Popular AACSB Online MBA with No GMAT


There are many online MBA programs today that do not require you to take the GMAT. However, there are fewer programs that also are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This is one of the primary accreditation agencies in the country for colleges and universities, and only about 15% of online colleges are accredited by this body.

Featured Online MBA AACSB accredited schools include the following:

University of Dayton

The University of Dayton features an AACSB accredited MBA program that may be completed in as little as one year, if you qualify. This program is well suited for experienced business professionals who want to improve their business leadership and administrative skills so that they can advance to the next level in their company. Graduates from this program have demonstrated strong growth in their leadership and business management skills that lead to a more dynamic career path.

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More information:

  • Location: Dayton, Ohio
  • Delivery Format: Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Per Credit Cost: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Waiver option for three or more years of related work experience
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Work Experience: 3+ years
  • Program Offered: Online MBA
  • MBA Concentrations: Multiple
  • Request Info Direct: University of Dayton

Syracuse University

The online MBA at Syracuse University is an excellent way to build your leadership and management skills so that you can elevate your career to a higher level. This program is highly ranked by respected MBA ranking authorities, and has specialties available in accounting, business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing management and supply chain management. The business school also is well known for providing excellent career support to both online and on campus students.

More information:

  • Location: Syracuse, New York
  • Delivery Format: Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Per Credit Cost: $1,374
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Waiver is available if you have more than five years of professional work experience
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Work Experience: 3+ years
  • Note Worthy: #10 ranked online MBA program by The Financial Times; #20 best online MBA by The Princeton Review; and #5 best business school for vets by The Military Times
  • Programs Offered: MBA, Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Analytics
  • Get Enrollment Info: Syracuse University

American University Kogod School of Business

American Univ Kogod School of Business MBA program is an especially student-centered graduate program that teaches you not only business management and leadership skills. It also will impart upon you the importance of collaborative learning and strong interpersonal relationships in the workplace. The relationships you build here with students, professors and business leaders will have a significant impact on your career growth.

More information:

  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Delivery Format: Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Per Credit Cost: $1,642
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Work Experience: 3+ years
  • Note Worthy: Ranked as a top 50 business school according to Bloomberg Businessweek
  • Programs Offered: MBA, Master of Business Analytics
  • Get Enrollment Info: American Univ Kogod School of Business

Abilene Christian University

  • Location: Abilene TX
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools; AACSB
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Work Experience: 2+ Years required
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • Program Offered: Online MBA
  • MBA Concentrations: General MBA, Analytics, Information Technology Leadership, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Healthcare Administration
  • Request Info Direct: Abilene Christian University

Washington State University

U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked the WSU Carson College of Business among the Top 25 Best Online Graduate MBA Programs.  WSU is also among two percent of business schools worldwide to achieve accreditation at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels from AACSB International. *Featured Partner School

  • Campus: Online
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Per Credit Hour: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Waiver
  • Work Experience: 7+ Years required
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • Program Offered: Online MBA
  • MBA Concentrations: Marketing, Finance, International Business
  • Additional Options: Executive MBA
  • Request Info Direct: Washington State University

Rutgers University

The modern business world is extremely competitive and ever changing. To stand out, you must distinguish yourself as a transformational business leader with the skills to drive strategy and deliver positive results. This kind of expertise is exactly what the the Online Master of Business Administration program at Rutgers School of Business-Camden aims to impart. *Featured Partner School

  • Location: Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Work Experience: 5+ Years required
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • Program Offered: Online MBA
  • MBA Concentrations: Marketing, Finance, Government, Health care, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Retail, Telecommunications

Northeastern University

  • Location: Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Waiver
  • Work Experience: 7+ Years required
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Program Offered: Online MBA
  • MBA Concentrations: General MBA, Finance, Healthcare Management, High Technology Management, Innovation Entrepreuership, International Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability.
  • Request Info Direct: Northeastern University

Auburn University

Campus: Online
Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Per Credit Hour: $9858 per year in state; $26,382 out of state
GRE/GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid

New York University-Stern

Campus: Online
Accreditation: AACSB
Per Credit Hour: $61,274 per year
GRE/GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid

Howard University

Campus: Online
Accreditation: AACSB
Per Credit Hour: $62,500 total for the entire program
GRE/GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid

Colorado State University

Campus: Online
Accreditation: AACSB
Per Credit Hour: $34,800 for the entire program
GRE/GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid

Hofstra University

Campus: Online
Accreditation: AACSB
Per Credit Hour: $67,100 for the entire program
GRE/GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site: Tuition | Financial Aid

There are many online MBA programs available today, but only a limited number of these programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This is one of the top accreditation agencies in the country for colleges and universities, and only 5% of so of the 16,000 universities around the world have AACSB accreditation.

About AACSB Accreditation

AACSB accreditation is especially important for online MBA programs. This is because these online business degrees are still fairly new, and some people may still question their value. But if your MBA is accredited by the AACSB, that is put to rest.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a voluntary process that features an extremely rigorous, external review of a school’s or program’s ability to provide high quality education. The accreditation process is a complete review of the mission of a school or program. It includes a review of faculty qualifications, curricula, and more. Accreditation by a respected accreditation body ensures that the students there are receiving a high quality education in their field of study.

AACSB – The Standard Bearer in Business Education Quality

By attending a school that is accredited, you will enjoy great peace of mind as you proceed through the program. It is well known throughout the American business world that the AACSB is one of the most rigorous accreditation bodies for business programs.

The AACSB has provided accreditation to business schools since 1919. The founding members of the AACSB are some of the most respected universities in the country today. Today, there are more than 620 member institutions in a total of 38 countries. Students all over the world can choose from many AACSB-accredited MBA programs, either online or based on campus. And you also can choose an AACSB-accredited program in many concentrations:

AACSB Accreditation Overview

The AACSB performs a complete evaluation of a business program on site every few years. It uses only the highest quality standards to look at all aspects of the business program, including:

  • Teaching methods
  • Instructors and professors
  • Student learning measures
  • Quality of curriculum
  • Institutional development
  • Global awareness
  • Quality of research

AACSB standards are demanding and strict. At least 85% of AACSB-accredited programs have stated that the organization’s approval process is the most difficult of all accreditation agencies. The accreditation process is very rigorous and can last two years or longer.

AACSB Accreditation Details

Member schools have to apply for accreditation, and if they are accepted, they have to develop a game plan to align their academic standards with the AACSB. At that point the school will proceed with a self and on site AACSB evaluation. Accreditation must be reauthorized every five years.

Once it is decided that a program’s general educational experience could potentially reflect high AACSB standards, the university begins the accreditation process. The school works closely with committees, mentors and the AACSB to generate a Standards Alignment Plan. Once this plan is met and approximately two years before the on site review, the school is assigned what is called a peer review team chief.

This official works with the school’s administrators to come up with a schedule for a lengthy evaluation visit, and tells the school to develop a self evaluation report. The school must prepare a highly detailed review of its business program, and outline how well it compares to standards set by the AACSB.

The peer review team assesses the self evaluation report prior to visiting the school for the evaluation on site. After the team visits the school, it will prepare a report. In the report, it will recommend accreditation, deferral or no accreditation. Both the review committee and the AACSB board of directors makes the final decision whether to accredit the program nor not.

High Quality Business Academics

All serious universities in the US have to be accredited; the majority are accredited by one of the regional accreditation bodies recognized by the US Department of Education. But there is a big difference between the regional accreditation of the university, and the accreditation of a school’s MBA program by the AACSB.

It means something that the university has taken another step to obtain a very rigorous, second accreditation that only applies to its business or accounting program. It means that the university has gone through the accreditation process twice.

That tough process pays dividends: AACSB schools routinely state that the additional accreditation process has improved the quality of their MBA program.

High Quality Faculty

Being accredited by the AACSB has another major advantage: It allows the university hire the best business professors and researchers. Also, online MBA programs with this accreditation tend to recruit more international students, and those with higher GPAs. Having a higher quality pool of students leads to a better overall MBA experience for all attendees.

Excellent Reputation

AACSB-accredited MBA programs usually feature high quality academic opportunities for its students. This results in degrees that are extremely rigorous and well known throughout the world for their quality. After graduation, many MBA holders find that they have many lucrative job opportunities available.

This strong reputation can be seen in the sheer numbers. According to Businessweek.com, approximately 12,000 schools across the world provide some type of business degree. But under 10% of them have AASCB accreditation. This means that if your program has been so accredited, it automatically is the cream of the crop, so to speak.

It is important for your business school to be in the top tier; most of the best global corporations will only recruit talent from the best business schools. Graduates from AACSB-accredited programs also get higher salaries due to the high reputation of the accreditation body.

The Difference Is Clear

The AACSB has reported that some corporations have noted differences between employees that attended MBA programs that are accredited by the AACSB and those that are not. One company determined that workers who did not attend an accredited program had a lower level of knowledge and performance.

To summarize, the AACSB accreditation seal means a great deal in the business education world. You should look for AACSB accreditation for any MBA program that you are considering.

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