Exterior view of New Hall on Columbia College's main campus, where courses for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree are held.

Master of Business Administration

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Meet with faculty and learn more about our 12 online master’s degree programs at a virtual open house in February. Click here for more information.

Program Overview

The fully online Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Columbia College is designed for working professionals aiming to advance in their current role or transition into leadership and management. This flexible program combines foundational business theory with real-world applied practice, allowing you to tailor your coursework through one of six specialized emphasis areas. Specializations include Accounting, Human Resources Management, Real Estate Management, IT Project Management, International Business, and Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Undergraduate students at CC can pursue an accelerated pathway by taking up to three MBA courses as part of their undergraduate studies and jumpstart a career in business.

What to Expect

Online or In-Person


24/7 flexibility to study when and where it’s convenient for you

12-24 Months


Full- and part-time options

8-Week Courses

Earn your degree at a pace that works for you with six sessions every year

Why Choose Columbia College for Your MBA?

  • Flexible and accessible: This degree is available on campus or online.
  • Opportunities to specialize: Choose from six emphasis areas to customize your MBA
    around your goals and interests.
  • Accelerated pathway: Take up to three MBA courses as an undergrad to advance early
    through the program.
  • Designed for your trajectory: Whether you’re targeting a promotion, shifting into a new
    field, or have a background in liberal arts or behavioral sciences, the program meets you
    where you are and takes you where you want to go.
  • Applied business mastery: You’ll gain a strong command of strategic decision-making,
    business analytics, managerial accounting & finance, information systems, marketing,
    and leadership communications.
  • Accredited and respected: Through our accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), we have nationally recognized opportunities
    to give students the skills employers want.

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What Students Are Saying

I decided to go back for my MBA. I wanted to be a more marketable, promotable employee. The online MBA program changed my life. I have the flexibility of taking my classes as I'm able to and planning my own schedule, and that was really enticing to me. Even though it was online and remote, I felt totally connected.

Marianna C. '24

Curriculum Overview

Core Courses
27 credit hours
You will complete core business administration courses that build your strategic, analytical, and leadership capabilities, and then select one of the following specializations to take three courses in and focus your studies to align with your career aspirations.

Accounting
Qualify for the CPA exam and excel in a career in accounting by delving into advanced concepts such as auditing, taxes, financial reporting, and managerial accounting.

Human Resource Management
Lead in human capital strategy by understanding talent acquisition, employee development, compensation and benefits, and employment law in a business context.

Real Estate Management
Learn how to apply business leadership in real estate through real estate finance, law, and management of property and development trends.

Information Technology Project Management
Plan, execute, and oversee technology-driven projects within organizations, combining business administration fundamentals with IT leadership and project management methodologies.

International Business
Navigate cross-border business operations, international markets, cultural differences, and global strategy.

Supply Chain Management & Logistics
Oversee and optimize the flow of goods, services, and information across global supply chains, combining strategic management skills with operational logistics knowledge.

Explore Curriculum Details

Students who are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at Columbia College can take up to three MBA courses as part of their undergraduate studies and jumpstart a career in business. Undergraduate students studying any of the following majors are eligible to participate in the Accelerated MBA pathway:

  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Healthcare Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Sports Management
  • English
  • Communication Studies
  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Music
  • Management Information Systems
  • General Studies

Accreditation

Logo of the ACBSP Global Business Accreditation

The Robert W. Plaster School of Business became accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in December of 2023 and enjoys exclusive access to training, awards, programs, and more. Through the ACBSP accreditation, we are committed to continuous improvement and ensuring we give students the skills employers want.

Admission Details

Explore key admissions dates and requirements.

Upcoming Academic Sessions Classes Start
Early Spring Session January 12, 2026
Late Spring Session March 9, 2026
Early Summer Session May 4, 2026

Before starting the MBA, students must have completed:

  • ACCT 280 – Financial Accounting
  • ACCT 281 – Managerial Accounting
  • FINC 350 – Business Finance
  • MKTG 210 – Principles of Marketing
  • MGMT 230 – Principles of Management
    • Note: ACCT 280 -> ACCT 281 -> FINC 350 must be taken in order.

Applicants missing these five courses may be able to take a single 8-week MBA Survey Course,
which provides an accelerated overview of all prerequisite topics (approval required).

Students interested in the Accounting emphasis must complete the five prerequisites above plus
six more undergraduate accounting courses (B or higher, except one C allowed across all 11
courses):

  • ACCT 381 – Federal Income Tax: Individuals
  • ACCT 382 – Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 383 – Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 385 – Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT 386 – Cost and Managerial Accounting
  • ACCT 489 – Auditing I 

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Tuition and Aid

At Columbia College, we believe a quality graduate degree should be within reach. Our tuition is competitively priced among private, nonprofit colleges, and there are no hidden fees, ever. With financial aid, military tuition assistance, employer reimbursement programs, and more, our financial aid advisors are ready to help you explore options and make your degree affordable.

Straightforward Pricing
Our grad programs cost $585 per credit hour. Tuition is transparent here — with zero hidden fees, ever.

Tuition Details

Generous Financial Aid
Scholarships, payment plans, loans, and more are available to all. We'll help you find the assistance you need to budget confidently.

Affordability at CC

Reduced Tuition for Partnership Organization Employees
We partner with hundreds of companies and organizations to offer 15% off tuition to employees and their families.

Participating Organizations

Why Students Love Learning Online at Columbia College

We’ve been leading the way in flexible learning options since 2000. Our students are all over the world living their real lives, holding down jobs, and caring for others while learning their way to something better.

Here’s what you can expect from an online degree at CC:

  • Flexible coursework designed to help you create your future on your terms
  • Interactive courses using modern, industry-standard tools for hands-on learning
  • Personalized support from experienced faculty through regular virtual check-ins
  • A connected global community of 100,000+ students and alumni

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Career Outcomes

Graduates of this MBA program are positioned for roles where strategic thinking, management acumen, and domain expertise matter most. Whether you aim to move up within your current organization, shift into a new industry, or take on more responsibility, this degree gives you the tools and credentials to stand out.

Employment of business and management occupations is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Where You Can Take Classes

At Columbia College, our flexible options make it easy to adapt to changing circumstances and pursue your education wherever life takes you. Many of our degrees are offered 100% online. If you prefer a traditional classroom experience, you can attend selected classes at our nationwide locations or at our main campus in Columbia, Missouri. Students at all locations will engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree.

Online Programs

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Classes Available In Seat

Denver - CO Main Campus Graduate

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them — that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.