Arizona State University offers an online Master of Business Administration through the W. P. Carey School of Business, allowing working professionals to complete a graduate business degree entirely online. The program is AACSB-accredited and combines core business education with electives and optional concentrations in areas such as artificial intelligence, business data analytics, finance, leadership, marketing, and supply chain management.

The W. P. Carey Online MBA consists of 51 credit hours across approximately 18 classes. Classes are structured in five-week sessions, allowing students to complete coursework in shorter, concentrated periods rather than traditional semester-length courses. ASU estimates that students can complete the degree in approximately 21 months, with a maximum completion period of three years.

The program is designed for professionals who want to continue working while earning an MBA. Students complete coursework online, participate in case-based projects, and can customize part of the curriculum according to their professional interests.

What Is the ASU Online MBA?

The ASU Online MBA is offered by the W. P. Carey School of Business and uses the same core curriculum across the school's MBA formats. The program focuses on the major functional areas of business while incorporating strategic thinking, analytical skills, leadership, and decision-making.

The curriculum is delivered 100% online. Students can complete assignments according to their schedules while working within course deadlines. ASU also provides multiple start periods during the year, giving applicants flexibility when planning their enrollment.

The program currently offers eight concentration options, allowing students to develop additional knowledge in a selected business area.

Core MBA Courses

The W. P. Carey curriculum covers the fundamental disciplines expected in an MBA program.

Examples of courses include Financial Accounting, which addresses financial reporting and interpretation, and Operations and Supply Chain Management, which examines operational processes, supply chains, quality management, and product development. The curriculum also includes strategic management and a capstone experience.

Core coursework is designed to help students understand how different business functions interact. Rather than treating finance, marketing, operations, and strategy as completely separate subjects, the MBA incorporates them into broader management and organizational decision-making.

Students also work on case-based projects with classmates, providing opportunities to apply concepts to business situations.

MBA Concentrations

Students can customize the degree through concentrations and electives.

Artificial Intelligence

The AI concentration focuses on applying artificial intelligence to business strategy and decision-making. Topics include data-driven insights, AI infrastructure, business-model innovation, and ethical considerations surrounding AI adoption.

This option is designed for business professionals who want to understand how AI can be incorporated into organizational strategy without limiting their education to technical AI development.

Business Data Analytics

The Business Data Analytics concentration focuses on quantitative and analytical decision-making. Coursework can cover regression modeling, data mining, analytical decision models, and marketing analytics.

This pathway can be relevant to professionals who work with business intelligence, reporting, forecasting, and data-driven strategy.

Finance

The Finance concentration provides additional coursework in corporate and financial-services topics. Electives can address areas such as mergers and acquisitions, international finance, and investment fundamentals.

Marketing

The Marketing concentration combines marketing strategy with areas such as services marketing and management. It can complement careers involving brand management, customer strategy, marketing operations, and commercial planning.

Leadership and Other Options

Additional concentrations include Leadership, Entrepreneurship, International Business, and Supply Chain Management. International Business can involve either online coursework or certain off-site international electives, with additional travel and program costs for the latter.

ASU Online MBA Tuition

ASU's general online tuition information lists $605 per credit hour for most graduate programs during the 2026–27 academic year. However, ASU directs prospective MBA students to its tuition calculator for a program-specific estimate because tuition and fees can vary by program and enrollment circumstances.

At the general $605-per-credit rate, 51 credit hours would represent approximately $30,855 in tuition before applicable program fees, financial aid, or other charges. This is an illustrative calculation rather than a guaranteed total MBA price, so applicants should use ASU's MBA tuition calculator for the current program-specific estimate.

ASU notes that financial aid can reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible students. Tuition and fees are subject to annual approval and can change for future academic years.

How Long Does the Online MBA Take?

ASU estimates approximately 21 months for completion of the online MBA. Students take courses in five-week sessions, which allows the program to maintain an accelerated structure while remaining compatible with professional schedules.

The university permits up to three years to complete the program. This provides additional flexibility for students whose professional or personal responsibilities require a slower pace.

Eligible students may also petition to transfer up to nine credit hours into the MBA. ASU states that transferred credits can be applied toward elective requirements rather than core coursework.

ASU Online MBA Admissions

Admission to the W. P. Carey Online MBA is competitive and requires applicants to satisfy both ASU Graduate College and W. P. Carey requirements.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. The standard academic requirement is a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of the first bachelor's degree, or a 3.00 GPA in an applicable master's program.

Applicants must submit:

  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Program-specific admission essay
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two professional letters of recommendation

Applicants whose native language is not English must also provide proof of English proficiency.

Is the GMAT Required?

The W. P. Carey Online MBA does not require the GMAT or another standardized test score as part of its admission requirements. Applicants instead need to satisfy the academic and application requirements established by the program.

This makes the application process different from MBA programs that require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.

However, the absence of a standardized-test requirement does not mean admission is automatic. ASU describes the program as having a highly competitive admission process.

International Student Considerations

ASU Online accepts international applicants for its online graduate programs under the university's international admission requirements. International applicants must generally provide an equivalent bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and satisfy the applicable academic requirements.

Applicants whose native language is not English need to demonstrate English proficiency.

ASU also states that student visas are not available for online international students, and international students residing in the United States on an F-1 visa cannot enroll in online programs.

Prospective international students should therefore review the specific enrollment and residency rules before applying.

Career Development and Business Skills

The Online MBA is designed to develop skills applicable across management and business functions. ASU identifies potential career areas including business analytics, finance, marketing, operations, project management, and supply chain management.

The curriculum emphasizes strategic thinking, leadership, analytical decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. These skills can be applied in a range of industries rather than being tied to a single occupation.

Students can also use concentrations to build more focused knowledge that corresponds with their professional objectives.

Final Thoughts

Arizona State University's Online MBA through the W. P. Carey School of Business provides a 51-credit, fully online graduate business program designed around the needs of working professionals. The curriculum combines core business subjects with electives and eight concentration options, including artificial intelligence, business data analytics, finance, leadership, marketing, and supply chain management.

For 2026–27, ASU lists general graduate online tuition at $605 per credit for most programs. Using that rate as a reference, 51 credits would equal approximately $30,855 before program-specific fees, financial aid, or other adjustments. Prospective MBA students should use ASU's tuition calculator for a current individualized estimate.

Admission requires a bachelor's or master's degree, a 3.00 GPA standard based on recent undergraduate coursework or an applicable master's degree, transcripts, an essay, resume, and two professional recommendations. The GMAT is not required.

About the Author

Daniel Brooks is a 41-year-old business technology consultant at [website name], specializing in data strategy, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. He helps organizations improve how they manage information and use data to support strategic and operational decisions.

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