The Pennsylvania Online MBA programs offer flexible learning options. They are designed to meet the needs of working professionals looking for a way to advance their careers or start a new one. With courses ranging from finance and accounting to marketing and leadership, these programs allow students to earn their degrees while still managing other commitments.
There are many Pennsylvania online MBA programs from perhaps lesser-known but highly reputable universities. Students pursuing a Pennsylvania online MBA can expect to receive a top-notch education that provides them with the experience and knowledge needed to succeed in a wide range of industries.
What to Expect from an Online MBA Program in Pennsylvania
Duration
The duration of a Pennsylvania online MBA program can vary depending on the specific program and the student’s schedule. Most online MBA programs in Pennsylvania can be completed in one to two years, but some programs may take longer. Many programs offer flexible scheduling options, allowing students to complete their coursework on their own time and at their own pace.
Accelerated online MBA programs may be completed in as little as 12-18 months, while part-time programs may take up to three years or more to complete. Some programs also offer the option to take a break between courses, allowing students to pace themselves and balance their studies with other commitments.
The duration of Pennsylvania online MBA programs is flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of each student.
Format
The format of most online MBA programs in Pennsylvania is designed to offer flexibility and convenience to students. Pennsylvania online MBA programs typically feature asynchronous coursework, allowing students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and access course materials at their own pace and on their own time. However, some offer synchronized courses or hybrid options for those who want face-to-face time. The online coursework is usually delivered through a combination of recorded lectures, online discussions, and interactive assignments through software such as Canvas or Blackboard.
In addition, online MBA programs provide students with access to digital libraries and other online resources, allowing them to conduct research and stay up-to-date on the latest business trends and developments.
Curriculum
Most online MBA programs in Pennsylvania are designed to provide students with a broad range of skills and knowledge related to various aspects of business management. However, many programs offer areas of focus or concentrations that allow students to specialize in a particular area of business.
Common areas of focus in online MBA programs in Pennsylvania may include
- Finance,
- Marketing,
- Healthcare management,
- Human resources,
- Entrepreneurship, and
- International business.
These focus areas allow students to gain a deeper understanding of specific industries or functional areas within business management and may prepare them for careers in related fields.
Standardized Tests
The GRE or GMAT is a common requirement for admission to Pennsylvania online MBA programs. These standardized tests are used by schools to assess a student’s readiness for graduate-level coursework and to evaluate their quantitative and verbal skills.
The GMAT is a widely recognized test that assesses a student’s analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills. The GRE, on the other hand, is a more general test that assesses a student’s verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
However, not all online MBA programs in Pennsylvania require GRE or GMAT scores to apply. Some programs may offer waivers based on certain criteria, such as work experience or prior academic performance. For instance, students with several years of work experience in a relevant field may be eligible for a waiver, or those with an undergraduate degree in business with a certain GPA.
It is important to check the admission requirements of each Pennsylvania online MBA program to determine if the GRE or GMAT is required and if any waiver options are available.
Program Costs
The cost of online MBA programs in Pennsylvania varies depending on the school, program, and format of the program. Generally, online MBA programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts, and many online MBA programs offer financial aid options, such as loans, scholarships, and grants to help students offset the cost of tuition.
In addition to tuition, there may be additional costs associated with online MBA programs in Pennsylvania, such as technology fees, books and materials, and travel expenses for optional in-person components of the program.
It is important to research and compare the cost of different online MBA programs in Pennsylvania before making a decision. Additionally, it is important to consider the potential return on investment of the program, such as the potential for career advancement and higher earning potential.
Pennsylvania Online MBA Hidden Gems
Here is a group of Pennsylvania online MBA hidden gems. Each of these schools is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. These are all smaller schools and may be lesser known to the wider public, but all ten of them offer high-quality online MBA programs in Pennsylvania that are well worth consideration.
Alvernia University
Alvernia University offers an ethics-driven online MBA program that students can complete in one year. Run through the ACBSP-accredited College Of Business, Communication, and Leadership; the Online MBA is a 30 to 39-credit program. Thirty credits are programmatic, while the remaining nine are electives that can be waived. Of the core credits, students must take an Executive Leadership Seminar and a course on Ethics and Moral Leadership.
Prospective students for the Online MBA program do not need to have GRE or GMAT scores to apply if their undergraduate GPA was 3.0 or higher.
Bloomsburg University
The MBA program is offered entirely online at Bloomsburg Univeristy’s AACSB-accredited Zeigler College of Business. However, a hybrid option allows students to take classes online and on the Bloomsburg University campus. Students can choose to enroll as either full-time students with the Fast-Track MBA and complete the program as quickly as one year. They may also choose to enroll as part-time students in the Professional MBA program and complete the program in two (or more) years.
The MBA program at Bloomsburg can be specialized in the following areas in addition to the General MBA:
- Accounting
- Analytics
- Healthcare Management
- Leadership and Human Resources
- Marketing
- Strategic Global Decisions
Duquesne University
Duquesne University is a Catholic research university in Pittsburgh with a Professional MBA program that students pursue in a variety of formats. Students may choose to enroll and attend classes entirely online or with a mixture of online and on-campus evening classes. Run through the AACSB-accredited Palumba-Donahue School of Business, the PMBA at Duquesne University can be completed in just four semesters and is a 36- to 42-credit program. Courses in the PMBA program are aligned with the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education.
A STEM-designated option exists for students to earn certificates in Analytics and Information Management, Finance, or Supply Chain Management. These certificates are an additional 10.5 credits to the PMBA program.
Gannon University
Gannon University is a private Catholic university in Erie, Pennsylvania. The university offers an online MBA program through the ACBSP-accredited Dahlkemper School of Business, which students can complete entirely online in as little as 18 months. The program focuses on developing students’ ethical decision-making abilities alongside problem-solving skills through practical application. This is a 24-credit program with an additional six elective credits, which students can fulfill through four elective course offerings:
- Consumer Behavior
- Employee Relations and Employment/Labor Law
- Investments
- Strategic Management
Students interested in applying should have a GMAT score of 450, though the GMAT requirement can be waived for students who have earned a graduate degree or who have at least three years of professional experience.
Messiah University
The School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Messiah University offers an online MBA program that is accredited by the ACBSP. This is a fully online MBA, and students can earn their degrees in just one year in addition to the culminating capstone project. As its name suggests, Messiah University is a Christian school, and biblical integration is woven into the Online MBA program. There are five concentrations available for Online MBA students at Messiah, which include
- Dietetics,
- Digital Marketing,
- Healthcare Management,
- Management, and
- Strategic Leadership.
Students may also choose to add a 12-credit certificate to their MBA program in Digital Marketing, Healthcare Management, or Strategic Leadership.
Like other Pennsylvania online MBA programs, while a GMAT score is part of the application requirements, it can be waived for those students who have already earned a graduate degree or who have five or more years of professional experience.
Misericordia University
Misericordia University’s online MBA program is designed for working professionals seeking to advance their careers through a flexible and convenient format. Misericordia’s Online MBA is run by the College of Business and is accredited by the IACBE. This is a 36-credit program that students can enroll in as part-time students. Of those 36 credits, 24 are made up of core courses, while the remaining 12 credits are fulfilled through a specialization. There are four concentrations offered with the Online MBA program:
- Accounting,
- Health Care Administration,
- Human Resources Management, and
- Management.
Misericordia does not require a GMAT or GRE score to apply to the Online MBA program.
Penn State University Great Valley
At Penn State University Great Valley, students in the AACSB-accredited School of Graduate and Professional Studies may enroll in an MBA program. It can be completed in person in Malvern, Pennsylvania, online, or there is also the option of a hybrid format. For those who want to attend school full-time, the Full-Time MBA is available, which can be completed in 12 to 18 months. The Professional MBA is a two-year program that students can finish as part-time students. Both programs offer the flexibility of fully online classes.
Penn State University Great Valley offers focus areas in:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Entrepreneurship
- HR Management
- Leadership
- Management Accounting
- Managerial Analytics
- Sustainability
Students may also choose to add a 12-credit certificate and may choose from a wide array of options.
Point Park University
In Pittsburgh, Point Park University offers a 36-credit online MBA program through IACBE-accredited Rowland School of Business. This Online MBA program can be completed in one and a half to two years. Students may select a concentration in either Healthcare Systems Management or Management, each of which is worth 12 credits, rounding out the 24 core course credits. The Online MBA at Point Park allows students to continue working full-time while they are enrolled.
Widener University
Widener University offers an AACSB-accredited MBA program through the School of Business Administration, which can be done in person at Widener’s Chester, Pennsylvania campus, completely online, or as a hybrid option. A student can still earn their degree in just one year at Widener at just part-time enrollment. This is a 30-credit program, though for those students who wish to add a specialization, it becomes a 33-credit program.
Specializations are available in
- Business Process Innovation,
- Data Analytics,
- Investment Management, and
- Organizational Leadership.
There is also an option to build an individualized specialization.
A GMAT or GRE waiver is available for those students who have at least five years of professional working experience, graduated from undergraduate work with at least a 3.3 GPA, already hold an accredited master’s degree, or have done a related certificate with at least a 3.3 GPA.
Wilkes University
The Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes University offers an ACBSP-accredited MBA program. This is a fully online MBA program with which students can earn their MBA degrees in just two years. In total, it’s a 36- to 39-credit program. Students take one seven-week course at a time and complete two courses each semester, which allows space to continue working full-time while enrolled in the Online MBA program.
Students may also choose to add 12-credit certificates to the Online MBA in Business Essentials, Decision-Making, or Management Foundations.
Will a Pennsylvania Online MBA Help My Career?
Pennsylvania has plenty of hidden gems when it comes to online MBA programs. With so many options available, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs and helps you reach your goals.
Pennsylvania online MBA programs often offer the same rigorous curriculum as traditional MBA programs, covering accounting, finance, marketing, and leadership topics. Students will also have opportunities to develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through coursework, case studies, and group projects. Many programs also offer networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with alumni, industry professionals, and other students in their cohort.
Students pursuing an online MBA in Pennsylvania can expect a challenging and rewarding educational experience that prepares them for success in their careers.
Largest Companies in Pennsylvania
The MBA brand is significantly stronger in close proximity of the college. Graduates from the Pennsylvania Online MBA hidden gems need not look too far when searching for companies with a large employee base.
| Company | Location | Number of Employees |
| Aramark | Philadelphia, PA | 215,000 |
| Comcast | Philadelphia, PA | 190,000 |
| Communications Construction Group, LLC | West Chester, PA | 118,000 |
| Universal Health Services | King of Prussia, PA | 90,000 |
| Genesis HealthCare | Kennett Square, PA | 68,700 |
A Pennsylvania Online MBA for Everyone
There are some excellent hidden gems within the world of Pennsylvania online MBA programs. Each of these programs offers both flexibility and convenience while balanced with high-quality academics. These accredited online MBA programs in Pennsylvania also offer a diverse range of specializations and concentrations, allowing students to tailor their education to their individual interests and career goals. This flexibility can help students gain the specific knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen field.
Related Resources:
Guide to Business School
How to Choose an Online MBA?
How do I Balance Business School and Life?
