Pursuing an MBA is becoming a more and more common goal for graduate students. The one thing that tends to make everyone think twice about the idea is the dreaded GMAT exam. But what if you didn’t have to take the GMAT? That’s right, you can earn an MBA online from the comfort of your own home without ever taking a GMAT. Read on to learn more.
>Not sure what online degree to get? Check out The Best Online Degrees for Your Career
What is an MBA?
Before we get into all the awesome schools that offer MBA programs with no GMAT, you’re going to want to know more about the MBA.
MBA is an acronym for a Master of Business Administration. This degree is usually the last stop in college for students, but a few push on and earn doctorate degrees.
With an MBA you choose from dozens of different concentrations and specializations, making it a more tailored degree. Basically, anything you choose to concentrate or specialize in will be paired with the business administration aspect of an MBA, providing you with everything you need to excel in an administrative position in whatever field you choose.
Master of Business Administration degrees typically take around two years to complete, but there are many colleges that offer a wide variety of options for faster completion through accelerated courses. There are also options for graduate students to work on an MBA part-time instead of full-time, which would take longer to complete but would allow for a full-time job and any other aspects of a busy schedule. Everyone has a different way of learning and managing time, so having options on how fast or slow you can take this degree is a great aspect of an MBA.
Since an MBA can be used in so many different fields and industries, the average salary varies a lot depending on what area you look at. However, to give you a better idea of what you could be looking at, the average salary for someone holding an MBA and working for a non-profit organization is $57,500 per year. On the other hand, someone with an MBA who works in consulting makes an average of $130,600, often going well above that number. Depending on what you decide to do, you could easily be pulling a six-figure salary with an MBA.
What is the GMAT?
GMAT stands for the Generalized Management Admission Test, which is generally considered a necessary part of applying to business schools. The GMAT is a multiple-choice test that is taken on a computer. Business schools that require a GMAT for admission compare applicants’ scores to choose the best candidates for their program.
The GMAT covers quite a few different areas, but the primary one is your ability to think critically. The four main sections on the GMAT are an analytical writing assignment, integrated reasoning, a quantitative section, and a verbal assessment portion. In total, the GMAT takes students about three hours to complete.
Luckily for you, the GMAT is not always a requirement. While it is often seen as unavoidable, there are actually quite a few colleges that offer MBA programs with optionable GMATs.
Best Online MBA Programs with no GMAT
If you have decided that taking the GMAT just isn’t for you, you aren’t alone and you can still pursue an MBA degree by enrolling in a program that doesn’t require you to take the GMAT. Below are the best online MBA programs in the United States that don’t require a GMAT score to be accepted.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers an online MBA program. This program requires 72 credit hours to complete and focuses on teaching graduate students important skills for their future careers. For students looking for a more custom degree, there are eight specializations to choose from.
To be accepted into the University of Illinois’ MBA program with no GMAT, students will need to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0.
Ohio University
Ohio University’s MBA program is made up of a flexible 35 credit hour degree plan. This program focuses on both the important and necessary business education but also real-world application of the learned material. There is also the option to tailor your degree with a choice of eight different concentrations.
While Ohio University’s MBA program with no GMAT is online, graduate students are required to attend one on-campus seminar for leadership development prior to graduating, but this only lasts for one weekend.
University of Scranton
Scranton University’s School of Management offers an online MBA that requires around two years of full-time studies to complete. Students who enroll in this program complete 36 credit hours and take advantage of eight different specializations offered to customize their degree.
To be accepted into Scranton’s online MBA program with no GMAT, you are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, as well as have at least three years of work experience.
Concordia University at Saint Paul
Concordia University at Saint Paul offers an online MBA program oriented toward students who are Lutheran Christians. The program here requires 36 credit hours to complete and offers two specializations to students. Students of this program are also required to attend three leadership seminars that are worth one credit hour each.
To be accepted into Concordia University’s online MBA program with no GMAT, you will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field as well as maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Fitchburg State University
At Fitchburg State University, students can enroll in a totally online MBA in Management program. This program is tailored for students who are interested in going into business management careers and includes courses about important business topics, as well as electives.
For you to enroll in this MBA in Management program, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, a GPA of 2.8 or higher, as well as a resume with transcripts.
Northeastern University
Northeastern University’s online MBA program requires 50 credit hours to complete. The program is made up of 13 core classes and five electives, allowing students a bit of freedom in their class choices. Students are also able to work at their own pace in this program, which is good for those who work full-time or have otherwise busy schedules. Northeastern University’s program also offers many concentrations for students to choose from.
To be accepted into Northeastern University’s online MBA program, you are required to have at least five years of work experience in the field. You must also be currently employed.
Florida Atlantic University
The online MBA program at Florida Atlantic University is made up of 28-34 credit hours, 12 of them being elective courses. This program is made so that it can be completed in just under two years. It offers a unique online-learning structure that allows you to work in teams and form connections with your peers just like you would in an on-campus setting.
If you plan to apply to Florida Atlantic University’s online MBA program with no GMAT, you will need to have four years or more of work experience under your belt, as well as a GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, you do not have to have an undergraduate degree in a business background; as long as you have one, you are good to go.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University offers a flexible online MBA program. The program is designed to be completed in about 21 months, but the university is very relaxed about how long it will take and allows students to study in the program for up to five years before graduating. To complete the degree here, students are required to complete 42 credit hours.
The online MBA program with no GMAT at Colorado State University is really unique because it provides students with a completely optional opportunity to go on a seven- to 10-day long global trip. This trip allows students to interact with business leaders all over the world to help prepare them for potential jobs around the globe.
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduate students can enroll in a highly accredited online MBA program with no GMAT requirement. This program consists of 48 credit hours that can be completed in just 1.5 years. But, if students really wish to take their time, the University of Nebraska allows them to take up to 10 years completing the degree.
To substitute for the GMAT, students are required to have either already earned a graduate degree or have at least seven years of work experience in the field.
Florida International University
Florida International University’s online MBA program with no GMAT requirement offers a wide variety of specializations and concentrations for students to choose from and customize their degrees with. This is a flexible program that encourages students to learn at their own pace through online courses.
Students who want to enroll in this program must be employed in the field prior to enrollment.
Howard University
At Howard University, students can enroll in an Executive MBA program that is totally online. This program is offered through Howard University’s School of Business and requires 48 credit hours to complete. If you enroll in this Executive MBA program with no GMAT, you will complete all of the required standard courses as well as a capstone component that focuses on strategic management.
Why Study Online?
Going after an online degree is a great option for anyone who is working full-time, traveling a lot, or just enjoys learning from the comfort of their own home. Completing online degrees requires great time-management skills, but it is also a great way to help develop those skills because you will be forced to use them.
Online degrees are much more flexible than on-campus degrees because you are able to do homework assignments more within the perimeters of your own schedule, while on-campus courses require you to be there at a set time.
All in all, going after an online MBA with no GMAT is a great decision for anyone wanting to work in business administration. With all of the concentrations and specializations available to pair with this degree, there is no doubt you would be able to be employed at your dream job.
Completing this degree online allows you to continue living your life the way you have been, without making drastic changes to your busy schedule and without leaving your home. If you want to advance your career in this field, you should definitely apply to these schools so you can earn your online MBA without having to take the GMAT.
What Can You Do with Your MBA?
MBA’s are extremely versatile degrees, meaning you can go into pretty much any field you want. In 2020, demand for employees with an MBA degree is high, and some of the most in-demand job titles are financial advisor, finance manager, management analysis, HR manager, investment banker, business consultant, marketing manager, and information technology manager.
A lot of the jobs you can find with an MBA have something to do with the finance and business industries, primarily in managerial positions. Jobs like business consulting often involve secret shopping in businesses and providing seminars and training courses to teach the employees how to make their business better. More internal jobs like information technology (IT) management involves working with technology and the related systems within a business and ensuring that everything functions as well as it should be for the needs of the business.
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