University of Maryland Online MBA - UMD Smith School of Business

• Online Master of Business Administration
• Online MBA - AI in Business
• Online MBA - Finance
• Online MBA - Information Systems & Business Analytics
• Online MBA - Innovation & Project Management
• Online MBA - Marketing
• Online MBA - Supply Chain Management

By Bernd Geels, Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated September 8, 2025

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The University of Maryland (UMD) Robert H. Smith School of Business offers an online MBA with general track or a choice of six specializations: marketing, finance, information systems and business analytics, AI in business, supply chain management, and innovation and project management. By offering various specialization options, the Smith MBA allows professionals to focus in areas that align with their business goals and aspirations.

Students attending the Smith online MBA program can enjoy an atmosphere of entrepreneurship that prepares them to assess the potential success of a business venture, as well as to create one from the ground up. Innovation begins with the curriculum and extends through courses into real-world experiences that prepare students to tackle issues in all areas of the business world. Participants learn about ethics, management, global economies, financial accounting, leadership, negotiation, and more. In addition, UMD applies what they call “action learning projects” to develop effective communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills.

The Smith School of Business is also committed to student success after graduation and provides a number of services, including career guidance, resume and cover letter coaching, networking, interview training, peer mentoring, internship assistance and much more. Students in the Smith online MBA program have an average of eight years of work experience in fields ranging from business, science, engineering, government, healthcare, and other fields. Those interested in the program do not need to have a background in business, but must have adequate quantitative skills for the rigor of the program. UMD is located in College Park, Maryland.

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What to Expect from the University of Maryland Online MBA

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Smith online MBA program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must submit an online application, a non-refundable application fee, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work, a current resume, a letter of recommendation, and at least one essay (a second is optional). International students must provide proof of English language proficiency through a TOEFL test score, as well as having transcripts evaluated. A GMAT/GRE waiver is available for qualified applicants. A minimum of two years professional work experience is highly recommended and more work experience strengthens an application. Other qualities are considered along with work experience such as quality internships and one’s academic background.

Study Plan: Typically, students in the part-time online MBA take eight credits per semester. The MBA is designed to be completed in six 14-week terms. MBA students can start in January, March, June, and September and begin with a required three-day, on-campus residency. The program can be completed in as few as 24 months.

MBA Curriculum: Students take a total of 54 credits including a combination of foundation one and two courses, two residency courses, and electives. Core courses include data analysis, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, introduction to financial accounting, managerial economics, strategic information systems, the global economic environment, and action learning projects, among others. Specialization courses are noted below.

• General Specialization: Courses include business communications; business law for managers; corporate venturing; executive powers and negotiation; international business; global study; leading with a strategic mindset; legal environment for sustainability; organizational change; sustainability: economics and strategy; and action learning project.
• AI in Business Specialization: Courses include foundations of AI; AI in business strategy; marketing in the age of AI; and social media and web analytics.
• Finance Specialization: Courses include applied equity analysis; commercial bank management; corporate risk management; financial restructuring; financial strategy for corporations; and valuation in corporate finance.
• Information Systems and Business Analytics Specialization: Courses include data mining and predictive analytics; managing digital businesses and platforms; social media and web analytics; and decision modeling.
• Innovation and Project Management Specialization: Courses include creativity for business managers; innovation and product development; project management; and systems and design thinking.
• Marketing Specialization: Courses include consumer behavior; customer lifetime valuation; digital promotion and advertising; innovation and product development; marketing brands and products; marketing in the age of AI; marketing research and methods; and platform strategy and transformation.
• Supply Chain Management Specialization: Courses include supply chain management; innovative solutions to supply chain challenges; and supply chain risk management.

Online Experience: The Smith School of Business uses a combination of live online classes through Adobe Connect, asynchronous classes, and two three-day on-campus residencies. Audio and video messaging, online collaborative workspaces, and integrated multimedia are all part of the online program. Two-thirds of the classes are asynchronous.

Action learning projects are a part of the MBA curriculum and use a hands-on approach to learning. These experiences prepare students to navigate real-world challenges with confidence. Students and faculty work collaboratively and encourage one another throughout the online MBA program. Students focus on cooperation and community while ambitiously pursuing their MBA degree.

On-Site Requirements: There are two required campus residencies with the Smith online MBA for both U.S. students and international students. Both take place on-campus in College Park, MD. The first is a three-day opening residency titled an introduction to the fundamentals of business. Students begin coursework, get to know faculty and fellow classmates, and participate in team-building activities. The second three-day residency is a capstone experience at the end of the program titled integrative business simulation.

Paying for the University of Maryland Online MBA Program

The University of Maryland tuition rates are listed below. Because tuition changes from year to year, online students should contact the admissions department of the Smith online MBA program for a customized assessment.

UMD offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships for the part-time MBA. Students earning these scholarships have excellent academic strength, graduate entrance exam scores, and quality work experience, among other factors. Students do not need to apply separately for these scholarships. Students can also seek financial aid in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans or from outside resources for help paying for their MBA. In addition, many businesses offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees seeking an MBA.

Bernd Geels

Writer

Bernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about entrepreneurial and general business topics, and providing detailed information on online MBA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.