Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Connect to success when you earn your M.B.A. online from Walden University, recognized by such national publications as U.S. News & World Report and Latin Trade magazine.

Through Walden’s membership in the Laureate International Universities network—one of the world’s largest international learning communities—you will have access to exclusive opportunities and resources.

An ACBSP-Accredited M.B.A. Degree

ACBSP LogoWalden University’s online M.B.A. program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Among other benefits, ACBSP accreditation provides:

  • Validation that your program meets nationally recognized standards of quality endorsed by businesses, government, and other organizations.
  • Assurance that your program can provide you with the skills you need to compete in today’s global marketplace.
  • Recognition by employers, graduate schools, and regulatory organizations.
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  • Curriculum

  • Tuition and Fees

  • Highlights

  • Learning Outcomes

  • Program Data

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Accounting for Managers

In a challenging economy, managers are frequently tasked with resolving difficult budget issues and controlling increasing operational costs. Walden’s Accounting for Managers specialization explores accounting and financial techniques that managers can use to enhance their decision-making abilities and help boost their organization’s performance. You’ll study forecasting, cost analysis, and assessment methods, as well as budgeting and financial planning procedures. Whether you are seeking a core understanding of accounting principles or broader business knowledge to complement your accounting background, this specialization offers the tools you need to help improve your managerial effectiveness.

Completion Requirements

  • 37 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (9 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone course (4 sem. cr.)

This program can be completed in as little as 24 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

If you would prefer to focus on additional accounting courses, consider Walden’s M.S. in Accounting or M.S. in Accounting and Management programs. Learn more.

Most states require individuals to complete 150 semester (225 quarter) hours in certain subject areas in order to be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and/or obtain a CPA license. Walden’s accounting programs can help graduates progress toward meeting those requirements. The B.S. in Accounting offers 120 quarter (80 semester) credit hours that include upper-level courses in topics such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. The M.S. in Accounting and the M.S. in Accounting and Management offer 30 semester (45 quarter) credit hours, while the M.B.A. Accounting for Managers specialization offers nine semester (13.5 quarter) credit hours. These programs include graduate courses in topics such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, and legal and ethical accounting practices. This will require students to complete additional coursework to meet state requirements.

In each state, there are specific policies that must be followed when an individual is seeking to become a licensed accountant. Some states will not allow individuals who complete the Walden accounting programs to sit for the CPA licensing exams due to state-specific issues such as professional accreditation or face-to-face instruction. For information on the educational requirements for your state, refer to the state’s Board of Accountancy or related agency.

Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance about accountant licensure; however, it remains the responsibility of the individual enrolling in the program to read, understand, and comply with the licensure requirements in the state where he or she wishes to practice.

Walden University can make no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of a Walden program, or coursework for credit within a program, will make a graduate eligible to sit for a licensure exam or to obtain state licensure.

Corporate Finance

With a specialization in Corporate Finance, you can broaden your knowledge of finance to make more informed business decisions. Take the opportunity to gain an overview of financial principles and accepted practices in financial markets, thrift institutions, and commercial and investment banking while you learn the fundamentals of corporate financial modeling.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Entrepreneurship

Take the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in launching a new business or fostering new business enterprises within an organization with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. Draw from both theory and practice to navigate the risks and rewards associated with becoming an entrepreneur. Help prepare yourself to jump-start a new or existing business.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Healthcare Management

With a specialization in healthcare management, you will have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and the financial management techniques that guide the operation of healthcare organizations. Study the application of economic principles to critical healthcare decisions, such as the allocation and distribution of resources and services. Explore the techniques required to develop, manage, and control healthcare finances.

Completion Requirements

  • 37 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (9 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 24 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Healthcare System Improvement

Through the specialization in healthcare system improvement, you will have the opportunity to learn key quality and safety measures and how they can be applied to improve patient outcomes. Study ways to use information technology to develop innovative solutions for coordinating care, managing medical records and orders, achieving cost controls, and enhancing supply and inventory management.

Completion Requirements

  • 37 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (9 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 24 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Human Resource Management

Through a specialization in Human Resource Management, you will have the opportunity to develop a deeper awareness of leadership styles and how they impact individuals and teams. Study the skills needed to lead a high-functioning team and be prepared to counsel senior management on key personnel issues.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

*Walden recognizes the professional development efforts you’ve already made. By applying your SPHR/GPHR certification toward your M.B.A., you can save time and money when earning your degree. Speak to your enrollment advisor for details.

International Business

In today’s global economy, managers are often expected to have a thorough understanding of the international business environment. Through this specialization, study how global organizations operate and how they adapt to diverse business climates. Develop the tools to address the major issues encountered by organizations whose interests and responsibilities cross national and cultural boundaries. Explore the critical challenges that global managers face, including the political, financial, competitive, regulatory, operational, and social dimensions of international business.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Leadership

Realize your potential to inspire others and influence the future of your organization with a specialization in Leadership. Explore various perspectives of what makes a good leader and evaluate your own leadership style. Complete the program with a deeper understanding of your own values as a leader.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Marketing

With a specialization in Marketing, you will study marketing fundamentals alongside new advertising and sales strategies driven by technology. Expand your global perspective of marketing by assessing international marketplaces and collaborating with peers from across the country and around the world.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Walden University is a premium partner of WorldWideLearn.com, a trusted directory of online college courses. View Walden University’s online M.B.A. in Marketing page at WorldWideLearn.com.

Project Management

Through a specialization in Project Management, you will develop the strategies required to manage projects of various scopes and sizes. Study ways to avoid typical project pitfalls while you put your newfound project management skills to work in real-world exercises.

Walden has been reviewed and approved as a provider of project management training by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. As a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.), Walden has agreed to abide by PMI-established quality assurance criteria.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Note: The Project Management specialization requires the use of Microsoft Project. The software will be provided in trial form, but there is not a Mac version of this software available. Students in this specialization are required to use Microsoft Windows, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 or later. Because Mac users may experience difficulty using the software, we recommend the following: (1) Mac users should be prepared to use a PC during this course or (2) Mac users should purchase the appropriate software or hardware to be able to replicate the Windows environment on their Mac.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

PMI is a registered trademark and service mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Risk Management

Enhance your M.B.A. with additional expertise in assessing an organization’s exposure to product, professional, and environmental liabilities. This specialization addresses the area of risk management and insurance through a two-course sequence: the Applications in Corporate Finance course and the Field Study course. The Field Study course pairs you with a School of Management faculty member to develop and work on a project of your choice in the area of risk management and insurance. This specialization was designed with American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) designees in mind. If you are a CPCU designee, you can save a significant amount of time and money earning your degree; ask an enrollment advisor for details.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

*Walden recognizes the professional development efforts you’ve already made. By applying your CPCU courses toward your M.B.A., you can save time and money when earning your degree. Speak to your enrollment advisor for details.

Self-Designed

Connect to a number of unique Walden M.B.A. experiences by combining specific specialization courses, study abroad, or field study. Choose two of these three options (taking a study abroad or field study only once) to create a program tailored to your interests. Additional costs apply to study abroad, and prior academic approval is required for field study. Contact your Walden enrollment advisor for details.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

Choose two:

Strategies for Sustainability

To remain competitive, successful organizations must demonstrate both social and environmental responsibility. With a specialization in Strategies for Sustainability, you can study the skills needed to manage large-scale change that adds value, contributes to a sustainable future, and responds to the needs of organizations and society. Explore ways to understand and improve relationships among individuals, organizations, and communities. Incorporate global awareness into planning, operations, and decision making at all levels of an organization. Develop innovative social responsibility practices as you help organizations respond in sustainable ways to their communities and the world.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialization courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

Technology Management

Discover how to link business strategy with innovation through a specialization in Technology Management. Study ways to benchmark best practices employed by technology-based organizations, identify emerging technologies, and foster an environment that encourages innovation to enhance your competitive advantage.

Completion Requirements

  • 36 total semester credits
    • Foundation and core courses (24 sem. cr.)
    • Specialized courses (8 sem. cr.)
    • Capstone courses (4 sem. cr.)

Estimated time to completion is 22 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

The courses are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Each 16-week semester includes two consecutive 8-week courses.

2013-2014

Curriculum Component  Requirements Cost 
Courses 36 - 37 total semester credit hours $855 per semester credit hour, which includes the cost of all required textbooks
Technology Fee per semester $150

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Call 1-866-492-5336 for information about a full range of options for:

$5,000 Grant

When you choose a Walden M.B.A., you also have the option to participate in a variety of learning experiences and resources designed to give you the competitive advantage in the marketplace. They include:

  • Field Study
    Collaborate with a Laureate network professor to develop and work on a personalized project that can be applied to your company or particular area of interest.
  • Study Abroad
    Experience firsthand international cultures and business management styles through Walden’s study abroad program. Optional one or two-week seminars in Europe, Asia, or South America are designed for the working professional.
  • Capstone
    Put your newfound knowledge to work on a real-world project through your capstone course, Capstone in Leadership: The Social Impact Vision and Project. Develop a service-learning proposal that allows you to identify actual opportunities in your community. The final product is a plan based on practical opportunities that can be implemented following graduation. Read more about actual capstone projects.
  • Sigma Iota Epsilon
    Connect with fellow business leaders through the Walden chapter of Sigma Iota Epsilon (SIE), a nationally recognized honor society. Founded in 1927 to enhance the academic and professional aspects of management, SIE promotes professional and social networking among business professionals.

When you choose Walden’s M.B.A. online degree program, you can benefit from the flexibility of online learning and from MobileLearn®. Offered exclusively at Walden, MobileLearn not only enables you to choose where and when you learn, it also gives you the ability to choose how you learn. Learn more.

Find out more about what defines Walden’s Master of Business Administration program:

Accelerated Path to a Doctoral Degree

When you complete Walden’s M.B.A. program or Executive M.B.A. program, you may be able to apply credits earned toward Walden’s Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) degree program.

Note: To be eligible to apply credit toward these doctoral programs, students must have earned a B or better in the applicable master’s courses within the last 10 years and be in good standing with the university. All transfer of credit is granted after formal review by Walden’s Office of Admissions.

M.B.A. Framework

As you review the Walden M.B.A. curriculum, you will see that each course follows a common template. That’s because we know, based on our 40-year history serving adult learners, that students enjoy their greatest success when they have a consistent learning experience.

Problem 1 - Case, Problem, or Vignette 
Week 1 Topics  Week 2 Topics   Week 3 Topics  
Problem 2 - Case, Problem, or Vignette 
Week 4 Topics  Week 5 Topics  Week 6 Topics  Week 7 Program Project 
Week 8
Blueprint for Professional Growth 

Begin your curriculum by developing the processes and strategies that lead to effective problem-solving.

Weekly readings and assignments touch on a variety of themes, including global business, ethical decision making, managing change, and issues from your own work experiences.

Participate in a program project, such as designing a business plan or conducting a company analysis that showcases the knowledge you have gained in each course. You will have the opportunity to contribute to this program project for one dedicated week of each course (week 7). During this week, you’ll reflect on faculty feedback and strategies from your course in order to enhance and strengthen your long-term project.

At the close of every course, you will also be asked to contribute to a Blueprint for Professional Growth. Unique to Walden, this assignment is designed to develop the necessary skills to reach your personal and professional goals within the context of the Walden M.B.A. curriculum.

Rankings and Recognition

Walden has received recognition from several national publications, including:

  • U.S. News & World Report, which in May 2010 identified Walden as having the No. 3 largest online graduate management program by enrollment.
  • Latin Trade magazine, which included Walden’s M.B.A. in its annual list of programs valued by readers; it was the only distance-learning program in an overall list of 27.

Which Management Program is Right for You?

When selecting among Walden’s M.S. in Management, M.S. in Leadership, Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) programs, consider which features are right for your learning style and your career aspirations.

The M.S. in Management program may be your best choice if you want to:

  • Gain a practical, integrated approach to management.
  • Develop my personal management skills as I gain an integrated perspective to managing budgets, resources, systems, and information.
  • Focus on creating solutions that benefit both people and organizational performance.
  • Become a better manager across functional areas and teams. 
  • Move into a management position in which I work with others to strategically and effectively manage projects, processes, and operations.

The M.S. in Leadership program may be your best choice if you want to:

  • Build my knowledge across disciplines.
  • Develop courses of action by leading, motivating, and influencing people and to establish the context for problem-solving.
  • Focus on self-awareness, communication, and putting decisions into context.
  • Build teams and provide leadership across an organization.
  • Move into a leadership position in which I can help others move toward new or shared goals and identify ways to implement solutions together.

The EMBA program may be your best choice if you want to:

  • Develop a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities that drive success in today’s global marketplace.
  • Enhance my strategic thinking around improving organizational performance.
  • Develop my own personal leadership style while advancing my professional goals.
  • Become a successful executive leader in a global business environment. 
  • Launch a new business that drives innovation to the marketplace.

The M.B.A. program may be your best choice if you want to:

  • Gain discipline-based knowledge within multiple functional areas, such as marketing, accounting, information technology, and finance.
  • Develop courses of action based on analyses, plans, and decisions within specific contexts.
  • Focus on learning discrete decision-making techniques within specific business administration areas.
  • Direct a functional area within an organization. 
  • Assume a leadership position in which I direct others to form and implement decisions.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

  1. Have an extensive and practical knowledge-base of theory, tools, skills, practices, and research related to business and be able to apply these to the problems and opportunities that are encountered in the 21st-century business environment.
  2. Demonstrate effective professional and interpersonal practices essential in business.
  3. Develop a range of professional strategies that promote their effectiveness in a business environment.
  4. Demonstrate ethical, legal, and responsible behavior and explain the broader role that business has in society and their own responsibilities as a member of the business community and citizens in society.

What’s It Like to Learn Online?

Get a firsthand look. View the Video.

Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Please find below detailed information for the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) relating to the types of occupations this program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.

Occupations
Program Completion Rate
Program Costs
Median Loan Debt

Occupations—This program generally prepares students to enter the types of occupations listed below. For more information on these specific occupations, visit www.onetonline.org.

In addition to this list, there are other career options that graduates of this program may choose to pursue. To enter certain professions, students may need to satisfy specific additional requirements established by state and/or professional organizations in addition to completing their program.

View examples of our student and alumni accomplishments in their chosen fields.

Occupation Name* Occupation Code*
Marketing Managers 11-2021
Financial Managers 11-3031
Human Resources Managers 11-3121
Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111
General and Operations Managers 11-1021
Human Resources Specialists 13-1071
Management Analysts 13-1111
Accountants and Auditors 13-2011
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 19-3021
Financial Analysts 13-2051

*The “occupation name” is a general job title. “Occupation code” refers to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupation Classification.

Program Completion—The program completion rate is the percentage of students who graduated between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, who completed this program in the normal completion time.

The program completion time may vary depending on transfer of credit and the pace at which a student chooses to complete the program. Because many of the students in this program are working adults and need to balance personal and professional commitments, our academic advisors can help establish an appropriate program of study that enables each student to complete this program in a time frame that works best for him or her.

Rate Percentage
On-time completion rate 86.1% 

Program Costs—The total program costs are the estimated average costs over the duration of the program, excluding any scholarship or tuition reductions, for students completing the program on time. These costs can vary based on the number of credits. Typically, tuition and fees are subject to change annually.

Expense Cost
Tuition and Fees $30,780
Books and Supplies $0
Room and Board Not applicable

View cost per credit in the Tuition and Fees section.

Median Loan Debt—The following is the median amount borrowed by all students who completed the program between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012. The amount borrowed may include tuition as well as non-institutional costs such as estimated living expenses.

Loan Amount
Title IV Program Loans $41,000
Private Educational Loans $0
Institutional Financing Plan $0

For assistance in deciding which specialization program fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.