Business Schools in the South
An MBA degree can be an excellent way to expand a professional career in business. Whether professionals want to move into management, become an entrepreneur, or branch out into international business, an MBA is a vital step on the road to reaching these goals.
Depending on individual business goals, students can find a variety of concentrations in which to focus their online MBA. Some concentrations include international business, data analytics, cybersecurity, healthcare, financial planning, information technology, marketing, insurance and risk management, sustainability, operations and supply chain management, but there are many more options.
In addition to the specialty concentrations, an MBA degree can help a businessman or woman advance into management positions, place them in line for promotions, or allow for higher positions in other national or global business settings. As professionals advance their careers, they can increase their salary prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, MBA graduates can earn almost 90 percent more than their counterparts with a bachelor’s degree, depending on their field.
Another benefit is the ability to grow and expand professional networks and build professional relationships. Colleges and universities understand the importance of relationship-building in business and bake these opportunities into their programs with networking events, campus immersions, and partnerships with local and international companies.
For budding entrepreneurs, an MBA degree is especially attractive. MBA programs equip professionals with the tools they need to start their own business. MBA degrees also contribute to job security, and in some cases, students can be reimbursed for tuition through employer tuition reimbursement programs.
Today, MBA students can tailor a program to their needs. Most business schools offer on campus, online, or “hybrid” online and on-campus programs to meet the needs of busy professionals. Some MBA programs are entirely online, while others require a small number of campus visits for intensive courses, presentations, or capstone projects. Additionally, MBA degrees can also be taken part-time or full-time.
Programs can range from traditional to accelerated degrees, and many offer condensed executive degrees that typically require more work experience. Some programs have dual degree options, which allows students to obtain two degrees that can be completed in less time and with less money than pursuing each degree separately.
Just as there are a variety of programs, the requirements for each program varies broadly. Work experience, graduate entrance exams, minimum GPAs and previous degrees differ from program to program, and prospective students should contact the administrators for the programs they are interested in before applying.
A-Z List of Southern Business Schools with Online MBA Programs
Babson College, located in Miami, Florida, combines online learning with face-to-face immersions in a cohort-based learning environment to prepare MBA students for the business environment. Courses focus on analysis, communication, marketing, financial management, global business, technology, and entrepreneurship. With twelve three- to five-day immersions at the downtown Miami campus, students create relationships, collaborate with faculty and peers and get the best of both online and in-person instruction.
Babson College is a world leader for entrepreneurial education and seeks to prepare entrepreneurial leaders knowledgeable and skilled at navigating the changes, complexities, and ambiguities faced in the business world. The 100 percent online MBA with live, synchronous classes allows for direct collaboration with faculty as well as other online and in-person MBA students.
Campbellsville University (CU) offers an IACBE-accredited online MBA with a general track or in one of 11 concentrations. CU incorporates Christian values into the curriculum and instruction, preparing graduates to become effective leaders in the business community.
The George Mason online MBA offers the flexibility of a part-time MBA for working professionals. The primary focus areas of the program include analytical decision-making, contemporary business issues, functional business disciplines, and collaborative leadership and communication.
The Davis College of Business at Jacksonville University offers an online master of business administration (MBA) that delivers exceptional value rooted in tradition and integrity with online flexibility and diverse concentrations. Students can build on their business knowledge and experience while developing leadership skills.
The main focus of the King University MBA is to prepare graduates to manage for quality results. As such, the curriculum is fully integrated and is delivered in a team-based learning model. In addition, King University is a Christian entity and prepares students to serve God, the Church, and the world with a focus on responsibility, thoughtfulness, and resourcefulness.
Lamar University’s College of Business offers a 100 percent online MBA with 11 concentrations that can be completed in just 12 months. In addition, a dual MBA/MS in management information systems, a dual MSN-MBA, and four program certificates in business analytics, construction project management, enterprise resource management, and leadership are available.
Lindenwood University offers a fully online MBA with a general track or one of ten specializations that can be completed in 15 months. The program does not require any campus visits. Lindenwood is a private institution, founded on Judeo-Christian values including integrity, excellence, creativity, dedication, and community.
Methodist University offers a 100 percent online MBA program that can be completed in as little as one year of intensive study. The program is offered both part-time and full-time. Combined with the liberal arts background of the school as well as its spiritual and moral Methodist heritage, the program prepares students to serve locally and globally with excellence and ethical responsibility.
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) offers an online MBA with a general track or one of two specializations: management and healthcare management. A focus on international business sets this ACBSP-accredited online MBA apart.
The online MBA at Queens University follows a team-based learning approach where groups of five to six students are formed at the first campus immersion who stay together for the duration of the program. This creates a collaborative online learning environment, develops relationships, and helps students contribute unique perspectives to other students.
The [email protected] prepares business professionals to work collaboratively in teams through live online courses, residential intensive learning experiences, and a cohort-based program format. Students learn core business principles such as marketing strategies, data analytics, financial accounting, leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and managerial economics.
Southern Methodist University offers an online MBA for those with three or more years of work experience and the MBA Direct for early-career individuals with less than three years of experience. Online MBA students participate in one to two four-day domestic or global immersions. Classes are delivered live in weekly, face-to-face sessions.
Spring Hill College offers a fully online accelerated MBA program with three concentrations: project management, leadership, and logistics and supply chain management. The degree can be completed in just ten months. Focus areas include ethical decision-making and social responsibility, along with core business management concepts.
St. Thomas University offers a 100 percent online MBA with six pathways: general, marketing, accounting, human resource management, sports administration, and cybersecurity management. This accelerated program can be completed in 12 months with affordable tuition and six start dates.
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) offers online MBA programs in business, international banking and finance, international trade and logistics, criminal justice, and healthcare administration. Complete the chosen degree in just 15 months with six start dates per year and accelerated seven-week courses.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers a fully online MBA with a general track or a concentration in accounting, data analytics, finance, healthcare administration, and international business. These can be completed in as little as 12 months with accelerated seven-week online courses in an asynchronous learning environment.
Tulane University offers a fully online MBA program with concentrations in business analytics, finance, and marketing. Asynchronous coursework and weekly synchronous class sessions give students flexibility and a face-to-face experience.
The Collat School of Business seeks to develop students skilled in innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The program is designed to give students the core fundamentals needed to succeed as business leaders, as well as a real-world focus on modern business and business technologies. Students learn through real-world experiential opportunities within the Birmingham community, whether on campus or online.
The University of Miami offers a professional online MBA program with a general track or one of three concentrations: corporate finance, financial decision-making, and accounting practice. There are three optional on-campus opportunities and the program can be completed in 24 to 28 months.
[email protected] is the elite MBA program delivered online by the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. UNC Kenan-Flagler’s executive leadership coaching, networking opportunities at global in-person immersions and reputation as a top-ranked business school make [email protected] an ideal choice for ambitious professionals and senior leaders who want to reach the next level.
UNC Pembroke offers an online MBA program with a general path or one of six concentrations that can be completed in just 12 months. With six start dates per year, very affordable in-state tuition, and the ability to tailor the degree to your individual aspirations, the UNCP online MBA is an attractive option.
The College of Business at the University of West Alabama offers an online DBA program with two tracks: rural entrepreneurship and innovation and rural and transformational leadership. The DBA program is designed for professionals who desire to advance their career in rural business, including globally.
The College of Business and Technology at the University of West Alabama offers an online MBA program with 13 concentrations that can be completed in a little over one year. The MBA program is designed for those who wish to advance their business careers into the management and leadership arena with the opportunity to focus on a specific area to increase marketability.
Virginia Wesleyan University offers a 100 percent online MBA program with a general track or one of three online concentrations: finance, healthcare administration, and marketing. The degree can be completed in as little as 12 months with full-time study and offers a keen focus on global business.
Learning outcomes for the Winthrop online MBA include the skills in ethics, leadership, critical thinking, strategic thinking, problem solving, communication, and marketing. Winthrop University, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is proud to be one of the 5 percent of MBA programs worldwide to secure AACSB accreditation.
Professors to Know from Business Schools in the South
There are many MBA programs in the South led by experienced, knowledgeable professionals. Here are three outstanding professor profiles in this field.-
LaKami Baker, PhD - Auburn University
Dr. Lakami Baker is an associate professor of management at Auburn University in Alabama. She is also the managing director of the Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship. She holds a doctoral degree in organization and management studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baker teaches students and faculty how to generate creative business ideas, implement their plans, and maximize their chances for success. She teaches online courses in entrepreneurship and strategic management. -
Ivonne Chirino-Klevans, PhD - University of North Carolina
Dr. Ivonne Chirino-Klevans is an assistant professor in the areas of organizational behavior and developing managerial and leadership skills at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. She holds a doctoral degree in psychology from the Universidad Iberoamericana and an MBA from Universidad de las Américas, and she brings a wealth of experience in training and development programs using simulations in virtual reality and artificial intelligence in global business environments. Dr. Chirino-Klevans is a renowned speaker; she has given talks in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Notably, she speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and French.