Online MBA in Montana
Welcome to our in-depth guide on online MBA programs in Montana. At seven people per square mile, Montana is one of the least populated states, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a respected MBA program! The fact is, the University of Montana offers an AACSB-Accredited online MBA program – and what’s more, it is offered online and on-campus! Neighboring states such as Idaho also offer programs.
We have put this guide together to help you sort through each school and program, and we have also packed the manual full of other useful information. We have filled this guide with resources to help you find the best MBA Program in Montana for you.
Online MBA Programs in Montana
The University of Montana offers the only online MBA program in Montana state. However, neighboring states such as Idaho do offer a few additional online MBA programs.
We have researched each option and summarized all the information for you, such as each program’s structure, unique characteristics, admission criteria, and even foundational coursework.
1. University of Montana
The University of Montana is located in Missoula and enrolls more than 13,000 students. The school has offered distance programs since 1988 and has worked hard to perfect its model over the years. UM offers its AACSB-Accredited MBA program through its unique distance model at “small” classrooms located across the state. The program is flexible, respected, and built on the same curriculum as UM’s campus MBA.
The program is 32 credits in length, which consists of 19 core credits and 13 elective credits. Classes take place Monday-Thursday from 6-9 pm at various “classrooms” spread across the state. Locations include Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Great Falls, and Kalispell. Please visit UM’s website for more information.
For admission, coursework, and specializations, please see above under “Campus MBA Programs.”
2. Boise State University
Boise State University offers an AACSB-Accredited Online MBA program that is designed for hard-working individuals who wish to move their career forward while continuing to work full-time. The program can be completed entirely online and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #79 “Best Online MBA.” The program has a general management focus, and graduates leave it with improved management and teamwork skills.
The program is 49 credit hours in length and can be pursued full-time or part-time. In fact, the entire program can be completed in 12 months of continual study. Courses are offered in six, eight-week sessions during the year, and all textbooks are digital. Students in the program gain solid knowledge in all core aspects of business, including marketing, finance, accounting, and supply chain management. BSU’s well-respected faculty teach all classes, and the curriculum is identical to its campus counterpart. There are six start dates throughout the year.
Admission
Applicants must have at least two years of professional work experience, a GPA of at least 3.0, and a GMAT score of at least 500. The GMAT, however, can be waived with at least three years of managerial experience and a GPA of at least 3.0. Classes begin every eight weeks.
Foundational Coursework
Standard Courses (49 Credits) – Business Plan Development, Corporate Finance, Design Thinking, and Strategic Management, Global Economics: Policy and Trade, Introduction and Business Foundations, Information Technology and Business Alignment, Legal Issues in Business, Managing Successful Projects, Managerial Communication, Managerial Accounting, Marketing Strategy, Operations, and Supply Chain Management, and People in Organizations.
3. Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University is a nonprofit Christian university that has been educating students for over 60 years. Through its MBA program, the school strives to create ethical business leaders in 16 months. The program is ACBSP-Accredited and designed for working adults who need flexibility while pursuing their education. It has a general focus and is built on the same quality curriculum as its campus counterpart.
The MBA program is 42 credits in length and can be pursued online or on campus. Nine credits of foundational courses can be waived depending on previous courses taken. The program can be completed in 16 – 18 months and many students enroll in two courses at a time to do so. Concentrations include Finance, Global Business, Healthcare, Leadership, and Operations Management. Each focus requires nine credits.
Admission
To apply, an accredited undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 is required.
An official GMAT score and work experience are not required. Applications can be made online at any time of the year.
Foundational Coursework
Standard courses (33 credits) – Accounting for Managers, Corporate Finance, Ethics and Management, Leadership Development, Management Law, Management Information Systems, Managing in a Global Economy, Organizational Dynamics, Strategic Marketing, Strategic Management, and Quantitative Methods.
MBA Programs in Montana
The University of Montana offers an AACSB-Accredited MBA program. In this section, we look at it in detail.
1. University of Montana
The University of Montana is nestled in the heart of the state and offers an AACSB-Accredited MBA program. The program has been taught since 1982, and its mission is to “serve our region by developing leaders to manage organizations in a global business environment effectively.” The program is flexible, customizable, and offers advanced certificates and several joint degree options.
The program is 32 credits in length and can be completed in one year (although students can take up to 5 years). Nineteen core credits and 13 elective credits make up the program. Classes can be taken on campus in Missoula during the day or evening or via live/pre-recorded video conferences streamed in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Great Falls Kalispell. For students without a business undergraduate degree, foundational business courses are required before starting the program. These include business law, statistics, microeconomics, and others.
Admission
To apply, students must submit an accredited undergraduate degree and an official GMAT exam score of at least 500. The GMAT can be waived for students with more than five years of leadership/managerial experience or students pursuing a joint degree. The program begins in the fall and spring. Deadlines vary throughout the year.
Foundational Coursework
Standard Courses (19 Credits) – Administrative Controls, Business Ethics, Competitive Strategy, Financial Management, International Business, Integrated Project, Marketing Management, Management of Information Systems, Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, and Quantitative Analysis.
Program Concentrations and Specialization Options
The programs offer advanced certificates in Entrepreneurship and Entertainment Management.
Montana MBA Salary and Job Outlook
In 2014 The Bureau of Economic Analysis valued Montana’s current-dollar GDP at $44.1 Billion, with a growth of over a billion dollars per year from 2004 onward.
The state’s two largest employment sectors are finance, insurance, real estate, rental, leasing, and government. Both employ a slightly higher percentage of workers than the national average – and that is good news for MBA graduates! Both sectors require the skills and abilities that MBA graduates can offer.
Montana is not home to any Fortune 500 or 1000 companies, but the state is home to a few Inc. 5000 companies (privately owned). These companies cover various industries, including financial services, software, energy, travel and hospitality, and health. Companies include Energy 1 (#2024), Foundant Technologies (#2565), and Professional Therapy Associates at #4334. One of the hottest growth companies is Glacier Payments, which is ranked at #873. In 2015 the company did $5.7 Million in sales and showed a staggering 514% growth over the previous year. The company is located in Whitefish and only employs seven, but it is one of many rising stars that need the skills MBA graduates exhibit.
According to Careerinfo.net, large employers in the state include Billings Clinic Dermatology (3500), Billings Clinic Lab (3500), J F Overman Construction (1,992), and Big Sky Resort Accounting (1,001). And what do each of these companies have in common? Each wants to maximize its ROI, increase efficiency, and adapt to change within its industry. MBA graduates offer these skills and more, which means there is a good chance that post-graduate employment opportunities will exist in the state.
Lastly, career positions that MBA graduates obtain in the state of Montana typically pay quite well. In fact, data from the BLS indicates that they often outperform the annual mean wage by at least double – and sometimes triple! Talk about a good ROI! The BLS states that the annual mean wage in Montana for all occupations for 2015 is $40,620. Now, with that number in mind, please take a look below at BLS pay data for positions that MBA grads often fill. There is quite a difference.
- Chief Executives – $121,740
- General and Operations Managers- $90,590
- Managers, All Other- $73,010
- Financial Managers- $102,000
- Marketing Managers- $102,530