentration, 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 concentration 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 concentration study a wide range of consulting topics and learn problem-solving methods involving research and analysis. This concentration combines analytics and management courses, such as Management Consulting Practices and Methodologies, Business Intelligence, and Integrated Marketing Communication.
International Business
Students choosing an international business concentration will gain insight into foreign economic systems and learn how to manage a company’s international operations. Courses include International Finance, Global Health Politics and Policy, Sustainable Development and Environmental Politics, and Intercultural Communication.
Cybersecurity
In this concentration, 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 concentration 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 |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2019 | January 21, 2019 | February 18, 2019 |
| July 1, 2019 | April 22, 2019 | May 20, 2019 |
| September 30, 2019 | July 22, 2019 | August 19, 2019 |
| January 6, 2020 | November 2, 2019 | December 2, 2019 |
Class Profile
MBA@American students bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the classroom.1 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 quantitative data on the financial value of an MBA: