If you want a career change that guarantees an increase in your salary, look at the business world. It is mostly believed that MBA studies come after acquiring an undergraduate degree. But it is not always so. Check out the online MBA without an undergraduate degree and apply for it.
Most people are concerned about transitioning to a completely different subject than the one they prepared and/or studied during their studies, even with their busy work schedules. That’s why Online MBA programs are the best for you.
There are many top online MBA programs for students without bachelor’s degrees. This piece will explore 16 institutions that offer online MBAs without an undergraduate degree.
Table of contents
- Is MBA important?
- Can I get an MBA without an undergraduate degree?
- Do I need business experience to have an MBA?
- Can non-business majors benefit from an MBA?
- What do Online MBA courses need?
- Are there schools that offer an Online MBA without an undergraduate degree?
- #1. Purdue University Global
- #2. Oregon State University
- #3. University of Delaware
- #4. University of Maryland
- #5. George Mason University
- #6. NC State University
- #7. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- #8. Ball State University
- #9. Fayetteville State University
- #10. University of Edinburgh Business School
- #11. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- #12. Howard University, Washington, DC
- #13. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
- #14. University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
- #15. California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA
- How much do online MBA graduates earn?
- How do I apply for an online MBA without an undergraduate degree?
- Online MBA Without Undergraduate Degree – FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Editor’s Recommendations
Is MBA important?
An MBA offers business management training at the company level, enabling graduates to take on top management positions, analyst jobs, or directors or program managers positions.
MBA programs emphasize management skills such as understanding the organization of the company.
Courses build skills such as evaluating business decisions, managing employees and managing financial resources. MBA students receive management, delegation, and task training critical to many industries.
Can I get an MBA without an undergraduate degree?
Many people without a business background complete an MBA to advance their careers or to switch to management. In 2017, more than half of all MBA applicants had a non-business Bachelor’s degree.
This estimate comes from the Graduate Management Admission Council, which designs and manages the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT), the most important exam for MBA admissions.
As a professional qualification, the program focuses on practical, real knowledge rather than theoretical or research-based material.
Many MBA programs include an internship or internship as part of their final requirements. The degree strengthens a graduate’s curriculum vitae and offers on-the-job training.
In contrast to an academic degree, which focuses on research and knowledge in a specific area, the MBA covers a broad spectrum of general business subjects.
The interdisciplinary approach of the degree is aimed at students with different bachelor’s courses, including degrees in engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. In many ways, MBA programs prioritize professionals.
Many MBA programs require a minimum of work experience, and the degree enables current professionals to build management skills to advance their careers.
Do I need business experience to have an MBA?
Even though most MBA applicants are not business majors, incoming MBA students typically have basic business skills.
MBA courses focus on business and management, and students generally waste little time learning basic skills and instead focus on advanced business classes.
Many programs require students to take core courses in statistics, accounting, finance, and other areas before taking MBA courses. Without these basic business skills, students will have difficulty developing leadership skills.
Potential MBA students without a bachelor’s degree in business must become familiar with basic business knowledge.
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Can non-business majors benefit from an MBA?
Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than business will benefit from several advantages when pursuing an MBA.
Many companies prefer hiring non-business majors with advanced degrees in business, including specializations such as medical research, technology, and recruitment.
Some industries are looking for employees who specialize in companies and other areas. Pursuing an MBA prepares graduates for a career change to the company or professional advancement in their current industry.
What do Online MBA courses need?
The admission requirements for each school are different, but certain general conditions apply.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is a must when applying for an MBA program. However, if you apply to one of the schools that don’t require a bachelor’s degree, you’re good to go.
Generally, at least two years of work experience is required, and seven years of full-time work is often desirable.
The required GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Exam) for applicants with these seven years of professional experience can often be dispensed with.
Other requirements range from personal interviews to letters of recommendation to essays. Of course, the schools’ websites should be checked for additional requirements.
Are there schools that offer an Online MBA without an undergraduate degree?
Many prestigious schools accept students who have not obtained their first degree. To be admitted to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, many universities require applicants with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or another Bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Many other universities don’t care whether your academic background is business or non-business.
Without a Bachelor’s degree, an MBA seems unattainable. However, some MBA programs will consider and accept candidates who can demonstrate the right skills and experience (along with high GMAT scores).
An MBA from an accredited institution could boost management if you are willing to do two to three years of concerted part-time work to earn such a degree.
For those pursuing an MBA degree online, here is a list of online MBA programs for which you do not need a bachelor’s degree in business.
You can read this: 21 Easy Online Schools To Get Into In 2023
#1. Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global, formerly known as Kaplan University, is an online university under the prestigious system of Purdue University. The total number of registered people is 28,000.
The university offers more than 175 academic programs, one of which is the online master’s in business administration. Purdue Global is not applying for a bachelor’s degree in business for admission to its online MBA program.
Instead, all you need is a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 2.5 or higher to qualify. Even if you don’t have this 2.5 CGPA, you can still be considered for admission because you have other substantial evidence of academic potential, such as an impressive GMAT score.
#2. Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a 151-year-old public university in Corvallis, Oregon. It has a student population north of 32,000, representing all 50 states and over a hundred countries. Through its 13 colleges and schools, it enables more than 300 academic programs.
In Oregon State, the online MBA program enrolls students with diverse non-business academic backgrounds, such as engineering, humanities, science, and social sciences.
If you do not have a bachelor’s degree in business or a business minor, the university will ask you to provide coursework that builds a solid foundation of business knowledge. You must also have taken the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment exam.
#3. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware (UD) is a public university that offers more than 425 academic programs. The Newark-based university is organized into eight colleges. The total number of registrations is over 24,000.
To be considered for admission to UD’s online MBA program, you must have two years of professional experience are also required, as is the GMAT or GRE results.
#4. University of Maryland
College University (UMD) is the flagship of the Maryland university system and currently offers over 41,000 higher education students. The College Park college was founded in 1856 as Maryland Agricultural College.
The company currently offers over 230 academic programs at 13 colleges and schools.
The Robert H. Smith School of Business, which is responsible for UMD’s online MBA program, requires applicants to have a GPA of at least 2.80, a GMAT (or GM predicted by GRE) from at least 550, and a minimum of two years of work experience.
No bachelor’s degree in business is required for this online MBA program.
#5. George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university with a main campus in Fairfax, Virginia, that covers 677 hectares of land. The student population is north of 37,000.
The university, founded in 1949, consists of ten colleges and schools, offering more than 360 academic programs.
At George Mason, the online MBA program has previously enrolled students with diverse professional and academic backgrounds.
#6. NC State University
North Carolina State University, or NC State University, is a public university founded in Raleigh in 1887. It consists of 11 colleges and a graduate school with 65 departments.
The university has over 36,000 students participating in more than 300 academic programs. It belongs to the University of North Carolina system.
Of the students admitted to NC State’s online MBA program in the fall of 2018, only 23 percent had a bachelor’s degree in business.
The remaining students came from various academic areas, including engineering (30 percent), math or science (29 percent), and humanities or social sciences (20 percent).
As you can see, NC State University’s online MBA program does not require a bachelor’s degree in business.
#7. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) began its journey in 1869 as the first university in Nebraska.
With nearly 26,000 students, the Lincoln-based university is the most populous member of the University of Nebraska system. Through its ten colleges, it offers a variety of academic programs both on-campus and online.
At the UNL, the requirements for admission to an online MBA include at least one year of professional experience.
#8. Ball State University
Ball State University is a public university based in Munchie, Indiana. It was founded in 1918 and today houses over 22,500 students.
The university offers over 200 academic programs for students and graduates through its seven colleges.
Ball State is one of the few universities where you don’t need a bachelor’s degree in business administration or work experience to qualify for an online MBA.
You only need to have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and have completed the GMAT or GRE.
If you have a non-business academic background, the university will help you understand business fundamentals with its 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Business Essentials program.
#9. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University (FSU) was founded in 1867 and is the another University of North Carolina member. The Fayetteville-based university has a student population with a main campus of 156 hectares.
It offers 33 bachelor’s programs, eight master’s programs, and one Ph.D. program through its four colleges.
If you want to apply for FSU’s online MBA program, you don’t need a bachelor’s in business.
Also, you should have taken the GMAT or GRE. This university to doesn’t require you to have any prior work experience for admission to the online MBA program.
#10. University of Edinburgh Business School
The University of Edinburgh Business School is one of the schools that are open to its admission procedures.
It accepts candidates without a bachelor’s degree, provided they pass an oral and numerical argumentation test and the standardized entrance exam for the GMAT Business School and complete an essay assignment.
Also, you can check this: 10 Cheapest Online MBA Programs in South Carolina
#11. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867 as the flagship of the educational system of the University of Illinois and served over 50,000 students annually.
U of I, a public research institution with land grants, offers over 150 courses, including an online Master of Business Administration.
This online MBA is administered by the U of I’s College of Business and requires 72 credits. He focuses on developing the skills needed to solve current business problems.
The curriculum teaches learners to work effectively with people in a collaborative environment and manage them.
Business, accounting, and corporate finance courses give students the technical knowledge they need to succeed in a fast-paced, competitive work environment.
#12. Howard University, Washington, DC
Howard University was founded in 1867 and is a private, historically black university that operates 13 schools and colleges.
The school offers various bachelor’s and master’s programs for on-campus and online learners, including a fully online leading Master of Business Administration.
The University School of Business manages the program and requires 48 credits, including general instructions and a strategic management keystone component.
Also, the courses cover topics such as marketing, corporate communication, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior.
Learners interested in this online MBA do not need a Bachelor’s degree. The program also recommends applicants have at least five years of professional experience in managerial or managerial positions.
#13. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Ohio University was founded in 1787 and is the oldest college in the state. The school offers a variety of master’s programs, including an online Master of Business Administration.
This flexible MBA program is ideal for busy learners and professionals. It has no GMAT requirements and combines basic business knowledge with practical applications.
The program at the OU College of Business covers entrepreneurial innovation, strategic leadership, and professional development.
Most study seekers complete the 35-credit program in two years and often receive job offers during their studies. Students who complete this online MBA can choose from different concentrations and adapt the degree to their goals and interests.
#14. University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
The University of Scranton, a Jesuit institution founded in 1888, promotes freedom of research and personal development through transformative learning experiences. The school maintains three colleges and looks after almost 6,000 students yearly in over 85 study programs.
The Scranton School of Management offers an online Master of Business Administration with 36 credits and a two-year full-time degree.
The program uses a flexible curriculum that promotes personalization. Those looking for a degree can exchange core courses for advanced electives depending on their current skills and professional ambitions.
#15. California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA
The California University of Pennsylvania, a comprehensive public research institution founded in 1852, promotes excellence in the humanities, science and technology, and professional studies. The school offers over 150 subjects, including an online Master of Business Administration.
This 36-credit program deals with the competitive and changing business world in today’s society. Part-time students can complete the program in two years, while full-time students can graduate in a year or less.
In addition, the program, which is available entirely online, offers flexible, asynchronous courses that allow students to balance their studies with professional and family commitments
#16. Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas
Baker University is a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. BU was founded in 1858 and operated four schools and colleges offering nursing, education, science, and the arts programs.
The BU’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies offers an online Master of Business Administration with 33 credits.
This online MBA track covers organizational management, business management, accounting applications, and strategic planning principles.
How much do online MBA graduates earn?
According to PayScale’s survey of thousands of MBA graduates, approximately 1.6% of participants had less than a year of work experience and an average salary of $52,872.
Those with one to four years of experience (21.8%) had an average salary of $60,779. In addition, 32.9% with 10 to 19 years of experience earned approximately $100,283 a year.
Based on these results, professional experience contributes significantly to the salary of an MBA.
Gender and location are other variables that can distort an average salary. Males earn an average of $93,403 versus $74,642 for females.
In terms of location, California had the highest-paid MBA graduates, with an average salary of $103,000.
How do I apply for an online MBA without an undergraduate degree?
If you are interested in an MBA but have never attended a university, you should seek advice from the institution you are interested in studying.
Each business school has different admission criteria that should be published on the university website. Don’t be put off if you don’t meet the admission requirements for a university – have a look around and talk to some institutions.
Admission requirements can vary dramatically as business schools attach weights to different criteria (e.g., work experience or education).
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Online MBA Without Undergraduate Degree – FAQs
However, although rare, some earn an MBA without an undergraduate degree. For example, the Graduate Management Admission Council admits students without a bachelor’s degree if they demonstrate exceptional capabilities.
Of course, You can do MBA without a BBA. Most candidates do an MBA without a BBA, and engineers prefer an MBA to an M. Tech. Doing BBA is not a prerequisite for MBA Admissions.
Many potential students ask if an MBA is too difficult for an average student. The easy answer is “most likely not.” But, as you’ll probably learn during your MBA, your attitude makes up over 50% of your professional success.
Conclusion
Don’t discount the MBA as an option because you don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Whether now or in the future, an MBA could be the ticket to get you to the position you want to be, especially with the concise information we have provided you
An MBA is a challenging yet advantageous postgraduate program. However, many still believe that an MBA is only open to those with a degree. However, this is not the case. Give it a try now.
References
Editor’s Recommendations
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