The Top Operations MBA Online Programs

As the business culture becomes more competitive, it is necessary for corporations to hire managers who understand how to avoid unnecessary profit loss. Individuals who graduate with a traditional or online Master of Business Administration in operations will learn to help businesses become more efficient through the use of data management, leadership skills and lean process administration. In addition, students in MBA operations online colleges will also learn the basic tools for becoming an independent entrepreneur.

Colleges that offer an online Master of Business Administration in operations strive to give students a basic understanding of the current business climate as well as specific operations strategies. Through MBA online operations courses in finance, marketing and general leadership, students gain an idea of how successful businesses are managed. Classes that strengthen understanding of supply chains, procurement and distribution specifically prepare operations students for employment upon graduation.

How can I tell if an online MBA operations degree is right for me?

Students interested in communication, leadership and data structure will be most successful in the best online MBA operations programs.

Additional common characteristics amongst many online MBA operations students include:

• A flair for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work
• An aptitude for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• A flair for analyzing data or information
• An aptitude for getting information
• A capability for making decisions and solving problems

How long does it take to earn an MBA online operations degree?

An operations MBA degree online takes approximately the same time to finish as any other MBA online. This degree on average takes two years of full-time study to earn. However, some institutions have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the ability to finish the program at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA operations schools online?

Accredited online MBA operations programs generally require students to have an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in the MBA program. Some schools that have an MBA operations online program favor applicants who have degrees in related fields such as management, logistics, operations research, and business administration.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in operations programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Work experience
• Essays
• References or Letters of Recommendation
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)

What courses will I take in operations MBA programs online?

Most accredited operations MBA schools online begin with a number of core classes that give an overview of business procedures. Students in operations MBA online schools can expect to take classes in accounting, marketing, financial management and statistics during their first year of the program.

After the core classes are completed, schools with the highest online operations MBA rankings provide specified instruction for operations tasks and on-the-job training during the second year. Schools with highly ranked AACSB online MBA programs require courses on topics like distribution strategies, supply chain analysis, project management and innovation. A professional paper is usually required to complete the degree program.

In addition to coursework, internships are also done by some students in online operations MBA programs. Such an internship can be important in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and operations skills they are learning in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in operations books I should consider reading?

Some books students interested in operations MBA careers may find on point are:

1. The High-Velocity Edge: How Market Leaders Leverage Operational Excellence to Beat the Competition (Steven J. Spear) – In this book, Spear, a senior lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, gives examples of companies that continue to find operational success in highly competitive markets.

2. The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition (Thomas Pyzdek) – An excellent choice for students in top operations MBA online schools, this book introduces the concept of lean quality management theory and provides step-by-step instructions on how to implement it.

3. Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results (Mike Rother) – Using the Toyota company as a model, this book delineates the importance of fostering human ingenuity as a tool for management and competitiveness in lean markets.

4. Customer-Driven Operations Management: Aligning Business Process and Quality Tools to Create Operational Effectiveness in Your Company (Christopher K. Ahoy) – Renowned business mentor Chris Ahoy uses this book as a platform to discuss the importance of customer perception, efficient operations and innovative management techniques as a way to maintain market share.

5. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement (Eliyahu M. Goldratt) – Both a novel and a business tool, this book outlines the main goals and obstacles for operations managers through a thriller-style narrative.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue operations MBA jobs?

As of May 2011, there were over 1.8 million people employed in operations management positions in the U.S. Students who pursue online operations MBA schools may be eligible for a number of high-paying jobs after graduation. Some careers that pay a high operations MBA salary are:

• Management Analyst – $78,160
• Corporate and Chain Manager – $140,870
• Operations Research Analyst – $70,960
• Governmental Operations Manager – $113,050

The projected growth for operations management employment varies considerably. For example, while jobs as operations research analysts are expected to grow by only 15% over the next ten years, management analyst employment is likely to increase by 22%. Students pursuing either a traditional or online MBA in operations can expect that job availability upon graduation will generally increase at a normal rate, as businesses must hire managers to maintain productivity.

Many employers prefer graduates who have earned their degrees from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited operations MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Operations MBA degree?

• American InterContinental University
• Colorado Technical University
• Capella University