Written by Elizabeth Exline
Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, Dean, College of Business and IT
A Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is a graduate degree that delves into the subject of business management and administration. Courses tend to focus on critical thinking and effective management. This program aims to prepare graduates to lead organizations of any size into the future.
When it comes to education, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. But the degree track that possibly comes the closest is the MBA. Covering such skills as management, decision-making and leadership, an MBA prepares for a variety of career paths, including roles in business operations management and administration.
The MBA’s versatility may also account for its popularity among students. While recent reports suggest a decline in overall applicants for MBA programs, it has historically outperformed most master’s programs. In the 2021-22 academic year, more MBAs were conferred (202,334) than any other master’s degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Only the health professions and related programs came close with 142,025 master’s degrees conferred.)
Like the utility of an MBA, which is diverse and evolving, earning an MBA is a process with many opportunities for customization. As you consider furthering your education, ask yourself the following questions:
Depending on your answers, an online MBA from University of Phoenix could offer the right level of flexibility and skills that can enhance your career.
Let’s explore what’s possible when it comes to getting an MBA and putting it to work for you after graduation.
Deciding whether to pursue an MBA depends on your goals. Not only can it teach you new skills but you also may be able to benefit from networking opportunities.
"An MBA can be helpful in distinguishing you in your field and demonstrates your commitment to learning," says Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, dean of the College of Business and Information Technology at University of Phoenix. "It can’t guarantee you professional success, but it can lay a strong foundation for you to pursue the career path you want."
Ultimately, if you’re looking to enhance your career in business with a leadership role, or if you’re planning to start your own company someday, an MBA might be a smart move.
An MBA doesn’t limit you to one industry or role. In fact, many professionals use an MBA to potentially enhance their career. At University of Phoenix, the MBA programs available can help prepare you for the following professions:
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website. BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
To get an MBA, students need a bachelor’s degree first. Then one must apply to their program of choice. How many units or credits it takes to complete an MBA may depend on whether applicable credits were transferred or not.
Finding the right MBA program means evaluating both your situation and your goals. At University of Phoenix, the Master of Business Administration was developed to align with the market’s in-demand skills. For example, skills taught in UOPX courses include overall business administration, international economics, economic theories, capital budgeting, cost benefit analysis and much more.
Independent learners with professional experience and a penchant for a self-led format may also consider the competency-based MBA program. This program is designed for experienced professionals who can demonstrate proficiency in business leadership. In the CB program students take courses such as data analysis and business analytics, corporate finance, the digital economy and more.
The MBA program length at University of Phoenix is approximately 16 months, with students taking just one course at a time. The program requires 33 credits but could possibly be less depending on whether an individual student transfers credits.
The competency-based program can be finished even sooner, in just one year. Start dates for both programs are available throughout the year.
Once upon a time, aspiring MBA students couldn’t contemplate graduate school without taking either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The happy ending to that story is that such standardized exams are no longer universally required.
University of Phoenix does not require GMAT or GRE scores for acceptance. Chris Gloor, the vice president of enrollment at University of Phoenix, explains this policy: "We are a university designed for working adults. Requiring exam results simply adds one more barrier to helping them achieve their goals. We’re in the business of removing barriers, not adding them."
You’ll need more than a strong internet connection to successfully complete an MBA program. According to Uhles, here’s how to prepare for your courses:
At University of Phoenix, the MBA program tuition is both affordable and competitive. Even better, your tuition rate gets locked in when you start so that you pay the same amount for the last credit that you did for the first. Curious how UOPX stacks up against other schools? We’re happy to show you.
The cost of time and money may be significant. But the return may be even more so.
Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.
$2,289 / course
What affects the overall cost of my program?
Your full program cost can vary by:
With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.
Earn your master’s degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:
Phoenix | |
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Cost per credit
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$698
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Credits per course
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3
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Tuition per course
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$2,094
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Total program length in credits
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33
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Length of course in weeks
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6
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Fees
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One fee per course
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Tuition guarantee
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YES
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Data pulled on June 13, 2024
Source of data: For each institution, the data are publicly available in multiple locations, including Academic Catalogs, Program pages, Tuition and fees pages, and syllabi. All data are publicly available on the websites.
Certain licensure programs and coursework in other degree programs may have additional fees. Please check with your advisor or course catalog for additional info.
If you’re looking to take the first step toward expanding your business knowledge and skill set, University of Phoenix offers a variety of degree options. These include:
Elizabeth Exline has been telling stories ever since she won a writing contest in third grade. She's covered design and architecture, travel, lifestyle content and a host of other topics for national, regional, local and brand publications. Additionally, she's worked in content development for Marriott International and manuscript development for a variety of authors.