Villanova University School of Business Online MBA Programs

• Online Master of Business Administration
• Online MBA - Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Online MBA - Business Analytics
• Online MBA - Finance
• Online MBA - International Business
• Online MBA - Marketing
• Online MBA - Strategic Management
• Online MBA - Sustainability

By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated January 5, 2024

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The Villanova University School of Business (VSB) offers a professional online MBA program with a general track or seven specializations: applied artificial intelligence & machine learning, business analytics, finance, international business, marketing, strategic management, and sustainability. In order to earn a specialization, students must take at least 7.5 credits of electives that qualify for that specialization.

The online professional MBA offers real-world experiences and immersions, combined with solid academics to create a well-rounded, prepared business leader. The curriculum focuses on ethics, creative decision-making and problem-solving, management accounting, technology, a global perspective, corporate finance, strategic marketing, and 21st-century business operations, among other areas.

Villanova University is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and seeks to provide non-resident professionals the same ability to earn a Villanova MBA as those who attend on campus. To provide flexibility while promoting a feeling of community, VSB offers both synchronous and asynchronous course activities, collaborative assignments, immersion opportunities, classroom discussions, and community service activities. The curriculum is designed to be hands-on, and students are encouraged to apply what they learn immediately on the job.

Anyone with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may apply. No work experience or GPA requirements exist, however they are considered for admission along with educational background, and GMAT/GRE test scores. Graduates from MBA programs may go on to positions such as financial manager, project manager, marketing manager, senior financial analyst, operations manager, or chief financial officer, depending on one’s work experience and specialization.

What to Expect from the Villanova University Online MBA

Admission Requirements: Those interested in applying to the Villanova online MBA program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and submit the following: an online application, application fee, a current resume, two essays, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation (either academic or professional), GMAT/GRE test scores, and TOEFL test scores if applicable. No minimum GPA or work experience is required for the program; however, they are considered for admission.

Study Plan: The online MBA is spread out over six semesters and completed in two years. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks each, and summer sessions last 14 weeks. Each semester has two terms, and most classes take up one term, with the exception of two courses that cover a whole semester.

Students participate in a weekend residency within the first two semesters of the program. At the midpoint, students participate in a social enterprise consulting practicum in which they work in teams for a client to serve and give back to their community. At the end of the program, students are strongly encouraged to complete an international immersion during the final practicum course, or if they are unable to do so must complete a domestic version of this immersion.

Curriculum: The Villanova online MBA consists of 48 credits over six semesters. These courses fall into various categories. Fundamentals include financial accounting; managerial accounting; business operations and supply chain management; essential economics; essential business statistics; corporate finance; and strategic marketing management. Leadership courses include leadership challenge; team leadership & group dynamics; ethical business practices; and either power & politics or negotiations. Future of work courses include three areas and students must choose one course from each section:

• Data and Analytics Business analytics; analyzing & leveraging data
• Emerging Technologies Introduction to applied AI/ML; Information Technology as a strategic lever
• Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking Innovation & creativity; business risk management

Capstone courses include social enterprise consulting practicum; global practicum; and global strategic management. Students then take 15 credits of electives and must earn at least 7.5 credits in one area in order to earn credit for a spcialization.

• Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Artificial intelligence and machine learning for business; business applications in AI & machine learning; business problems modeling in AI & machine learning
• Business Analytics Courses cover topics such as data visualization, predictive modeling, data mining, data trends, and quantitative research.
• Finance Courses cover topics such as corporate finance, financial marketing, financial investments, operational business, and financial decision-making.
• International Business Courses cover topics such as managerial skills, cross-cultural business, global decision-making, global industry, and geographic industry.
• Marketing Courses cover topics such as consumer date and trends, problem solving, communication, marketing strategy, and product management, promotion, and distribution.
• Strategic Management Courses cover topics such as business policy, policy and procedure implementation, strategic business leadership, and executive decision-making.
• Sustainability Courses cover topics such as global change management, global business and macroeconomics, Social, Technology, Economic, Environment, and Political (STEEP) framework, climate change, social policy, and socio-economic challenges.

An international immersion is also greatly encouraged during the global practicum course, or students must complete a domestic equivalent.

Online Experience: Villanova University uses Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS) for online courses. There is also the Nova Now app. Classes are mainly asynchronous, allowing working professionals the ability to work at their own pace and on their own time schedule. These are delivered using recorded presentations, interactive case studies, and discussion forums. Instructors and students also have access to many multimedia tools such as live streaming, video conferencing through Skype, Adobe Connect, and other platforms, vDesktop, and more.

In order to create an environment of community, collaboration, and networking, some synchronous activities are planned (e.g., online discussion sessions, virtual office hours). In addition, there is one-weekend immersion required, as well as a team-oriented practicum course and an international or domestic immersion during the global practicum course.

Please note that students need Microsoft Office to complete much of the coursework required by the MBA program. Villanova’s technical support team is called UNIT and students have access to 24/7 technical support, as well as all on-campus services such as career services and advising.

On-Site Requirements: The Villanova online MBA includes one immersion and two practicum experiences that encourage collaboration, networking, and community. The first is a required weekend residency—a leadership challenge—completed in the first or second semester of the program. During the weekend, students learn about the behavioral aspects of decision-making in light of being an effective leader and creating high-performing teams within an organization. The second is a practicum where students work in teams with a client to perform work that benefits the community. The third is a highly encouraged weeklong international immersion during the global capstone course. If students are unable to travel internationally, they must complete a domestic version of this immersion.

Paying for the Villanova University Online MBA

The VSB online MBA tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Tuition includes on-campus accommodations for the weekend immersion and the international immersion. Students must pay for their travel expenses to and from these immersions, as well as book costs. Prospective students should contact the admissions department of the Villanova School of Business for an updated estimate.

Financial aid is available through federal student loans. Students must submit the FAFSA. Villanova does not offer scholarships or other aid. Other options to help fund an MBA may be outside resources, private loans, or employer tuition reimbursement programs. Students can find out more from the Villanova University Office of Financial Assistance.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about entrepreneurial and general business topics, and providing detailed information on online MBA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.