MBA

A Curriculum at the Intersection of Business and Policy

The online MBA program prepares students to apply leadership and financial analysis skills to help businesses operate more effectively across a wide range of industries. The curriculum features in-person immersions, during which students learn from leading experts in business capitals around the world, and the opportunity to select electives that personalize learning toward career goals.

In-Person Immersions

The curriculum includes two in-person immersions that allow students to solve business challenges with real companies. Each year, at least one of these sessions takes place in Washington, DC. Students collaborate with peers in group projects, network with DC professionals and faculty, and explore the nation’s capital. Immersions are also hosted at the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton, VA where American University has been certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to provide instruction, and in international cities such as Beijing, Madrid, and Brussels, which provide students with new perspectives on how different cultures conduct business.

Students can choose from seven pre-designed focus areas of study or create their own by selecting electives that best suit their goals. Focus areas include:

Business Analytics

Through the business analytics focus area, students gain data analysis skills to solve a variety of business challenges and help them make data-driven decisions. Courses include,

• Business Insights Through Analytics
• Predictive Analytics
• Business Intelligence
• Database and Big Data.

Consulting

Students in this focus area study a wide range of consulting topics and learn problem-solving methods involving research and analysis. This focus area combines analytics and management courses, such as

• Management Consulting Practices and Methodologies
• Business Intelligence
• Integrated Marketing Communication.

Entrepreneurship

Students in this focus area develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to lead businesses of all sizes that create meaningful change in the world. Exploring course topics such as

• Innovation
• Social entrepreneurship
• Startup operations
• Students gain access to AU Center for Innovation resources—and have the opportunity to prepare new venture ideas to apply to the AU Entrepreneurship Incubator.

Finance

Students in the finance focus area will study how organizations make investments and manage risk in an ever-changing economy. Courses include

• Fraud Examination and Litigation Support
• International Finance
• Investment Analysis
• Portfolio Management.

Legal Studies

Business professionals need core legal knowledge to make confident business decisions. The legal studies focus area helps students develop an understanding of the US legal system and legal terminology. Students will learn how to effectively apply the law when dealing with contracts, negotiations, transactions, and other business procedures.

Marketing

The marketing focus area explores strategies and tools for creating marketing campaigns, helping students advance their knowledge of brand management, advertising account management, sales promotion, media planning, and market research. Courses include

• Brand Strategy
• Integrated Marketing Communication
• Business Intelligence.

Ranked #16 Online MBA in the US by QS - Our cleverly crafted program, taught by our brilliant faculty, equips students with the ability to flex their newfound knowledge across a multitude of business models.

Practice Makes Perfect

• Throughout the online program, students will have the opportunity to gain real-life experience working for a DC-based company that aligns with their career goals. Working virtually as pro-bono consultants, students develop close relationships with local companies to help them grow and adapt to changing markets—all while building key skills that will give them a leg up in the job market.
• This past spring and summer, groups of students worked alongside six growing small businesses in the DC area through the Kogod in Practice initiative to help these companies solve real business problems. Learn more about their experience in the initiative and how they produced results for their clients in our article here.

Uplifting Diverse Perspectives and Voices

• Lasting success depends on the diverse connections we make. Kogod's Online MBA students bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the classroom. The Kogod School of Business is proud to encourage these viewpoints in an inclusive learning environment.
• The Kogod School of Business offers students personalized support—giving them access to career resources, alumni events, and one-on-one mentorship from professors.

Financial Manager

Financial managers are responsible for planning for the long-term financial health of public or private organizations. On a daily basis, they produce financial reports, direct investments, and develop financial management strategies.

• The job outlook for financial managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029.
• The median annual salary for financial managers in 2020 was $134,180.

Human Resources Manager

HR managers plan, direct, and coordinate all of the administrative roles of an organization. This includes recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff as well as working with top-level executives on long-term hiring plans.

• The job outlook for HR managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029.
• The median annual salary for HR managers in 2020 was $121,220.

Management Analyst

Management analysts advise companies on how to increase efficiency, reduce costs of operations, and increase their profits. They typically work for large consulting organizations or can also be employed in-house.

• The job outlook for management analysts is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029.
• The median annual salary for management analysts in 2020 was $87,660.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers lead strategies that increase interest in their organization’s products or services. This involves estimating demand, analyzing the existing market, and discovering new markets to generate sales.

• The job outlook for marketing managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029.
• The median annual salary for marketing managers in 2020 was $133,460.

Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee general company operations, including developing policies, planning how materials and human resources are used, and leading the implementation and execution of projects.

• The job outlook for operations managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029.
• The median annual salary for operations managers in 2020 was $103,650.