Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Accelerated Online MBA

• Accelerated Master of Business Administration
• Post-Bachelor's A.I. Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Business Analytics Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Cybersecurity Management Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Cybersecurity Technology Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Finance Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Healthcare Administration Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Healthcare Analytics Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's HRM Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Individual and Team Leadership Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's International HRM Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Nonprofit Mgmt Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Organizational and Change Leadership Certificate
• Post-Bachelor's Project Mgmt Certificate

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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an accelerated online Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as several specialized graduate business certificates with credits that can be applied toward MBA completion. Located in Winona, Minnesota, Saint Mary’s University offers one of the most affordable online MBAs in the country.

The accelerated online MBA program comprises 30 credits without a graduate certificate and focuses on real-world issues to provide learning that can be directly applied in the workplace. The accelerated pace allows professionals to earn their MBA in as little as 18 months.

Graduate certificates add six credits to the MBA degree for a total of 36 credits (an additional nine credits are required for the cybersecurity graduate certificates for a total of 39 credits for the MBA). Choices include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Analytics
• Cybersecurity Management
• Cybersecurity Technology
• Finance
• Healthcare Administration
• Healthcare Analytics
• Human Resource Management
• Individual and Team Leadership
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• International Human Resource Management
• Nonprofit Management
• Organizational and Change Leadership
• Project Management

Prospective students should verify certificate availability and applicability to the accelerated online MBA program with the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Admissions Department.

Desired learning outcomes include the following: communicating effectively in the workplace and globally, using quantitative skills and the applications of economic theory, effective decision-making, contributing to the success of an organization, applying ethics to one’s own worldview (as well as in the workplace), and spearheading organizational improvement.

No business background is necessary to apply, but a minimum of two years of work experience is required for the online MBA program. Graduates may be prepared for career positions such as management analyst, social media and marketing manager, brand communications director, PR manager, data analyst, chief executive officer, environmental compliance manager, business intelligence analyst, operations manager, personal financial advisor, cybersecurity specialist, human resource manager, and others according to their graduate certificate chosen.

What to Expect from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Accelerated Online MBA

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MBA and graduate certificates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Applicants must submit an application and fee, official transcripts, a resume outlining five years of work experience, a job-related writing sample (e.g., a business plan), an example of quantitative analysis, and a written statement outlining career goals, experience, personal and professional strengths, and one’s reason for seeking an MBA. A GMAT is required for the MBA if the applicant has less than two years of professional work experience. A business background or degree is not required to apply. Those who wish to take a graduate certificate only are not required to have work experience.

International students must provide proof of English language proficiency. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota accepts TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, ITEP or MELAB test scores. All foreign transcripts not earned in a country where it is taught in English must have a course-by-course evaluation by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services.

Study Plan: Students may begin courses in the fall, spring, or summer. The accelerated MBA program without a graduate certificate requires the completion of six core courses, three elective/specialization courses, and a final capstone course. Adding a graduate certificate adds six to nine credits to the MBA as two courses are replaced in the general MBA. Students should expect to spend 15 hours each week on coursework for every three-credit course. The accelerated online MBA can be earned in 18 months or more.

Curriculum: The Saint Mary’s University general online MBA consists of 30 credits spread over ten courses. Core courses include quantitative decision-making; managerial economics; operations management; managerial accounting, corporate finance; marketing strategy; and MBA strategic management capstone. Students then choose one three-credit elective from the courses financial communication; data analysis and business modeling; foundations of cybersecurity; human resource management strategy; financial practices in the health and human services sectors; design thinking and innovation; strategic non-profit management; and foundations of project management. Additionally, general MBA students take organizations and human behavior and ethical leadership.

For the accelerated online MBA with a graduate certificate added, students are able to substitute two MBA courses specifically outlined for each graduate certificate. This reduces the total credit load from 42 to 45 credits to 36 to 39 credits. The following courses are required for the graduate certificates:

• Artificial Intelligence: Data analysis and business modeling; Python for artificial intelligence; introduction to deep learning; data engineering
• Business Analytics: Data analysis and business modeling; data visualization and storytelling; communications and content strategies; fundamentals of geographic information systems
• Cybersecurity Management: Fpimdatopms of cybersecurity; cybersecurity change management; operational security policy; risk management; incident response and investigation
• Cybersecurity Technology: Foundational course: computer networking; required courses: foundations of cybersecurity; cloud architecture and application security; network security and intrusion detection; ethical hacking and defense; Python programming for technology applications
• Finance: International financial management; corporate finance; financial markets and institutions; security analysis and portfolio management
• Healthcare Administration: Healthcare financial management; health and human service systems; advanced health policy and ethics; health and human service administration
• Healthcare Analytics: Data analysis and business modeling; governance, ethics, and legal considerations in healthcare; information systems for healthcare analytics; artificial intelligence for healthcare
• Human Resource Management: Human resource management strategy; employment law; compensation and benefits; negotiating and consulting
• Individual and Team Leadership: Leadership and ethics; collaboration and teambuilding; communication strategies; power and influence
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Design thinking and innovation; entrepreneurial marketing; entrepreneurial financing; leading through innovation and change strategy
• International Human Resource Management: Strategic international human resources; global talent management; promoting a diverse workplace culture and total rewards; global professional human (GPHR) certification review
• Nonprofit Management: Strategic nonprofit management; community engagement and partnerships; nonprofit fund development and financial management; nonprofit human resource management
• Organizational and Change Leadership: Leadership and ethics; organizational development; organizational effectiveness; strategy and innovation
• Project Management: Foundations of project management; predictive project management; project quality and quantitative methods; project risk and uncertainty management

Online Experience: The Saint Mary’s University accelerated online MBA is delivered asynchronously through the Engage learning management system. Here students can post discussions via podcast, videos, and dictation, video conference with classmates and faculty while they work on group projects, complete reading assignments, and participate in discussion boards. Assignments have specific due dates and students can work at their own convenience. All students in the online MBA program receive an iPad preloaded with the Saint Mary’s Engage learning platform, an operating system, and productivity apps.

During the MBA program, courses feature interactive activities and reinforce learning outcomes through real-world case scenarios. Online students have access to the same support systems as on-campus students including career counseling, academic advisors, office hours with faculty, 24/7 technical support, and a student services coordinator.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the online MBA as the program is 100 percent online. Students do have the option of completing the capstone course at an approved domestic location of their choice or internationally in one of five cities including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Florence, or Milan. During the international experience, students participate in coordinated business visits, cultural activities, cross-cultural communication, and cultural mentoring. Hotel accommodations for five nights and a six-day public transportation pass are included.

Paying for the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Accelerated Online MBA

Saint Mary’s University charges $760 per credit plus fees for a total estimated tuition of $22,800 for the accelerated online MBA. This is one of the most affordable MBAs in the nation. Graduate certificates completed as a stand-alone program range from $580 to $760 per credit plus fees. Since tuition tends to increase from year to year, online students should contact the admissions department of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota for updated tuition.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs Faculty and Staff Scholarship to one graduate student and the Evert Scholarship Fund, which awards $2,000 to qualifying students. Graduate students should also fill out the FAFSA to determine scholarship eligibility and federal loan amounts. Students may also seek outside help to fund their graduate degree, including a tuition reimbursement program through their employer. As a final note, there are discounts and financial assistance available for veterans, military personnel, and their dependents. For more information, students can contact Saint Mary’s Financial Aid Office.