Online MBA in West Virginia

This page provides you with information about online MBA programs in West Virginia, including admissions, curriculum details, and paying for your MBA.

One of the leading accreditation bodies recognized globally is the Association for Collegiate Business Schools (AACSB). We have highlighted accredited traditional and accredited online MBA programs in West Virginia to help you find the best school for you.

Online MBA Programs in West Virginia

This section summarizes some of the best online MBA programs in West Virginia, including AACSB-accredited and non-accredited options.

The below two online MBA programs in West Virginia are listed in alphabetical order.

1. West Virginia University

Suppose you are looking for accredited online MBA programs in West Virginia. In that case, the online MBA program offered by West Virginia University is accredited by the AACSB. It is offered in a hybrid format, which requires you to attend four on-campus residencies, each approximately 3-4 days long, during the two-year program. A three-year option is also available for active military or veteran students. The curriculum includes 48 credit hours of coursework completed in a set progression beginning in either January or August. It is possible to complete an area of emphasis or dual degrees in business and law or pharmacy. In 2016, US News and World Report ranked the program in a tie for 36th among all online MBA programs across the country.

MBA Program Admission

You must have at least two years of relevant work experience and an undergraduate degree in any subject to be eligible for the program. If you do not have undergraduate experience in accounting, economics, or statistics, the university offers introductory courses online that are highly recommended before beginning the program. To apply, complete the online application and send the $60 application fee, transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, a letter of reference, and GMAT or GRE scores. It is possible to get the online MBA without a GMAT or GRE requirement waived if you have at least five years of relevant work experience.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (48 credit hours) – Managerial and Team Skills, Business Research, Financial Statement Analysis, Decision Analysis, Managerial Economics, Strategy, Macroeconomics, Legal Environment, and Ethics, Marketing Strategy, Corporate Finance, Management Information Systems, Leadership, Integrated Global Business, Executive Project I & II, and two electives

Degree Concentrations and Specialization Options

The following areas of emphasis and dual degree programs are offered:

• Energy Finance – Energy Financial Economics, Energy Law/Regulation/Ethics, Energy Financial Accounting, Energy Financial Risk Management
• Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Emphasis – Fraud Investigation, Fraud Data Analysis, Fraud Criminology/Legal Issues, Advanced Fraud Investigation
• Integrated Marketing Communications – Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications, Audience Insight, Brand Equity Management, Emerging Media and the Market
• JD/MBA – The first year of the program is spent studying law, and the second year in business. You can count 12 credits from the JD towards the MBA curriculum, reducing your MBA requirements to 36 credit hours.
• PharmD/MBA – The first year of the program is in the College of Pharmacy. In the second year, you will include MBA courses in your schedule. Nine credit hours from Pharmacy can be used towards your MBA, reducing the overall requirements of the MBA to 39 credit hours.

2. Salem International University

The online MBA program at Salem International University offers the same curriculum and learning opportunities as the traditional, on-campus program, allowing students from across the country to access the same content as local West Virginia residents. Either on-campus or online, the program consists of 36 credit hours of coursework and can be completed in as little as 12 months. Many concentration options help online students personalize the learning experience to meet their goals regardless of where they are located.

MBA Program Admission

To be eligible, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject. If the degree is not in business, you may be required to take foundational courses before beginning the MBA core curriculum. To apply, fill out the online application and send your transcripts to the university’s graduate office.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (21 credit hours) – Accounting for Managers, Applied Business Statistics, Business Communications, Enterprise Strategic Planning, and Change Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, and Marketing Management

Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

• Accounting (15 credit hours) – Advanced Accounting, Accounting Ethics, Advanced Auditing, Business Law, Forensic Accounting
• Engineering Management (15 credit hours) – Foundations of Engineering Management, Logistics Research, and Design, Supply Chain Management, Project Management and Budgeting, Quality and Risk Management
• Finance (15 credit hours) – Financial Modeling, Advanced Corporate Finance, International Finance or Real Estate and Business Investing, Applied Portfolio Theory, Financial Analysis
• Health Care Management (15 credit hours) – Introduction to Health Care Management and Operations, Health Care Law, Policy, and Ethics, Health Care Finance, Organizational Behavior and HR Management in Health Care, Health Care Planning, Promotion, and Evaluation
• International Business (15 credit hours) – Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics, International Law and Public Policy, Global Business Operations, Management Utilization of Technology, Global Challenges of Communications and Human Resources Management
• Management (15 credit hours) – Business Law, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics, Project Management and Budgeting, Management Utilization of Technology, Global Challenges of Communications and Human Resources Management
• Sales Management (15 credit hours) – Negotiations, International Sales Management, Sales Leadership, Advanced Selling Techniques, Consumer Behavior
• Sports and Recreation Management (15 credit hours) – Economics of Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Finance, Business Law and Governing Agencies in Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Planning, Promotion, and Evaluation, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics
• Project Management (15 credit hours) – Foundations of Project Management, Project Performance and Measurement, Legal Issues in Project Management, Project Management and Budgeting, Quality and Risk Management
• Retail Management (15 credit hours) – Principles of Retail Management, Retail Operations and Purchasing, Foodservice Management, Global Challenges in Communications & Human Resources Management, Retail Sales Promotion

MBA Programs in West Virginia

This section provides information on both accredited and non-accredited on-campus business schools in West Virginia.

(The below 6 MBA programs in West Virginia are listed in alphabetical order.)

1. Marshall University – Lewis College of Business

Marshall University offers a two-year MBA degree accredited by the AACSB. It includes 36 credit hours of courses offered in Huntington or South Charleston in the evening, and you can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer term. You must have either a bachelor’s degree in business with a recommended minimum 3.0-grade point average (GPA) or a doctoral degree in any subject to apply for the program. If your undergraduate degree is not in business, you may need to take foundational courses in economics, accounting, finance, marketing, and analytical methods before you can begin the MBA curriculum. The school offers graduate assistantship positions to help students offset the cost of graduate school.

MBA Program Admission

It is possible to apply either online or through a paper application. If you do not have a 3.0 GPA, it may still be possible to apply if you include supporting material, such as letters of recommendation, essays, or a resume with your application. You must also send your transcripts and the $40 fee with your application form.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (36 credit hours) – Quantitative Methods for Business, Profit Planning and Controls, Financial Management, Managerial Economics, Organizational Behavior, Production/Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Advanced Marketing Management, Business Policy & Strategy, and three electives

Degree Concentrations and Specialization Options

You can complete a general MBA degree or add an area of emphasis by completing at least two of your electives in one of the following areas:

• Finance – at least two 500- or 600-level Finance courses
• Healthcare Administration – Health Care Systems and another 500- or 600-level Healthcare Administration course
• Human Resource Management – Development of Labor Relations and/or Human Resource Management and another 500- or 600-level Human Resource Management course
• Management – at least two from Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Global Aspects of Business, and Special Topics in Management
• Marketing – at least two 500- or 600-level Marketing courses

2. West Virginia University – College of Business and Economics

The MBA program at West Virginia University is a 14-month, full-time program beginning in June of each year for students from any disciplinary background. It is designed for graduating undergraduate students; therefore, work experience is not required. The curriculum includes 50 credit hours of general business content and incorporates global business perspectives. Each spring, students complete an international trip to a European or Asian destination to link coursework to practice. It is also possible to create a customized dual degree program and complete two degrees in two years. Eligible programs include Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, Master of Science in Sports Management, Master of Science in Finance, Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Medical Doctorate, and Master of Public Health. In 2014, US News and World Report ranked the program #49 among public universities across the nation.

MBA Program Admission

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a preferred deadline of March 1. To apply, complete the online application and send your transcripts, GMAT or GRE test scores, a resume, one to three letters of recommendation, and a purpose statement. You must demonstrate business knowledge in statistics, accounting, and economics, either through undergraduate coursework or by taking the university’s foundational courses online. If you are applying for a dual degree, you must meet the requirements for both programs.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (50 credit hours) – Managerial Economics, Business Research and Statistics, Organizational Behavior, Law, Ethics, and Diversity, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Decision Analysis, Professional Development Practicum 1 & 2, Leadership and Organizational Change, Marketing Management, Operations/Supply Chain Management, Corporate Finance, International Business, Information Systems, Global Planning & Strategy, and one elective

Degree Concentrations and Specialization Options

Although no program concentrations are offered, students must choose one elective from Negotiation Strategy, Export Management, Investments & Portfolio Management, Personal Financial Planning, or Strategic Communications.

3. Salem International University

Salem International University offers an MBA degree that can be completed in 12 months by completing 36 credit hours of study. The program can either be completed fully on-campus, through a hybrid of on-campus and online courses or online (see below). Ten concentrations are available to help you personalize your learning.

MBA Program Admission

To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree and show evidence of undergraduate coursework in business or take foundational courses before beginning the core curriculum. You can fill out the application form online and then mail your transcripts to the university.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (21 credit hours) – Accounting for Managers, Applied Business Statistics, Business Communications, Enterprise Strategic Planning, and Change Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, and Marketing Management

Degree Concentrations and Specialization Options

• Accounting (15 credit hours) – Advanced Accounting, Accounting Ethics, Advanced Auditing, Business Law, Forensic Accounting
• Engineering Management (15 credit hours) – Foundations of Engineering Management, Logistics Research, and Design, Supply Chain Management, Project Management and Budgeting, Quality and Risk Management
• Finance (15 credit hours) – Financial Modeling, Advanced Corporate Finance, International Finance or Real Estate and Business Investing, Applied Portfolio Theory, Financial Analysis
• Health Care Management (15 credit hours) – Introduction to Health Care Management and Operations, Health Care Law, Policy, and Ethics, Health Care Finance, Organizational Behavior and HR Management in Health Care, Health Care Planning, Promotion, and Evaluation
• International Business (15 credit hours) – Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics, International Law and Public Policy, Global Business Operations, Management Utilization of Technology, Global Challenges of Communications and Human Resources Management
• Management (15 credit hours) – Business Law, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics, Project Management and Budgeting, Management Utilization of Technology, Global Challenges of Communications and Human Resources Management
• Sales Management (15 credit hours) – Negotiations, International Sales Management, Sales Leadership, Advanced Selling Techniques, Consumer Behavior
• Sports and Recreation Management (15 credit hours) – Economics of Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Finance, Business Law and Governing Agencies in Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Planning, Promotion, and Evaluation, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Ethics
• Project Management (15 credit hours) – Foundations of Project Management, Project Performance and Measurement, Legal Issues in Project Management, Project Management and Budgeting, Quality and Risk Management
• Retail Management (15 credit hours) – Principles of Retail Management, Retail Operations and Purchasing, Foodservice Management, Global Challenges in Communications & Human Resources Management, Retail Sales Promotion

4. University of Charleston – Graduate School of Business and Leadership

The MBA program at the University of Charleston has a general business curriculum and takes a minimum of 16 months to complete through both on-campus and online methods. The program is designed to be flexible to working professionals’ needs but is also open to new graduates with less work experience. The program has a cohort structure through which students start the program together and progress through the coursework to graduate at the same time. It is possible to start the program in either the fall term (August) or the winter term (January). Courses have a 25-student cap, are offered in eight-week blocks, and meet one evening per week on-campus. The Business School focuses on teamwork and collaboration skills, experiential learning methods, and innovation in business contexts. The program culminates in a capstone project providing practical recommendations for a local company and an international trip as part of the global learning component. Previous trips have been to Asia, South America, and Europe, and the cost of the trip is included in the tuition fee.

Program Admission

To be eligible, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject. The application can be completed either online or by mailing a paper copy. It costs $50 to apply, and you must include your undergraduate transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a resume, and an employer nomination (if you will be working while studying). You may also be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (32 credit hours) – Management/Organizational Behavior, Managerial Accounting and Finance, Applied Marketing, Quantitative Methods for Management, International Business and Trade, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, Strategic Decision Making

Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

No concentrations are offered.

5. West Virginia Wesleyan College

West Virginia Wesleyan College offers a 36-credit MBA program with a general business curriculum or concentration options. The school integrates teaching on social responsibility with business content and uses applied teaching methods in the classes. The college has many business associations and two honor societies that help students get involved in their preferred area of study. It is also possible to work as a graduate assistant to offset the program’s cost.

Program Admission

You must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject to apply to the program; however, you will need to take two fundamental courses before beginning the program if you do not have any undergraduate business knowledge. Your application package must include your transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, you must also take the GMAT and achieve at least 400. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and once admitted, you must uphold a 3.0 GPA in all your courses to graduate.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (24 credit hours) – Quantitative Methods for Management, Managerial Economics, Applied Ethics in Management, Management Accounting, Financial Management & Policy, Management Theory & Leadership in Organizations, Marketing Management & Research, Business Strategy (capstone)

Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

It is possible to complete a general MBA by choosing four electives in addition to the core curriculum, designing your own concentration, or choosing from the following:

• Health Care Administration (12 credit hours) – Ethics in Healthcare, Management of Diverse Human Resources in Health Care, Financial Management in Complex Health Organizations, Advanced Leadership & Health Policy, and one elective/internship
• Nonprofit Management (12 credit hours) – Human Resource Management, Labor Economics, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Project Management
• Labor & Law (12 credit hours) – Human Resource Management, Labor Economics, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Legal Environment of Business

6. Wheeling Jesuit University

Wheeling Jesuit University has offered an MBA program since 1978. The current program includes 36 credit hours of study and can be completed in as little as one year by taking three courses each term. It is structured to fit both working professionals and full-time students’ needs by offering all the evening classes and a part-time study option. The curriculum focuses on teaching students leadership skills that can be used in many different settings and industries. It is recommended, but not required, that you take the courses in the prescribed sequence, progressing from introductory topics to more advanced learning; however, if you have substantial background knowledge in a particular area, you may be able to earn an equivalency waiver to take an additional elective instead. The program culminates in a capstone project in the final term.

Program Admission

You must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject with at least a 2.8 GPA and undergraduate coursework in analytical methods, accounting, economics, management, and marketing. If you do not have this knowledge from your undergraduate studies, you will need to take the school’s foundation courses before beginning the program. To apply to the program, send your application form, transcripts, resume, and three letters of recommendation to the graduate studies office. The university accepts up to 12 credit hours of transfer credit if you have completed relevant graduate-level coursework at another institution.

Foundational Coursework

Core Curriculum (30 credit hours) – Organizational Behavior, Marketing Management, The Ethical Environment of Business, Quantitative Business Analysis, Managerial Economics, Management of Financial Resources, Accounting for Management Control, Operations, Management, Managerial Policy and Strategy (capstone), Leadership Skills, and two electives

Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

No concentrations are offered, although new electives are offered each term.

West Virginia MBA Salary and Job Outlook

Pursuing an MBA in West Virginia can help you develop the skills to excel in diverse industries’ management positions. West Virginia is home to many large corporations that employ MBA graduates. For example, Wal-Mart has been the state’s largest private employer since 1998.¹ Healthcare corporations, which employ healthcare managers and analysts, also employ many West Virginia residents. West Virginia United Health System, Charleston Area Medical Center, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Cabell Huntington Hospital, and Res-Care Inc. are in the state’s top ten private employer list as well.¹

In 2015, 28,990 individuals were employed in management occupations across the state.² The highest number of positions were in the Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area (5,870) and Charleston (5,660); however, the highest median wage was in Morgantown ($83,450) compared to $70,620 in the Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area and $68,320 in the Charleston.³

According to West Virginia long term projections from 2012-2022, several types of management positions will experience conservative growth due to new job openings and replacements, including General and Operations Managers (0.48%), Marketing Managers (0.55%), Financial Managers (0.32%), Human Resources Managers (1.1%), Managers, All Others (0.72%).⁴ Management analysts, market research analysts, and marketing specialists are also listed on the West Virginia Demand Occupations list for the 2012-2022 period.⁵ However, some types of management projections may experience shrinkage rather than growth, including Chief Executives (-0.10%), Advertising and Promotions Managers (-0.07%), and Compensation and Benefits Managers (-0.15%).⁴

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014 managers in West Virginia made lower median incomes compared to the nation overall.

• Chief executives made a median income of $96,000 compared to $173,300 nationwide.⁶
• General and Operations managers earned a median income of $70,500 compared to $97,300 nationally.⁷
• Management analysts earned a median income of $80,900 nationally and $70,300 in West Virginia.⁸
• Financial managers in West Virginia earned a median income of $73,900 compared to $115,300 nationwide.⁹
• The Managers, All Others category earned a $77,700 median income compared to $105,100 at the national level.¹⁰

Here is some other salary information provided by Payscale.com:

• Operations Managers reported a median salary of $52,976.
• MBA graduates reported a median salary of $64,000.
• MBA graduates from West Virginia University reported a median salary of $53,400 in the first five years of their careers. This increased to $123,000 after gaining 10 years of work experience.

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