For those who are interested in MBA degree programs in Georgia, the Peace State offers a number of options both online and via traditional on-campus instruction. A master’s degree in business has become a prerequisite for landing a job in today’s competitive market. According to Forbes, there are some good reasons to get an MBA that go beyond the academic theories learned in a classroom. Several prestigious online schools host physical campuses in Georgia, and students who study in the Atlanta Metro area have the added advantage of being near some of the country’s most recognized and respected businesses.
Following is the first part of our list of MBA degree programs in the state of Georgia.
Albany State University
College of Business
Albany State University was founded in 1903 and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in an effort to support its motto: “Potential. Realized.” Established as a black school, the university has since grown to include a diverse student population and now ranks among the top 10 out of 35 colleges in the University System of Georgia for its graduation rate. Albany State University’s College of Business seeks to educate its students by combining elements of liberal arts and professional coursework with contemporary business classes. Students interested in an accredited MBA program will find a straightforward curriculum here.
MBA
The Master of Business Administration or MBA program available from Albany State University is designed for those who want “advancement to middle and upper level management positions” according to the school’s website. Students can focus their degree on one of three areas: general business, health care, and supply chain and logistics management. In order to apply, candidates need to have completed a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited school and submit an application along with transcripts, letters of reference and a 1,000-word statement of purpose. General MBA students will have to complete 30 semester hours. Of this requirement, eight classes center on core business courses while the remaining two are electives to be chosen at the student’s discretion. For students without a bachelor’s degree in business, the university requires completion of certain prerequisites. These include 18 hours of core curriculum courses on topics such as economics, organizational behavior and principles of accounting.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
Albany State University
College of Business
504 College Drive
Albany, GA 31705
Phone: (229) 430-4600
Email: latonya.johnson@asurams.edu
Website
American InterContinental University – Atlanta Campus
Master’s Degrees
Like many for-profit universities, American InterContinental University seeks to provide non-traditional college students with professional, efficient and specialized education in areas that center more on business than on liberal arts. Originally founded in 1970 as a school of fashion in Switzerland, American InterContinental now serves a global audience of students around the world who are seeking degrees in everything from design to criminal justice and health care management. Student enrollment stands at approximately 11,200 spread out over 12 countries. For professionals looking to enhance their careers, American InterContinental offers several options at the graduate level, including a variety of specialized MBA programs.
International Business
American InterContinential offers a specialized MBA in International Business that is designed, according to its website, to help future business leaders “develop strategic solutions to international business management problems.” Recognizing that today’s business world is a global one, the school offers an engaging, rigorous and advanced program specifically tailored to students who want to take their careers beyond the domestic arena. The program typically takes 11 months to complete and requires a total of 48 credit hours, 24 of which are specialized credits. Courses cover topics such as global economics, legal and regulatory concerns, international finance, and international management and leadership. Upon completion of the program, graduates will ideally be able to solve problems with innovative thinking, develop effective business strategies on an international level, utilize critical thinking skills, and recognize ethical dilemmas as they relate to the business world. This program is available entirely online or at the school’s Atlanta and Houston campuses.
Master of Business Administration
At American InterContinental, students have the option to enroll in a generalized MBA program, but they can concentrate their degrees in one of the following areas: accounting, finance, health care management, human resource management, international business, management, marketing, operations management, project management or technology management. In fact, the school notes that the business world’s competitive nature practically demands specialization. This career-focused program will help students develop the skills and leadership abilities that they need to move forward in today’s business climate, and there are several options for customizing the degree and the program itself. For example, students can enroll entirely online and choose the format of classes that works for them. Candidates benefit from experienced faculty, strong educational alliances that encourage internship opportunities, and in-depth career counseling and development support. The MBA program’s length and course makeup will depend on a student’s specialization, but most programs take less than a year to complete.
Accreditations
- Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
American InterContinental University – Atlanta Campus
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (404) 965-6500
Email: Live chat available on website
Website
Argosy University, Atlanta
Graduate School of Business and Management
In 2001, the American Schools of Professional Psychology, the Medical Institute of Minnesota and the University of Sarasota merged to become Argosy University. Since the merger, the school has retained some of these institutions’ most sought-after degree programs while adding contemporary degrees that appeal to their primary demographic of working adults. According to Argosy’s website, one of their goals is to help students develop the “interpersonal skills vital to professional achievement.” The school offers a wide range of professional and degree programs online and on 28 campuses throughout the United States. Students looking for an accredited MBA program will find convenient options here.
Master of Business Administration
A Master of Business Administration from Argosy, Atlanta focuses on four concepts: critical thinking, effective communication, technical competency and an understanding of the human aspects of business. Students will develop an awareness of the modern business world while gaining exposure to the latest technology and techniques in the industry. Argosy offers business candidates several options for earning a master’s degree, including an online format, Blended and Blended Fast-Track formats. For the fast-track option, students can complete the MBA in one year because the program offers complete flexibility in scheduling. Regardless of the format chosen, students will need to obtain 30 credit hours of core business courses in order to earn the degree. Candidates will need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school to apply, and their GPA must be at least 2.0 provided that they have three years of professional work experience. Students must also pass Argosy’s English proficiency test.
Accreditations
- Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
Argosy University, Atlanta
980 Hammond Drive
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (770) 671-1200
Email: Live chat available on website
Website
Brenau University
College of Business and Mass Communication
Brenau University was established as a women’s college in 1878, and while the modern school comprises a diverse student body, the Women’s College remains a staple of the university’s educational objectives today. Serving more than 3,500 students across six campuses and online, the university offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels. Students gain the benefit of a small faculty-to-student ratio of 11:1. The school consistently ranks highly among publications such as The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report, and students who attend here will enjoy a variety of opportunities when it comes to graduate-level business programs.
Accounting MBA
Business students who are interested in accounting can concentrate their MBA program to reflect their goals. At Brenau, MBA candidates can choose from one of two individual accounting tracks within the accounting concentration: public accounting and management accounting. Public accounting prepares students to sit for the CPA exam and to become certified public accountants. The management track helps graduates gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue top-level positions such as a chief financial officer or a controller. Regardless of the track chosen, students will need to complete 45 credit hours spread out over 15 courses in order to earn the MBA degree. Of the course requirements, 24 hours come from core MBA classes, which discuss topics such as cross-cultural business challenges, marketing management, global economics, and management and organizational behavior. For the accounting concentration, courses cover subjects such as fraud detection, valuation, auditing and taxation, and corporate risk management.
Entrepreneurship MBA
Brenau University offers MBA students a unique opportunity among other colleges. Under the direction of The Oxford Center, Brenau’s Entrepreneurship MBA prepares students not only for careers in upper-level business but also for a lifetime of networking with some of the industry’s most prominent figures. According to the school’s website, the goal of the Oxford program is to foster “a mentoring and funding environment among MBA students, business leaders, and private equity,” which means that students who pursue the entrepreneurship concentration will undoubtedly gain access to exceptional educational opportunities. In order to earn a master’s degree in business with an entrepreneurship focus, students will need to complete a total of 45 credit hours designated as follows: two foundation courses, eight core classes and five courses related to the entrepreneurship concentration. Entrepreneurship courses cover topics such as product development and innovation, channel development and key account management, and a CEO apprenticeship.
Finance MBA
As with other MBA concentrations offered at Brenau, the finance concentration comprises a set of core classes and an additional set of courses that are related to the focus area. In this case, students will earn a master’s degree in business that focuses on international finance, investments, risk management and valuation as its primary educational objectives. The degree requires completion of 45 credit hours, 24 of which are centered on core business courses. The remaining hours come from introductory courses and the finance concentration, which covers subjects such as corporate risk management, and financial statement and business analysis. Before students can begin the program, they must take two introductory business classes. In addition, students who already hold a master’s degree can take the five required finance concentration courses to earn a certificate in finance in lieu of pursuing the full MBA program. Students should note that concentration courses usually are offered online only.
Health Care Management MBA
With an increased demand for health care professionals throughout the country, Brenau is rising to the challenge by offering graduate business students the opportunity to concentrate their degrees in the health care industry. The Health Care Management MBA program is designed for students who want to take on leadership and managerial roles within the context of a health care environment. According to the university’s page regarding this degree, the MBA in health care management “is well-suited for clinical professionals, such as RNs, Medical Technologists, and other medical specialists.” Students with a master’s degree can take the five concentration courses in health care management in order to earn a certificate in the subject. Otherwise, MBA candidates will need to complete 45 credit hours total. Twenty-four of these credit hours come from core business courses, 15 come from the concentration and six come from foundational courses. Core courses can be taken online or on one of the school’s campuses.
Human Resource Management MBA
For those who want to work in human resources, Brenau offers a specialized concentration in human resources with its general MBA program. The Human Resource Management MBA can be taken as a certificate course for individuals who already hold a master’s degree. They need to take the five concentration courses in order to earn the certificate. Graduate students without a master’s degree will need to complete 45 credit hours total, 15 of which are concentration courses. Brenau’s human resources MBA has been ranked number 10 on a list of the best online human resources programs by TheBestSchools.org, and students who study here will gain access to a practical, hands-on program taught by experienced industry professionals. Human resources classes cover the following topics: employment law, HRM total rewards, human resources management, human resources strategy, and talent acquisition and management. Along with the concentration courses, students will complete foundational classes and business core courses.
Insurance MBA
Graduate candidates with backgrounds in insurance will appreciate Brenau’s Master of Business Administration program with a certificate in insurance. According to the Brenau website, the “American Institute for CPCU is the industry leader in providing technical risk management and insurance knowledge through classes and certifications.” As such, the insurance-intensive MBA program offered by the university conforms to the standards set out by the American Institute for CPCU. In fact, students who enroll in this program must already hold CPCU certification because the degree requires completion of 39 credit hours, and six of those hours come from transferred credit based on existing certification. Students will also complete 24 credit hours on core business courses and two fundamental business classes that are required of all MBA candidates. In addition to these course designations, master’s degree candidates will complete one extra elective course on a business topic to round out the 39-hour requirement.
Management MBA
Effective managers support the success of any organization, and it’s with this in mind that Brenau has created a specific MBA program dedicated to current and future managers. Centered on the principles of critical thinking, decision making and leadership, the management program at Brenau will prepare students to attain higher positions within their current field or to explore new opportunities. As with most of the university’s MBA concentrations, the Management MBA requires 45 credit hours, divided into six fundamental credits, 24 core business credits and 15 concentration credits. Courses on critical thinking, management leadership, project management, organizational behavior, and international business or advanced management topics comprise the management concentration curriculum. Programs like these are designed for adult, non-traditional students who already hold jobs and other responsibilities outside of the school environment. Because of this, Brenau’s adult studies programs cater to the needs of working individuals and provide flexibility in terms of scheduling.
Project Management MBA
Brenau University defines project management as a task that involves “defining objectives, developing plans, marshaling the necessary resources, and accomplishing tasks on schedule and within budget.” For students looking into accredited MBA programs in Georgia with specific concentrations, the Project Management MBA offered by Brenau will complement any professional career. There are 15 required courses for the degree that combine to make up the 45-hour requirement. Of these 15 courses, five come from the concentration, two come from fundamental business courses and the remaining come from core classes that are required of every MBA graduate at the school. The concentration courses can be taken online or at one of two physical campuses, Gainesville or Kings Bay. Courses cover subjects such as contract management and ethics, project planning and control techniques, and strategic issues within the field. This school has also been certified as a Registered Education Provider by the Project Management Institute.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
Brenau University
College of Business and Mass Communication
500 Washington St SE
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 538-4760
Email: tthamer@brenau.edu
Website
DeVry University
Keller Graduate School of Management
DeVry University was founded in 1931 and has evolved into one of the country’s most established and reputable online institutions of higher education. According to the school’s website, the university has an excellent track record of graduating people who go on to work for some of the nation’s best companies. As of the 2014 Fortune 500 list, 95 out of the top 100 companies have hired DeVry’s graduates over the past decade, making this school an ideal choice for business professionals. Under the direction of DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management, students have several options for pursuing an accredited master’s program in Georgia.
MBA
For students looking into accredited MBA programs in Georgia, DeVry University offers a generalized program with 19 concentration options. Among the focus areas are accounting, global supply chain management, international business, and network and communications management. Those with specific interests in the business field will appreciate DeVry’s significant range of choices. The MBA program combines theoretical concepts with practical, hands-on instruction and learning. The length of time that it takes students to complete the generalized master’s degree depends entirely on a student’s own schedule. Classes are offered every eight weeks, and as the school’s website points out, that would mean that a person taking one class per enrollment period would finish the degree in 32 months. Candidates must complete 48 credit hours, designated as follows: 30 hours of core courses, 12 hours of concentration courses and six hours of electives. Students without a concentration can take up to 18 hours of varying electives.
MBA with a specialization in Accounting
DeVry’s MBA in Accounting is designed for students who already work as accountants, those who want to become CPAs and those who want to advance their existing careers on a corporate level. According to the Keller website, this program emphasizes the “theory and application of budgeting, auditing and taxes in a business environment.” The program also encompasses the CPA Exam Review developed by Becker Professional Education, which means that students who attend school here will gain access to an industry standard among preparation programs. MBA candidates can complete this program entirely online or at select physical locations, and in some cases, they can choose a hybrid route for added convenience. In order to earn the MBA with an accounting concentration, students will need to complete 30 hours of core business courses, 12 hours of accounting coursework and six hours of electives. Each of the Georgia locations listed below offers this program on campus.
Accreditations
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
DeVry University
Keller Graduate School of Management
Various physical locations (see links below)
Phone: (866) 606-4956
Email: Live chat available on website
Websites for various locations:
Alpharetta Campus
Atlanta (Cobb-Galleria) Center
Decatur Campus
Duluth (Gwinnett) Center
Stockbridge (Henry County)
Regardless of the specific industry, business professionals could benefit from additional training and education, especially as the demand for technologically savvy workers increases over the next few decades. Entrepreneurs and traditional employees alike will enjoy a wide range of options for enhancing their work and educational experience by attending any of the aforementioned MBA degree programs in Georgia.
For the remainder of our list of MBA degree programs in Georgia, see: MBA Programs in Georgia (E-Z)