Emporia State University Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)

• Dual Degree MS in I.T. / MBA
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• MBA - Information Systems
• MBA - Management Accounting
• MBA - Marketing

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By Bernd Geels Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated August 6, 2025

About This Profile

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Sponsor

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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

Emporia State University (ESU) was founded in March of 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School (KSN) by the Kansas Legislature. The first two decades of the university’s existence were marked by significant challenges such as drought and lack of funding. ESU’s fifth president, Albert R. Taylor, adopted a number of measures to increase university enrollment and prestige. By the beginning of the 1890s KSN had become the largest school in Kansas. Not too many years later, in 1898, KSN was accredited. The university’s name changed four times over the years. It was ultimately named Emporia State University in 1977. ESU markets itself as a very personal, welcoming university community dedicated to inspiring students to ponder the idea of education as well as preparing students for their professional futures.

The ESU School of Business and Technology offers an online master of business administration (MBA) program with several specializations: management accounting; marketing; information systems; a dual degree program featuring a master of science in information technology combined with a master of business administration degree; and a general MBA program. This variety of specializations makes the ESU MBA program appealing to a diverse student body interested in pursuing a variety of career paths post graduation.

ESU, located in Emporia, Kansas, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The ESU School of Business and Technology is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

What to Expect from ESU Online MBA Programs

Admission Requirements: Admission requirements across ESU’s MBA program offerings are nearly identical. All five MBA program offerings require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) institution, in which they either 1) had a cumulative GPA that was at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale, or 2) had at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of study. Applicants must complete an online application and submit official transcripts from all institutions they have previously attended. Applicants with a GPA as low as 2.65 may be admitted to any of ESU’s MBA programs if other factors suggest a student will likely succeed in the program.

Applicants who have two to four years of work experience or study in a field that includes quantitative analysis is one way a student with a GPA below 3.0 may ultimately be granted admission. MBA program accounting concentration applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting or business, in which they completed coursework in accounting and income taxation. Individuals interested in the dual degree program should consult the university’s website for more detailed admissions information, as the means to gain entry when holding a GPA below 3.0 are somewhat different.

Because admissions requirements are subject to change, it is recommended that all prospective applicants contact a student services representative to verify current admission requirements.

State Restrictions: ESU welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, including international applicants and military personnel. International students seeking to enter ESU’s MBA programs must meet certain financial, language proficiency, and academic performance standards to be offered admission. The actual process for international student admission includes the following steps: 1) submit a complete admissions package, 2) research and prepare any additional materials for the particular program you are applying to, and 3) submit a financial guarantee statement demonstrating proof of funds on deposit at least equal to the total cost of two semesters of study at ESU.

Applicants must also apply for a student visa as well as provide additional documents such as a copy of their passport. Applicants may also be required to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. In addition, students who obtained a degree from a foreign university/college must have a transcript evaluation from a recommended external source that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). Additional details regarding the application process can be found on the ESU website.

ESU identifies itself as a military-friendly school dedicated to providing a welcoming environment and resources to support military members, veterans, spouses, and their dependents in their academic endeavors. Current military members, their spouses, and dependents, as well as veterans, may be eligible for in-state residency tuition rates. Such applicants must first be admitted to ESU before military credit evaluation can proceed. Applicants with a military background are encouraged to download the Veterans Guide to ESU available on the ESU website.

Study Plan: Full-time students can complete the accelerated MBA programs in as little as 12 months. Students of the dual MSIT/MBA program can complete this program in as little as 18 months. Six start dates per calendar year, combined with seven-week courses, offer substantial flexibility for students. Students interested in completing their program of study part-time or over an extended time period should contact a student services representative to verify current ESU policy regarding study plan options.

MBA Curriculum: MBA students complete a 33-credit-hour curriculum consisting of seven core courses totaling 21 credits and 12 credits derived from concentration and elective courses. This curriculum design is the same across all specializations except the dual degree option. The dual degree program is a larger time commitment. Details of the dual program appear below. The topics of the seven core courses are managerial economics; quantitative analysis of business decisions; advanced financial management; information systems for managerial decisions; behavioral aspects of management; business policy and strategic management; and marketing strategy. A listing of additional track specific courses for each specialization appears below.

• MBA – General Curriculum: Students complete concentration courses in accounting information for management; law of commerce; information technology project management; and business analytics.

• MBA – Accounting Curriculum: Students complete concentration courses in income taxation and advanced management accounting. Students also complete two electives from a selection of four courses. Course options include accounting theory; business analytics; federal income tax accounting; and advanced accounting information systems.

• MBA – Marketing Curriculum: Students complete a required course in accounting information for management as well as three electives in marketing analytics; electronic marketing; and consumer behavior.

• MBA – Information Systems Curriculum: Students complete additional courses in accounting information for management; and systems analysis and design as well as two electives in information technology project management; and business analytics.

• MS/MBA Dual Degree – Information Technology Curriculum: The MS/MBA dual degree is a 51-credit program. Students complete the seven concentration courses required by the other MBA programs as well as nine core courses specific to the MSIT program. The MSIT courses are information technology project management; systems analysis and design; database management; cloud computing and management; application development; enterprise architecture; electronic commerce; business analytics; and information systems for managerial decisions. Finally, students must complete a single three-credit elective course. Elective course options include law of commerce; marketing analytics; electronic marketing; and consumer behavior.

Online Experience: ESU’s online MBA degree program is offered fully online. This is true for all specializations. There are no on-campus coursework or other participation requirements to complete this program. ESU recognizes the value of using online learning to enhance accessibility and thereby increase the size and diversity of the pool of applicants who ultimately enroll, study, and graduate.

On-Site Requirements: As noted above, ESU MBA degree programs are offered fully online. There are no on-campus requirements.

Paying for the ESU Online MBA Degree Programs

The online MBA degree program tuition figures are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should closely review tuition information and contact ESU for additional support with applications and questions as needed.

The ESU website features an entire page dedicated to financial aid resources. On this page, applicants and students can access information related to the financial aid application process, the cost of attendance, loans, grants, work study opportunities, veterans educational services, exit counseling, and more.

To receive financial aid, applicants may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may also be able to finance their education through other means, including grants, scholarships, private loans, and more.

Students from certain backgrounds may also be eligible for additional financial assistance. For example, as previously noted, ESU is a military-friendly school. Individuals with military backgrounds may be eligible to receive VA education benefits as well as a variety of other resources. More details about financial resources for applicants with military and other special backgrounds can be found on the ESU website.

Bernd Geels

Writer

Bernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].