MBA@American - Kogod School of Business Online MBA, American University
The Kogod School of Business at American University offers an online MBA with a self-designed pathway or a choice among seven concentrations: business analytics, consulting, cybersecurity, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and legal studies. MBA@American focuses on collaborative learning and relationship building. It is a student-centered program designed with interpersonal interactions in mind. Through live, online classes and in-person immersions, students learn and collaborate with presenters, business professionals, professors, and fellow students.
MBA@American coursework focuses on hands-on projects, applied learning, and in-person immersion experiences. Throughout the program, students are taught about finance, marketing, business analytics, international business, management principles, ethics, and strategic decision-making, among other subjects. The Kogod School of Business also has several partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
Students in the MBA@American online program have access to all the resources available to on-campus students, including admissions counselors, enrollment support teams, faculty advisors, the library system, career counseling services, and on-campus graduation. The program is designed for business professionals in the U.S. or around the world who want to begin or advance their careers in business. American University does have a “Bridge to Business” program for those entering from a liberal arts background or who have been out of the education world for an extended period of time. Applicants complete a bridge to business course and are admitted conditionally. American University is located in Washington, D.C.
What to Expect from Online MBA@American
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MBA@American must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Admission materials include an online application, a non-refundable application fee, a personal statement consisting of responses to two essay prompts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all previous institutions attended.
Of the two essay prompts, the first should focus on highlighting the applicant’s strengths, including their preparation to succeed in a graduate school program and their reasons for pursuing the MBA@American. The second essay prompt should address how the applicant’s prior academic or professional experience shows readiness to complete an MBA program. GMAT/GRE test scores are not required, but applicants may choose to submit them with their application. Work experience is not required but is factored into the admission decision.
International students must provide proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores from within the previous two years. These may be waived if the applicant obtained an undergraduate degree from a country whose native language is English or completed a degree abroad that consisted of three years in the English-speaking country.
Study Plan: Online MBA students can begin the program in October, January, April, or July. Students participate in two modules per semester. The fall semester consists of one module in July and one in October. The spring semester consists of one module in January and one in April. Students can take 6-12 credits per module. The program can be completed in as little as 12 months following the One-Year MBA plan, or 15 to 24 months, with most students following a 24 month cycle. The One-Year MBA plan is possible for students who don’t work full-time and who thrive in a fast-paced, intense learning environment. Electives are taken near the end of the program. Immersion experience dates depend on the chosen immersion locations.
Curriculum: Students take a total of 48 credits including 12 core courses, two elective courses, a capstone course and two immersions of 1.5 credits each. Core courses include business fundamentals; business law, ethics, and governance; financial accounting; managerial economics and corporate strategy; strategic thinking for decisions; marketing management; financial management; management of organizations and human capital; applied managerial statistics; manager in the international economy; managing digital organizations; managerial accounting and operations management; and the strategic decision making capstone. Students desiring to create their own concentration can take electives from any of the concentration courses. Students wishing to complete a designated concentration can take the following courses:
Business Analytics Concentration: business intelligence; predictive analytics; database & big data; business insights through analytics
Consulting Concentration: business intelligence; intercultural communications; management consulting practices and methodologies; business insights through analytics; integrated marketing communication
Cybersecurity Concentration: forensic accounting: fraud examination and litigation support; database and big data; cybersecurity risk management; cybersecurity governance
Finance Concentration: forensic accounting: fraud examination and litigation support; business insights through analytics; business intelligence; international finance; investment analysis and portfolio management; financial statement analysis
Marketing Concentration: business intelligence; database and big data; integrated marketing communication; business insights through analytics; brand strategy
Entrepreneurship Concentration: entrepreneurship and innovation; global and social impact strategy; entrepreneurship practicum: new venture business plan
Legal Studies Concentration: introduction to courts and law; introduction to regulatory law and compliance; negotiation and communication; ethics in the law and public policy; drafting policies, procedures, and contracts; business associations; information privacy and data security law; health care law and compliance
Online Experience: MBA@American has a dynamic online experience, including live, online classes taught in a seminar-style discussion. Classes are kept small, and students log in by way of a webcam so that each student is live in the online classroom. This provides a platform for live chat between classmates and professors, breakout conversations, and document sharing. Notably, this creates a personalized student experience and feels much more like on-campus interactions.
Faculty create coursework based on their specific course curricula through collaboration between the professor and a production team. This online experience includes recorded lectures, videos, and case studies that bring things to life between the live online class sessions.
On-Site Requirements: There are two required immersions during the MBA@American program. Each year, at least one immersion takes place in Washington, D.C. and in cities worldwide. Students must attend at least two immersions but can attend up to four for credit. Immersions last 3-4 days and sample upcoming experiences are available in Beijing, Madrid, and Chicago.
Paying for Online MBA@American
American University MBA@American tuition is detailed in the tables below, and does not include immersion experience costs or other fees. Prospective online students should contact the admissions department of the Kogod School of Business online MBA program for total costs.
American University graduate students may be eligible for federal student aid when enrolled half-time or greater (at least five credits). Merit-based scholarships may also be available through the merit scholarship webpage. Students can seek financial aid through subsidized and unsubsidized loans or outside resources to help pay for their MBA. In addition, some businesses offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees seeking an MBA.
American University MBA@American Online MBA
- Choose from 1 of 7 concentrations or create your own
- Courses include Brand Strategy, Financial Statement Analysis, Forensic Accounting: Fraud Examination and Litigation Support, and more
- Build interpersonal relationships through interactive learning environment including 2 in person immersions for networking
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Areas of Concentration | Analytics, Consulting, Cybersecurity, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Legal Studies |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, April, July, October |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 48 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | No, two immersions required at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required. |
| Work Experience Required? | No, but factored into decision as a resume is required. |
| Credit Hours | 48 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $2,000.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $96,000 |
* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.
