Walden University Online MBA & Dual Degree MSN/MBA

• Dual Degree MS in Nursing / MBA
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Visit Site

sponsor

×

For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 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.

By Bernd Geels, Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore Reviewed By School

Updated July 16, 2025

About This Profile

×

Every summer, the BSchools.org team updates school profiles like this one to provide a current, up to date list of schools offering online MBA programs for the upcoming academic year.

We collect the school and program data ourselves, then review the profiles for accuracy, and then send them off for final review by the school.

When the school’s representative provides feedback, we make any necessary updates and mark the profile as “Reviewed by School”.

We collect and validate the same data for every school in our database, regardless of whether or not the school is an advertiser (sponsor). Click any “sponsor” link to learn more.

Sponsor

×

For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 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.

The Walden University School of Management offers an online MBA with two pathways: course-based and competency-based. The course-based program is how degree programs are traditionally delivered. Students take the prescribed courses, receive grades, and eventually complete the program.

The Walden MBA includes ten concentrations: a general track, a self-designed track, accounting, corporate finance, entrepreneurship and small businesses, healthcare management, human resource management, leadership, marketing, and project management.

The general MBA requires 30 credits and can be completed in just one year through the fast-track program. If students have the time and capability to double-up on courses, this can be a great option to complete an MBA in just one year. Self-designed or other concentrations require the completion of 39 credits and can be completed in 1.5 to 2.5 years.

Competency-based programs approach learning from a skills vantage point, requiring students to master skills rather than completing specific courses. This allows more flexibility in pacing and provides an avenue for students to complete their degrees faster and at a reduced cost.

In the Walden MBA competency-based programs, faculty members are available to online students to provide support as they move through the competencies. Faculty administer exams, papers, and projects as necessary to assess competency. The competency-based programs include two concentrations: project management and healthcare management. These pathways require the completion of 36 credits and can be completed at the student’s pace, which typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 years.

The Walden MBA curriculum is career-focused, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and best practices. It utilizes innovative learning modalities, real-world assignments, and online discussions to enhance learning. The variety of concentrations offered speaks to the flexibility of the MBA program and the ability to cater to individual business aspirations. Courses or learning competencies are delivered in a prescribed sequence and time-to-completion varies depending on part-time or full-time study, the concentration chosen, and individual progress through the programs.

Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher may apply. Applicants with a non-business bachelor’s degree must complete a non-credit “Business Essentials” course during the first semester. Graduates may go on to careers associated with their particular concentration, including positions such as chief financial officers (CFOs), financial directors, vice presidents, hospital administrators, technical managers, management analysts, and marketing directors.

Walden University also offers an MSN-MBA dual degree program. This program consists of 70 credits and can be completed in as little as two years. The curriculum emphasizes critical business skills such as evidence-based decision making, creative problem solving, and strategy development for nursing practice. Dual degree program courses include policy and advocacy for improving population health; managing human resources; healthcare systems and quality outcomes; dynamic leadership; and managerial finance.

The Walden MBA programs are accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The MSN program of the MSN-MBA dual degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Walden University is operated out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a completely online school with no physical campus.

What to Expect from the Walden Online MBA

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Walden online MBA program must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Application materials include a fee, official transcripts, a resume, and letters of recommendation. GMAT and GRE test scores are not required. No work experience is necessary. As mentioned above, applicants without a business background must complete one extra non-credit course during their first semester.

Admission to the MSN-MBA dual degree program is available to registered nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Study Plan: The Walden online general MBA can be completed in as little as one year through the fast-track program. All other concentrations can be completed in 1.5 to 2.5 years, depending on part-time or full-time study and individual progress. Students may transfer in up to 15 credits to reduce the time to completion.

Students may begin courses in the fall, spring, or summer, and courses last eight weeks each, with two per 16-week semester. Faculty support, peer collaboration, and networking are all part of the program. Typically students spend about 15 to 20 hours per week for each course. The MSN-MBA dual degree program can generally be finished in two years.

MBA Course-Based Program Curriculum: The course-based Walden MBA consists of 30 credits for the general track and 39 credits with a concentration. Core courses for all tracks include dynamic leadership; managing people and promoting collaboration; fostering a culture of innovation; and managing business information systems. In addition, business students with a non-business background must complete the non-credit course business essentials. In addition, students of all concentrations complete the following courses: improving business performance, accounting for management decision-making, marketing for competitiveness, managerial finance, and sustainable business practices and strategies (capstone course). Students of all programs also complete one of the following courses: communication for leaders and managers; competing in the global economy; critical thinking for effective management; harnessing the power of data and information; and managing first things first.

• General MBA Curriculum: Required courses for the general MBA include improving business performance; accounting for management decision-making; marketing for competitiveness; and managerial finance.
• MBA Accounting Curriculum: Managerial accounting for organizational performance; and managing operational and financial business risks.
• MBA Corporate Finance Curriculum: Advanced managerial finance; and applications in corporate finance I-II.
• MBA Entrepreneurship and Small-Business Curriculum: The impact of entrepreneurship; new venture creation and entrepreneurship; and managing and sustainable small business.
• MBA Healthcare Management Curriculum: Contemporary topics in the U.S. healthcare delivery system; law, ethics, and policy and healthcare administration; and healthcare financial management and economics.
• MBA Human Resource Management Curriculum: Individual and organizational performance management; human resource analytics; and conflict management and negotiation.
• MBA Leadership Curriculum: Finding your inner leader; building organizational culture; and personal leadership.
• MBA Marketing Curriculum: Communicating using social and digital media; market research and customer insights; and from marketing strategy to execution.
• MBA Project Management Curriculum: Practices in project management, enterprise and risk management; and stakeholder management and organizational behavior.
• MBA Self-Designed Curriculum: In the self-designed concentration, students choose three approved electives to create their own concentration.

Competency-Based Program Curriculum: The competency-based Walden MBA consists of 36 credits and two concentrations: healthcare management and project management. Core competencies cover 24 semester-credits, including business essentials, dynamic leadership, managing people and promoting collaboration, fostering a culture of innovation, managing business information systems, improving business performance, accounting for management decision-making, marketing for competitiveness, and managerial finance. Students also complete a capstone (sustainable business practices and strategies).

• Healthcare Management Concentration Courses (Competency-Based): The United States healthcare delivery system; law, ethics, and policy and healthcare administration; and healthcare financial management and economics.
• Project Management Concentration Courses (Competency-Based): Practices in project management; enterprise and risk management; and stakeholder management and organizational behavior.

Online Experience: Walden University uses the myWalden student portal as its online platform. All new students participate in an online orientation. Through the Walden online experience, students have access to academic and writing help. They also have online forums where they can discuss their career, work-life balance, and get help from peers, faculty, their academic advisor, and alumni. Overall, the platform allows students to navigate all that is required to complete their courses, view grades, and participate in class forums. Courses are delivered asynchronously and include weekly deadlines. Students also have access to round-the-clock technical support and Student Success Advising.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the Walden MBA as the program is completely online.

Paying for the Walden Online MBA

The tuition for all Walden online MBA programs is listed below. Online students should contact the admissions department of the Walden University School of Management for a customized tuition assessment, as fees may vary from year to year.

Walden University may offer grants and scholarships to graduate business students. In addition, students can apply for federal grants and loans through the FAFSA. Other options include securing financial help from outside resources, such as the community or other organizations. Finally, students should speak with their employer to see if they are eligible for a tuition reimbursement program.

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.