San Francisco’s Top Online MBA Programs
In San Francisco, where a fiercely competitive job market might make some business school students wince at the thought of leaving work to attend school full-time, the online MBA holds great appeal. Here is a look at some of the top online MBA options for online learning in the Golden Gate City.
Edward S. Ageno School of Business – Golden Gate University
The Edward Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University is a pioneer of online learning, having initiated its programs a decade ago. GGU touts itself as a hub for post-graduate learning for the working professional, and its eLearning program aligns with the school’s mission. Each of Ageno’s programs are offered with the option of eLearning, as is the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning.
Online learning at Ageno can be seamlessly incorporated into live studies, with options such as course material storage or web-enhanced in-person studies.
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business – Babson College
Ranked by the Financial Times as the country’s top program for salaries in 2016, Babson College’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business offers the 21-month Blended Learning MBA at its San Francisco campus. Made up of a combination of face-to-face interaction and virtual sessions, the online portion requires 20 hours per week. In-person classes take place on the SoMa campus on Fridays and Saturdays at seven week intervals.
The typical Blended Learning MBA student has extensive work experience, and there is no GMAT requirement. Full information on tuition and acceptance criteria can be found on the school’s website.
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate is offered to people who “take risks and break boundaries,” according to Professor Hayagreeva Rao. The program is self-paced, and is taught by faculty from the GSB and the School of Engineering. The certificate is built upon eight courses which are divided into modules and which contain discussion forums to assess progress. One unique aspect of the program is that it allows for students to customize the curriculum to fit their needs, whether they are pursuing a particular project or simply searching to widen their skill sets.
Of the eight courses offered, students can choose a selection, or if schedules allow, they may take all eight. The program is aimed at a range of professionals, from engineers, to those who consider themselves ‘leaders of innovation,’ to any head of a team or organization who is striving to think more creatively.
Wharton, San Francisco
Students at Wharton School of Business’ San Francisco campus have a variety of classes available online as they pursue their in-person MBAs. Some of these are offered free of charge, while the for-pay options provide a certificate upon completion. Students may explore online options to supplement coursework, or to branch off into new areas of study.
Each area of online study has a foundational element along with a more advanced specialized tier. Some examples of Wharton’s offerings are Business Analytics, which is split into the areas of customer behavior, operations and accounting; Entrepreneurship, which provides the student with the tools to create an actual enterprise and to access the Wharton network for funding and Financial Modeling, which develops online learners’ quantitative skills through intensive training in Wharton’s highly regarded curriculum in this area.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
