University of Central Arkansas Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) strives to be a leader in 21st-century higher education through its emphasis on learning, scholarship, creativity, and engagement with local, national, and global communities. UCA faculty and staff are committed to the intellectual, professional, social, and personal development of the university’s students. UCA pursues its mission with the guidance of its core values of intellectual excellence, community, diversity, and integrity.
The UCA MBA program offers a generalist MBA program with three optional specializations: healthcare administration, information management, and finance. The MBA program curriculum features coursework in all business disciplines in order to provide students the experience necessary for success in a variety of settings. The degree is designed specifically for highly committed individuals seeking to expand their knowledge and skills as well as their career advancement options.
UCA, located in Conway, Arkansas, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The UCA College of Business is accredited through the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
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What to Expect from UCA Online MBA Programs
Admission Requirements: To be offered admission, applicants must submit an online admission application, a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, an application fee, and demonstrate via official transcripts that they hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in which they maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (on a 4 point scale) or at least 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework. Some students may also be required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Details on who is required to submit such scores and who is exempt from this requirement can be found on the UCA MBA program website.
State Restrictions: UCA welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds such as international applicants and military personnel.
International applicants to the MBA program must submit a complete online graduate program admission application, a non-refundable application fee, a copy of the biography page of their passport, photocopies of diplomas and official transcripts/mark sheets from all universities attended, and proof of English language proficiency.
Residents of exempt countries who can provide a letter from their school verifying that their language of instruction was English can be exempted from providing proof of language proficiency. All non-U.S. transcripts must be accompanied by a credential evaluation from a (NACES-approved credential evaluation company.
All F-1 and J-1 students must also demonstrate they have sufficient financial resources available for their educational expenses prior to being issued their immigration document (Forms I-20 or DS-2019). Additional immigration documents, as well as documentation specific to UCA MBA program requirements, may also be required. Given the complexity often inherent to international student admissions, such applicants are strongly recommended to directly confirm UCA requirements and work closely with UCA during the application process.
UCA is also known as a military-friendly campus. The UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center assists veterans, active military personnel, and their dependents in learning about and accessing the various resources UCA offers to military students. The center assists such students in their transition to UCA’s civilian college environment via outreach efforts throughout the year. UCA assists military students with applying for VA educational benefits and a variety of other needs. Like other graduate applicants, military students must meet specific academic performance requirements and submit official transcripts from both civilian and military institutions, as well as other required materials. Military applicants can learn the precise details of admission requirements applicable to them by contacting UCA.
Study Plan: Full-time students can complete these MBA degrees in as little as 12 months. Students interested in completing their program of study part-time or over an extended time period should contact a student services representative to verify current UCA policy regarding degree study planning. Students with a non-business undergraduate degree will also be expected to complete prerequisite coursework as noted immediately below.
MBA Curriculum: MBA students of all tracks complete a 30-credit-hour curriculum consisting of 21 credits of core courses and nine credits of elective courses. Required core courses cover the following topics: information technology for managers; accounting for management decisions; financial decision making; marketing strategy; strategic management; organizational behavior; and operations and supply chain management.
Students with a non-business undergraduate degree are required to complete prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment in MBA core courses. These prerequisites may be waived if students have completed similar courses. Prerequisite coursework covers the following topics: principles of accounting; microeconomics; managing finance and capital; and business statistics.
Elective courses vary by degree specialization. A listing of elective courses specific to each specialization appears below.
- MBA – General Program Curriculum: Students may choose from a large number of courses to fulfill their elective requirements when completing the generalist career track.
- MBA – Healthcare Administration Curriculum: In addition to the aforementioned core courses, students of this degree track also complete a core course in administration of health programs. Students complete two courses from the following topics: nutritional services administration; environmental health problems; health promotion interventions; health strategies for multicultural populations; contemporary health problems; directed independent study; and research in health sciences.
- MBA – Information Management Curriculum: Students complete three elective courses from the following topics: critical thinking in data analytics; prescriptive analytics; project management leadership; principles of information security; business intelligence and data visualization; data mining and applied analytics; predictive analytics; Python for data analytics; information technology project management; SQL for data analytics; data management; applied data analytics project; and internship in data analytics.
- MBA – Finance Curriculum: Students complete three elective courses from the following topics: bank management; investments; international finance; financial derivatives; and entrepreneurial and small business finance.
Online Experience: Most UCA online MBA degree programs are offered fully online. UCA’s online delivery model is designed to enhance accessibility and thereby enlarge the number of applicants who can and will successfully enroll, study, and graduate.
On-Site Requirements: As noted above, the MBA degree program is generally offered fully online. Students interested in this concentration should contact the UCA MBA program for details on this program’s overseas coursework requirement.
Paying for the UCA Online MBA Degree Programs
The tuition figures for the online MBA degree programs are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should carefully review the tuition information and contact UCA for additional support with applications and any questions they may have.
The UCA website and the UCA Financial Aid office provide information on various topics related to student financial resources. Particular financial topics available online include information on the types of financial resources available, financial aid forms, important policies that guide financial aid operations, such as satisfactory academic progress policy, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and more.
Many students will ultimately use a variety of resources to finance their education. The 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 typically provide robust support to help students understand and complete the FAFSA. 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 and those with significant obstacles in their personal backgrounds. Examples of military-specific resources include the VA GI Bill (Chapters 31, 33, 35, and 1606), federal tuition assistance, military transfer credit, and the military dependent scholarship. All prospective graduate students are advised to thoroughly research the UCA website to guide them as they formulate their strategy for financing their education.
University of Central Arkansas Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fully online
- Graduate in as few as 12 months
- Choose from 3 concentrations - Health Care Administration, Information Management or Finance
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 semesters - Fall, Spring and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as few as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 2.7 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | Yes. GMAT/GRE waiver available for qualified applicants. |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $349.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $10,470 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 semesters - Fall, Spring and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as few as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 2.7 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | Yes. GMAT/GRE waiver available for qualified applicants. |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $349.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $10,470 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 semesters - Fall, Spring and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as few as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 2.7 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | Yes. GMAT/GRE waiver available for qualified applicants. |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $349.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $10,470 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 semesters - Fall, Spring and Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 30 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as few as 12 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | AACSB |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelor's Degree |
| GPA Required? | 2.7 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | Yes. GMAT/GRE waiver available for qualified applicants. |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 30 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $349.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $10,470 |
* 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.
