The Atlanta Metro’s Top Online MBAs
With its status as the country’s eight-largest economy and the world’s seventeenth largest, the Atlanta Metro stands tall as one of the best locations in which to pursue an MBA. The city boasts a rich concentration of Fortune 500 companies, and it is also home to such global giants as The Coca Cola Company, AT&T and Home Depot. This combination provides a perfect invitation for those who have already begun a career, as well as to those who are just beginning the journey.
The option to pursue an MBA online, either full-time or as part of a wider curriculum delivery, holds great appeal for students at any level. Here is a look at some of Atlanta’s top online MBAs:
Goizueta Business School
Emory University Goizueta Business School’s Modular Executive MBA is designed for those with a “proven track record” exhibited by an advanced level of work experience. A résumé is required for admission, along with an interview, two letters of recommendation and four essays.
The Modular Executive MBA provides a combination of in-person and distance learning, and the curriculum is designed to attend to the needs of the already pressing demands of an executive’s work/life balance. The in-person portion is comprised of ten week long residencies that feature immersive courses which serve as building blocks for each other.
The distance learning component offers is one of this delivery method’s originators; it was founded over a decade ago. Distance learning MBAs use online conference tools and digital modules that allow for collaboration and interaction from any location. Goizueta provides a helpful sample schedule on its MEMBA website that shows a typical week for a distance learner.
Michael J. Coles College of Business
The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is ranked 29th out of nearly 200 schools in 2015 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the country’s best Online MBA Programs. Coles, a public university, is known for both its high quality and its affordability. The 2015-16 tuition was $408 per credit for full or part-time and in-state or out of state students. The program was founded during the 2001-02 academic year.
Meant for MBAs who require a highly flexible course schedule, the degree commences with a two-day orientation, followed by exclusively online learning. The focus at Coles is on virtual collaboration. Instruction parallels in-person learning and uses the same course materials. The only difference from the on-campus MBA is the program’s delivery method. After 20 months comprised of five consecutive terms, students earn their degrees. Admissions requirements include a résumé, GMAT scores, an essay and official transcripts. Notably, applicants must possess an undergrad degree from an accredited institution, but it does not have to be in business.
Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics
Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics provides the advantage of an accelerated 18-month online MBA. Aimed toward those wishing to advance their leadership skills, the program provides students with in-person interaction with peers and professors to augment their online learning.
For those students with the schedule to allow in-person learning, Stetson offers a hybrid option as well. The Stetson online MBA, like many others, offers the same learning materials and instructors as in-person classes. Students are required to complete 21 hours of core courses in areas that include accounting, marketing, finance, economics, corporate responsibility and business law.
Online study culminates in a capstone program that comprises three of the 36-45 credit hours required for completion.
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business – Georgia State University offers a hybrid in-class and online learning MBA for working professionals. The two year program has a focus on experiential learning in such areas as data analytics, a startup challenge, numerous networking activities and team building workshops.
Broken down into 75/25 percent in-person and online learning, this program is geared toward students with a greater amount of freedom in their working schedules. It requires four-plus years of professional experience, and it is geared toward professionals with their sights set upon specific management skill sets.
Robinson’s core requirements include courses in global management, strategic business communication, corporate ethics and analytics.
Graduates of Robinson have taken their MBA degrees toward success at such organizations as the ADP Corporation, Boston Scientific, Home Depot, Novelis and T-Mobile.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
