Arizona State University MBA Program: A Comprehensive Overview
Arizona State University (ASU) offers a variety of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs through its W. P. Carey School of Business, catering to diverse student needs and career goals. These programs are designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and network necessary to excel in today's dynamic business environment. The W. P. Carey School of Business is committed to building a tight-knit community.
Diverse MBA Program Options
ASU offers several MBA program formats, including full-time, part-time (evening), online, and executive MBA options. This allows students to choose a program that aligns with their personal and professional commitments. No matter which MBA degree you choose, you will grow as a person and emerge with a new perspective on business, yourself, and the world and gain tools and connections you can leverage for life.
Full-Time MBA
The full-time MBA program at ASU is designed for individuals who want to immerse themselves in graduate studies and take classes during the day. This program prepares students to lead and adapt to the rapid changes and new realities in business, equipping them to navigate the uncertainty and ambiguity of a rapidly changing global economy. The full-time MBA program meets the rapid changes and new realities in business and prepares students to be adaptable in the face of the uncertainty and ambiguity of a rapidly changing global economy.
Small class sizes support individual learning, promote student-faculty interaction, and encourage personal and professional development. The curriculum is rooted in the transformation of both the students and current business practices and is supported by each of the eight academic units within the W. P. Carey School of Business. Group projects and access to different organizations give students the tools to be ready to make a difference in their community and in the world upon graduation. Students connect with internationally renowned faculty who bring years of real-world experience and innovative research into the classroom.
The MBA program transforms students into leaders who can navigate circumstances filled with ambiguity. Students are able to complete the MBA simultaneously with other W. P. Carey School of Business graduate degrees in as little as two years after their first semester of study.
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Evening MBA
The evening MBA program is designed for working professionals seeking to continue working full time while attending school. The program can be completed in 21 months, depending on course formats, and begins in the fall or spring for added flexibility.
A W. P. Carey School of Business MBA stands apart from many part-time MBA programs that offer a core business curriculum with very little specialization. With more than 40 electives and options to add concurrent degrees and technical certificates, students can fit their MBA with their passions and pursue a degree at the same time. The MBA program is supported by each of the eight academic units within the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Online MBA
The Arizona State University WP Carey School of Business offers an online master of business administration (MBA). The online degree carries the same high rank as the on-campus MBA and is taught by the same faculty. An online MBA can offer the flexibility needed for busy working professionals, while still fostering a close-knit community during the program. An MBA from the WP Carey School of Business can prepare professionals to manage more effectively in areas of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Students also learn to think more creatively and have a deeper understanding of business management, ethics, and global business in all areas.
The W. P. Carey Online MBA is a STEM-designated program that is offered 100% online with the same courses and faculty as on-campus MBA programs. Typically, students enroll in 5-week courses, 3 credit hours at a time, and have the opportunity to customize the MBA with concurrent degrees, concentrations, and elective options. Optional synchronous learning sessions are offered in each class. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with five start options each year.
The online MBA consists of classes lasting five weeks each. The degree consists of 17 courses for a total of 49 credits. Most students take one course per five-week session, which allows them to continue a full-time career while balancing work, school, and family life. Each course has a final exam or final project during the fifth week. Students can choose to attend full-time and take up to 18 credits in the spring and fall and up to seven credits in the summer.
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Executive MBA
The executive Master of Business Administration program is designed for senior leaders with increasing responsibility managing people, projects and budgets. The MBA program provides a solid foundation and knowledge base in the core business disciplines, enabling students to develop the analytic capabilities and decision-making and leadership skill sets required to effectively integrate decisions into the business environment. Students learn how to refine their management skills and contribute more substantially to their organization and society.
Classes meet one weekend per month on campus, convenient for travel from within Arizona and surrounding states. A summer experience in Washington, D.C., and an international practicum help students see the world of business in a new way. The program is completed in 21 months and is supported by each of the eight academic units within the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Curriculum Overview
The MBA programs at ASU provide a solid foundation in core business disciplines, with opportunities for specialization and customization. The curriculum is delivered in a case-based, team-oriented learning environment. Students develop analytic, decision-making, and leadership skill sets essential to making sound business decisions. Through a comprehensive business curriculum taught by distinguished faculty, the MBA program enhances students' current strengths and helps them immediately impact their organizations.
Core Courses
Students complete a set of core courses designed to provide a foundation in business knowledge and skills. Core courses include:
- Sources of competitive advantage
- Career coaching
- Leading people, teams, and organization
- Statistics for managers
- Financial performance reporting
- Operations and supply management
- Managerial economics
- Marketing management
- Art of managing resources
- Ethical issues for managers
- Managerial accounting
- Strategic management (capstone course)
The core course is designed to provide a foundation in business knowledge and skills and must be taken in the prescribed sequence.
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Electives and Specializations
Elective courses provide additional depth and breadth to enhance an area of emphasis, students' knowledge base, and career goals. With more than 40 electives and options to add concurrent degrees and technical certificates, students can tailor their MBA to their passions and career aspirations. Elective or specialization courses build upon the business core and center on the further development of a specialization. There may be additional requirements that vary by specialization.
Elective courses may be taken off-site or fully online. Off-site electives are offered through partnerships with international universities.
International Business Curriculum
Elective courses may be taken off-site or fully online. Off-site electives are offered through partnerships with international universities.
Leadership Curriculum
Elective courses focus on topics including effective leadership and principles of leadership.
Marketing Curriculum
Elective courses focus on topics including services marketing and management.
All MBA students are required to complete electives in order to graduate.
Dual and Concurrent Degrees
In addition to the MBA, students have the option to earn dual or concurrent degrees with their MBA. Note that dual degree students must begin in August.
- MBA/Master of Legal Studies (MLS): This online program includes a total of 63 credits and is 100 percent online. The curriculum integrates business and law courses, providing a comprehensive understanding of both fields.
- MBA/Master of Science (MSE) in Electrical Engineering: This online program consists of at least 57 credits, taking 11 courses from the MBA and eight from the MSE program. It is designed for individuals holding a BS in electrical engineering and possessing at least one year of professional work experience, with a preference for two years.
- MBA/MS in Industrial Engineering: This online program consists of at least 57 credits over three years, taking 11 courses from the MBA and eight from the MS program. Students can pursue one of four focus tracks in the industrial engineering degree portion: quality and reliability engineering, information systems and management systems engineering, operations research and production systems, and logistics/supply chain engineering.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
Global Experience
Studying abroad is possible for graduate students. More than 50 program opportunities are available, with programs on every continent. Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business. This program has a highly competitive admission process.
General admission requirements include:
- GMAT/GRE test scores
- Official transcripts
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Short answer questions
- Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL test scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English)
Letters of recommendation should focus on the applicantâs commitment, achievements, motivation, work experience and opportunity for success through the program.
While there are no business course prerequisites, potential students must demonstrate strong quantitative ability and effective written and oral communication skills.
Online Experience
The WP Carey Business School MBA begins with a mandatory online orientation with required attendance modules as well as self-paced modules. Students meet faculty, staff, and fellow students who will be with them throughout the program. The university offers in-house technical support staff to help with any tech problems students may encounter.
Courses and assignments are planned well in advance to help busy professionals plan their time wisely. With a mostly asynchronous model, students can watch classes at their convenience and complete assignments as necessary. Note that some lectures or meetings may be at a scheduled time, and some tests or assignments may have a limited timeframe for completion.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition figures are calculated based on credits, at the currently published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, the out of state, part-time student rate is used. The tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees. With the frequency of changing tuition rates, online students should contact the admissions department of the MBA program for exact costs.
The ASU WP Carey Business School offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, federal work study, and on-campus jobs. Applicants are also encouraged to seek outside resources for help paying for their MBA degree. Some companies may offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees seeking an MBA.
Rankings and Accolades
The W. P. Carey School of Business is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the nation. These rankings reflect the school's commitment to academics, groundbreaking research, and positive student outcomes.
Arizona State University (Carey) is ranked No. 7 out of 356 in Best Online MBA Programs. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
A Connected MBA
One of the biggest challenges that leaders face today is fostering a sense of shared values and united purpose within organizations that are far flung and diverse. Through a Connected MBA designed for where the world is headed, W. P. Carey aims to address this challenge.
Being able to build meaningful, authentic, collaborative relationships that bring out the best in everyone is an essential skill for any leader. At W. P. Carey, the motto reflects this ethos: Where Business is Personal. They really do try to make Where Business is Personal true. The school wants you to be involved. The majority of the staff work on the third floor of McCord Hall, and us MBA students practically live in McCord Hall. You walk past people and itâs such a friendly environment.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are key to our curriculum and your experience. Students not only benefit from high-touch programming, but also see firsthand how powerful connection can be in driving organizations to do great things.
Being a connected leader means having a holistic understanding of people, ideas, and context. W. P. Carey MBA graduates see the big picture, tackle problems from multiple perspectives, and can link seemingly unrelated ideas in unexpected and novel ways.
Career Services
The W. P. Carey Career Services Center supports student and alumni career journeys from day one to graduation and beyond. More than 650 organizations in over 35 industries partner directly with W. P. Carey. The W. P. Carey Career Services Center will support your professional development as an MBA student and after you graduate.
Custom Corporate MBA
ASU offers a âcustom corporate MBAâ in which students graduate with strong skills in strategic thinking and decision-making focused on an employerâs specific business. Students participating in a custom corporate MBA can gain a better understanding of their specific company, its competitive environment, and production processes. Additionally, students can take advantage of the network of colleagues who also participate in the custom MBA. Send a select group of employees through a W. P. Carey MBA that is specifically designed around your firmâs strategic objectives.
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