In 1908, Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration began offering a new program: The Master of Business Administration Degree. In the more than 100 years since the first MBA class enrolled at Harvard, the degree has become one of the most popular graduate school pursuits in the United States.
Today, schools across the country offer MBAs with concentrations that range from finance and marketing to management and accounting. The concentration in international business, however, is growing at the fastest pace. In a global economy that depends on managing many cultures, international regulations, and global trade relationships, that should come as no surprise.
Ranking the Best Programs: Methodology
Students who are choosing an online MBA in international business have many options available, but each school offers a unique list of pros and cons. When ranking online MBA programs from across the United States, the following factors were taken into account:
Regional accreditation: In order for a program to be considered for this ranking, it had to be regionally accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education. This regional accreditation certifies the program's rigor, standards alignment, and eligibility for state and federal financial aid programs, and is essential to today's students.
Professional accreditation: Only AACSB-accredited online MBA programs were considered for this ranking. Considered the most prestigious ranking organization for schools of business, AACSB Accreditation is often required by employers for tuition reimbursement and by recruiters for hiring MBA graduates.
Prestige and networking potential: The BMA is often considered a "networking degree." That means that its coursework is just as important as the students who share the online classroom and become acquainted throughout the duration of the program. Prestige is also a part of this calculation. More prestigious programs often have more alumni, a better reputation among recruiters, and a greater chance of paying students back in the form of better salaries and more career options over the long-term.