University of South Dakota’s Beacom School of Business Online MBA

For professionals thinking about pursuing an MBA degree online, the Online MBA program at the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business has three main attractions: it’s affordable, flexible, and customizable.

At $444 per credit and 33 total credits needed to graduate, the program’s cost of $14,652 comes in at nearly half the cost of other online MBA program offerings in the market and it is one of the least expensive online programs in the U.S. The program offers three different start dates throughout the year and built-in flexibility for students to heighten or lessen their course workload as they navigate through it.

FIVE WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR MBA
On the customization front, the Beacom School offers five ways for students to personalize their MBA education by specializing in an area of interest. The five deep-dive areas that are offered are business analytics, health services administration, marketing, operations and supply chain management, and business administration.

Business analytics preps students for careers in data science; using science, technology, and analytics to solve business problems. Health services administration combines general management and health services instruction. Marketing teaches core business knowledge while honing strengths in consumer behavior, branding, marketing analysis, and other marketing functions. Operations and supply chain management focuses on lean management logistics such as waste elimination, quality control, and other areas to set students up for a successful career in business operations.

Finally, the school says the business administration specialization is the optimal choice for professionals in business, government, nonprofit or those…

For professionals thinking about pursuing an MBA degree online, the Online MBA program at the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business has three main attractions: it’s affordable, flexible, and customizable.

At $444 per credit and 33 total credits needed to graduate, the program’s cost of $14,652 comes in at nearly half the cost of other online MBA program offerings in the market and it is one of the least expensive online programs in the U.S. The program offers three different start dates throughout the year and built-in flexibility for students to heighten or lessen their course workload as they navigate through it.

FIVE WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR MBA
On the customization front, the Beacom School offers five ways for students to personalize their MBA education by specializing in an area of interest. The five deep-dive areas that are offered are business analytics, health services administration, marketing, operations and supply chain management, and business administration.

Business analytics preps students for careers in data science; using science, technology, and analytics to solve business problems. Health services administration combines general management and health services instruction. Marketing teaches core business knowledge while honing strengths in consumer behavior, branding, marketing analysis, and other marketing functions. Operations and supply chain management focuses on lean management logistics such as waste elimination, quality control, and other areas to set students up for a successful career in business operations.

Finally, the school says the business administration specialization is the optimal choice for professionals in business, government, nonprofit or those interested in teaching and continuing work at the doctoral level.

A 95% ACCEPTANCE RATE  
The program is designed to be completed in two years, although the usual time frame is three years. Meanwhile, the maximum number of years the school will permit is seven. Classes are delivered through Desire2Learn, a popular learning management system used in online and distance education. Engagement methods that students can expect include live and recorded audio and video, live chat rooms, discussion boards, and simulations. Though the program is delivered online, students can also choose to partake in an optional five-day, in-person residency at the program’s beginning. This gives students the chance to mix and mingle with faculty and students and establish a connection with the University of South Dakota campus.

To enroll in Beacom’s online MBA program requires GMAT exam scores, an application essay, and three letters of recommendation. The average undergraduate GPA for incoming students is 3.3, average GMAT is 520, and they typically have about six and half years of work experience. Not only is the program inexpensive, but the school reports a 95% acceptance rate. A strong undergraduate GPA and GMAT score plus a high interest level in the program are weighed most heavily during application evaluations.