Online MBA in Consulting Programs (Management Consulting)
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“Initially, my goal was to leverage my undergraduate degree in biology to transition into management within the natural sciences. However, the MBA program opened my eyes to far greater possibilities, particularly in data-driven business strategy.”
Justin Palmer, MBA, Graduate of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management
Eventually, most businesses will confront an issue that cannot be overcome internally using existing employees. Whether the genesis of that issue is needing an outside perspective, a specialized skill set current employees don’t already have, a global perspective, or simply an unbiased eye, companies will often turn to outside parties in their time of need. Management consultants can offer companies a third-party perspective to help them overcome issues or improve current processes.
The pathway to becoming a management consultant varies. Some management consultants come to their careers through years of work experience, while others earn advanced degrees to get started in the consulting industry. Many consultants begin consulting with some combination of experience and higher education. Regardless of the pathway, management consulting is most suited to those who enjoy cultivating a high-level understanding of industry best practices; the people skills to interact with a range of clientele; and the analytical skills to apply what they know to diverse business realities.
In a competitive marketplace, someone who backs up a true interest in helping other businesses succeed with actual know-how and qualified insights and management techniques can be immensely valuable. In response to this need for valuable, third-party insight, many MBA programs offer concentrations in management consulting. Earning an MBA in management consulting can open up a wide variety of full- or part-time options within consulting agencies, the ability to work as an independent contractor, and the capacity to become a trainer, research analyst, or director of change.
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| University of North Carolina | MBA@UNC Online MBA - Strategy and Consulting | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Because real-world experience in business is part of what makes for an attractive consultant, many MBA programs in consulting are designed with the working professional in mind. Many high-quality universities offer MBAs in consulting fully online, with only occasional visits to a physical campus, or with coursework that can be completed at night, on weekends, or at the time of the MBA student’s choosing. In addition, distance learning allows working professionals to advance their knowledge and skills without having to relocate physically.
Discover what to expect from an online MBA program in consulting, including information about distinguished faculty in those programs.
Meet the Expert: Justin Palmer, MBA
Born and raised in California, Justin Palmer developed a deep connection to the outdoors and the ocean, significantly influencing his personal and professional outlook. After earning a degree in biological sciences from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he gained diverse, hands-on experience working across central and northern California and exploring various industries in New Zealand.
Palmer eventually moved to Australia, where he balanced an adventurous lifestyle with academic pursuits, earning an MBA from Pepperdine University in December 2022. With several years of experience in consulting and a professional focus on growing businesses through strategic, data-driven decisions, he specializes in revenue generation, cost optimization, and cross-functional leadership. Passionate about helping companies succeed, Palmer remains committed to continuous growth while making time for outdoor adventures that fuel his creativity and inspiration.
BSchools.org: How has graduating with an MBA enhanced your career in consulting?
Palmer: Graduating with an MBA from Pepperdine has profoundly transformed my career trajectory. Initially, my goal was to leverage my undergraduate degree in biology to transition into management within the natural sciences.
However, the MBA program opened my eyes to far greater possibilities, particularly in data-driven business strategy. The hands-on projects, which involved collaboration with local businesses, not only helped me bridge the gap between science and business but also ignited my passion for consulting.
Pepperdine’s immersive experience allowed me to sharpen my analytical and managerial skills in real-world scenarios, ultimately leading to a full-time business manager role with a direct path toward C-suite opportunities. My MBA did more than meet my expectations—it broadened my understanding of the various sectors within business, provided me with the tools to drive meaningful change, and secured my transition into consulting before I even completed the degree. It was the catalyst for a career evolution I hadn’t originally envisioned.
BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective MBA applicant who’s aspiring to specialize in consulting?
Palmer: My advice is to make the most of the amazing opportunities an MBA program like Pepperdine provides—what you do with those opportunities is what will define your career. Pepperdine offers so many great chances—whether it’s working on real-world projects with local businesses, connecting with industry experts, or getting hands-on consulting experience. But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to take those experiences and turn them into something meaningful.
Pepperdine gives you everything you need to succeed, but your initiative makes the difference. Get involved, apply your learning, and build relationships that will help you long after graduation. The more you put into these opportunities, the more you’ll get out of them, and that’s what will set you up for success in consulting—even before you finish your degree.
Featured Online MBAs in Management Consulting
Students have the opportunity to earn an MBA on-campus through the Kogod School of Business or online through the school’s MBA@American program. The consulting focus, one of seven foci offered, combines courses from analytics and management to help expand a graduate’s strategic value to potential employers. Students in this program must participate in two three- to four-day immersion programs in places like Washington, D.C., Brussels, Beijing, or Madrid.
Students enrolled in this 48-credit program will complete thirteen core courses, two elective courses, and two in-person immersions. The curriculum’s core courses include business fundamentals; applied managerial statistics; business law, ethics, and governance; financial management; financial accounting; managing digital organizations; marketing management; and strategic thinking for decisions. Courses in the consulting concentration include management consulting practices & methodologies; integrated marketing communication; business intelligence; business insights through analytics; and intercultural communications.
The curriculum prepares students to work with government entities, non-profits, and other experts in different industries.
| Location: Washington, D.C. |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
An online MBA with a concentration in strategy and consulting through UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School provides knowledge and practical skills for those who want consulting roles within their communities or existing organizations. Students learn team leadership, strategic thinking, and general client management through a combination of business theories, real-world case studies, and online simulations.
The 62-credit curriculum offers students the opportunity to learn about and develop strategies for existing companies and nonprofits in the U.S. and internationally. As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as business communication; business strategy; advanced consulting skills and frameworks; corporate strategy; consulting skills and frameworks; design and delivery of healthcare systems; information for product and customer strategy; strategic operations; global supply chain management; and strategy and sustainability, among others. Chapel Hill’s MBA program includes immersion opportunities where students can visit different businesses and interact with their employees and management teams.
| Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 18 months to three years |
The Gainey School of Business is a Christian private school that provides a 100 percent online MBA with an organizational consulting concentration. Students will develop a strong foundation in researching, assessing, and finding possible solutions to organizational and personnel problems. They will be able to understand, predict, and influence group and individual behavior in organizations and apply organizational leadership and behavioral science principles to positively influence groups, organizations, and individuals.
Over the course of the 36-credit program, students receive instruction in strategic leadership, workplace learning and professional development, and organizational consulting. In addition to business concepts, the school stresses the importance of ethics and leadership in solving problems and promoting growth.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate coursework, an official transcript, at least two recommendation surveys, a completed graduate application, and approval by the MBA admission committee. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.
| Location: Spring Harbor, Michigan |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 18 months to two years |
Penn State’s online MBA allows students to customize their program with one of the 27 available concentrations. Each concentration provides students with three elective courses to supplement and complement what they’ve already learned in the core courses. One such concentration is in management consulting. All students will be required to participate in a three-day virtual residency. Also, optional opportunities will be available to students to visit the campus.
The program consists of 48 credits, 39 core credits, and nine credits of specialization coursework. The curriculum’s core courses include team performance, financial accounting, leadership communications and change management, data analysis for decision-making, marketing in a global environment, economics for business strategy, global strategic management, and corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Courses in the management consulting concentration include business transformation consulting and management consulting methods and practice.
| Location: University Park, PA |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
The management consulting concentration is available through the University of Buffalo’s MBA program. There are nine concentrations available, including analytics, finance, information security management, information systems and E-commerce, marketing management, operations and supply chain management, health care management, international management, and management consulting.
The 60-credit-hour MBA program requires students to complete 27 credits of core courses, three internship credits, and 30 elective credits. The management consulting concentration requires four total courses, including consulting practices, predictive analytics, theory and practice negotiation, and executive presence and emotional intelligence. The program’s core courses include organizational behavior, financial analysis for managers, management communications, marketing for managers, accounting for decision-making, and operations management, among others.
| Location: Buffalo, New York |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Admission Requirements for Online MBA in Consulting Programs
In general, MBA admissions departments request:
- A bachelor’s degree in business or other related fields
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement or essay
- Academic transcripts demonstrating a strong GPA (e.g., >3.0)
- Some related professional experience
- GMAT or GRE test scores (these can be waived with significant industry or academic experience)
- TOEFL results for foreign students
Accreditation and State Authorization
Accreditation is a process by which universities demonstrate they are delivering programming that adheres to high standards for quality and relevance. Third-party accrediting organizations award accreditation by evaluating whether the university can prove that the programs, technology, and instruction adhere to specifically delineated quality standards. Campus visits, faculty and student surveys, graduation rates, alumni support, and career placement may all be considered during accreditation.
For MBA programs, one common accrediting organization is the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) which looks closely at business administration, real estate, management, and human resources programs, especially at larger, research-based institutions. Some schools also seek accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
While not needed to work as a consultant, those in the management consultant field can earn certifications to demonstrate to potential clients that their knowledge and expertise meet industry standards. Certifying bodies for management consulting include the Institute of Management Consultants and the Society of Professional Consultants. These organizations also provide resources, mentoring, and industry trend information.
In addition to looking at accreditation to ascertain the quality of programming, those seeking distance learning should ensure programming is available in their state of residence. Each university must follow state regulations for each state in which it offers programming or follow universal reciprocity standards as outlined by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) if it is a member state. State authorization information can be found on the program’s website or by speaking to an admissions officer.
Salary & Career Outlook for MBA in Consulting Graduates
Earning an MBA in management consulting can also lead to a lucrative career in a growth industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), management analysts earn a mean wage of $47.80 per hour or $99,410 annually.
Additionally, the BLS (2024) predicted that openings for management analysts would grow by 11 percent between 2023 and 2033—much more than the growth rate average for all occupations nationally (4 percent)—adding 107,900 jobs.
