University of Saint Mary Online MBA - No GMAT Required

• MBA - Accounting
• MBA - Business Analytics
• MBA - Finance
• MBA - General Management
• MBA - Health Care Management
• MBA - Human Resources Management
• MBA - Leadership and Organizational Health
• MBA - Marketing and Advertising

By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore Reviewed By School

Updated January 7, 2024

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The University of Saint Mary offers an MBA with eight concentrations: accounting, business analytics, finance, general management, healthcare management, human resources management, leadership and organizational health, and marketing and advertising. This accelerated program can be completed in just one year by taking two courses per eight-week session. Students can mix and match the number of courses taken to fit their own pace. In addition, USM MBA students can customize their degree with stackable certificates in their areas of interest. Most certificates can be completed as students progress through the MBA curriculum or they can add additional classes to earn additional certificates. Students may also elect to enroll in just certificate courses, and not pursue a full MBA.

The University of Saint Mary is located in the greater Kansas City area and has two campuses. The undergraduate programs are based in Leavenworth and the graduate programs are located in Overland Park (Leawood). USM’s flexible MBA allows students to take courses online, in-person, or a combination of both.The USM flexible MBA allows students to take courses online, in-person, or a combination of both. Students can finish in as little as one year. The program focuses on ethics, corporate responsibility, critical thinking, and awareness of how one person’s actions affect others in the workplace, community, and globally. The real-world experience of the faculty allows them to introduce discussions on these subjects into their lessons, assignments, and class interactions.

The USM MBA is designed for those who wish to complete an advanced degree in less time. It requires intense, focused dedication to both work and school. Applicants without prior business education may need to take some prerequisite courses to prepare for the full MBA degree.

The eight concentrations allow professionals to gear their degrees toward their desired path. The accounting concentration prepares graduates for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and includes concentration courses in forensic accounting, international accounting, and data analytics. The Health Care Management concentration prepares graduates for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) board certification exam. As well, a key feature of the leadership and organizational health concentration is that USM is the first school in the world to incorporate the guidance of Patrick Lencioni, a best-selling author and well-respected business consultant who teaches effective teamwork, leadership, and employee interaction. The finance and human resource concentrations put students on track to sit for multiple professional level certifications.

The highly interactive concentration courses may involve case studies, mock scenarios, videos, and personal assessment tools. Graduates of this MBA program may go on to leadership positions in healthcare, biotech, pharmaceuticals, information technology, marketing and sales, project management, consulting, finance, banking, education, and government, among other areas.

The online MBA through the University of Saint Mary is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the USM one-year, online MBA program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75. The applicant checklist includes submitting official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work, an online application, a current resume, and TOEFL scores for international students, if necessary. There is no GMAT/GRE required for the program, nor is work experience required, but it is considered.

Study Plan: The Saint Mary online MBA is an accelerated program. It can be completed in as little as one year when students take two classes per term. Students who take one course at a time should graduate in less than two years. A term consists of eight weeks. Students should expect to spend 15-20 hours per week, per course. A comprehensive final assessment may be included. This involves analysis, investigation, description, or explanation of an important business management issue. There are six start dates offered: January, March, April, May, July, and October.

Curriculum: The Saint Mary MBA consists of 33 credits: eight required courses and three elective courses. Core courses include marketing management; legal environment and commercial transactions law; organizational and human resource management; managerial accounting; managerial economics; managerial finance; global management; and strategic management and ethics.

The concentrations include the following courses and the ability to complete an internship:

• Accounting: Forensic Accounting; international accounting; data analytics for decision-making
• Business Analytics: Introduction to business analytics; business analytics applications; demand and forecasting
• Finance: Investment analysis and planning for businesses and individuals; capital structuring, sustainability, and entrepreneurial finance, and advanced topics in corporate and personal financial management. Data analysis for decision making – finance and accounting is optional.
• General Management: Choices may include project management; management information systems; leadership; operations management; small business management; graduate internship; approved courses from other concentrations
• Healthcare Management: Healthcare informatics and technologies; leadership and business operations in healthcare; legal and ethical issues in healthcare
• Human Resource Management: Conflict management and negotiation; training and development; organizational change and development
• Leadership and Organizational Health: Strategic leadership and team building; leadership and organizational health; strategic communication and human performance services
• Marketing and Advertising Management: Taken in sequence: the advertising industry in the 21st century; buyer behavior and marketing research; advanced marketing strategy and planning

Online Experience: The University of Saint Mary uses the Engage learning management system for online instruction. All activities are asynchronous so students can complete coursework on their own schedule. Through Engage, students can use live chat, watch recorded lectures, complete assignments, participate in discussion boards, and use multimedia tools. Students will need a computer that is capable of running a modern operating system, a decent amount of RAM, access to high-speed internet, a microphone, and a webcam. Final exams will be completed in the online classroom. USM offers a Personal Support Center for 24/7 technical support. Each student is also assigned a student services counselor and an academic advisor throughout the program and can access 24/7 online tutoring.

On-Site Requirements: For students who choose to take all online classes, there are no on-site requirements. Students may set up personal one-on-one meetings with professors if they need help.  All students have the option to take in-person evening classes at the Overland Park (Leawood) campus in the greater Kansas City area. Classes are held from 6-9:50PM CST, once a week, on Mondays through Thursdays.  Online students may also have the option to zoom into live classes by request.  A graduate internship is an option for all concentrations. Students are welcome to participate in graduation on campus in Leavenworth, Kansas in May or December.

Paying for the University of Saint Mary Online MBA

The University of Saint Mary MBA tuition is listed below. This is one of the most affordable MBAs in the nation. Tuition and fees are subject to change, so online students should contact the admissions department of the University of Saint Mary for updated costs.

USM offers financial aid packages in the form of graduate assistantships, scholarships, student loans, and grants, which are determined once students fill out the FAFSA and it is processed. They also provide payment plans. Students may also seek outside resources such as graduate MBA scholarships and help from community organizations, churches, professional groups, and others. Another option may be to seek out a tuition reimbursement program from the student’s employer. MBA candidates are encouraged to ask their company if this option is available. Students who are interested in graduate assistantships should consult the employment section of the USM website.

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.