Online MBA No GMAT Programs

Working professionals who want to advance their careers or switch roles in business should always consider a master’s degree in business administration. Graduate students of an MBA online program learn from various topics such as strategic management, marketing management, financial management, health resource management, human resources, organizational behavior, supply chain management,  international business, business world, healthcare management, business analytics, and more. MBA graduates gain holistic business skills and are primed to take on more responsible duties in various work settings.

Some crucial factors one should keep in mind while pursuing an online MBA program include the following:

• One should choose programs that national, programmatic, and regional agencies accredit. Accreditation experts review the information to determine if the school provides high-quality instruction in the MBA program to meet the accreditation standards. 
• One needs to consider the tuition cost when pursuing an online MBA. One should look at the total attendance cost and not just the cost of tuition.
• One must check if the business schools accept GMAT or GRE scores. If the schools waive this requirement, then it’s necessary to evaluate what other credentials are needed instead of postgraduate degrees, professional certifications, high GPAs, and professional work experience to replace test scores.
• The quality of faculty needs to be determined by considering components like if they instruct grad students. Are they full-time faculty? Do they have practical experience? Are they resourceful and have experience in the domain?
• A prospective online MBA student must check if the university they plan to pursue the program has good support and functionality, with tech support.
• One can evaluate a university’s reputation when deciding whether to pursue the program. Potential employers often assess the schools’ reputation and can make it easier to determine if one wants to invest in the MBA degree. 
• Evaluating academic support is crucial as it determines how much one can connect with classmates and instructors. The support should expand beyond just having faculty members. It could include other factors like student success managers, instructor feedback, and additional assistance or resources. 
• Some individuals pursuing an MBA want flexibility, as they already work or have other commitments. Therefore, one should check if the program is flexible and decide if their schedule is more inclined to asynchronous or synchronous classes.

Curriculum

Whether or not a college of business requires the GMAT or GRE, it is essential to note that GMAT online MBA programs, on-campus programs, or programs with no GMAT offer similar curricula in which the same faculty members often teach core courses. Most MBA curriculum has a unique structure and offer flexibility. The cross-functional, intensive core coursework provides business basics, and the communication, analytical, and leadership skills are critical to the student’s success. 

Both online MBA programs, with or without the GMAT score, will have these core courses in the following areas:

• Strategic Management
• The foundation of Teamwork and Leadership
• Supply Chain Management
• International Business
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing Management
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Operations Management
• Financial Management
• Managerial Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Microeconomics for Managers
• Statistics

The applied curricula emphasize real-world experiences and career education. Capstone courses in the MBA program allow one to work on real-world projects for organizations seeking solutions.

Accredited Programs

Accreditation organizations are independent agencies that determine all components of an MBA degree- faculty, retention and graduation rates, alum reference, student body, and curricula. A graduate student must always enroll in an accredited online MBA programmatically accredited or in a college of business with regional accreditation.

Three organizations accredit MBA degrees programmatically:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education   

Universities can also be regionally accreditated through one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, including:

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

More information on regional accreditation is available in the Accreditation Guide.   

Time It Takes to Complete the Degree

A full-time MBA degree generally takes 1 to 2 years to complete in the U.S. From a full-time and on-campus degree, one can choose from different programs based on one’s needs. The months or years it takes to complete an MBA will depend on their path. Finding an online MBA that does not require a GMAT that fits a student’s needs is essential. This section details the timeline and necessary commitment to complete the MBA.

Admission Requirements

An MBA is one of the most sought-after degrees globally. Different institutions require different entry requirements. Some are mentioned below:

• Completed MBA application forms
• Business school course prerequisites and foundational basics like calculus, economics, economic statistics, financial management, operations research, and financial accounting
• An undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent
• Minimum of two or three years of professional experience, depending on one’s responsibilities (however, some colleges accept candidates without work experience)
• Statement of Purpose  
• Personal Statement 
• MBA application essay
• Letter of Intent
• Résumé for Graduate School  
• Two to three professional recommendations
• MBA Admission tests like GMAT or GRE (Many schools now waive these test requirements to make it easier for applicants with several years of professional experience)  
• Proof of English Proficiency like IELTS or TOEFL for International candidates

Although some business colleges prefer students with work experience, many candidates are accepted without professional backgrounds. The priority will, however, be given to those with work experience. Some admission boards take internships or other field experience into account; however, these kinds of experiences are seen as supplementary.

Historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, focus on business education. They aim to prepare the black community for leadership, entrepreneurial roles, and ambitions. Such HBCUs play a very crucial role in uplifting black business education. While choosing an HBCU, one must consider factors like diverse community resources like classroom discussion, student clubs, and extracurricular activities; cost; positive outcomes of schools; and alum network. Some of the top HBCU online MBA no GMAT include

• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• North Carolina A&T State University
• Morgan State University
• North Carolina Central University
• Howard University
• Delaware State University
• Fayetteville State University
• Prairie View A & M University
• Texas Southern University
• Jackson State University
• Lincoln University
• Albany State University 

Ivy League colleges are known for providing quality MBA degrees. These colleges offer a strong alum network and have other great benefits that prepare students to be esteemed professionals in the business world. Some of the Ivy League online MBA no GMAT programs are provided by:

• Harvard Business School
• Columbia Business School Academics
• Yale School of Management
• The Wharton School-University of Pennsylvania
• Tuck School of Business-Dartmouth College
• Brown University
• SC Johnson College-Cornell University

Prospective MBA students must expand their view of the field and understand their professional requirements. They can join organizations and look up resources online that will help them gain in-depth knowledge and outlook of professionals with an MBA. Some additional resources one can look up include:

• American Management Association
  The American Management Association, or AMA, is a non-profit, international, membership-based association that comprehensively understands management development and educational services to organizations and individuals. This organization’s members can access free seminars, web events, quarterly surveys, research reports, e-newsletters, skill assessments, and more. 
• Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business 
  The AFA aims to provide mutual assistance for persons interested in finance, improve public understanding of financial challenges, and exchange financial ideas by distributing resources like periodicals. They also encourage the study of finance in schools and conduct activities appropriate for a professional non-profit society in the finance domain.
• Institute of Management Accountants
  This organization has over 140,000 members in around 150 countries. They aim to lead resources for certifying, connecting, and supporting the business’s best financial and accounting professionals. IMA upholds high ethical standards in businesses and helps members to abide by ethical professional practice. 
• Reaching Out
  This organization aims to increase the significance of the LGBTQ+ community in business by inspiring, connecting, and educating MBA alums and current students. They conduct many national and regional events annually, including fellowship programs, national scholarship programs, leadership submissions, virtual conferences, and more.