Thomas Jefferson University Online Innovation MBA (iMBA)
Thomas Jefferson University offers an online Innovation MBA (iMBA) with a general track or specializations in biopharmaceutical commercialization, cannabis business, management, and real estate development. The general iMBA can be completed in 18 months, while the iMBA with a specialization increases the completion time to 24 months. No campus visits are required as the program is 100 percent online.
Jefferson Online is a part of Thomas Jefferson University and is a separate school delivering interactive, innovative online degree programs. The Jefferson Online iMBA prepares graduates to lead in the business industry with customer-focused business models. The program covers foundational business concepts plus a focus on technical intelligence, working with multinational firms and foreign exchange markets, and knowing the effects of capital markets.
The biopharmaceutical commercialization specialization prepares graduates in the regulation and quality standards of the commercialization of advanced medicine, which may include the promotion of gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and recombinant vaccines. The curriculum for this specialization was developed in cooperation with the Jefferson Institute of Bioprocessing (JIB), through which commercial single-use processing equipment is combined with the curriculum of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT).
The cannabis business specialization prepares graduates with the unique knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the cannabis industry. Courses cover the cultural and social history of cannabis, emerging issues in the cannabis business arena, quality control and assurance in medical cannabis dispensation and analysis, and cannabis laws and regulations.
The management specialization includes courses in entrepreneurship, new product development, negotiation, and communication. For example, the new product development course is team-oriented and uses projects to teach the skills necessary to create and implement new business opportunities. Students follow a product development roadmap, participating in games that foster innovation, fleshing out product concepts, and identifying customer needs.
The real estate development specialization addresses the area of sustainable real estate, including construction management, land-use development, market analysis, urban regeneration, design and development, and the long-term impacts of development paradigms.
Each spring, Jefferson Online offers iMBA students the International Graduate Business Trip, which allows exposure to and exploration of global corporations in countries like China, Australia, Spain, and England.
Graduates of the innovation MBA may go on to positions such as management consultant, financial analyst, strategy operations manager, marketing manager, chief executive officer (CEO), chief operations officer (COO), and other high-level management positions. Those who graduate with the biopharmaceutical commercialization specialization may work in areas of advanced medicine with innovative therapies, antibodies, and vaccines. Cannabis business graduates may focus on entrepreneurial avenues in cannabis production, analysis, and distribution. Graduates of the iMBA with the management specialization may focus on more entrepreneurial areas, working with new product development, or managing firms specializing in such production. Real estate development graduates may go on to careers in real estate development and design, market analysis and valuation, sustainable real estate, financial investment in real estate, and construction science and management.
Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE). The iMBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What to Expect from the Jefferson Online Innovation MBA
Admission Requirements: The application process through Jefferson Online is streamlined and simple and includes an application, official transcripts, and a copy of the applicant’s resume. Additional materials may be requested.
Study Plan: Thomas Jefferson University offers courses every eight weeks, therefore sessions run twice per semester in the fall, spring, and summer, which are also the start dates offered. The iMBA may be earned in 18 months without specialization and 24 months with a biopharmaceutical commercialization, cannabis business, management, or real estate development specialization. Students may also transfer credits in order to reduce the course load and time to completion. The iMBA is 100 percent online; however, students have the opportunity to go abroad during the International Graduate Business Trip that is offered each spring.
Innovation MBA Curriculum: The Jefferson Online iMBA by itself comprises 36 credits while adding a specialization adds nine credits for a total of 45 credits. Business foundation courses include the foundations of economic analysis; financial management; operations management; an introduction to financial and managerial accounting; and operations management.
Business core courses include competitive technical intelligence; financial policy and planning; strategic insight and implementation; accounting for management decisions; operations from a systems perspective; and international economics and finance.
Innovation core courses include business model innovation; design thinking in business; and managing innovative people and teams.
- Biopharmaceutical Commercialization Specialization Courses: Introduction to biopharmaceuticals and biologics production; biopharmaceuticals and biologics: regulatory and quality; and biopharmaceutical commercialization: strategy and analytics
- Cannabis Business Specialization Courses: Emerging Issues in the Cannabis Industry; quality control and quality assurance in medical cannabis analysis and dispensing; and one elective from entrepreneurship; conventional and cannabinoid therapy of disease; pathology potentially responsive to cannabis; botany and chemistry; health implications of medicinal cannabis; forensic analysis of cannabis and cannabis-derived products; cannabinoid pharmacology; internship
- Management Specialization Courses: Communication, negotiation, and creative economy; entrepreneurship; and new product development
- Real Estate Development Specialization Courses: Sustainable real estate development process; two of the following: case study: mixed-use, commercial and health care facilities; real estate finance and investment; case study: urban revitalization, historic neighborhoods, and adaptive reuse; real estate law and ethical practices; market analysis and valuation; public-private partnerships; real estate taxation
Online Experience: The iMBA is delivered through Jefferson Online in a flexible format, utilizing a project-based curriculum. Collaboration with faculty and peers is encouraged and promoted. Thomas Jefferson University may deliver courses through the Canvas or Blackboard learning management systems. Synchronous sessions and online office hours are delivered through either Collaborate or Zoom.
Online students have access to the same support as on-campus students, including library services, browsing privileges, academic advising and support, financial aid services, career counseling, and technical support.
On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements as the innovation MBA and specializations are 100 percent online.
Paying for the Thomas Jefferson University Online Innovation MBA
Online MBA tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and include the per-credit general fee, but not any other fees. Jefferson Online graduate students may have access to graduate student loans in accordance with the FAFSA. As well, grants, scholarships, and veteran benefits may be available.
Prospective MBA students are encouraged to inquire with their employers in regard to a tuition reimbursement program and to seek funding from other outside sources. Applicants should contact Thomas Jefferson University for current costs, discounts, and available financial aid.
Thomas Jefferson University Online Innovation MBA (iMBA)
- Choose the online Innovation MBA (iMBA) or add a specialization in biopharmaceutical commercialization or management
- Complete your degree in 18-24 months with 8 week courses
- Unique foci include the study of multinational firms, foreign exchange markets, capital markets, and technical intelligence, plus the foundational concepts necessary to compete in the global business world
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Areas of Concentration | Biopharmaceutical Commercialization, Management, Cannabis Business, Real Estate Development |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $854.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $30,744 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 45 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 45 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $854.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $38,430 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 45 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 45 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $854.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $38,430 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 45 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 45 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $854.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $38,430 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 2 Fall, 2 Spring, 2 Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 45 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | ACBSP |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | None |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 45 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $854.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $38,430 |
* 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.
