Business professionals ready to take their careers to new heights will do well to consider an online Master’s of Business Administration. This well-respected degree can open many doors in business leadership. Each year more and more traditional business schools offer online degree plans, understanding that professionals in established positions want to give themselves more opportunities. This can be true whether a professional finds herself in a dead-end job or is looking to be promoted in the organization she currently works in.
A concentration in operations is a wonderful addition to the online MBA. This multidisciplinary specialization is designed to give students a broad understanding of the components necessary to management. Topics like supply chain management, customer service, logistics, and human resources are covered in an online MBA with an operations emphasis. Distance learners will not only enjoy flexibility when it comes to setting a schedule that jives well with their professional schedules, but they will also benefit from educators who have built a curriculum consisting of solid business theory and relevant application.
Imagine being trained to work alongside engineers, technicians, and marketers who will benefit from your being properly trained for a career in operations. There will be plenty of job opportunities tied to this online degree and organizations will be looking for competent operations managers for years to come.
While the list of noteworthy online MBAs in operations can seem daunting, it is important to consider the multiple factors which make a program stand out from the rest. Tuition, accreditation, program length, and business school reputation are just some of the important variables to consider. Here are the very best online Operations MBA Degrees.
Methodology
With the number of online MBA programs growing every semester, bring the benefit of more choices as well as the stress of finding one out of the masses. There are many program attributes that might be important to a student, but it can many times be boiled down to the word value. Prospective online MBA students are looking for comprehensive and flexible programs that offer the highest quality education, at the lowest cost, and with the distance student in mind. To help in this pursuit, MBA Central examined over 500 online MBA programs and ranked the best Online Operations MBA programs based on Quality of Classes (33%), Support Services (33%), and Affordability (33%).
Additionally, programs are listed with an Affordability Score based on their total base tuition of the MBA degree. Scores include:
Very Affordable: under $15,000
Affordable: between $15,000 and $20,000
Average: between $20,000 and $30,000
Above Average: between $30,000 and $50,000
Expensive: between $50,000 and $100,000
Very Expensive: above $100,000
#1 University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business – Vermillion, South Dakota
The University of South Dakota’s Beacom School of Business offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Health Services Administration may also be added as specializations to this best-of-the-best online program. Students wanting a well-rounded business degree will be impressed by this program’s curriculum. Managerial Accounting, Quantitative Finance, Strategic Management, Managerial Finance, Managerial Marketing, Business and Its Environment, Leadership Development, and Operations Management are just some of the excellent courses included within this 36-credit hour program. Candidates with the proper academic experience may be able to waive up to 18-credit hours of coursework. This saves time by having to take fewer classes over the course of the program and also saves money with a lower tuition rate. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has been granting the Beacom School of Business its business accreditation for nearly seventy years. This fact means you can trust that the business school has been directing students with integrity and consistency for decades. This online operations MBA will prepare students for significant careers in a spectrum of business management positions and also prime graduate students to consider pursuing a doctorate in the future.
Ranking entities like U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review sing this online MBA in Management’s praises calling it the 73rd and 19th best in the nation respectively. Since 1862, the University of South Dakota has been offering high-quality degrees like this online MBA to students at multiple levels. USD exists as a four-year public university and is one of the most highly respected institutions of higher learning in the state of South Dakota. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and features a main campus in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable
#2 Kettering University School of Management – Flint, Michigan
The School of Management at Kettering University provides an online Master’s of Business Administration with a graduate certificate in Operations Management. Other high-quality certificates one can pursue with this online degree include Global Leadership, Healthcare Management, and Supply Chain & Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The advantages of this online MBA get felt right off the bat with no GMAT/GRE test scores needed during the application process. This saves time and money for candidates who are not interested in taking the placement test or who scored poorly on it in the past. One hundred percent of this MBA can be taken online which also saves time and money with zero campus visits. Students get to set their own schedules and can complete one course at a time. Distance learners may also take courses on an accelerated basis and graduate in just eighteen months. This distance MBA with a graduate certificate in Operations Management is fully accredited by the ACBSP, and the business school has tailor-fit this program for students desiring to link processes and performance with people. The 40-credit hours included in this degree consist of three certificate-intensive courses and seven required core courses.
While the online MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Kettering University receives its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. Kettering got its start as the School of Automotive Trades in 1919 and in just a few years came under the control of General Motors as a training institution for engineers preparing for careers in the automotive industry. Kettering was rebranded in the late 1990s and today exists as a private nonprofit university based in Flint, Michigan. Kettering maintains a student body of 2,311 students.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average
#3 University of Scranton Arthur J. Kania School of Management – Scranton, Pennsylvania
An Operations Management-intensive online Master’s of Business Administration is provided at the Arthur J. Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton. Other praiseworthy specializations offered at the business school include Accounting, Human Resources, Enterprise Resource Planning, Healthcare Management, and International Business, Not looking for a specific concentration? Simply apply for the general MBA. Scranton has designed this degree to meet the needs of the modern business professional. Students can access coursework and complete assignments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For less than $35,000 in tuition, a distance learner can earn an online operations MBA that is sure to equip her with the skills she will need for a long career in operations management. The AACSB-International grants the Arthur J. Kania School of Management its business accreditation. Recognition for excellent support services has been shown to the business school according to U.S. News & World Report which claims it at the 14th spot in the nation. The respected ranking group has also given the business school a nod as offering the 109th best online degree in the country. Accounting for Management, Marketing Management, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior, and Management Information Systems are all provided within this degree as core courses.
The online MBA in Operations Management is just one in a long list of excellent degree plans provided at the University of Scranton. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education regionally accredits the University of Scranton. The school opened its doors in 1888 as Saint Thomas College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Over 5,370 students currently call the university their academic home as Scranton provides degrees at the associate through doctoral levels. The university’s official colors are white and purple.
Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Above Average
#4 Colorado Technical University School of Business & Management – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Technical University’s School of Business & Management offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with an Operations Supply Chain Management emphasis. Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General, Technology Management, Global Leadership, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Logistics, Marketing, and Project Management are also specializations of interest associated with this distance degree. The curriculum designers for this excellent 48-credit hour degree had the distance student in mind as it was formulated to expose students to opportunities I developing the knowledge and skills that are crucial to business management. This online operations MBA stresses industry-tested strategies for organizing, planning, and controlling systems in organizations. Grad students will be given the tools they need for coaching, directing, and motivating teammates and employees for optimal performance. The business school makes it easy to get started with three start times each year and the convenience of taking all classes online or at the campuses in Colorado Springs or Aurora in the Denver area. Applied Managerial Accounting, Strategic Human Capital Management, Applied Managerial Economics, Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making, Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments, and Applied Managerial Finance are just some of the top-notch core courses delivered within the School of Business & Management.
This Operations Supply Chain Management-focused online MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and has been noted as offering excellent support services and one of the top 200 online programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. This degree is just one of the stand-out programs offered at Colorado Technical University. CTU has only been in existence since 1965 and was established to train ex-military personnel for careers in technology. Today over 25,500 students attend the school.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#5 University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business – Cincinnati, Ohio
An online Master’s of Business Administration featuring a specialization in Health Care Operations is provided at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati. There are excellent choices which accompany this program including the chance to complete it without a concentration as a general online MBA. Students can attach a certificate in Business Foundations or consider noteworthy emphases like Marketing, Health Care Finance, Individual Taxation, Health Care Administration, Health Care Operations, Corporate Taxation, and Health Care Policy and Regulation. Adequately trained health care professionals with the skills to manage, organize, and administer crucial health care services within all types of health care systems have never been in greater demand. The Linder MBA online with a Health Care Operations specialization provides the necessary knowledge a graduate student needs to manage a health care system with a focus on evidence-based decision making, health systems organization and total quality management. This curriculum also exposes students to health care finance and problem-solving. The business school’s Health Care Operations emphasis is interdisciplinary and jointly provided by the Lindner College of Business and UC’s College of Allied Health Sciences. The online MBA can be completed by registering for 38-48 credit hours while students with the proper academic experience may waive up to ten credit hours of foundational coursework.
The AACSB-International accredits the Carl H. Lindner College of Business while the University of Cincinnati is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The recognitions for the university’s online program include U.S. News & World Report calling it the 66th best online MBA in the nation and Quacquarelli Symonds naming it as the 47th best on the planet. U.S. News also reports the school provides excellent support services. Cincinnati got its start in 1819 and holds the title as the oldest college in the city. Students seeking associates through doctorates are enrolled at the school, and the most current figures show an enrollment of 37,155.
Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average
#6 Cedarville University School of Business Administration – Cedarville, Ohio
The School of Business Administration at Cedarville University offers an online MBA in Operations Management. You are sure to be impressed by this 36-credit hour business program. |
Cedarville University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Operations Management at the School of Business Administration. Operations Management, Business Analytics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Healthcare Administration are also included as concentrations within this stellar online MBA. Students less-interested in a specific focus can pursue this degree as a general MBA. This degree prepares the distance learner for a career of operational excellence with classes in project and quality management. The curriculum focuses on lean processes and supply chain excellence. The core courses within this degree will build a strong business foundation that will prove relevant to a myriad of business environments. General business knowledge courses included in this degree are Strategic Marketing Planning, Quantitative Course, Accounting for Business Executives, Executive Financial Management, Information Technology for Competitive Advantage, Organizational Design and Behavior. This degree includes a capstone course and a class called Biblical and Theological Foundations for Graduate Study. This average-priced 36-credit hour online MBA in Operations Management can be completed with an investment of less than $22,000 in tuition.
The business school has designed this program for students who possess a “profession of faith in Jesus Christ” and whose undergraduate degree completion includes a 2.75 or better grade point average. U.S. News & World Report heralds Cedarville University for providing the 89th best program for support services to online students in the country. The highly-respected ranking organization also deems the university’s online MBA the 168th best among the nation. Cedarville got its start as Cedarville College in 1887. The New Light Reformed Presbyterian Church established the college that now operates as a four-year private school in Cedarville, Ohio.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#7 Ohio University College of Business – Athens, Ohio
Ohio University provides an online MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management at its College of Business. There is an incredible amount of value offered within this stellar 35-credit hour degree. |
An Operations and Supply Chain Management-focused online Master’s of Business Administration is featured at Ohio University’s College of Business. Accounting, Finance, Health Care, Business Analytics, Business Venturing & Entrepreneurship, Executive Management, Operations and Supply Chain Management, and Strategic Selling & Sales Leadership are other high-quality emphases students can look into while researching this online degree. For less than $36,000 this high-powered business education can be pursued as a 100% online MBA. The College of Business at Ohio University receives high marks from U.S. News & World Report as the 82nd best online degree in the country and #104 among programs that offer the best support services to distance learners. While many factors go into predicting a student’s success in a graduate program, the business school’s admissions office no longer requires GMAT/GRE scores from program candidates. Students interested in this degree are asked to provide a statement of professional and academic goals, have attained an undergraduate degree with 3.0 GPA, produce proof of five years of experience in the workforce, and submit three letters of recommendation.
Data Analysis for Decision Making, Supply Chain Management, Strategic Use of Information, Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management, Strategic Marketing, Management of Operations, and Accounting for Executives are all classes offered within this online MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management at Ohio University. Located in Athens, Ohio, the university has been providing quality education in America since 1804. The university is less than one year older than the state of Ohio itself. Nearly 40,000 students seek degrees there from a two-year associate program to a doctorate. Ohio University is home of the Bobcats and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average
#8 Johnson & Wales University College of Business – Providence, Rhode Island
Johnson & Wales University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the College of Business. Students looking for other top-notch concentrations will be happy to know that the business school also allows students to pursue a general MBA or seek an emphasis in Hospitality, Finance, Human Resource Management, Organizational Leadership, Information Security/Assurance, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Psychology, and Sport Leadership. The university’s College of Business has made a priority out of being able to set its distance learners apart from the crowd as leaders in the operations and supply chain management area of business with this convenient and high-quality graduate degree. This online Master’s of Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management offers an in-depth look at effective business practices and lean methodologies and principles. The program’s emphasis on operations and supply chain management also provides a targeted understanding of logistics strategy, systems analysis, and operations management. The curriculum will serve as a benchmark for accomplishments and a virtual roadmap for continual improvement and professional development. Created in partnership with elite industry experts, this online MBA prepares students to be creative and strategic problem solvers in today’s modern business landscape.
Courses within this stellar MBA include Lean Production and Quality Control, Global Logistics, Financial Management, Operations Management, and Designing & Managing Supply Chains. Students can expect to complete between 36 and 42-credit hours to satisfy all course requirements. Distance learners with the proper academic background will be responsible for fewer credit hours. The tuition for this excellent degree is under $30,000. Johnson & Wales University’s business school features a rolling admissions schedule which adds another level of convenience to this degree.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Average
#9 University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh features a blended online Operations MBA. The support services associated with this stellar program are impressive. |
An online Master’s of Business Administration with an Operations specialization is delivered by the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. Other noteworthy concentrations offered by the business school include Finance, Information Systems and Technology Management, Strategy, Marketing, and Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management. The rigor, reputation, and trusted quality of the Katz MBA are offered in a convenient, hybrid online format which offers flexibility and convenience for today’s working professional. Katz blended online coursework has been designed exclusively for this Professional MBA program. The program is ideal for those seeking a part-time business education and those already a part of the corporate workforce. The hybrid courses limit the need for physical classroom presence and provide more learning opportunities online through synchronous and asynchronous sessions. This 51-credit hour Professional MBA in Operations is dedicated to an innovative balance between classroom courses and online study. This format has been proven as ideal for working professionals who cannot sacrifice an active work schedule. This degree is based on a wide-based foundation of business fundamentals. It has been designed to empower the MBA student by building unique strengths and goals through self-paced higher education. The tuition for this program is listed at less than $70,000 classifying it as expensive.
The business school at the University of Pittsburgh has been recognized for its excellent support services to online students by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking group has also deemed the university’s online MBA as the 89th best distance program in the nation. Nearly 29,000 students currently seek degrees from the associate to the doctoral level at the University of Pittsburgh. Known as “Pitt” by many, the university got its start in 1787 as Pittsburgh Academy and operates under the motto of “Truth and Virtue.”
Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Expensive
#10 University of Findlay College of Business – Findlay, Ohio
An online MBA in Operations Management is found at the College of Business at the University of Findlay. Distance learners wanting to sharpen their leadership skills should not pass this one up. |
The University of Findlay’s College of Business offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management. Certified Management Accountant, Finance, Certified Public Accountant, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, International Business, and Marketing are all offered as excellent specialization options for this online program. Some students are looking for a general online MBA and will choose to forgo a concentration altogether. Upon graduation, a student with this degree in Operations Management should be proficient in demonstrating qualities of teamwork, professionalism, and leadership while practicing ethics in business decisions, communicating effectively in a wide variety of business environments, and functioning productively in a dynamic and diverse global economic setting. Students should also be able to practice skills and technical competency congruent to the knowledge attained through coursework. For less than $22,000 in tuition, a distance learner can complete this 33-credit hour online MBA in Operations Management and enjoy being an important asset to any organization’s future. The business accreditation granted to this stellar distance degree comes from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Accounting for Managers, Finance Management, Management of Human Resources, Marketing Management and Planning, Ethics and Legal Environment, and Decision-Making in Financial Management are some of the core courses included within this program delivered by the University of Findlay. The university was first established as Findlay College in 1882 through joint efforts of the Churches of God General Conference and the City of Findlay in Ohio. Today’s Findlay University runs as a nonprofit four-year private school tending to 4,888 students.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#11 Ottawa University Angell Snyder School of Business – Ottawa, Kansas
Ottawa University’s Angell Snyder School of Business features an online MBA with a School Business Operations emphasis. U.S. News & World Report calls this 12-course program one of the nation’s best. |
The Angell Snyder School of Business at Ottawa University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in School Business Operations. Other excellent concentrations provided within this MBA include Finance, Health Care Management, Population Health Management, Leadership Development, Marketing, Human Resources, School Business Operations, and Strategic Innovation. A distance learner interested in a program with multiple start times each year will be interested in this 36-credit hour program. If an accelerated experience is a priority, this online MBA in School Business Operations can be completed in just twenty-two months. Other campuses which offer courses for this degree are Phoenix, Queen Creek, and Surprise, AZ and Overland Park, Kansas. Students can choose to visit one of these campuses while taking coursework online. This hybrid experience is often the best of both worlds as the program remains convenient and allows for quality face-to-face interaction with professors and fellow students. The twelve-course program is listed as average in affordability with a tuition rate of just over $23,000. The Angell Snyder School of Business provides an online application for program candidates and asks for the submission of all previous courses taken, employment history, and any referrals and letters of recommendation.
Strategic Marketing, Managerial Finance, Managerial Economics, Management Accounting, and Management of Information Systems are just a few of the excellent classes offered within this School Business Operations-intensive online Master’s of Business Administration. This program has captured the 215th best online MBA in the country spot according to U.S. News & World Report. The online MBA offered at Ottawa University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The history of Ottawa University is a rich one as the school was founded in 1865 by Kansas Baptists as Roger Williams University. Today Ottawa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provides bachelor’s and master’s degrees to 727 students enrolled there.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#12 American InterContinental University Online Campus – Schaumburg, Illinois
An online Master’s of Business Administration with an Operations Management focus is provided by American InterContinental University’s Online Campus. The university offers no shortage of specializations including Accounting, Finance, Healthcare, Technology Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Management, and Marketing. This excellent degree’s awards and accolades include a ranking of #215 by U.S. News & World Report among the very best programs in the country. For less than $30,000, this distance degree can be pursued as a 100% online experience. High-quality courses within the program include Strategic Management, Legal Aspects of Business Decisions, Leadership and Ethics for Managers, Economics for the Global Manager, Global Financial Management, Quality Management and Continuous Improvement, Business Research for Decision Making, and A Managerial Approach to Marketing. The Online Campus at American InterContinental University has designed this program to train students to be able to innovate and adapt to solve problems, analyze various cultural, leader, follower, and situational paradigms that contribute to leadership. Graduate students will be encouraged to sharpen their skills of adapting to the needs of employees, co-workers, and professional situations by applying quantitative reasoning and analysis to management issues using mathematics, economics statistics, and finance.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs grants this online MBA in Operations Management its accreditation while the Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits American InterContinental University. Helen and Jack Barnette are the university’s founders. They first named the institution the American Fashion College of Switzerland when it opened its doors in 1970. The first types of degrees granted there were associates and bachelor’s programs. Today, the university is based in Schaumburg, Illinois and is most popular among online students as eight out of ten students enrolled there take courses exclusively over the internet. Nearly 9,700 students are enrolled at American InterContinental University.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#13 University of Michigan-Flint School of Management – Flint, Michigan
A Supply Chain & Operations Management-focused online Master’s of Business Administration is delivered by the University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Management. Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Marketing & Innovation Management, Finance, Health Care Management, International Business, and Organizational Leadership can also be pursued as specializations within this powerful online degree. Unlike some MBA programs, an undergraduate business degree is not a prerequisite for this 100% online program. Students having the proper academic background will, however, be able to waive up to 12-credit hours of foundational coursework and move immediately to core courses. Rated as average in affordability, this online Master’s of Business Administration in Supply Chain & Operations Management is offered at under $25,000 in tuition. The AACSB-International accredits the university’s School of Management. This business accreditation is one of the most prestigious in the country and speaks volumes for the business school and this specific distance degree. One interesting feature of this program is Weekend Net+ which affords students the opportunity to collaborate with fellow graduate students while attending classes on campus and during campus residency terms which supplement a student’s distance education. This software infrastructure allows for valuable face-to-face interactions. Campus sessions are planned out 24 months in advance to foster confidence in schedule planning.
The online MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain & Operations Management is just one of the University of Michigan-Flint’s stellar degrees. The university was originally founded as Flint Senior College of the University of Michigan over seventy years ago. Today the university maintains a student body of 7,836 and competes in athletics as the Kodiaks. Like the main University of Michigan, the university’s colors are blue and maize. The university’s online MBA consists of forty-five credit hours divided between foundational courses, core courses, and electives.
Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#14 Southern New Hampshire University School of Business – Manchester, New Hampshire
The School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Accounting, Community Economic Development, Business Intelligence, Criminal Justice, Sustainability & Environmental Compliance, Forensic Accounting, Human Resources, Healthcare Informatics, Healthcare Management, International Business, Six Sigma, Internet Marketing, Leadership, Marketing, Music Business, Project Management, Public Administration, Quantitative Analytics, Social Media, and Sport Management make up the other excellent specializations delivered within this program. The tuition rate for this online degree is less than $23,000 making it average in affordability. The ACBSP grants the degree its business accreditation and gives distance learners confidence that the business school is operated with integrity and academic excellence throughout. The business school’s admissions department has a reputation for being communicative and supportive of program candidates. As many factors now influence the potential match between a student and a graduate program, the School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University does not require its applicants to produce GMAT/GRE test scores during the application process. This fact is a great comfort to students who are uninterested in taking the placement test and saves time and money during the acceptance process.
The business school’s admissions process is carried out on a rolling process each year allowing a convenience and faster pace for acceptance into this online MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Business Environment, Marketing and Strategy, Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Leading in an Organization, and Accounting and Financial Analysis are some of the excellent core courses delivered within this online program at SNHU. The university has been operating since 1932 when it opened its doors as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science. Today the private university educates over 90,000 students and is based in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Accreditation: ACBSP, New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Average
#15 Oklahoma Baptist University College of Graduate and Professional Studies – Shawnee, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Baptist University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a certificate in Business Operations at the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Other certificates students can pursue in their MBA experience include Project Management, Business Operations, Leadership, Energy Management, and Corporate Innovation. Instructed from a Biblical perspective, this excellent program is designed to teach the value of integrity and ethics from a faculty that possesses practical, real-world experience. The business school realizes some students will need to complete all coursework as distance learners, so this program features the convenience of a 100% online format. Some students will have the ability to visit OBU’s campus in Shawnee, Oklahoma. This will afford them the chance to interact more-readily with business school faculty and fellow students when evening classes are offered. Students may also choose a hybrid experience which allows for online coursework and classroom meetings. The 45-credit hour program offered by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies consists of 33-credits of coursework and 12 certificate credits. The four classes within the Business Operations certificate include Managing for Results, Financial Accountability, Marketing for Results, and Financial Management.
This stellar online MBA with a certificate in Business Operations is listed as average in affordability with tuition under $25,000. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits this online degree and stands behind its integrity. Other excellent degrees offered at Oklahoma Baptist University include a two-year associate’s, an undergraduate, and master’s program. Just over 2,090 students are currently seeking degrees at OBU. The school exists as a four-year private school in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Higher Learning Commission accredits OBU.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#16 Lewis University College of Business – Romeoville, Illinois
An online MBA in Operations Management is provided at the College of Business at Lewis University. The illustrious ACBSP accredits this excellent distance degree in business leadership. |
Lewis University’s College of Business provides an Operations Management-focused online Master’s of Business Administration. Other emphases associated with this MBA include Accountancy, Finance, Social Media Marketing, Healthcare Informatics, Healthcare Management, Information Technology Management, Human Resource Management, Information Security, International Business, Marketing, and Project Management. This excellent distance degree is available to not only those holding business undergraduate degrees but also to those lacking a business background. Students needing to complete foundational courses in business may be subject to up to 18 hours of coursework in accounting, finance, statistics, and economics. For less than $30,000 in tuition, this degree is rated as average in affordability. The curriculum designers at the business school have made it a priority to provide graduate students with a keen understanding of the social, political, and economic and realities which impact and influence the greater business environment, develop analytical skills in areas of marketing, accounting, economics, finance, management, and information systems. Students can also expect to enhance their interpersonal and communication skills for optimal relations with staff, teams, and customers.
The online MBA in Operations Management is accredited by the highly-respected Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs while Lewis University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university calls Romeoville, Illinois home and has been a force in higher education since 1932 when it began meeting for classes as Holy Name Technical School. The institution instructed an all-male student body and was established by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Within 20 years the university accepted female students, and during World War II it donated classroom space for the training of Navy fighter pilots. Lewis University is named after its leading financer, Frank J. Lewis and today features a student body of 6,506 students.
Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average
#17 Endicott College Van Loan School – Beverly, Massachusetts
Endicott College’s Van Loan School provides an online Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations Management. The business school also delivers specializations in areas of business like Accounting, General Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Healthcare, Human Resources Management, Health Informatics, Hospitality/Hotel Management, Information Technology Management, Maritime Economics, International Business, Marketing, Non-Profit Management, and Project Management. The business school’s main objective for this degree is that graduates would be competent in articulating leadership theory within a wide variety of professional applications on the global stage of business leadership. Students should be able to apply market analytics, organizational evaluations, analysis of diverse situations, and give efficient recommendations for solutions to business case study issues and opportunities. A high regard is given for the ability to understand and demonstrate knowledge of the skills needed to articulate current management trends, which include cross-cultural and global awareness. This stellar distance degree in operations management is delivered at just over $30,000 in tuition making it above average in cost.
Accounting from a Manager’s Perspective, Business Policy and Strategy, Managerial Finance and Decision Making, Managing Information Systems, Managing in the Evolving Workplace, Project Management, Marketing and Customer Value Management, Managerial Economics, and Operations and Logistics Management are included in this online MBA in Operations Management’s core course list offered at Endicott. The College began offering high-quality higher learning in 1939 when it opened its doors to female students as Endicott Junior College. The two-year school was the project of George O. Bierkoe and Eleanor Tupper, a married couple who wanted to provide women with a quality degree which would result in professional status and societal independence. Today, Endicott is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and maintains a co-ed student body of 4,795 students.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Above Average
#18 North Park University School of Business and Nonprofit Management – Chicago, Illinois
An online Master’s of Business Administration with a certificate in Operations Management is provided at the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University. Other high-quality certificates found at the business school include Economics, Finance, Organizational Development, Fundraising Management, Healthcare Management, Higher Education Administration, Nonprofit Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Leadership, Nonprofit Finance, and Nonprofit Governance. This wonderful distance degree can be pursued for just over $40,000 in tuition making it above average in cost. The 36-credit hours included in the program are delivered through 18 courses. Thirteen of these classes are listed as core courses while students have the choice of electives to round out the final five credits. Organizational Behavior and Ethics, Strategy for Competitive Advantage, Marketing Analysis and Consumer Behavior, Financial Decision Making, and Multi-Sector Convergence and Social Responsibility are included within the core courses. The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education grants the School of Business and Nonprofit Management its high-powered business accreditation. The business school hopes to train experienced professionals for fruitful careers in many levels of business. The curriculum exposes students to the content needed to produce effective, ethical, and knowledgeable leaders in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors. Advanced topics in finance, marketing management, economics, strategic management, and organizational behavior are presented through solid theory and relevant case studies.
The university that delivers this excellent online MBA in Operations Management is North Park University of Chicago, Illinois. North Park has a vibrant athletic department and is home to the Vikings who play at the NCAA Division III level. Just over 2,900 students currently call North Park home. The school provides undergraduate programs, master’s degrees, and doctorates. It was established by Swedish immigrants in 1891, and the school remains tied in an official capacity to the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average
#19 Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business features an online MBA. This award-winning degree offers a wonderful long-distance business education. |
The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University provides an online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management. Other emphases associated with this program include Accounting, Communications, Ethics and Social Responsibility, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Organizational Behavior, Business Technologies, Marketing, Operations Research, and Strategy. The business school has a long history of being recognized by some of the most respected ranking entities on the planet. The Princeton Review rates this online MBA as the fifth best in the nation, and it holds the 3rd spot as the best in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report. This prestigious university in Pittsburgh offers this online degree as an eight-semester, very expensive degree. Potential hiring organizations will be impressed by this business school listed on an applicant’s resume. As with many expensive and very expensive degrees, the potential for a high return on the investment of education can be enjoyed. Managerial Economics, Global Economics, Marketing Management, Finance I, Managing People and Teams, Managing Networks and Organizations, Operations Management, and Ethics and Leadership are just some of the excellent core courses taught within this distance degree which focuses on operations. The business school is recognized for offering excellent support services to online degree pursuers.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business grants the Tepper School of Business its business accreditation while the Middle States Commission on Higher Education regionally accredits the reputable Carnegie Mellon University. The school got its start as Carnegie Technical School with a commitment to train students to become important members of the American workforce at the turn of the century in 1900. Today, the private school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers degree programs to 13,869 students.
Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Very Expensive
#20 Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business – Houston, Texas
An online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Operations Management is offered at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. The business school has designed an excellent degree. Distance learners enrolled in this program can experience an unparalleled mix of core skills training and a supportive staff from a top-notch faculty. Rice’s online MBA program will encourage graduate students to fearlessly pursue innovation by understanding the concepts and applying principles of sound business leadership. The tuition for this 54-credit hour program is rated at very expensive as it is over $100,000 in total tuition. The AACSB-International accredits the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. Distance learners interested in this challenging yet gratifying program are encouraged to submit an online application, proof of an undergraduate degree, GMAT/GRE test scores, recommendations from previous supervisors and a current professional recommendation, and a current resume into the admissions office to get the acceptance process started. A $2,500 application fee is also associated with this degree, but this charge is lumped into the first semester’s tuition once the student is accepted. A virtual interview is also conducted by the business school so faculty can have a chance to learn more about the applicant and make sure it is a good fit for all parties.
This online MBA in Operations Management is just one of the noteworthy programs delivered at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Rice is home to Sammy the Owl and has had a reputation for offering a high-quality educational experience to students since 1912. The school’s start is an interesting one as the school’s namesake, William Marsh Rice, was a successful businessman who was murdered by his lawyer. Once the mystery of Rice’s death was solved, the Williams Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Letters, Science, and Art opened its doors to an inaugural class of nearly 80 co-ed students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges regionally accredits Rice University. Just over 7,000 students are currently enrolled there.
Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Expensive
What is operations management?
Business managers have a wide range of career opportunities to choose from. Those interested in one-on-one employee support can thrive in human resource management. Those with high attention to detail and a knack with finances do well in financial management. The professionals that are always looking to break boundaries and try new things foster creativity in innovation management. Professionals that have a general grasp on each of these subjects, with a strategic focus, should look into operations management.
Operations Management is the field in business that oversees business practices and drives organizational efficiency, productivity, and profit. The scope of operations management is very broad and is applied in every industry and organization. It is the larger management umbrella of all of the resources within a company, the people, practices, and systems. Operations management is very strategic in nature and influences a company’s project management, quality control, human resource management, innovation, and supply chain management.
Some might confuse the scope of supply chain management and operations management. Supply chain management lies within the overall scope of operations but deals specifically with steps of production from raw materials to distribution. Operations management oversees this aspect of a company, but also the broader organizational operation systems as well.
What does an Operations Manager do?
To manage everyday operational functionality, organizations are looking for skilled and knowledgeable leaders with creative problem solving and management skills. Operations managers have skills in project management, people management, customer service, and leadership, and have an average annual salary of $63,000. A natural fit for operations managers is in the manufacturing industry where there are multiple layers of operations happening. These managers must have an understanding of safety and environmental issues, HR regulations, as well as organizational budgeting goals. Every operations manager must have a grasp on good organizational communications and conflict management, whether overseeing a small staff or managing relations with large unions. These managers must be able to clearly communicate operational tasks and vision to lead organizational teams effectively.
Important tools for operations managers to understand is lean management and six sigma. Six Sigma is a system that was introduced in 1980 outlining steps for process improvement and quality management. Lean systems techniques can be used to improve processes by eliminating waste. Six Sigma started in the manufacturing world but has been applied to organizations in engineering, finance, and healthcare. Creating efficient and effective operations processes is the focus of every operations manager. These processes are very analytically driven and allow operations managers to quantify processes and procedures in order to improve and sustain good practices.
Operations managers looking to keep climbing the corporate ladder might have their sights set on a Chief Operating Officer (COO) position. This position is generally the second highest ranking position in a company, second to CEO, and takes in an average annual salary of over $130,000. Popular skills for COOs include human resources, people management, operations management, strategic planning, and leadership. COOs take the function of an organizational manager and puts it on a larger corporate scale, ensuring that middle managers and complex systems are meeting organizational efficiency goals.
What does an Online Operations MBA entail?
During the research phase of finding an online MBA program, students need to be aware of different application requirements and processes. While the GMAT was once the foundational entrance requirement for an MBA, some programs offer GMAT/GRE waivers or delete the requirement altogether. Admissions for applicants might continue year-round on a rolling basis or have a strict deadline for minimal start dates. The application process for an MBA might take time, money, and effort, but it is definitely worth it. While the salary for general managers rests around $63,000, professionals holding an MBA in Business Operations have an annual salary of almost $90,000. This degree has a great potential for return on investment in the career of an operations manager.
Once starting an MBA degree, students will first explore the core foundational topics in business, like finance, accounting, marketing, statistics, and business law. Because operations management has such a broad scope within the life of a company, each of these foundation classes offers a lot of applicable information. These courses are especially important for students with a non-business undergraduate background. Those with other undergraduate degrees like engineering, technology, and finance can pursue this degree to gain experience with the core business essentials, as well as grasp the foundations of business management.
Students also get to explore the operations related topics in their specialization and concentration courses. These courses span the scope of effective operations in a global market. Course topics may include Performance Improvement, Global Logistics, Supply Chain Risk Management, Designing & Managing Supply Chains, Operations Management and System Analysis, Financial Management, and Management of Lean Six Sigma Programs.
The flexible nature of an online MBA lends itself to busy professionals who already work full-time. It allows professionals to continue building rapport and experience within the workplace while also pursuing an advanced degree. Another benefit of an online MBA is that the choice of a quality MBA program can extend far beyond a professional’s location in the country. Some MBA programs are offered in a 100% online format giving students the ultimate schedule flexibility, while others require on-campus residencies leveraging face-to-face networking opportunities. With the popularity of online MBA programs around the country, prospective students have the choice of small private college communities, large public universities, and everything in between.