University of Maryland R.H. Smith School of Business - Online MBA

Program Structure

The Smith online MBA offers flexibility while providing the same academic rigor as our internationally recognized on-campus MBA programs. Hone your leadership abilities and develop high-level communication and analytical skills. Gain valuable expertise in essential areas of business operations, such as accounting, marketing, finance, supply chain management and information systems. Explore the ethical and financial challenges of doing business in the global marketplace. The Smith online MBA focuses on modern, data-centric strategies and skills to create an educational experience with real-world value.

Curriculum

The Smith online MBA consists of 54 credit hours, which breaks down into 24 credits Foundation One, 24 credits Foundation Two, a Global Study (4 credits) or International Business (2 credits) course, and 4 credits Residency: 2 credits Opening Residency and 2 credits Capstone Residency.  The program can be completed in as few as 24 months.

Foundation I Courses

• Corporate Finance I
• Data Analysis
• Decision Modeling
• Entrepreneurship
• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics and Public Policy
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Information Systems

Foundation II Courses

• Action Learning Projects (I & II)
• Corporate Finance (II)
• Ethical Leadership
• Operations Management
• Organizational Change

Residencies

• Opening Residency: Introduction of Business
• Capstone Residency: Integrative Business Simulation

Foundation II Selectives

• Corporate Venturing
• International Business
• Global Study (4 credits)

Foundation II Accounting Selectives

• Fraud Examination, Detection and Deterrence in the Business Environment
• The Impact of Taxation on Business Entities
• Financial Planning and Control Systems for Managers and Consultants

Foundation II Finance Selectives

• Commercial Bank Management
• Applied Equity Analysis
• Financial Restructuring

Foundation II Information Systems & Business Analytics Selectives

• Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
• Managing Digital Businesses and Platforms
• Social Media and Web Analytics

Foundation II Marketing Selectives

• Consumer Behavior
• Customer Equity Management

Foundation II Supply Chain Management Selectives

• Global Trade Logistics
• Supply Chain Risk Management

The Smith online MBA offers five highly relevant specializations focused on the most important aspects of modern business — Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management — in addition to a general track for those looking for the broadest MBA experience.

Career Statistics

The Smith MBA programs place a heavy emphasis on student success, both in the virtual classroom and in professional settings. This relates to your career search, as they offer a wide range of services to help you grow as a professional – the same invaluable services that are provided to their on-campus students, including:

• Career development curriculum
• Experiential learning opportunities
• Leadership assessments
• On-campus and virtual career coaching
• Automated job search system
• Workshops (resume building, personal branding, case interviewing and networking strategies)
• Mock interviews
• Networking opportunities
• Online recruiting system

Average base compensation for Smith Online MBA graduates is roughly $99,000 based on a 2018 graduate data survey.  Additionally, the following data illustrates what function Smith online MBA graduates are employed.

• General Management: 27.27%
• Finance / Accounting: 18.18%
• Marketing / Sales: 15.15%
• Consulting / 12.12%
• Operations / Production: 6.06%
• Other: 21.21%

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

The Maryland Smith School of Business online MBA tuition is $1,644 per credit hour.  There are a total of 54 credit hours in the online MBA program with an estimated tuition of $88,776.  In addition to the tuition, there is also a $75 application fee and $76.50 technology fee for 8 credits or less and $153.00 for 9 credits or more.  In order to reserve your placement a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit is needed.  Please note, there is no tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state students for the online MBA program at Smith.

There is a multitude of financial awards and financial aid options available to help eligible students in paying some or all of the cost of their online MBA. Be sure to carefully review all financial aid resources to gain an understanding of what options may be available to you.

Merit Based Awards

The Smith School of Business bestows financial awards to a select number of applicants based on scholastic merit, professional accomplishment and evidence of leadership. All applicants whose applications are complete by the application deadline receive automatic consideration.

Double Terp Financial Award

A Double Terp Financial Award is available to alumni of the University of Maryland, College Park who are newly-admitted into the Smith Online MBA program. Be sure to indicate that you are a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park on your application for admission.

Corporate Partnerships

The Smith School of Business has partnered with specific organizations to offer reduced tuition and no application fee or enrollment deposit for their full-time employees and their immediate family members who enroll in the online MBA program. If you are employed by a partner organization and would like to learn more about this benefit, or would like to confirm if your organization has a partnership with Smith, please contact an enrollment advisor.

Federal Student Loans

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply for Federal Student Loans through the Office of Student Financial Aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

After the FAFSA is received by the Office of Student Financial Aid, additional information specific to the individual student may be requested. When all application materials are received Federal loans are certified, and the student is notified. This notification process typically begins mid to late June. An application for aid has no bearing on the application for admittance to the program.

US Military Members and Veterans

The University of Maryland has a Veterans Program Office to assist military service members and veterans in their educational pursuits.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students receiving financial aid must maintain certain academic standards during the program or else risk losing eligibility for funding. 

Admissions

The following requirements are needed for admission to the Smith Online MBA program.

• Professional Work Experience: Multiple years of professional experience strengthen an applicant’s profile and provide an important edge in the admissions process. A minimum of two years of work experience is highly recommended for consideration. An application is not considered complete unless it contains the applicant’s resume.

• Letter of Recommendation: A recommendation should be solicited from an individual who can objectively comment on an applicant’s performance in a professional environment. Only one recommendation letter is required with your application.

• Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. Please pay by credit card as you submit your application online. The application Fee is waived for UMD Terp alumni and Military students.

• Essays: There is one essay question and one optional question on the application. The Admissions Committee looks for well-written essays that clearly and thoughtfully answer each question.

• GMAT/GRE Exam: Although cut-off scores are not implemented in the admissions process, it is expected the applicant will show a good deal of promise through their GMAT or GRE test scores. GMAT scores typically range from the mid-500s through the upper-700s. To convert your GRE scores, use this online tool. A waiver may be considered if an applicant has demonstrated excellent quantitative and analytical skills through academic records and/or a successful career trajectory. Please contact an enrollment advisor for additional information.

• Academic History: The online application allows you to upload a scanned official transcript(s) for each college or university attended. If the official transcript where you received your degree does not state the degree was conferred, please also upload an official diploma or official copy of your degree received (most schools already list the conferred degree on the transcript). If you are formally admitted to the University of Maryland, you will be required to submit an official transcript to the graduate school. If your transcript is not in English, please also an official transcript translated into English.  The University of Maryland Graduate School requires all admitted students to have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.80/4.00. Applicants who have a grade point average below 2.80 are encouraged to use the optional essay to address this point.

Deadlines

We welcome ambitious, highly motivated professionals who seek a rigorous academic program taught by our world-renowned faculty. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis, with three start dates offered per year — January, May and August.

Spring 2022 Important Dates:

Application Deadline: November 8, 2021  |  Start date: January 24, 2022

International Students 

The University of Maryland, College Park, requires any applicant who has not completed a university degree in a country in which English is the principal language (such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand) to take the TOEFL. You are strongly encouraged to include a photocopy of your TOEFL report with the application materials. The Admissions Committee will not review your file without the TOEFL. To view a list of countries exempt from taking the TOEFL exam please click here.

Note: All students, including international students, are required to attend two three day residencies scheduled at the beginning and the end of the program on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Maryland. The University of Maryland, College Park, cannot issue a Form I-20 or Form IAP-66 to students enrolled in the online MBA program for the attendance of the residencies.