The masters of business administration – the MBA – is the gold standard credenÂtial for a career in business. Developing valuable skills in business management, it provides eduÂcation in foundational business pracÂtices, such as accounting, finance, marketing and management, oftentimes with a focus in one of these areas or a certain business sector. The MBA remains the most sought after post-gradÂuate degree in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
There are many benefits of obtaining a MBA, the most significant being greater employment opportunities in business administration.
Luckily, in this day and age there are numerous ways to earn an MBA in KenÂtucky, from traditional full-time classroom instruction, to evening or weekend-only sessions, to completely online teaching and various hybrid programs.
Following is a list of MBA programs at public and private colleges and universities with details about each to help make the all-important decision of which program to choose.
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
Eastern Kentucky University
Location: Richmond
Type: State comprehensive university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: $15,000
Minimum Credit Hours: 30
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: General, Accounting, Integrated Communications
Campus Requirements: Students will meet once a month in a traditional setting (6 p.m.-8:45 p.m.), and then have three online sessions for the rest of the month.
Why choose this program: Flexible scheduling allows students to take as many or as few courses a semester as they want. Small class sizes foster indiÂvidual interaction between faculty and students. The state-of-the-art Business and Technology Center provides stuÂdents with an ideal environment in which to learn.
Kentucky State University
Location: Frankfort
Type: Public university
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: Not Available
Minimum Credit Hours: 30 hours with a bachelor’s in Business; 42 hours withÂout a Business bachelor’s
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: Varies based on schedule preference
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: General, Marketing, Management and Accounting
Campus Requirements: On-campus classes
Why choose this program: The Master of Business Administration degree proÂgrams are designed to prepare strategiÂcally thinking business professionals for successful careers in the private and public sectors.
Morehead State University
Location: Morehead
Type: State comprehensive university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: $579 per credit hour or $1,737 per course; $17,370 total.
Minimum Credit Hours: 30
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: Varies
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: General; Health Systems Management track requires 36 semester credit hours.
Campus Requirements: None
Why choose this program: MSU’s MBA program is offered in a 100 percent online environment. Students may comÂplete the program in as little as one year with no residency requirement. The proÂgram is designed for individuals seeking to improve their career success and is focused on working managers.
Murray State University
Location: Murray
Type: State comprehensive university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: $19,725
Per Credit Hour: $657.50
Minimum Credit Hours: 30
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
Online Concentrations: General; Human Resource Management. Other concentrations in the pipeline.
Campus Requirements: No
Why choose this program: Murray launched one of the nation’s first 100 percent online MBA programs in 2005 and thus has the depth and breadth of experience to advance the national and international business education needs of today’s student, who need come to Murray only for their commencement. All faculty have traditional PhDs, interÂnational experience and the mindset that students invest in an MBA to get value for money; they go out of their way to be helpful.
Under a rolling admissions process, students may start in the fall, spring or summer and finish at their own pace, takÂing a minimum of one graduate course at a time. The Canvas platform used for instruction provides the opportunity for students to network.
Northern Kentucky University
Location: Highland Heights
Type: State comprehensive university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: In-state: $629 per credit hour; $3,775 per semester for the six-semester program
Minimum Credit Hours: 36 credit hours
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: Two-year program; cohort-based; six straight semesters for completion
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: N/A
Campus Requirements: Two weekday evenings; classes are hybrid: two-thirds are in-class, one-third out of class (e.g. online lectures, group work, etc.)
Why choose this program: The MBA from NKU provides an integrated curÂriculum, hybrid courses and small cohort class sizes. The NKU MBA proÂgram has been nationally recognized and has achieved significant success in its four years in existence after having replaced the more traditional, disciÂpline-specific course delivery format that had existed at NKU since the proÂgram’s inception in 1979. The program offers a cohort-based, lock-step inteÂgrated curriculum, and in response to consumer and organizational changes, NKU is further adapting its program delivery and structure to offer more verÂsatility and customization while still delivering quality outcomes. This proÂgram will be admitting students for the Fall 2017 semester.
University of Kentucky One-Year Accelerated MBA Program
Location: Lexington
Type: State land grant, research university
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: Tuition: $12,428; plus program fee: $10,982
Minimum Credit Hours: 51 credit hours
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes. (Waived if applicant has a professional degree.)
Minimum Time Commitment: 11-month program; June to May
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: General MBA, but a number of certifiÂcate programs are available with addiÂtional classroom work, including project management, global commerce and strategy, and a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. No MBA courses are online, but all prerequisites can be completed online, including options through IVY software.
Campus Requirements: On-campus classes
Why choose this program: Gatton ColÂlege of Business and Economics’ accelÂerated option is an intensive, cross-disciplinary, hands-on experience to make graduates world ready for busiÂness. The teaching philosophy incorpoÂrates core business processes, including marketing, management and finance, as well as more technical courses in quantitative analysis, operations (supÂply chain) management, global manÂagement and data analysis. It includes corporate-critical areas such as leaderÂship, communication and presentation skills, ethics, and strategic thinking. Some curriculum takes place in interacÂtive corporate-setting learning laboratoÂries through the Project Connect team internship program.
University of Kentucky Professional Evening MBA Program
Location: Lexington
Type: State land grant, research university
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: Tuition: $718 per credit hour; plus program fee: $1,373 per semester
Minimum Credit Hours: 36 credit hours
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes. (Waived if the applicant has a professional degree.)
Minimum Time Commitment: Two-year or three-year tracks; fall and spring semesters; start dates are August and January each year.
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: General MBA, but a number of certificate programs are available with additional classroom work, including project management, global commerce and strategy, and a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Also, UK is launching this August 2016 a new MBA Healthcare concentration. No MBA courses are online, but all prerequisites can be completed online, including options through IVY software.
Campus Requirements: On-campus classes
Why choose this program: The UK Gatton College of Business and Economics Professional Evening track is designed for working professionals looking to succeed in a wide variety of professional contexts. Anchored by a series of rigorous foundation courses in economics, finance, marketing, management, accounting and information systems, the curriculum seeks to build upon the knowledge a working professional has already attained during his/her career. During the program, the students will enhance their leadership, communication, problem-solving, critical-thinking and team-building skills.
University of Kentucky/University of Louisville Joint Executive MBA Program
Location: Lexington and Louisville
Type: Public, research universities
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: $67,500 total cost, paid in four equal installments
Minimum Credit Hours: 46
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
Concentration: Executive skills for mid- to C-level professional.
Campus Requirements: Classes on camÂpus Fridays/Saturdays – half at UK, half at UofL
Why choose this program: The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have partnered to create an executive MBA program that will help students advance to the next stages of their professional careers. Designed for mid-level to C-level execuÂtives from for-profit, nonprofit and govÂernment organizations, the UK/UofL Executive MBA presents the leadership skills and hands-on tools needed to proÂpel their careers.
Designed with busy schedules in mind, the joint EMBA program is a cohorted program meeting every other Friday and Saturday over 20 months. The heart of the program allows stuÂdents to study and network with other business leaders while learning from faculty at both institutions who are on the cutting edge in their respective fields. The program was designed to bring the best and most experienced faculty together to work collaboratively with an elite set of business talent.
University of Louisville Full-Time MBA
Location: Louisville
Type: Public, research university
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: $32,000 Minimum Credit Hours: 45 or 48 (45 for non-internÂship track, 48 for internship track)
Minimum Time Commitment: 13 months
Why choose this program: The full-time MBA is a 13-month accelerated program ideal for recent college graduates and those seeking practical work experience. The competitive paid internship option allows students to gain work experience while offsetting the cost of tuition. The Class of 2015 saw a 94 percent job placeÂment rate. Students attend classes in the evenings while working the internship during the day. An international trip is integrated into the program (excluding airfare), exposing students to businesses and cultures around the world.
GMAT Required: Yes
Campus Requirements: UofL Belknap Campus
University of Louisville Professional (Part-time) MBA
Location: Louisville
Type: Public, research university
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: Tuition is $32,000 and includes an international trip
Minimum Credit Hours: 45
Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
Why choose this program: The ProfesÂsional MBA is a 20-month program for working professionals, offering evening or weekend class schedules. Its cohort- and team-based learning environment allows students to complete the program with the same group from start to finish. Focused electives allow specialization in healthcare, marketing and business anaÂlytics. An international trip is integrated in the program (excluding airfare), exposing students to businesses and culÂtures around the world.
GMAT Required: Yes
Campus Requirements: UofL Belknap Campus
University of Louisville Entrepreneurship MBA
Location: Louisville
Type: Public, research university
Accreditation: AACSB and SACS
Base Program Cost: $32,000
Minimum Credit Hours: 48 or 54 (48 for business consulting track, 54 for business plan competition track)
Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
Why choose this program: The EntrepreÂneurship MBA was created to give stuÂdents the skills needed to successfully launch a new business or provide innovaÂtive leadership within an existing organiÂzation. The cohort- and team-based learning environment offers energizing team-building and problem-solving expeÂriences. A track is available for students who want to compete in business plan competitions for real start-up capital and business plan feedback. The business conÂsulting track delivers learning experiences to students in real-world environments. An international trip is integrated into the program (excluding airfare), exposÂing students to businesses and cultures around the world.
GMAT Required: Yes
Campus Requirements: UofL Belknap Campus
Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green
Type: State comprehensive university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: Full-time general MBA is $16,995 tuition for Kentucky residents, $22,803 for non-residents; Professional MBA is $31,710; online MBA is $20,394 (estimated 4 percent tuition increase for 2016-2017).
Minimum Credit Hours: 33 hours for full-time general and online MBA, 36 hours for PMBA
GMAT Required: Yes, for the full-time and online programs but not for the PMBA program, which requires five years of qualifying managerial or proÂfessional experience.
Minimum Time Commitment: One year for general MBA; two years for PMBA; 18 months to five years to comÂplete online MBA.
Concentrations: General
Campus Requirements: Yes, for full-time general MBA and PMBA.
Why choose this program: WKU has flexibility with three separate programs to meet the diverse needs of today’s stuÂdents with online, weekend and accelÂerated-delivery methods. The quality of the programs is reflected in WKU gradÂuates’ scores on the MBA exit exam used nationally. The PMBA ranks in the top 5 percent nationally; the online program ranks in the top 10 percent; and the full-time program ranks in the top 20 percent.
PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES
Sullivan University
Location: Louisville
Type: Four-year, private
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Base Program Cost: $26,160
Per Credit Hour: $545
Minimum Credit Hours: 48
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
Concentrations: Accounting, healthÂcare management, hospitality manageÂment, public management, strategic human capital management
Campus Requirements: Offered on campus and online
Why choose this program: The masters in business program at Sullivan UniverÂsity is a career-focused program that enables students to individualize their educational interests. The curricÂulum is designed to develop skills in leadership, team-building, communicaÂtions, decision-making, critical thinkÂing, analysis, and research techniques. The program meets the marketÂplace need for professionals with manaÂgerial skills (both qualitative and quantitative) in the problem-solving realm. The commitment is to the stuÂdent and their career through focused, hands-on education.
PRIVATE NON-PROFIT COLLEGES
Asbury University
Location: Wilmore
Type: Private, Christian, Liberal Arts
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program Cost: $592 per credit hour
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: Yes
Time Commitment: 20 months on traÂditional cohort track; 4+1 programs for bachelor’s and MBA in five years and for MBA Accounting; at-own-pace track available
Campus Requirements: One week at end of program for capstone presentaÂtions and graduation.
Why choose this program: The Howard Dayton School of Business equips comÂmitted business leaders for the purpose of eliminating economic, social and spiritual poverty around the world. Asbury’s mission is to provide a rigorÂous, student-centric education that emphasizes collaboration, critical and innovative thinking while curating and cultivating integrity and character. Asbury offers four different cohort
Bellarmine University
Location: Louisville
Type: Independent, private, Catholic university
Accreditation: AACSB
Base Program Cost: Tuition is subject to change on a yearly basis. Cost per credit hour: $730 (beginning Fall 2016); additional costs: $2,000 internaÂtional trip; $1,100 case fees
Minimum Credit Hours: 48
GMAT Required: Combination of GMAT and cumulative GPA taken
Time Commitment: Varies based on schedule preference
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: Beginning in Fall 2015: finance, healthÂcare leadership, marketing, strategic consulting, taxation
Campus Requirements: On-campus classes
Why choose this program: Bellarmine’s MBA is taught by faculty with a combiÂnation of professional and academic experience, offering real-world perÂspectives on practical business soluÂtions. With Bellarmine’s flexible programs, students can earn an MBA on weeknights or weekends at the same cost as the state schools.
Brescia University
Location: Owensboro
Type: Private, faith-based
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Base Program Cost: N/A
Per Credit Hour: $500/credit hour
Minimum Credit Hours: 33
GMAT Required: No. Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5
Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
Campus Requirements: Yes. CompleÂtion of pre-requisite courses if not already completed during undergraduÂate study
Why choose this program: The MBA proÂgram is designed to make furthering eduÂcation manageable even with the busy schedule of work, family and daily life. This program typically takes about three semesters of full-time study to complete. Classes generally meet every other SaturÂday for eight weeks for a total of four class meetings.
Campbellsville University
Location: Campbellsville
Type: Private, faith-based
Accreditation: IACBE
Base Program Cost: $17,568
Per Credit Hour: $488 currently; $499 after July 1
Minimum Credit Hours: 36 hours
GMAT/GRE Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
Concentrations: Church management, healthcare management, human resource management, information technology, international business, marketing
Campus Requirements: Campus requirements are the same as online.
Why choose this program: The MBA at Campbellsville University is affordable and customizable. Non-business stuÂdents have the opportunity to work through an online primer to gain the knowledge needed to get started. EthÂics is the common thread that is woven through the program and an aspect that is desired in today’s global marketÂplace. It can be completed in two years or as little as one year depending on the student’s graduation goals. The professors are professional and availÂable. The courses are streamlined and student friendly.
McKendree University
Location: Louisville, Radcliff and Online
Type: Independent, private, nonprofit
Accreditation: IACBE
Base Program Cost: Tuition is subject to change on a yearly basis. Cost per credit hour: $480 (beginning Fall 2016)
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: No
Time Commitment: 12- 24 months. Varies based on schedule preference
Campus Requirements: Both the MasÂter of Business Administration (MBA) and the MBA with Human Resource Management Concentration programs focus on integrated learning experiÂences, which allow students to develop problem-solving and team-building skills in an environment where they can learn from both the faculty and each other. The format allows students to balance professional and personal schedules while completing the degree.
Midway University
Location: Midway
Type: Four-year, private
Accreditation: Overall institutional accreditation is from SACSCOC; no specific MBA program accreditation
Base Program Cost: $16,380 (30 credit hours); with area of concentration $19,656 (36 credit hours)
Per Credit Hour: $546
Minimum Credit Hours: 30 hours – general MBA; 36 hours – MBA with speÂcialization
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: The genÂeral MBA program can be completed in 12 to 15 months. An MBA with specializaÂtion can be completed in as little as 18 months. Most students complete the proÂgram in 24 months or less.
Concentrations: Four concentrations are offered completely online – equine studies, healthcare administration, tourism and event management, and sport management.
Campus Requirements: The tourism and event management area of concenÂtration courses are offered on the MidÂway campus and provide hands-on training in the cultural aspects of KenÂtucky’s bourbon industry.
None for the general MBA program, which can be completed 100 percent online, and none for the other three areas of concentrations, which also can be completed 100 percent online.
Why choose this program: The program offers students a high level of personal attention and is affordable, with a comÂpetitive credit-hour tuition rate in the market and many financial options for students. Midway’s faculty supports stuÂdents in the online learning environÂment, are responsive to their individualized needs and always availÂable for in-person, phone or online chat sessions to answer questions. The unique areas of concentration allow stuÂdents to all have the same foundation coursework but specialize in one of four workforce segments that are important to the regional economy of Kentucky: equine, healthcare, tourism and sports.
Spalding University
Program: Master of Science in Business Communication (MSBC) at Spalding University’s School of Business. AccordÂing to Spalding officials: “We have learned over the 10-year tenure of this program that the MSBC is much more relevant for many as compared to the MBA, depending on the desired career path of the individual.”
Location: Louisville
Type: Private, faith-based
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Base Program Cost: $20,295
Per Credit Hour: $615
Minimum Credit Hours: 33
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 10 months
Concentrations: Organizational leaderÂship (OL), nonprofit administration (NA), healthcare management (HM), or accounting concentrations.
Campus Requirements: All courses can be taken face-to-face or online
Why choose this program: The MSBC curÂriculum prepares business professionals to communicate within and across disciÂplines and business functions of their organizations, as well as up and down organizational hierarchies. The role of communication in business decisions is the thread that runs through all courses and links them together. MSBC students have a unique opportunity to develop traÂditional business competencies while improving interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. Each course within the program is developed to incorporate all of these aspects, as well as critical and strategic thinking skills. The result is gradÂuates with strong capabilities in problem solving, prioritizing, making the right/ethical decisions and managing self and others. Employers continually express their desire to have a labor pool with this skillset. Graduates of the MSBC program fulfill this need.
Thomas More College
Location: Crestview Hills
Type: Private
Accreditation: SACSCOC and ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $20,280
Per Credit Hour: $520
Minimum Credit Hours: 39
GMAT Required: Yes, if applicant GPA below 2.7
Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
Campus Requirements: Available online or in classroom
Why choose this program: Through the use of the continuing case project, the Thomas More graduate program offers a comprehensive look at decision makÂing from a broad-based perspective. The Masters Project in the Thomas More curriculum allows students to apply business research techniques in a very hands-on approach. Students find that this allows them to establish a critiÂcal link between academic theory and business application.
University of Pikeville (UPIKE)
Location: Pikeville
Type: Private
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Base Program Cost: $14,796
Per Credit Hour: $411
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
Campus Requirements: Yes
Why choose this program: The ColeÂman College of Business at UPIKE offers two options in the MBA program: the MBA in management and an MBA in healthcare management. The proÂgram is delivered in the evenings and online, providing the flexibility to earn a degree while working.
University of the Cumberlands
Location: Williamsburg
Type: Private, faith-based
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Base Program Cost: $9,450 (tuition); $50 technology fee (per bi-term)
Per Credit Hour: $315
Minimum Credit Hours: 30
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
Concentrations/Online Concentrations: Accounting. Other concentrations coming online this summer and fall: strategic management, entrepreneurÂship, marketing, nonprofit administraÂtion, and healthcare administration.
Campus Requirements: No
Why choose this program: The University of the Cumberlands’ MBA program offers support and flexibility for working profesÂsionals while also providing students with a rich curriculum with challenging assignÂments, group projects, online courses and the most current and relevant case studÂies. Students will have instructors who are experts in their field and advisors who are knowledgeable and accessible, as well as unique networking opportunities and career preparation.
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