by Joy Cromwelle

One year MBA programs can mean more job opportunities, increased knowledge in your field, salary increase potential, and qualification for management and leadership positions. Earning a 1 year MBA online is the fastest, most convenient way to achieve these goals.

While wading through a more traditional 2 year program may give you more time to digest and implement the material and information, a 1 year program has significant advantages over a 2 year program that are worth considering before you apply for your MBA.

One Year MBA Programs Online

The first step to researching 1 year MBA programs is to decide on a concentration. What area of business are you most interest in?

When you take a generalist degree or specialize in a certain area of business, your studies will prepare you for a specific role in the business world.

Accounting

This MBA specialization track is for those who know they enjoy the numbers side of business. You may already be an accountant or are preparing for the Certified Public Accountant exam. Your master’s work will give you an overview of the business world as well as delve deep on accounting topics, like Cost Accounting, Financial Analysis, and Taxation.



With a master’s, you’ll also be well-prepared to oversee your department or step into an executive-level position. Whether you work for a large business as an accountant, as an advisor to individuals, or as an auditor checking for compliance, you could make between $50,000 and $120,000 for your skills.

Finance

On the other side of the numbers spectrum is a concentration in Finance. This degree is for those who don’t necessarily need to track and control the money of an organization but who want to direct where it goes.

You’ll learn about Investments, Financial Markets, and Financial Strategy. After graduation, you’ll be ready to head the finance department of a business, non-profit, or government entity. You could also advise individuals on the best ways to manage and invest their money.



Finance MBA graduates make an average of $97,000 per year.

General Business

If you’d rather not specialize but take in the broad view, you can take a general MBA. This degree is traditionally for those who want to run a small business or open their own company. Maybe you’re ready to take the family business to the next level and want to have as broad a knowledge base as possible. Maybe you know you’re an entrepreneur, so you don’t want to get locked into one business department.

When you take a general MBA, you can decide your own electives, so you take what you’re most interested in. If your family owns a small manufacturing shop, take Safety and Compliance without having to specialize in it. This is also a good track for going into non-profit management, as you can take only the classes that apply to that sector.



A general MBA holder makes an average of $102,000 per year.

Management

A concentration in Management provides you with the knowledge and skills to keep things moving in your organization. You’ll learn about everything from Human Resource Management to Project Management to Operations Management to Supply Chain Management. If you enjoy making decisions and seeing the outcomes of your effort, you might want to land your studies here.

As a manager, you could oversee several types of business departments as well as entire businesses. Like a generalist degree, it’s perfect for business owners and entrepreneurs as well as those who are excited about managing their employer’s assets and personnel.



Management MBA graduates earn an average of $85,000

Marketing

Do you enjoy the idea of studying how people think and what affects their brand loyalty and purchasing decisions? Do you enjoy the challenge of presenting your company’s products and services in the best light possible? Concentrate your studies in marketing to learn about pricing, advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and sales force management.

After graduation, you’ll be prepared to manage a marketing department or consult with companies on their campaigns and branding. You could also go deep into research as a market researcher or product analyst. Or you could have some fun as a company’s social media manager.



As a Marketing MBA degree holder, you could earn the average $90,000 per year.

What Is the Difference Between 1 year MBA and 2 year MBA?

Because you are completing this degree much faster than normal, one year programs are quite intense. Some programs are designed for working students, while some expect you to be a full-time student in the program, putting your career on hold.

Keep in mind that not all accelerated MBA programs online advertise themselves as one year programs. They may advertise as “accelerated” rather than listing a set completion time. This is because some students can finish faster than others if they complete intensive summer courses or take an additional course each semester.

Affordability

Because you’re only paying for one year’s worth of study, your tuition and fees may end up being less than in a 2 year program. Also, the faster you complete your degree, the faster you can re-enter the workforce and make up for not only the cost of your degree but the lost salary while you were completing your degree.

Online Convenience

You can’t beat the convenience of attending an online business program. You can work from home, a local library, or any place you find to be a suitable study environment. You’ll have access to all of the resources and networking opportunities your institution has to offer as well as the highly qualified professors who teach at the university you choose.

One year MBA programs online make it easier than ever for business students to pursue their MBA quickly and conveniently. The sooner you finish your MBA, the sooner you can reap the benefits and be on your way to a well-deserved promotion.

Student Experience Level

One year MBA programs tend to cater to students with previous experience working in the field, while two year MBA programs are more open to recent college graduates who haven’t even held their first full-time job yet. Some 1 year programs actually require a certain number of work experience years, so be aware of those requirements before applying.

Curriculum and Course Schedule

Because a 1 year MBA program is accelerated by nature, the curriculum and course schedule will be quite different from a 2 year MBA program.

Generally, a 2 year program will include more basic courses and will offer longer semesters so that students can delve deeper into the core business subjects. 1 year programs, on the other hand, usually expect their students to have basic business knowledge and will offer accelerated courses through shorter semester formats (8 weeks instead of 16 weeks, for example).

Since 1 year programs make use of an accelerated format, shorter academic breaks, and summer sessions, you will still complete as many courses and credit hours as someone would in a 2 year program. So a 1 year program doesn’t mean that the curriculum is shorter or easier; it simply means that you complete it within a shorter time period.

Internship or Practicum Component

Most MBA programs, regardless of the length, will require you to complete an internship, practicum, or another experiential component that puts you directly in the field. You may have a longer and more in-depth opportunity to complete this component in a 2 year program versus in a 1 year program.

If you already have a job and are simply earning your degree for promotion, a lengthy internship might feel like a waste of your time. Some 1 year programs offer shorter international opportunities instead of an internship.

Best Jobs with MBA

Earning your MBA opens plenty or new job opportunities. US News recently identified the following jobs as the best prospects for someone with an MBA:

Interpreter/Translator

Operations Research Analyst

Management Analyst

Financial Manager

These jobs are quite diverse, pointing to the variety of fields in which an MBA can be useful.

When possible, choose a program that allows you to focus on specific aspects of business administration, like management or finance, so that you’ll have an optimal opportunity of becoming an attractive job candidate. Specialized knowledge and skills are almost always to your advantage.

Accreditation

If possible, look for a program that’s accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It is by far the best accrediting agency for business schools that exists. The university should also be accredited by one of these six regional boards:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

If a school hasn’t won accreditation, don’t waste your time applying there.

Financial Aid

As a graduate student taking a one year MBA, you still qualify for financial aid. Just like in your undergrad days, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Then, look into other scholarship opportunities from private organizations or universities looking to attract students. Your employer might also offer tuition assistance in return for your continued service.

Frequently Asked Questions

To summarize, here are a couple of questions MBA students frequently ask.

Can You Complete an MBA in 1 Year?

Yes, you can complete an MBA in 1 year. Many schools are offering such fast-paced programs to meet the demand to get you back in the workforce sooner. See our list of schools offering one year MBA programs.

Is There Any One Year MBA Course?

Yes, there are one year MBA course of studies. Many universities have designed MBA programs that take one year to complete. See our list of the best schools offering 1 year MBA degrees.

List of Schools Offering One Year MBA Programs Online

Rankings Methodology

Each of these universities is fully accredited and offers one year MBA programs via an online platform.

#1 Baker University

Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Online MBA

Online MBA – Executive Leadership

Online MBA – Finance

Online MBA – Health Care Administration

Online MBA – Human Resources

Baker is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#2 Campbellsville University

Online Master’s in Management and Leadership

Online MBA

Online MBA – Accounting

Online MBA – Church Management

Online MBA – Healthcare Management

Online MBA – HR Management

Online MBA – Information Technology

Online MBA – International Business

Online MBA – Marketing

Campbellsville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#3 Delta State University

Online Integrated MBA

DSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#4 Gannon University

Online MBA

Gannon is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#5 Georgia College

Online Master’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Online Master’s in Management Information System

Online Master’s in Public Administration

Online MBA (Georgia WebMBA)

Georgia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#6 Lamar University

Online MBA – Construction Project Management

Online MBA – Criminal Justice Management

Online MBA – Enterprise Resource Planning

Online MBA – General

Online MBA – Healthcare Administration

Online MBA – Management

Online MBA – Marketing

Lamar is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#7 Louisiana State University – Shreveport

Online Master’s in Nonprofit Administration

Online MBA – Data Analytics

Online MBA – Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise

Online MBA – Finance

Online MBA – General Business

Online MBA – Hospitality and Casino Management

Online MBA – Human Resource Management

Online MBA – International Business

Online MBA – Marketing

Online MBA – Project Management

LSU Shreveport is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#8 Marquette University

Online Executive MBA

Online Master’s in Accounting

Online Master’s in Human Resources

Online Master’s in Leadership

Online Master’s in Supply Chain

Online MBA

Marquette is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#9 Mississippi College

Online Master’s in Health Informatics

Online MBA – Accounting

Online MBA – Finance

Online MBA Accelerated

MC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#10 Northwest Missouri State University

Online MBA – General Management

Online MBA – Human Resource Management

Online MBA – Marketing

Northwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and was most recently reaffirmed in July 2012.

#11 Regis University

Online Master’s in Accounting

Online Master’s in Human Resource Management

Online Master’s in Marketing

Online Master’s in Nonprofit Management

Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Online Master’s in Project Leadership and Management

Online Professional MBA

Online Professional MBA – Health Industry Leadership

Regis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#12 Southern New Hampshire University

Online Master’s in Accounting – Auditing

Online Master’s in Accounting – Finance

Online Master’s in Accounting – Forensic Accounting

Online Master’s in Accounting – Management Accounting

Online Master’s in Accounting – Taxation

Online Master’s in Applied Economics

Online Master’s in Creative Writing

Online Master’s in Finance

Online Master’s in Finance – Corporate Finance

Online Master’s in Finance – Investments

Online Master’s in Human Resources Management

Online Master’s in Information Technology

Online Master’s in Nurse Educator

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN)

Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Online Master’s in Patient Safety & Quality

Online Master’s in Project Management & Operations

Online Master’s in Psychology

Online Master’s in Psychology – Forensic Psychology

Online Master’s in Psychology – Industrial & Organizational Psychology

Online Master’s in Psychology Child & Developmental Psychology

Online Master’s in Public Health

Online MBA

Online MBA – Accounting

Online MBA – Athletic Administration

Online MBA – Business Intelligence

Online MBA – Community Economic Development

Online MBA – Criminal Justice

Online MBA – Economics

Online MBA – Engineering Management

Online MBA – Entrepreneurship

Online MBA – Finance

Online MBA – Forensic Accounting

Online MBA – Healthcare Informatics

Online MBA – Healthcare Management

Online MBA – Human Resources

Online MBA – Information Technology Management

Online MBA – International Business

Online MBA – International Finance

Online MBA – International Supply Chain Management

Online MBA – Internet Marketing

Online MBA – Leadership

Online MBA – Marketing

Online MBA – Music Business

Online MBA – Operations & Supply Chain Management

Online MBA – Project Management

Online MBA – Public Administration

Online MBA – Quantitative Analysis

Online MBA – Six Sigma Quality

Online MBA – Social Media Marketing

Online MBA – Sport Management

Online MBA – Sustainability & Environmental Compliance

Online MPH – Global Health

SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

#13 Texas A&M University

Online MBA

Online MBA – Business Intelligence

Online MBA – Business Sustainability

Online MBA – Enterprise Resource Planning

Online MBA – Human-Computer Interaction

Online MBA – International Business

Online MBA – Marketing

Online MBA – New Product Development

Online MBA – Project Management

Online MBA – Strategy

Online MBA – Supply Chain Management

Texas A&M is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#14 University of Alabama – Huntsville

Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

UAH is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#15 University of Central Arkansas

Online Master’s in School Leadership, Management, and Administration

Online MBA

UCA is a member of and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#16 University of Maryland

Online Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management

Online Master’s in Accounting and Information Systems

Online Master’s in Data Analytics

Online Master’s in Management

Online Master’s in Management – Accounting

Online Master’s in Management – Acquisition and Supply Chain

Online Master’s in Management – Criminal Justice

Online Master’s in Management – Emergency Management

Online Master’s in Management – Financial Management

Online Master’s in Management – Homeland Security

Online Master’s in Management – Human Resource Management

Online Master’s in Management – Information Systems and Services

Online Master’s in Management – Intelligence Management

Online Master’s in Management – Interdisciplinary Studies

Online Master’s in Management – Marketing

Online Master’s in Management – Nonprofit and Association Management

Online Master’s in Management – Project Management

Online Master’s in Management – Public Relations

Online MBA

UMUC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

#17 University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth

Online Master’s in Healthcare Management

Online MBA

UMass Dartmouth is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

#18 University of North Dakota

Online Master’s in Accounting

Online Master’s in Applied Economics

Online MBA

UND as a whole is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913.

#19 University of North Texas

Online MBA – Management

Online MBA – Marketing

Online MBA – Supply Chain

UNT is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#20 University of Southern Indiana

Online MBA

Online MBA – Accounting

Online MBA – Data Analytics

Online MBA – Engineering Management

Online MBA – Healthcare Administration

Online MBA – Human Resources

USI is accredited for ten years at the baccalaureate and master’s levels by the Higher Learning Commission.

#21 University of Texas – Arlington

Online Master’s in Public Administration

Online MBA – Finance

Online MBA – General

Online MBA – Health Care

Online MBA – Management

UTA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#22 University of Texas – Permian Basin

Online Master’s in Public Administration

Online MBA

Online MBA – Finance

UTPB is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#23 University of the Cumberlands

Online Executive Master’s in Project Management

Online Executive Master’s in Strategic Management

Online MBA

UCumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#24 University of West Georgia

Online Master’s in Public Administration

Online MBA

UWG is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

#25 Valdosta State University

Online Georgia WebMBA

Online MBA – Healthcare Administration

Valdosta is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Get Started with One Year MBA Programs

Because accelerated and online undergraduate and graduate programs have become so popular among students, top-ranked colleges and universities have responded to this popularity by offering more of them.

To get started, choose your concentration and apply to 3-5 universities that offer degrees in that specialization. Don’t forget to check accreditation and look for financial aid opportunities while you’re waiting to hear back.