MBA in Strategy & Strategic Management

An MBA concentrated in strategy and strategic management is a valuable asset for established business professionals looking to expand their career potential by giving them the skills to not only step confidently into senior management positions but also to set strategic goals and provide key leadership for their teams and companies.

The following online degree programs provide a strong foundation in practical and innovative curricula, and many are closely tied to their on-campus counterparts, sharing live courses, international travel opportunities, and widely respected faculty.
Obtaining a strategic management MBA can position business professionals to offer employers innovative ideas regarding employee management, psychology, and strategic direction in fast-changing and international markets. Many strategic management programs allow students to travel abroad to further their studies, emphasizing the crucial global element of a strategic management business education.

The programs listed below offer a plethora of options for those seeking MBA degrees concentrated on strategy and strategic management, with some giving students hybrid learning opportunities that enable them to connect with their classmates during specialized on-campus events; highly flexible timeframes for completing their degree; international study opportunities; and a variety of tuition and financial aid options for those who have other monetary obligations to consider, like family, undergraduate loans, etc.
With the ability to pursue an MBA in strategic management online, busy professionals can now pursue degrees to advance their careers without taking time away from the workforce.

Discover a few of the most widely respected and flexible online MBA programs that offer concentrations in strategy and strategic management for those business professionals looking to ascend to leadership positions.

Featured Strategy & Strategic Management Programs
University of North Carolina MBA@UNC Online MBA - Strategy and Consulting View Full Profile
Wake Forest University Online MBA - Strategy and Leadership View Full Profile
Capella University DBA - Strategy and Innovation View Full Profile
William Paterson University MBA - Sales Strategy View Full Profile
Winthrop University Online MBA - Strategic Leadership Concentration View Full Profile
×

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Southern New Hampshire University Online MS - Construction Management

Featured Online MBA Programs in Strategy and Strategic Management

1Ohio University, College of BusinessView Full Profile

The online MBA program at Ohio University’s College of Business offers a concentration in strategic selling and sales leadership for prospective students seeking to advance their careers into leadership positions. Students complete the program with a capstone course and have the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty members with practical experience in the industry.

The online MBA consists of 35 credits: 26 core credits and nine electives. The elective courses in the strategic selling and sales leadership concentration include building and developing customer relationships; sales analytics; and sales leadership.

Professionals with two or more years of work experience are encouraged to apply, as this program helps equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles within the sales field. Ohio University also offers a graduate certificate in strategic sales and sales leadership.

Location: Athens, OH
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $1,051 per credit
2Grand Canyon University, Colangelo College of BusinessView Full Profile

Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business offers a fully online MBA program with an emphasis in strategic human resource management. The 12-course degree program features eight-week programs, while the emphasis areas include 14 courses. The emphasis adds one semester to the completion timeline and includes courses in acquiring, developing, and leveraging human capital and designing human resources for competitive advantage. GCU emphasizes business concepts taught through a Christian worldview.

To be eligible, prospective students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 or higher in undergraduate coursework, or be eligible for admission through GMAT or GRE test scores. GCU’s Colangelo College of Business offers a variety of networking and career-building opportunities, as well as scholarship options for qualified students.

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Duration: 2.5 years
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Tuition: $640 per credit

Wake Forest University offers a 45-credit online MBA program that can be completed in a little over two years. There’s a general track and three concentrations available, including one in strategy and leadership. This specialization’s instruction imparts skills in negotiation, contemporary leadership topics, and implementing strategy. Students generally take two to three courses every semester.

Courses last seven weeks, with two terms per semester. Students can start in the fall, spring, or summer.

To apply for this program, students must submit proof of a bachelor’s degree, GRE or GMAT scores (waiver available for qualified applicants), a resume, contact information for two references, and transcripts. Prospective students must also prepare for an interview if invited. Please note that candidates with at least two years of professional experience are preferred. The WFU online MBA currently accepts students from Florida, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.

Wake Forest University also offers a graduate certificate for integrated marketing strategy and planning that helps marketing professionals utilize data-driven insights to enhance communication strategies and maximize distribution channels.

Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Duration: Two years
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $1,555 per credit
4University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolView Full Profile

UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School’s online master of business administration program specializing in strategy and consulting prepares students for careers in corporate strategy and consulting. Focusing on experiential learning, students in this program develop specialized and foundational skills in strategic management and leadership, team collaboration and problem-solving, fact-based analysis, and action-oriented communication.

Consisting of 62 credits, the program includes courses such as analytical tools for decision-making, business strategy, strategic economics, business communication, corporate strategy, information for product and customer strategy, global supply chain management, and managerial decision-making.

Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university along with at least two years of professional experience, a completed online application, a current resume, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, two letters of recommendation, two essays, GMAT or GRE scores for applicants who have less than five years of professional experience, and TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores for non-native English speakers.
Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to take up roles such as generalist consultants, directors of corporate strategy, specialist consultants, boutique consulting firm owners, and freelance consultants.

Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Duration: 18-36 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $2,025.63 per credit
5The University of Delaware, the Alfred Lerner College of Business & EconomicsView Full Profile

The Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics offers an online MBA degree with a concentration in strategic leadership which can be completed entirely online. This program was ranked among the top 50 online MBA programs in the country by the US News & World Report in 2022.

Through this concentration, students will develop the required knowledge and skills to influence others, manage change, set strategic direction, build teams, and navigate the complex human and analytical dimensions inherent in any leadership role.

UD requires the completion of 16 courses, 11 from the core MBA curriculum and five from the strategic leadership concentration, for a combined total of 44 credits. For those looking to obtain a degree quickly, this strategic leadership MBA can be completed in as little as 16 months, with students determining their own pace.

Core courses include analytics fundamentals, economic analysis for business policy, marketing management, financial management, and corporate strategy. The strategic leadership concentration includes courses such as negotiation & conflict resolution, managing the global enterprise, strategic leadership & change, and advanced topics in leadership and teams.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a GPA of 2.8, and two years of work experience. GRE or GMAT scores are required for admissions, though exam waivers are available for applicants based on one’s undergraduate GPA, work experience, and math education history. In a nod to Delaware students, those who have obtained a bachelor’s from Lerner or a BA in economics from the University of Delaware may also qualify for an exam waiver.

Location: Newark, DE
Duration: 16 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $950 per credit
6 Capella University (Related Program: Online DBA) View Full Profile

Capella University provides an online doctor of business administration (DBA) program with three specializations: general management, organizational leadership and development, and strategy and innovation. To apply, candidates must submit proof of a completed master’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or higher).

These online DBA programs comprise 18 courses, including instruction in proposal writing; data analysis practice and IRB approval, project results, and units for the final reviews and presentation. Specialization courses for the DBA in strategy and innovation include strategy and innovation – theorizing, crafting, executing; strategic digital transformation; managing Innovation, design, and creativity; seminar: strategy and innovation topic development; and seminar: strategy and innovation literature review.

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Duration: Please view full profile for details
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Tuition: Please view full profile for details

Winthrop University offers its online MBA degree in two concentrations, including strategic leadership, and lauds its rigorous curriculum for preparing graduates for the business world with confidence, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities. Students in this program will develop the confidence and capabilities to solve today’s toughest business challenges.

Winthrop requires MBA candidates to complete 36 credits, with 27 coming from core courses and nine from the strategic leadership concentration. The curriculum includes core courses such as Managerial Economics, Financial Policy Management, Sustainable Operations, and Marketing Management. Courses from the concentration include advanced human resources management and labor relations, leadership dynamics, and international business culture. The program emphasizes the support of the faculty and career guidance counselors available to on-campus MBA students.

The major admission requirements for the program include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, five years or more of professional work experience, official transcripts from all institutions attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants. For those applicants with a non-business undergraduate degree, a series of prerequisite business courses must be completed before starting the online MBA program. Though the GMAT is required, an exam waiver is available for qualified applicants based on past work experience.

Location: Rock Hill, SC
Duration: 24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $780 per credit

Villanova University’s online MBA shares a curriculum and highly accomplished faculty with its on-campus equivalent. The school connects its students with industry thought-leaders and leading companies and organizations. The MBA in strategic management (one of five concentration options) prepares students to assume greater leadership roles by teaching them the tools for making sound business decisions.

This requires the completion of 21 courses (48 credits) taken for six semesters, including the summer semester. Students may finish their degree in as little as two years. Some of the courses in the curriculum are analytical methods for data mining, corporate governance, building brands via promotion & other means, corporate restructuring, business intelligence, and international business management.

The program emphasizes instilling a global perspective in its graduates and immersing students in real-world business experiences. GRE or GMAT scores are required. To get accepted into the program, applicants must submit a completed online application, a current resume, Two essays, official transcripts from all institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores for international applicants.

Graduates of this program can take on roles such as financial manager, financial analyst, chief financial officer, project IT manager, marketing manager, and general manager.

Location: Villanova, PA
Duration: 24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $1,523.33 per credit

Bethel University offers an online MBA program that consists of a total of 42 credits, out of which 30 credits are from the core curriculum, and 12 are from any one of the eight concentrations. One such concentration is the strategy and execution concentration, where students will learn about creating an ongoing innovation environment, crafting advanced business strategies, and then executing on those strategies. They will also learn to bring a new product or service to the market. This program can be completed entirely online.

Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree from an internationally or regionally accredited institution, a grade point average of 3.0 or better, two years of work experience, a completed online application, official college transcripts, a current resume, a statement of purpose, and two professional references.

As part of the program, students will delve into managerial accounting, finance, advanced competitive advantage, strategy execution, marketing management, managerial economics, strategic communication for leaders, and organizational diagnostics and health.

Location: St. Paul, MN
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Tuition: $650-$665 per credit
10 American University, Kogod School of BusinessView Full Profile

The American University Kogod School of Business provides an innovative array of online MBA programs, including one with a focus in consulting. To apply for this program, students must submit a personal statement (two essay prompts), a resume, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from a bachelor’s degree program.

This online MBA program in consulting has core coursework in business law, ethics, and governance; financial accounting; managerial economics; strategic thinking for decisions; marketing management; management information systems; financial management; strategic decision making; management of organization and human capital; managerial statistics; and managerial accounting and operations management.

Additionally, those in the consulting concentration take classes such as business intelligence; intercultural communications; management consulting practices and methodologies; business insights through analytics; and integrated marketing communication.

Location: Washington D.C.
Duration: 15-24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $1,866 per credit
11 Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

The Tepper School of Business, ranked the #1 online MBA by U.S. News & World Report, offers students a part-time program taught by the same renowned faculty that instructs on campus. This hybrid degree program focuses on both strategic analytics and leadership development (with one-on-one coaching available through the Accelerate Leadership Center).

Online students can sit in on live classes and participate in offline group projects during “Access Weekends,” which are held at various locations. Tepper claims that having leadership as part of its online and on-campus core curriculum is what separates it from other programs.

The curriculum explores topics such as probability and statistics, managing people and teams, ethics and leadership, marketing management, operations management, managerial economics, statistical decision-making, and corporate strategy.

For admission to the program, applicants require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country, a completed online application form, a current resume, one professional recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants. Please note that either the GMAT or GRE is required (though the GMAT is preferred), and applicants may also apply for generous loans or scholarships through Tepper’s Financial Aid Office.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Duration: 32 months (part-time)
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $758 per unit

The University of Houston in Victoria offers a cross-disciplinary, strategic MBA that educates students on stepping into leadership roles, developing business strategy, and refining decision-making skills. The program emphasizes simulations and case studies to prepare students for real-world business problem-solving, and students may combine on-campus and online classes in pursuing their degrees.

Instead of offering strategic management as a concentration, the University of Houston-Victoria program is a strategic MBA that offers concentrations within the strategic framework. The school requires 30 to 39 graduate semester credits, depending on undergraduate coursework, and students can complete the strategic MBA in as little as 18 months. The University of Houston-Victoria does offer GMAT exam waivers and one of the lower tuition rates among its peer schools.
The curriculum includes core courses such as strategic cost management, management information systems & data analytics, organizational leadership & ethics, strategic marketing management, financial management, and a seminar in strategic management.

Graduates of the program will be well-equipped to work as management consultants, investment fund managers, business analysts, marketing managers, human resources specialists, and entrepreneurs.

Location: Houston, TX
Duration: 12-18 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $367.68 per credit (residents); $775.68 per credit (non-residents)

The University of North Texas offers an online master of business administration program in strategic management providing students the wide expo­sure to knowledge and skills required for managing organizations.

Made up of 36 credits, the curriculum includes courses such as accounting for management, financial management, marketing management, organizational behavior & analysis, strategic management, international management, and leadership research and development.

The major admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, official transcripts from every college or university attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants.

On successful completion of the program, graduates can take up roles such as chief executives, sales managers, general and operations managers, compliance managers, and business intelligence analysts.

Location: Denton, TX
Duration: 24 months
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Tuition: $24,000 total

New England College offers an online master of business administration program with a concentration in strategic leadership which is designed for working professionals who operate in a rapidly changing and global environment. Students will address strategic opportunities produced by a global economy and entrepreneurial approaches to solve problems and capitalize on new business ventures.

The program comprises 40 credits, out of 28 credits are for MBA core requirements, and the remaining 12 are from the concentration. The core courses include Organizational Leadership and Change, managerial accounting, economics for decision-making, strategic marketing, and strategic planning and policy. The strategic leadership concentration includes courses such as organizational communication, negotiation & conflict resolution, relationship selling strategies, and project management.

Location: Henniker & Manchester, NH
Duration: 24 months
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Tuition: $621 per credit

Admissions Requirements – Online MBA Programs

Every MBA program in international business has different admission requirements. Some common requirements derived from the programs above include:

  • A bachelor’s degree that includes a satisfactory GPA and a focus on business, finance, statistics, math, or economics
  • A certain GMAT score, which can sometimes be waived if a candidate has other graduate-level or higher academic credentials
  • Some professional experience in a business/financial field
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-native speakers of English
  • Personal statement of goals and objectives
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Completion of certain pre-requisite business and finance courses or an abridged overview for candidates with non-business backgrounds

MBA Program & Business School Accreditation

An MBA from an accredited academic program means students are receiving an education that adheres to established standards for quality, vital subjects, and current knowledge areas.

For institutions or programs, the accreditation process may include campus visits or student and faculty surveys, as well as examinations of a school’s graduation rate, career placement (i.e., student outcomes), industry involvement, and alumni support. To keep accreditation current, each institution or program must engage in an intermittent renewal process. Accreditation for business programs is done by two major accrediting bodies.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) focuses on promoting and improving programs in business administration, management, and related courses such as operations, human resources, and real estate. The AACSB recognizes the importance of faculty research and provides students with solid knowledge foundations.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) also works to accredit business programs in higher education. This newer organization focuses on tangible learning outcomes and quality improvement, especially as the workforce demands change.

Professors to Know in Strategy and Strategic Management

  • Christopher Bingham, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Dr. Christopher Bingham is the professor and area chair of strategy and entrepreneurship, faculty director of the entrepreneurship center, and a Phillip Hettleman distinguished scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He teaches courses such as strategic management, strategy in high-velocity markets, strategy in a global arena, and strategy and innovation. His areas of expertise include competitive strategy, crowdfunding, global business, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

    Dr. Bingham’s research has been published in journals such as Organization Science, Academy of Management Journal, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. He has received many awards such as the Weatherspoon Award for Excellence in MBA Teaching and the Kenan-Flagler Core Faculty Champion in Sustainability award. He completed his PhD from Stanford University and his MBA, MA, and BS from Brigham Young University.

  • Jonathan Doh, PhD, Villanova University School Of Business

    Dr. Jonathan Doh is the associate dean of research, faculty director of the Center for Global Leadership, Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business, and a professor of management and operations at the Villanova University School of Business. He earned his PhD from George Washington University in 2001, and his areas of expertise include strategic alliances, cross-cultural management, emerging markets, international trade, and globalization, among others.

    Dr. Doh has taught courses in business policy and strategy, global strategy, and numerous topics in management. He was an elected fellow at the Academy of International Business in 2015 and has received the Gold Medal Award from the US Department of Commerce. He has published his research in prominent journals such as the Journal of Management Studies, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of Management. He completed his MA and BA from the State University of New York.

  • Tim Derdenger, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

    Dr. Tim Derdenger is an associate professor of marketing and strategy and MBA track coordinator of technology strategy and product management at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. He teaches or has taught courses such as marketing management, technology strategy, and product marketing for product managers.

    Dr. Derdenger’s research efforts are focused on quantitative marketing: technology and sports markets. His research has been published in journals such as Quantitative Marketing and Economics, Marketing Science, and Journal of Marketing Research. He completed his PhD and MA from the University of Southern California and a BBA from George Washington University.

Farheen Gani
Farheen Gani
Writer

Farheen Gani is an expert in online MBA programs, having covered MBA programs in computer science, economics, healthcare management, and fraud and forensics, among others, since 2018. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).

Related Posts

  • 17 January 2024

    Upskilling in Uncertain Times: What Job Seekers Should Know in 2024

    In 2022, the Great Resignation, which kicked off an era of abundant corporate job openings, high salaries and enticing benefits packages, seemed to end as quickly as it began. Since then, the pendulum has swung back in the other direction, with employers now back in the power seat. According to TIME, there’s currently an average of one job opening for every two applicants on LinkedIn, a significant difference from 2022, when the ratio was one-to-one.

  • 21 December 2023

    Harvard Business School in Turmoil: Seven Tenured Professors Attack Administration

    A group of Harvard Business School tenured faculty say that what they learned after the school found Dr. Francesca Gino guilty of research misconduct has “rocked our confidence in HBS.” In an op-ed that the Harvard Crimson published in October 2023, the seven professors spoke out “anonymously, for fear of retaliation” by the business school. They allege that the administration at HBS violated policy development norms by secretly changing the school’s decades-old Research Integrity Policy, and did so specifically after receiving allegations concerning work by their colleague, Dr. Gino.

  • 28 November 2023

    Biz Flash: What to Know Before Starting a Consulting Business

    Knowing everything or how to solve every challenge is impossible, particularly when running a business. Suppose an organization struggles with a particular issue that its internal team cannot resolve due to a lack of expertise or resources. In that case, they often will call on a consultant who can help them.

  • 1 June 2023

    An Expert’s Guide to Recession-Proof Businesses

    The global economy is always in flux, and the threat of a recession can be daunting for business owners. However, with the right strategies and preparation, it can be possible to ensure a business is ready to weather an economic downturn. With the market currently feeling uncertain, now is a great time to put plans in place to help your business stay afloat.

  • 28 March 2023

    Boards of Directors: Surprising New Study Reveals Their Real Role

    Along with most MBA students, most of us—including elected officials, regulators, academic experts, the press, and the public—all believe that a firm’s board of directors functions as society’s principal entity charged with holding chief executives accountable. However, surprising new research reveals that board members do not perceive this to be their role.

  • 13 October 2022

    Big Surprises in the Latest Remote Work Research

    The latest research on remote work movements like work-from-home (WFH) and work-from-anywhere (WFA) has upended several generally accepted assumptions about these new trends. Below we review some of the more recent findings that are especially significant for the pre-MBA and MBA students in our audience here at BSchools.

  • 6 October 2022

    The Great Resistance: Return-to-Office Enforcement Collapses

    Suddenly, businesses find themselves embroiled in a new challenge known as the Great Resistance. At most companies, return-to-office initiatives have disintegrated into colossal failures because many employees are declining to come back to their old workplaces. Why is this?