Find an online MBA with a concentration in strategy
Build the professional skills you need to be a business leader by completing an online MBA program with a focus on strategy.
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Why earn an MBA in strategy online?
Build valuable insights
Managers with strategic expertise are in-demand with employers and can help businesses grow and earn competitive advantages.
Open career doors
Earning an online MBA in strategy can help you access managerial roles in both established and emerging industries.
Balance school and life
Online learning formats are flexible, convenient, and easier to integrate into your schedule. This can lead to a better school-life balance.
Building, growing, and maintaining a successful business involves complex strategic decision-making. An online master of business administration (MBA) in strategy develops valuable strategic management skills in a flexible format. Explore the path as you consider and compare your MBA options.
See all MBA programs with a focus on strategy
Possible careers for graduates with online strategy MBAs
Modern business moves quickly. The big-picture thinking encouraged by can help managers respond to challenges with long-term solutions.
MBA in strategy programs pair especially well with undergraduate degrees and/or professional backgrounds in niche operational areas. For instance, businesses must constantly readjust to ongoing technological change, and combining with an MBA in strategy may lead to opportunities in information systems management. Common operational focus areas include finance, marketing, operations, and technology.
Salary expectations for strategy MBAs
An online MBA program in strategy can support your entry to well-paid career paths. Pay rates depend on factors including your location, industry, and experience.
The following chart profiles roles you could pursue, with data supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Job title | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Computer and information systems manager | $169,510 |
| Financial manager | $156,100 |
| Management analyst | $99,410 |
| Marketing manager | $157,620 |
| Operations manager | $101,280 |
Career outlook for strategy MBAs
Many of the careers you can pursue after earning an MBA in strategy have above-average projected growth rates that exceed the 4% projected growth for all occupations. Explore further by reviewing this data from the BLS and O*NET Online:
| Job title | Projected job growth (2023-33) | Average annual openings (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and information systems manager | +17% | 54,700 |
| Financial manager | +17% | 75,100 |
| Management analyst | +17% | 95,700 |
| Marketing manager | +8% | 34,800 |
| Operations manager | +6% | 320,800 |
What to expect from an MBA degree in strategy
Online MBAs in strategy focus on the techniques that business leaders use to develop and implement strategies that generate competitive advantages. These programs also cover general management topics such as accounting, finance, operations management, and marketing.
Some schools offer additional specialization options in areas like:
- Competitive strategy
- Technology strategy
- Strategic leadership
MBA in strategy programs generally aim to develop business managers with strong leadership skills backed by long-term strategic vision. They can also equip students with insights for navigating economic, social, and technological change.
Like other , MBAs in strategy usually require about two years of full-time study. Online learning formats can can offer scheduling flexibility, and many schools can accommodate students who want or need to study part time.
Admissions for online MBA in strategy programs
Admissions requirements vary among schools. In general, you will need:
- A bachelor's degree with a strong academic record
- Multiple letters of recommendation
- Relevant professional experience
While many business schools have moved away from mandatory testing, you may need to submit GMAT or GRE scores, or complete an executive assessment.
Admissions officials also seek compelling evidence of your ability to succeed both academically and professionally and may request one or more of the following:
- Résumé or CV
- Personal essay or statement of purpose
- Video essay
- Admissions interview
Admissions processes for MBA programs are generally competitive, especially at top schools.
Curriculum for online MBA in strategy degrees
In addition to general business courses, online MBA programs in strategy examine strategic management topics in detail. Depending on your program's structure, your electives might be limited, as your concentration coursework may occupy most or all of your schedule.
Some of the concentration-specific courses you might take include:
- Strategic growth and management: Explore theoretical and practical concepts in corporate strategy. This course covers organizational vision, resource allocation, and business portfolio development.
- Global management: Grow your understanding of the transnational business landscape by engaging with global perspectives.
- Data analytics and decision making: Learn techniques for extracting actionable strategic insights from big data sources.
- Strategic marketing: Develop foundational knowledge about branding, product positioning, and messaging in order to generate strategic advantages for business.
- Mergers and acquisitions: Understand the strategic, legal, and technical aspects of mergers and acquisitions, which are often significant parts of strategic planning.