Southern Methodist University Online Master of Business Administration
The Cox School of Business through Southern Methodist University (SMU) offers an online master of business administration (MBA) that can be completed in 27 months and is designed for professionals with at least three years of professional work experience.
Students in this experienced track online MBA program participate in two four-day immersions at cities in the United States or internationally. SMU follows an experiential learning model allowing students to gain hands-on experience with real-world business challenges. Course delivery is online in live, face-to-face sessions and takes place on weekday evenings and some Saturday mornings.
In addition, SMU offers the online MBA Direct which can be completed in 33 months and is designed for early-career professionals who have less than three years of work experience. These students gain valuable business experience during the three years of the program. Students in this program participate in one four-day immersion nationally or globally. Course delivery is also live and face-to-face and takes place on weeknight evenings for 90 minutes. Students who live near campus may take on-campus electives if desired.
The SMU Cox School of Business offers students career management services and success coaches to mentor and guide them through the program and beyond. Additionally, up to 60 percent of applicants who are accepted receive a merit-based scholarship.
With the growing importance of data analytics in the business world today, SMU includes two data analytics courses plus a focus on leadership and experiential learning. Other business concepts covered are corporate finance, cost analysis, micro and macroeconomics, accounting, leading people, marketing, global supply chain management, and business communication. Students in the online MBA programs may choose several two-credit electives.
Start dates for the online MBA land in January, May, and August, while MBA Direct students may begin in January or August.
Graduates of the online MBA and MBA Direct may go on to leadership and management positions such as marketing manager, financial analyst, sales manager, business operations manager, data analyst, produce manager, IT manager, and chief executive officer (CEO).
Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The online MBA and MBA Direct are accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, Texas.
What to Expect from the Southern Methodist University Online MBA and MBA Direct Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MBA and MBA Direct must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. GMAT test scores are required.
Online MBA applicants should have at least three years of professional work experience. MBA Direct applicants typically have less than three years of work experience. Application materials include an online application, application fee, essays, two letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and a resume or CV.
Study Plan: Southern Methodist University runs courses in the fall, spring, and summer lasting 14 weeks each. Two-credit courses meet seven times throughout the semester. Courses typically meet online, live for 90 minutes on week-nights. Online MBA (experienced track) participants may also meet Saturday mornings. Start dates for the online MBA for experienced professionals land in January, May, and August, while MBA Direct students start in January and August.
The online MBA can be completed in 27 months while the MBA Direct is designed to be completed in 33 months.
Online MBA Curriculum: The SMU online MBA comprises 52 credits. Courses may include managing and leading people; financial accounting; the fundamentals of marketing; digital marketing; applied corporate finance; master negotiation; entrepreneurship forward consulting project; data analysis I-II; legal environment of business; micro and macroeconomics; fundamentals of finance; global business strategy; strategic cost analysis; executive leadership; global supply chain; strategic management; and mergers and acquisitions. Students may be able to switch out some of the electives.
MBA Direct Curriculum: The MBA Direct comprises 53 credits. Courses may include managing and leading people; financial accounting; fundamentals of finance; fundamentals of marketing; applied corporate finance; managing your career; global emergency; data analytics I-II; micro and macroeconomics; strategic cost analysis; strategic management; legal environment of business; global supply chain; and business communication. The other 14 credits are electives chosen by the student.
Online Experience: Southern Methodist University utilizes Canvas as its online learning management system. Courses are delivered synchronously as live, face-to-face classes for approximately 90 minutes per week, with asynchronous coursework. Students participate in live classes, breakout sessions, discussion boards, and in-person immersions.
Notably, the Cox School of Business assigns each student a success coach who works with the student throughout the program and offers career management services.
On-Site Requirements: There are no campus visit requirements; however, students in the MBA Direct participate in one four-day immersion either globally or domestically, and online MBA students participate in at least two four-day immersions. These immersions are located in cities specifically chosen for their business relevance. Students work with teams on a current topic, gaining hands-on experience in real business environments. Immersions also include exploration of topics such as leadership and analytics, team-building activities, networking opportunities, and presentations from corporate executives.
Paying for the Southern Methodist University Online MBA Programs
The online MBA program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and do not include fees or travel expenses for the immersions. Southern Methodist University distributes merit-based scholarships to over 60 percent of applicants. Online graduate students may also have access to graduate student loans in accordance with the FAFSA, tuition reimbursement programs through employers, tuition discounts, and other outside loans, scholarships, and grants.
Applicants should contact the Southern Methodist University Financial Aid Department for current costs, discounts, and available financial aid.
Southern Methodist University Online MBA
- The SMU online MBA is designed for working professionals with at least 3 years of experience
- Students participate in two 4-day immersions in key domestic or global cities
- Face-to-face online classes take place weekly for real-time learning and collaboration
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, May, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 52 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 27 months. |
| 100% Online? | No - Two 4-day domestic or international immersions |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT is required |
| Work Experience Required? | 3 or more years of work experience is expected |
| Credit Hours | 52 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,797.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $93,444 |
Southern Methodist University Online MBA Direct
- The Cox online MBA Direct is designed for recent graduates or those with less than 3 years of work experience
- Students participate in one 4-day immersions either domestically or globally
- Spaced out over three years, students gain valuable hands-on work experience throughout the part-time program
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | January, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 53 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 33 months. |
| 100% Online? | No - One 4-day domestic or international immersion |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree or higher |
| GPA Required? | |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | GMAT is required |
| Work Experience Required? | No work experience is required - most applicants have less than three years of work experience |
| Credit Hours | 53 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,797.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $95,241 |
* 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.
