Best One Year MBA Programs [2022 Ultimate Guide] (2024)

One year MBA programs may 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 may be 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 interested in?

• Accounting
• Finance
• General Business
• Management
• Marketing

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 may be 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 may 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 may 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 might make $91,000 for your skills (Center on Education and the Workforce).

Finance

On the other side of the numbers spectrum is a concentration in Finance. This degree is often 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 may be ready to head the finance department of a business, non-profit, or government entity. You may also advise individuals on the best ways to manage and invest their money.

Finance MBA graduates can make an average of $101,000 per year (Center on Education and the Workforce).

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 may also be 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 may make an average of $89,000 per year (Center on Education and the Workforce).

Management

A concentration in Management may provide 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 may 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 can earn an average of $81,000 (Center on Education and the Workforce).

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? If so, you may want to concentrate your studies in marketing to learn about pricing, advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and sales force management.

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

As a Marketing MBA degree holder, you may earn the average $81,000 per year (Center on Education and the Workforce).

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 often 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 usually 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 may 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 may 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 may make it easier than ever for business students to pursue their MBA quickly and conveniently. The sooner you finish your MBA, the sooner you may reap the benefits and be on your way to a possible 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 may 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 may 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.

Jobs with MBA

Earning your MBA may open plenty of new job opportunities. U.S. News & World Report 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 may 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 largest 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 may 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.

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 help 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 schools offering 1 year MBA degrees.

Universities Offering One Year MBA Programs Online

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

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.

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.

Delta State University

• Online Integrated MBA

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

Gannon University

• Online MBA

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

University of Alabama – Huntsville

• Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

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

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.

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

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

University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth

• Online Master’s in Healthcare Management
• Online MBA

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, many colleges and universities have responded to this popularity by offering more of them.

To get started, choose your concentration and consider applying 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.