Explore accelerated online MBA programs
Accelerated online MBA programs can lead to quick, efficient degree upgrades. Find out how these programs work and what you can do with your MBA after graduation.
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Why earn an accelerated MBA degree online?
Upgrade your education
An accelerated MBA can also accelerate your career. This prestigious credential can unlock new and well-paid career paths and advancement opportunities.
Save time and money
Accelerated online MBAs propel you to a quick graduation. The less time you spend in school, the more money you can save.
Access more schools
Many leading business schools offer online MBA programs. By studying online, you'll have more school choices since you won't be limited by location.
A master of business administration (MBA) has long been a difference-making educational credential. Accelerated online MBA programs can offer an expedited path to earning yours — and the career-boosting benefits the degree can bring. Learn about the many paths you can follow with an MBA as you plan your next step.
See all accelerated online MBA programs
What is an accelerated online MBA?
MBA programs train students in the fundamentals of business management, equipping them with transferable tools for multiple industries and roles. have similar program goals but reduce the typical two-year graduation timeline to about 12-18 months.
Like regularly paced programs, accelerated MBAs offer generalist and specialized tracks. In generalist programs, you can use your electives to explore areas of personal interest. Programs with specializations allow students to select a .
Common specialization options include:
- Business analytics
- Finance
- Human resources
- International business
- Supply chain management
Business schools also offer many concentrations, including in accounting, , project management, leadership, and more.
Where can you work with an accelerated online MBA?
MBA graduates often go on to work in the private sector with corporate employers.
However, according to a 2023 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey, employment for MBA graduates in nonprofit and government organizations has risen substantially since 2019.
Earning an MBA can help you enter a management-track career path with advancement potential. Your exact may depend on factors like your MBA specialization (if you have one).
Examples of common jobs for MBA graduates include:
- Financial or investment analyst
- Human resources manager
- Management analyst
- Market research analyst
- Project manager
MBA concentrations can lead to more specialized positions. For instance, a healthcare-focused MBA can help you become a medical and health services manager.
Salary expectations for graduates of accelerated programs
GMAC's 2023 Corporate Recruiters Survey cited an average annual starting salary of $125,000 for MBA graduates. However, your exact earning potential will depend on factors like your location, employer, experience, and role.
The following table profiles Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for common MBA career tracks.
| Job title | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Financial analyst | $99,890 |
| Human resources manager | $136,350 |
| Management analyst | $99,410 |
| Market research analyst | $74,680 |
| Medical and health services manager | $110,680 |
| Project management specialist | $98,580 |
Career outlook for graduates of accelerated programs
While career outlooks fluctuate amid changing supply-and-demand factors and economic conditions, MBA graduates generally retain high levels of employability.
Here's what the BLS says about job growth for popular MBA graduate careers:
| Job title | Projected job growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|
| Financial analyst | +9% |
| Human resources manager | +6% |
| Management analyst | +11% |
| Market research analyst | +8% |
| Medical and health services manager | +29% |
| Project management specialist | +7% |
What do you learn in accelerated MBA programs?
Accelerated online MBA programs cover the same topics as on-campus . Core coursework focuses on a common set of management essentials: accounting, finance, human resources, strategic management, and marketing. Many programs also include data analytics and economics fundamentals.
In generalist programs, you can use your electives to explore these or other areas of interest in greater depth. Concentrated programs usually dedicate most or all electives to your chosen specialization area.
Credit requirements vary among schools but usually fall in the range of 30-36 credits, or about 10-12 courses.
Curriculum for accelerated online MBA degrees
MBA curricula consist of required core courses and electives. Common examples include:
- Accounting for business managers: Explore essential financial and managerial accounting concepts. You'll learn about accounting techniques, reporting requirements, and strategic management of financial data.
- Managerial finance: Develop a strong working knowledge of financial analysis, financial theory, risk management, budgeting, and investing. This survey course covers these and other foundational finance topics.
- Marketing management: Investigate how branding strategies, product positioning, demographic targeting, and advertising play critical roles in a company's success. This course studies these topics from a business management perspective.
- Organizational development: Learn to navigate organizational culture growth and change so you can go on to occupy leadership roles that impact the direction an organization takes.
- Strategic management: This course equips students with the tools to make complex and difficult business choices. It prepares students to analyze available information and account for variables in order to arrive at sound decisions.