Online Master of Business Administration degrees are designed to be flexible to career to working professionals. MBA graduates can go on to pursue many management and leadership positions in a variety of industries.
A few colleges and universities in South Dakota, as well as several more around the country, offer online MBA programs. Keep reading to discover the best online MBA degrees in South Dakota.
Top-Ranked Online MBA Degree Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota is one of the least densely populated states, so it doesn’t have a lot of colleges and universities. Of those, only a fraction offer online MBA degree programs. We’ve highlighted the top programs below.
1. Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a public institution in Madison, SD. It offers a technology-focused, flexible, online MBA with multiple concentrations, including:
- artificial intelligence
- analytics
- healthcare informatics
- supply chain management
The program requires 30 credit hours and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students must have an undergraduate degree but no GRE or GMAT is required.
2. Dakota Wesleyan University
At Dakota Wesleyan University, MBA students can complete their graduate program online. DWU is a private Christian school in Mitchell, SD.
This program offers three concentrations:
- athletic and activities administration
- nonprofit administration for ministry leaders
- strategic leadership
Full-time students can finish the program in as little as one year, and students who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or more are automatically accepted. No GRE or GMAT scores are required.
3. University of Sioux Falls
Through the Vucurevich School of Business, online students can earn an MBA at the University of Sioux Falls. This program includes core MBA courses as well as specializations in:
- business innovation and marketing
- healthcare
- management
- organizational leadership
The University of Sioux Falls is a private institution in Sioux Falls, SD. For the online MBA, students must have a bachelor’s degree, and those with a GPA under 3.0 must have a sufficient GMAT score or work experience to prove they are ready for graduate school. Financial aid options are available to help students pay for their business degrees.
4. University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is a public research institution in Vermillion, SD. The Beacom School of Business offers the only online MBA in the state that’s accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
This program offers multiple concentrations, including:
- artificial intelligence for business analytics
- health services administration
- operations and supply chain management
- sustainability
Grad students can complete this program at a full-time or part-time pace. USD requires applications to have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 2.7, but no test scores are required.
Other Online MBA Programs in the U.S.
Students in South Dakota don’t have to stay in state to earn their MBA online. Many colleges and universities across the country allow out-of-state students to earn online MBAs. We’ve highlighted some additional top programs below.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Students at Carnegie Mellon University can earn an online MBA through the Tepper School of Business. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, nonprofit research institution in Pittsburgh.
This program is AACSB accredited and offers several concentrations, including:
- business technologies
- entrepreneurship
- operations management
- organizational behavior
The program is part-time, and GMAT and GRE waivers are available to qualifying students.
2. Indiana University Bloomington
Through the Kelley School of Business, students at Indiana University Bloomington can earn an online MBA. This is the number one program on U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of online MBAs and offers multiple specializations including:
- business analytics
- digital technology management
- entrepreneurship and corporate innovation
- supply chain and operations
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research institution in Bloomington, IN. GMAT and GRE scores are optional for this program, and scholarships and other types of financial aid are available.
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research institution in Chapel Hill, NC. Through its Kenan-Flagler Business School, it offers an online MBA with six concentrations, including:
- data analytics and decision making
- entrepreneurship
- management and leadership
- strategy and consulting
Full-time students can complete this program in as few as 18 months. Students must have an undergraduate degree and two years of professional work experience, and GMAT waivers are available to eligible students.
FAQs About Online Master of Business Administration Degrees
Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about online Master of Business Administration degrees.
How Does an Online MBA Program Work?
Most online MBA programs are asynchronous, meaning that while you have due dates, you’ll complete your coursework at your own pace. This may include readings, projects, papers, and discussion posts.
MBA programs include core courses that usually cover topics like leadership, finance, and marketing. Beyond that, you’ll usually choose from a variety of electives or take courses in a specific concentration.
There are many different concentrations available for online MBA programs. Some common ones include:
- business analytics
- entrepreneurship
- finance
- healthcare administration
- human resources
- international business
- marketing management
- operations management
- project management
- supply chain management
These concentrations allow students to tailor their programs according to their career goals. For example, students who want to go into healthcare management may choose a healthcare-focused specialization.
Do Online MBA Programs Require the GMAT?
Some online MBA programs require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), but many do not. Others offer waivers to students with a high enough undergraduate GPA or sufficient work experience.
What Career Paths Are Available for Online MBA Graduates in South Dakota?
Many career paths are available to MBA graduates in South Dakota, including:
- business analyst
- financial manager
- healthcare administrator
- human resources manager
- management consultant
- marketing manager
- operations manager
- project manager
- sales manager
- supply chain manager
Explore the Best Online MBA Programs Today
Start your path toward an MBA today by checking out the online MBA programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn more about admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid.