Amberton University Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Amberton University (AU) originated in 1971 as an extension campus of Abilene Christian University. The university’s original focus was educational programs targeting working adults. In 1974, the extension campus relocated to Garland, Texas, where its new campus was designed to meet the needs of mature adult learners.
In 19,81 the university received accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1982, it formally separated from Abilene Christian University and became Amber University. In 2001, the university once more changed its name to Amberton University. In the English language, adding “ton” to a word designates a smaller community, such as a town or village. By changing the university name to Amberton University, the institution sought to convey its environment as being that of a community of learners.
The Amberton University MBA program offers an online master of business administration (MBA) program with six specializations: management, accounting, entrepreneurship, project management, strategic leadership, and a general program. AU’s ongoing emphasis on educational programs specifically for mature working adults is reflected in the design of its MBA programs. MBA program curricula emphasize critical thinking, financial principles, and real-world business practices.
Amberton University, located in Garland, Texas, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC). AU’s MBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
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What to Expect from AU Online MBA Programs
Admission Requirements: To be offered admission, applicants must create an online account within the university’s admission portal and follow the admission process per instructions provided therein. Applicants are required to have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university as reflected by transcripts that must be submitted as part of the application. Full admission requirements are available once applicants create their online account.
State Restrictions: AU welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds such as international applicants and military personnel.
International applicants to the MBA program will be considered eligible for admission provided they submit a complete application for admission, a non-refundable application fee, an additional non-refundable fee to defray costs of INS reports, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended in the USA that includes documentation of award of a bachelor’s degree from an American regionally accredited institution in which they maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale, or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution, and copies of the non-blank pages of their valid passport.
Applicants who completed their qualifying education outside the USA must have their transcripts evaluated by an approved foreign academic credential evaluation service. This evaluation provider should then forward the evaluation report on to AU. No international student currently on probation at a previously attended US college/university is permitted admission to AU. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of intended enrollment. Applicants intending to study with an F-1 visa must meet additional requirements as noted on the AU website. Additional documentation may be required based on an applicant’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) classification. Applicants who need assistance should contact an advisor in AU Student Services.
Military-affiliated applicants follow an application process similar to the one for domestic students described above. Those with questions on the application process should contact an AU military/veteran advisor directly for guidance. AU is recognized as a top university by virtue of its efforts to provide the resources necessary for military service members, veterans, and spouses to succeed in their educational pursuits. Among resources available to military-affiliated students are academic credit for active duty experience, affordable tuition rates, and financial resources. Applicants who apply for resources from the Veteran’s Education Benefits Program must contact their Education Services Officer (ESO) or a counselor within their military branch for assistance.
Study Plan: Students can complete these MBA degrees in as little as 12 to 18 months. Students interested in completing their program over an extended time period should contact AU to verify the current policy regarding degree study planning. AU academic programs offer the flexibility often necessary to meet the needs of its target student population of mature, working adults.
MBA Curriculum: MBA students generally complete between 30 and 36 credits to be eligible for the award of their MBA degree. Coursework requirements include three hours of prerequisite coursework (business acumen) when needed, six credits of required graduate coursework, and 30 credits of coursework, which may consist of major coursework (concentration) and elective courses. The six credits of graduate coursework are earned by completing courses in the topics of theory and application of research methods, and ethics for decision making.
Major courses vary by degree specialization. A listing of elective courses specific to each specialization appears below. Students often have a choice of multiple courses when studying a particular topic.
- MBA – General Program Curriculum: Students complete 15 credits of business administration electives and an additional 15 credits by completing courses in the following topics: economics; finance; management; marketing; and strategic management.
- MBA – Accounting Curriculum: Accounting students complete a curriculum different from other tracks. Those who need to complete prerequisite coursework complete a course in accounting and finance for managers. Accounting students complete their six credit graduate coursework requirement in the topics of tax planning and research, and ethics for accountants. Major requirements consist of 24 credits by completing eight courses in the following topics: managerial communication; corporate finance; operations management; accounting information systems; financial statement analysis; data analytics for accountants; advanced managerial accounting; and strategic management. Students complete six credits of electives by choosing from among the following topics: forensic accounting; international business; entrepreneurship; managerial economics; global economic issues; international finance; managerial finance; and executive leadership.
- MBA – Entrepreneurship Curriculum: Students complete a total of 30 credits by completing a three credit graduate course in ethics in decision marking, 21 credits of major requirements, and six credits of business administration and HRT elective courses. The major coursework requirement is fulfilled by completing seven courses in the following topics: entrepreneurship; competitive marketing analytics; digital marketing foundations; human resource management; management responsibilities and practice; innovation; and entrepreneurship implementation (capstone course).
- MBA – Management Curriculum: Students complete 15 credits of management electives and 15 credits by completing the following course topics: economics; finance; marketing; strategic management; and a three credit business administration elective.
- MBA – Project Management Curriculum: Students complete 24 credits of major requirements by completing courses in the following topics: project value, delivery, strategy, and planning; project performance management; project uncertainty, measurement, and delivery models; project delivery applications; conflict management and resolution; leadership theories and practice; strategic management; and communications. Students complete six credits of business administration electives.
- MBA – Strategic Leadership Curriculum: Students complete 18 credits of major requirements by completing six credits of management electives as well as the following four course topics: organizational change; conflict management and resolution; leadership theories and practice; and strategic management. Students complete 12 credits of electives consisting of six credits of business administration electives and six credits of general electives.
Online Experience: All AU online MBA degree programs are offered fully online. There are no on-campus coursework or other participation requirements to complete the MBA program. Universities frequently use an online learning delivery model to enhance accessibility, thereby broadening the pool of applicants who can enroll, study, and ultimately graduate.
On-Site Requirements: As noted above, the AU MBA degree program is offered fully online. There are no on-campus requirements.
Paying for the AU Online MBA Degree Programs
The tuition figures for the online MBA degree programs are listed in the tables below. AU’s philosophy is to provide an affordable, quality education that enables students to “pay as they go” and thereby not incur long-term debt. Prospective students should carefully review the tuition information and contact AU for additional support with applications and questions they may have.
The AU website offers a variety of information focused on student financial resources. The AU website covers topics such as financial aid options, including Title IV federal funding and private student loans, financial assistance forms and documents, important financial aid policies, and aid FAQs. Students can also access a PDF copy of AU’s Financial Aid Handbook.
Students often use a variety of resources to finance their education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a ubiquitous form that often serves as the primary application used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. The FAFSA is issued annually, and universities generally provide robust support to help students understand and complete it. Financial aid eligibility determinations generated by the FAFSA and other applications are often generated based on a number of factors, such as academic achievement, talent, financial need, and family background.
Students from certain backgrounds may be eligible for additional financial assistance. Examples of such backgrounds include military personnel, first-generation students, and those with significant obstacles in their family and personal backgrounds. Such assistance may originate from a variety of sources. For example, AU participates in tuition assistance programs provided by the US Department of Defense and all branches of the US military. AU also administers a veterans education benefits program. All prospective students are advised to thoroughly research the AU website.
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $9,750 |
Amberton University MBA - General Business
- Offers the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students
- Graduate in as little as 12-18 months
- Choose from a wide variety of concentrations
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $11,700 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $11,700 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $11,700 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $11,700 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 12-18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required. |
| Work Experience Required? | Yes, but the exact minimum requirement is not specified. |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $325.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $11,700 |
* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out- of- state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please see the school website for the most up-to-date tuition costs.