Online MBA Programs in General Management
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“Mastering the MBA curriculum is critical, but equally important is forming lasting connections that will support and advance your career long after you graduate.”
John Fitzgerald, MBA, Director of Marking and Communications, REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley
A master of business administration (MBA) program with a concentration in general management, known as a “general management MBA,” requires a significant investment of time, resources, and commitment, regardless of its format—on-campus or online. Nevertheless, the skills and knowledge gained from these programs can prepare graduates for leadership roles.
There are many different types of MBA programs in which students can enroll, from general tracks to common specializations (e.g., healthcare, finance) and uncommon concentrations (e.g., cybersecurity, energy). However, perhaps no other concentration within business schools has changed so dramatically over the years as the general management concentration.
Thirty years ago, students mostly received training in the applied psychology discipline known as organizational behavior, but today’s management programs tend to focus on leadership and corporate strategy, along with tactical skills like negotiation.
In fact, some business schools have renamed their general management concentrations to reflect how the discipline has evolved. For example, the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University calls its concentration “Leading Organizations,” and the Alfred Lerner College of Business at the University of Delaware offers a general management concentration called “Strategic Leadership.” Each of these concentrations varies according to the school’s program and emphasis.
How diverse and flexible these tracks are within business schools has not changed. They are particularly well suited to those with excellent interpersonal skills and work experience in nontechnical functional areas such as human resources.
Courses in MBA programs first teach students about business management fundamentals while also challenging them to think strategically. In the core portion of the curriculum, students explore fundamental business concepts in marketing, accounting, business ethics, finance, statistics, project management, and other business administration disciplines. Only minor differences exist in the standardized core courses, especially among the reputable AACSB-accredited schools.
Upon satisfying core requirements, students then take courses in their track of choice. For example, in the general management concentration, courses typically examine topics like strategic leadership, project management, and organizational design, and can vary widely from one school to another.
Innovative MBA programs offering 100 percent online curricula, like those in the following profiles, give students tremendous flexibility thanks to recent instructional technology advances. As a result, students can receive an online educational experience equivalent to (and in some ways, better than) instruction on campus, unconstrained by distance or time. Students can learn at their own pace and typically take online classes taught by the same faculty that teaches these programs on campus.
As a result, these online MBA programs offer tremendous opportunities and diversity for students who cannot leave jobs to attend classes on campus, or who wish to attend better out-of-state universities without the expense and hassle of relocation. For example, the University of Illinois has 800 students in its online MBA program, and they come from more than 40 countries and 40 states around the country. Additionally, personalized online education provides an attractive alternative for students who wish to learn at their own pace; motivated and gifted students, in particular, can thrive at the accelerated pace made possible by these online MBA programs.
Online programs also can save students money. Even when tuition rates are identical, online MBA programs can present more cost-effective alternatives to on-campus programs due to savings on costs like relocation, childcare, and transportation.
The following guide presents seven general management MBA programs offered entirely online and profiles three outstanding faculty members from universities offering these innovative programs.
Meet the Expert: John Fitzgerald, MBA
John Fitzgerald is the director of marking and communications for the REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley in St. Charles, Illinois. He also serves as the executive director of the International Business Council, working to drive global change through business.
Fitzgerald received a bachelor of business administration degree from St. Francis University in Joliet, Illinois, and a master of business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.
BSchools.org: How has graduating with an MBA in general management enhanced your career?
Fitzgerald: I went back to school for my MBA 18 years after receiving my undergraduate degree and with 18 years of marketing experience. There were three main catalysts for pursuing my MBA.
Skill development has been a key focus area for me. I have worked diligently to improve my strategic thinking, honing my abilities in strategic planning and decision-making. Additionally, I have deepened my financial acumen, expanding my knowledge of financial management, accounting, and economics, learning how to apply these skills efficiently in a business context.
In terms of career advancement and networking, I have enhanced my foundational skills to facilitate a potential switch between industries or functional areas, opening doors that were previously inaccessible. Moreover, I have gained access to a vast network of alumni, providing opportunities for mentorship, career insights, business partnerships, and future professional growth.
On a personal level, returning to school after an 18-year gap has significantly boosted my self-confidence, particularly in understanding and applying complex business concepts and successfully completing a rigorous academic program. This journey has also improved my communication skills, teaching me the importance of listening as much as conversing on in-depth topics.
My MBA provided me with a comprehensive education that further enhanced my leadership skills and enhanced career opportunities through the necessary skills and networks to further my career.
BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring MBA student in general management?
Fitzgerald: The one piece of advice I would give to any MBA candidate—regardless of discipline—is to learn how to leverage the networking opportunities available throughout the program while in school and beyond. Building a strong professional network during your MBA program can be as valuable as the academic knowledge you gain.
Engage actively with classmates, professors, alumni, and industry professionals. Attend networking events, participate in conferences, and seek out mentorship opportunities. Your network can provide support, open doors to job opportunities, and offer diverse perspectives that enhance your learning experience.
Mastering the MBA curriculum is critical, but equally important is forming lasting connections that will support and advance your career long after you graduate.
Featured Online MBA Programs in General Management
Designed for working professionals, Pepperdine’s online MBA embraces experience-driven learning so that students can immediately apply their education to their real-world business situations. The online MBA offers the same blend of training and personal development as the school’s on-campus program and delivers the innovative ideas, new skills, and practical knowledge students need to advance in their current careers, change careers, or establish a lasting career at the management or executive level.
Pepperdine’s online program provides an interactive, experience-driven approach to graduate business education with a 52-unit program over six 14-week trimesters. More specifically, the general management concentration allows for a broad selection of any 12 units of MBA electives and is one of the more flexible programs surveyed for this guide. All online MBA students must attend a weekend-long, on-campus personal and leadership development workshop at the beginning of their programs.
Graduates obtain lifelong access to the school’s one-on-one career coaching, online career portal, and career development tools to receive personalized guidance and address challenges. The school requires at least two years of work experience, offers GMAT waivers, and does not specify a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement.
The program’s core curriculum includes courses such as behavior in organizations; marketing management; strategic management; quantitative analysis for business operations; prices, profit, and the market economy; financial management of the firm; and integration in business operations.
| Location: Malibu, California |
| Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges—Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC); AACSB International |
| Format: Online with one weekend-long on-campus workshop |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
UW Parkside offers an online MBA program with a concentration in general management. This program offers core courses such as managerial accounting, innovative management, operations management, project management, IT for business decision-making, corporate financial management, leadership, global, strategic, and marketing management, and competitive decision-making. Additionally, students choose three elective courses among the other specializations.
| Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin |
| Accreditation: AACSB International |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or more |
University of West Alabama’s College of Business and Technology offers an online MBA with a concentration in general business which comprises 33 credits. The program’s core curriculum includes courses such as foundations of business; managerial accounting; comparative business law and ethics; research methods and design; emerging technologies; managerial economics; and financial management.
The general business concentration helps students in developing a deep knowledge of analysis across an organization. The program’s project-based courses allow students to focus their studies on a specific area that interests them most. Students will be required to complete nine credits in the general business emphasis. Courses include current issues in international business; business analytics and intelligence; and statistical analysis.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or 3.0. Graduates will be ready to take up leadership positions such as marketing managers, media directors, sales managers, C-level executives, financial managers, human resources managers, and data analysts.
| Location: Livingston, Alabama |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
Maryville University’s management concentration requires students to take 12 credits of class across the following topics: project management, human resources management, leadership, and interpersonal management. Students must also complete eight business core courses and a capstone course as part of the program. Professors teach with actual examples fueled by current events rather than their personal research interests so that students can gain real-world knowledge and students can apply a practical understanding of how the skills learned in class to the business world.
Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree but are not required to have previous business experience, or GMAT or GRE scores. However, students must complete coursework in financial accounting and economic statistics before enrollment.
Graduates of the program will be ready to take roles such as business operations specialists, administrative services managers, sales managers, management analysts, and human resources managers.
| Location: St. Louis, Missouri |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 16 months, including the management concentration |
Northeastern’s online MBA program was designed for business professionals who wish to build the most diverse range of skills possible. Students who choose the general management concentration can become familiar with high-level tactics and strategies, such as enterprise growth, value creation, employee management, operations management, new venture creation, and global business best practices.
Graduation with a general online MBA requires the completion of 50 credits of core courses and electives. Core courses in the program include financial statement preparation and analysis; identifying strategic implications in accounting data; enterprise growth and innovation; value creation through financial decision making; managing people and organizations; and managing the global enterprise. Students can enroll in the dual degree track, where they will obtain an MBA and a master’s in finance. There are also optional campus-based and international field study residencies.
Admission requirements are more specific than the other online MBA programs surveyed for this guide. The school requires an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must be currently employed and have at least five years of professional experience.
| Location: Boston, Massachusetts |
| Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); AACSB International |
| Format: Online with optional on-campus and international residencies |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
The online MBA in general management at the University of Saint Mary provides students with an in-depth understanding of legal and ethical issues in business and leadership skills so that they can overcome common obstacles that may arise in the workplace. Students also learn to formulate and implement strategic solutions to spearhead teams and projects.
The program is broken down into eight core courses and three electives. Most students in the general management program select USM’s leadership course as one of their three electives. For the remaining two, students can choose among topics such as operations management; management information systems; and project management. Students can also choose courses from other online MBA concentrations.
This MBA concentration may be well suited for current business and management professionals ready to move into elevated roles within their organization and those looking to enter an entirely new profession. Because the affordable degree only requires 36 credits to graduate, students can complete USM’s online MBA in as little as one year by taking two classes each term. No GMAT or work experience is required for admission.
| Location: Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA); International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months minimum |
The University of Illinois online MBA program is entirely online with no campus visits required and is powered by Coursera, an education-focused web platform for online courses. The general management concentration is called “Strategic Leadership and Management” and teaches students leadership and business skills that they can apply immediately in their professional lives.
Students learn how to collaborate with and manage people effectively, design and lead organizations, and create and maintain value within organizations through three general management-focused courses. Finally, they complete the program with a capstone project, applying all the knowledge and skills students learned in the strategic leadership and management concentration.
Admissions may be competitive, but the program’s tuition is about one-third the cost of online MBAs from comparable institutions. Coursera notes that the University of Illinois is ranked as one of the world’s most reliable university brands.
| Location: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); AACSB International |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Admission Requirements for Online MBA Programs in General Management
Below, prospective students can find common application requirements for online general management MBA programs:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- A competitive GPA from undergraduate programs
- More reputable schools ask for GMAT or GRE scores, but often waive testing for students with several years of relevant work experience
- Schools strongly prefer one or two years of professional experience in a healthcare, business, finance, or technology organization
- The completion of key prerequisite financial accounting and statistics courses, or the completion of the business school’s abridged overview course (for candidates without work experience or undergraduate degrees in business)
- A personal statement of objectives
- Letters of recommendation
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international students
Online MBA Program Accreditation
Educational accreditation means that a university offers a curriculum that adheres to quality assurance standards in academic disciplines. In the United States, external private, non-profit organizations evaluate educational institutions and certify that the schools comply with applicable standards by awarding accreditation status. Several organizations award accreditation to business schools.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, commonly known as AACSB International, has provided quality assurance services to accredited business schools since 1916. AACSB-accredited schools generally have the highest-quality faculties, deliver relevant and challenging curricula, and provide educational and career opportunities not found at other schools. The organization emphasizes faculty research in providing students with solid knowledge foundations.
The AACSB has awarded accreditations to nearly 1,000 schools in 90 countries, mainly those affiliated with major research universities, and has awarded specialized accounting program accreditations to an additional 190. More than 250,000 students are enrolled in AACSB-accredited MBA programs worldwide. Accredited schools include the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, and the Harvard Business School.
The newer Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) was founded in 1989 to accredit various types of schools, including two-year institutions like community colleges, with an emphasis on teaching instead of the research emphasis common to the AACSB-accredited institutions. The ACBSP focuses on tangible learning outcomes and quality improvement, significantly as the workforce demands change. More than 2,900 ACBSP-accredited programs exist worldwide.
A third agency, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), focuses more specifically on accrediting smaller and mid-sized private liberal arts colleges with business degree programs. This agency is the newest of the three major organizations. It focuses its criteria on eight pillars: outcomes assessment, strategic planning, curriculum, faculty, scholarly and professional activities, resources, internal and external relationships, and educational innovation.
General Management Salary & Career Outlook
General managers are critical to the success of organizations across various industries, overseeing operations, setting policies, and ensuring that goals are met efficiently. The career outlook for general managers from 2022 to 2032 is expected to be robust, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a steady demand for professionals in this role with a projected 1.1 million new positions. The median annual salary for these positions is $116,880, which is double the national average for all occupations (BLS May 2023).
