University of Central Missouri Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a well-respected public regional university. UCM is also recognized as Missouri’s premier institution for granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in professional applied science and technology. UCM’s mission is to provide a quality education that ultimately supports students in becoming leaders in their chosen fields. UCM’s educational model of continuous learning features a combination of academic learning, applied learning and servant-leadership opportunities and is guided by the belief that everyone should have access to an affordable, high-quality education. Students may complete service-learning projects, study abroad opportunities, and real-world experiences as elements of their UCM studies.
The UCM Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies offers an online master of business administration (MBA) degree program with seven specializations: airport management, corporate training, finance, healthcare administration, management and organizational leadership, marketing, and a general MBA program. UCM prides itself on offering its MBA and other academic degree programs at some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation. The UCM MBA program is regularly ranked among the best MBA programs both in the local region around Missouri and across the United States.
UCM, located in Warrensburg, Missouri, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The UCM MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
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What to Expect from the UCM Online MBA Programs
Admission Requirements: To be offered admission, applicants must fulfill UCM graduate admission requirements as well as MBA program-specific requirements. The MBA program requires applicants to have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited academic institution in which they maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants may have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Applicants are not allowed to repeat more than three courses. Applicants should have previously completed coursework in college algebra and statistics, in which they earned a grade of “B” or higher. GMAT and GRE scores are not required for admission.
Applicants who do not meet the requirements described above may nonetheless be granted conditional admission, provided they maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in their undergraduate studies. Conditionally admitted students are only allowed to take the MBA Foundations course. Students who earn a “B” or higher will be fully admitted, those who earn a “C” will be placed on academic probation (and must raise their GPA to 3.0 or higher within three semesters), and students who earn a “D” or “F” will be dismissed from the program. All MBA concentrations are available online, and all US domestic students can apply to any MBA concentration.
For the latest academic year, we have 185 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
State Restrictions: UCM welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds such as international applicants and military personnel.
The UCM International Student Services office assists international students with applying to UCM programs as well as with diverse aspects of their lives once they become enrolled students. International students must complete a three step process to be admitted. Applicants submit 1) a complete online application for graduate admission and pay the non-refundable application fee, 2) unofficial transcripts (translated into English) from all attended colleges and universities, and 3) supplemental materials, including financial documents, a passport photocopy, test scores, and any additional materials needed. English language translations of official transcripts must be received and accepted by UCM prior to student enrollment.
Applicants who completed at least some of their education overseas must use an approved academic credential evaluation service. A listing of approved evaluation services as well as detailed information about demonstration of English language proficiency and financial documentation can be found on the UCM website. Applicants who also studied at a US college or university must also submit official transcripts from these institutions.
International students have the option to complete the MBA program from their home countries or on campus in Missouri. Like their US citizen counterparts, any international students who are conditionally admitted are only allowed to take the MBA foundations course. In addition, international students are not eligible to apply to every MBA program concentration. International students may apply to the following concentrations: corporate training; finance; general business; management and organizational leadership; and marketing.
Military and related individuals are also welcome to complete the UCM MBA programs. UCM Military and Veterans Services assists students with this background with a variety of needs. Active duty military and veterans apply as transfer students. To be granted admission, such students must submit 1) an online application for graduate admission, 2) military transcripts (UCM provides 11 credits of transfer credit for basic training, but such credit will not count towards upper-level hours requirements), and 3) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Military students must complete several additional steps after being granted admission. Such steps include enrolling in courses, applying for VA educational benefits, submitting their benefits letter (certificate of eligibility) to UCM, and much more. The UCM website offers a detailed guide to help students navigate their lives during the application process, as well as after they begin their MBA studies.
Study Plan: Students can complete the MBA degree 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 UCM policy regarding degree study planning. Applicants should note that students of the MBA degree who earn a grade lower than “C” in any course will trigger review by the MBA Program Director that could lead to dismissal from the program. Students are recommended to closely review MBA program performance requirements to understand the academic performance necessary to be awarded the MBA degree.
MBA Curriculum: The UCM MBA program features a curriculum designed to cultivate student competencies in core business skills, effective decision making, communications, and leadership and teamwork. Each MBA course features a substantial amount of written and oral presentation experience. Students are assessed through a combination of course-based assessments as well as a capstone examination taken in the student’s final semester. Students must complete the capstone exam to be eligible for graduation.
All MBA students complete a curriculum composed of the three components of a three credit business foundations course, 12 credit-hours of core coursework, and 18 credit-hours of emphasis courses. Students complete six (6) two-credit-hour courses to fulfill their core coursework requirement. Core courses cover the following topics: accounting for managers; information management systems; economic analysis for business decisions; short-term financial management; management and strategy; and marketing research design.
Emphasis courses vary by degree concentration. A list of required and elective courses specific to each concentration is provided below.
- MBA – General Program Curriculum: Students choose all 18 credit-hours of electives from a large collection of courses available across a number of MBA-approved disciplines. Students of this track should consult the UCM website to determine what constitutes an MBA-approved discipline.
- MBA – Airport Management Curriculum: Students complete 16 credit-hours in the following course topics: airport planning and design; airport leadership – administration and planning; airport leadership – operations and communications; airport finance; aviation safety program management; and strategic communications. Students complete an additional two credit-hours from 5000 or 6000 level courses from any MBA approved discipline.
- MBA – Corporate Training Curriculum: Students complete nine credit-hours in the following course topics: foundations of educational technology; online course development; needs assessment; selecting materials and delivery methods; and delivery and evaluation. Students then complete two instructional technology electives from the following three elective topics: design and production of media for instruction; communication in online learning communities; and assessing and evaluating online instruction. Finally, students complete a single management elective from the following two topics: learning organization; or strategic organizational communication.
- MBA – Finance Curriculum: Students complete nine credit-hours in the following required course topics: Managerial Finance; Advanced Financial Institutions and Markets; and Investment Analysis and Practice. Students then complete nine credit-hours of electives composed of six credit-hours of finance electives and three credit-hours of graduate electives. Such courses may be taken from a number of MBA-approved disciplines.
- MBA – Healthcare Administration Curriculum: students complete 12 credit-hours in the following course topics: law and ethics in healthcare; healthcare information systems; marketing strategy; and health insurance and employee benefits. students complete additional courses in either the topic of healthcare business foundations or graduate internship in healthcare administration as well as a course in the topic of either strategic organizational communication or strategic communications.
- MBA – Management and Organizational Leadership Curriculum: Students complete 15 credit-hours by completing courses in the following topics: employment and development; leading and guiding change; learning organization; strategic organizational communication; and building leadership credibility. Students complete their final three credits in an elective course from an MBA-approved discipline.
- MBA – Marketing Curriculum: Students complete nine credits in the following course topics: marketing strategy; marketing theory and behavior; and inbound marketing strategy. Students then complete nine credits of electives composed of six credits of marketing electives and three credits of graduate electives. Such courses may be taken from a number of MBA-approved disciplines.
Online Experience: All UCM online MBA degree programs are offered fully online. There are no on-campus coursework or other participation requirements to complete this program. UCM’s online learning delivery model makes its MBA programs accessible to a wider pool of qualified applicants and thereby increases the number of students who enroll, study, and ultimately graduate.
On-Site Requirements: As noted above, the MBA degree program is offered fully online. There are no on-campus requirements.
Paying for the UCM Online MBA Degree Programs
The tuition figures for the online UCM MBA degree programs are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should carefully review the tuition information and contact UCM for additional support with applications and any questions they may have.
The UCM Student Financial Services office and the UCM website offer substantial information and resources related to student finances. The UCM website features information on a variety of financial topics including types of financial aid, financial aid applications, forms and policies, financial literacy, cost calculators and more.
Students frequently use a combination of financial resources to finance their education. To determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid, students complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is issued annually, and universities generally provide robust support in helping students understand and complete the FAFSA. This is true of UCM as well. 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 family and personal backgrounds. All prospective graduate students are advised to thoroughly research the UCM website to guide them as they formulate their strategy for financing their education.
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
| Degree Level | None |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
University of Central Missouri MBA - General Business
- Completely online
- Graduate in as few as 12 months
- Choose from seven concentrations offered
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Our Master of Business Administration program follows a “minimester” schedule, you can begin your MBA at one of five points in the year. |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 33 |
| 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? | 3.0 or Higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No GMAT/GRE required |
| Work Experience Required? | No |
| Credit Hours | 33 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $425.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $14,025 |
* 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.
