

Maximize your career potential with a highly-customizable, online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
In a world where many universities have been forced uncomfortably into digital learning by unprecedented circumstances, American National University already is the future of higher education with established and comprehensive online offerings. eLearning is the foundation of our holistic educational experience, where you’ll benefit from multiple modes of course delivery as well as financial aid, student services, library resources, and career services support–all from the comfort of your home. And we are truly a global institution, offering hybrid options for international students with full approval for resident study with an F-1 visa. Learn more.
Accounting Management: Master theoretical and practical accounting and management skills and also focus on communication, collaboration, and business analysis to help you succeed in the accounting field.
General MBA: Gain valuable expertise across a range of business disciplines and specialize your focus according to your industry or career path.
Global Leadership: Become a competitive candidate in the global marketplace with in‐depth study of a range of timely topics, including global diversity, international finance, International Human Resources, accounting for multinational organizations, and more.
Healthcare Management: Focus on knowledge-base and current issues related to healthcare informatics; health policy; patient safety; and the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues that are particular to being a leader in the healthcare industry.
International Business: Conduct in-depth study with perspective from peers from around the world – building a solid foundation in global diversity, international finance, international human resources and accounting — providing the necessary knowledge and skills in managing multinational organizations.
Organizational Management: Design and measure organizational effectiveness, understand leadership roles, and learn how to successfully manage teams by applying theory to real-world situations.
Information Technology: Students interested in leadership and management of technology businesses or technology operations within an organization can specialize in this field.
Hospitality Management: Learn the use and development of natural and cultural resources in tourism projects, the methods employed to reinvent a destination, and the opportunities to engage a destination’s local population.
Distance = Synchronous video & asynchronous online learning.
Blended = Synchronous video & asynchronous online learning with limited on-campus residency.
See our eLearning page for details on our exciting and innovative course delivery methods.
As part of American National University’s MBA program you will join an engaged group of committed students and an experienced faculty team who bring their professional and personal experiences to the program. Our MBA program will challenge you to put learning into practice through projects that will strengthen your ability to lead and succeed.
Graduate students enrolling at American National University can expect a welcoming environment where quality teaching, personal attention, and collegiality are strongly valued; small discussion-based classes are the norm; and there is a strong institutional commitment to educating the next generation of successful business professionals.
Applicants to the MBA program should have earned a bachelor’s degree.
As a student in the MBA program, you will:
American National University (ANU) offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program for students interested in continuing their postgraduate education in the field of business. Through the program, business professionals increase their breadth of knowledge, their ability to analyze business alternatives more thoroughly, and their opportunities for more challenging, responsible, and productive careers in the business community.
The MBA specializations include:
MBA General Specialization – The General MBA is designed so students will receive in-depth study providing for a solid foundation in accounting, management, and leadership that can be tailored to their special interests. The program will assist students with strategic skills and an essential understanding of competitive advantage as they prepare for exciting careers.
MBA Specialization in International Business—The MBA, International Business Management Specialization is designed so students will receive in-depth study providing for a solid foundation in global diversity, international finance, International Human Resources, and accounting for multinational organizations. The program will assist students with strategic skills and an essential understanding of global competitiveness as they prepare for exciting international careers.
MBA Specialization in Accounting Management—The MBA, Accounting Management Specialization provides students with both the theoretical and practical accounting and management skills necessary to work in today’s for-profit corporations, government entities and non-profit organizations. The program’s curriculum also focuses on communication, collaboration and business analysis to heighten students’ success in the accounting field.
MBA Specialization in Organizational Management—The MBA, Organizational Management Specialization is designed to prepare students for leadership in a broad range of industries and organizations. Students will attain knowledge specific to the design and measurement of organizational effectiveness, will gain an understanding of the role of leadership, and will learn to successfully manage work teams.
MBA Specialization in Healthcare Management—The MBA, Healthcare Management Specialization is designed for students and current professionals seeking leadership and management positions within the ever-changing healthcare industry. The program focuses on strategic management of the healthcare arena while providing the specialized knowledge related to healthcare in informatics, health policy, organizational systems, quality improvement, patient safety, and risk management, ethical, legal, and regulatory issues.
MBA Specialization in Hospitality Management – The MBA, Hospitality Management is designed for students to learn about the use and the development of natural and cultural resources in tourism projects, the methods employed to reinvent a destination, and the opportunities to engage a destination’s local population. The program challenges students to discover new ways in which technology can support a destination, how to attract and retain markets, and how to procure funding for development projects. The international scope of the program provides a framework for students to understand the interrelationship between business and politics, and how lawmakers develop policies that govern the flow of people and businesses within and between countries. Faculty members are respected experts in areas such as cultural heritage, customer management, and government policies that foster and sustain tourism and promote broader social and economic development objectives.
MBA Specialization in Information Technology – The MBA, Information Technology is designed for students and professionals who are interested in the field of business with special emphasis on leadership and management of technology businesses or technology operations within an organization. The program focuses on strategic management of IT operations or businesses, alignment between IT and business strategy, IT governance, ethical leadership, and the interrelationship between technology and business in a global and networked market place.
MBA Specialization in Global Leadership – The MBA, Global Leadership Specialization is designed so students will receive in-depth study providing for a solid foundation in global diversity, global leadership, international human resources, and managing global virtual teams for multinational organizations. The program will assist students with strategic skills and an essential understanding of global competitiveness as they prepare for exciting international careers.
56 credit hours required/168 quality points required. All courses are 4 credit hours
Program Core (Required) 36 total credit hours required
ACC513 Financial Management
4 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of valuation, financial forecasting, risk and return analysis, cost of capital, debt policy, and project evaluation.
MB518 Developing Human Resources
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine aspects of strategic management, workforce planning and employment, employee training and development, and risk management. Emphasis will be placed on the creation of practical development plans, and workforce need analysis.
MB523 Legal Environment of Business
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine the legal environment of business in view of statutory provisions and administrative regulations that affect various forms of business organizations. This course also includes an in-depth discussion of business ethics.
MB528 Marketing Management
4 Credit Hours
Students will examine and discuss the role of marketing from a micro and macro environmental perspective. Topics include the development and implementation of the marketing mix and the control and analysis of the total marketing effort. Behavioral, financial, and quantitative analysis are used to explore such topics as buyer behavior, market segmentation, brand strategy, distribution channels, pricing, and advertising. Case studies and group projects will focus on market strategies.
MB554 Business Research
4 Credit Hours
This research course provides students with an introduction to research for business. Topics covered will include theory, analysis and application of research techniques; processes and methods for collecting information; developing and utilizing research information for interpretation, judgment, decision-making, and development of business strategies. This course will focus on applied business research in directed and independent numerical assessment, will integrate research and analysis with available statistical software, and will provide techniques for communicating results in meaningful and effective ways.
MB570 Business Information Systems
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will learn how managers can apply Information Technology to integrate data in business activities to solve management problems, increase productivity, facilitate decision-making, and find new opportunities for their organizations.
MB621 Managerial Economics
4 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to the analytical skills used in the study of microeconomics. Topics include efficient resource allocation; demand and supply estimation; competitive industry adjustment; pricing techniques, and labor market dynamics.
MB630 Operations Management
4 Credit Hours
This course teaches students how operations management contributes to the overall success of an organization. The emphasis will be on the operations management tools and concepts developed within the operations functions, which assist in all of the other functional areas within an organization.
MB695 Business Leadership Policy and Strategy
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – Can only be taken in the last three terms of the master’s program.) Students taking this course will examine and discuss business strategy using Michael Porter’s classic five force model of strategic management. Comprehensive case studies will serve as a basis for strategic analysis.
General MBA Specialization (Select 5*) – 20 total credit hours required
ACC522 Management Control
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will obtain an in-depth understanding of the analysis and design of control systems to facilitate short-term decisions in order to aid in focus on long-term strategic issues. Integrates the development, implementation, and evaluation of control systems in various business environments.
ACC610 Financial Reporting
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will develop an understanding of the issues involved in the development of financial accounting information. Emphasis will be placed on current issues facing financial reporting and the potential impact of these issues on business entities.
ACC640 Business Tax Strategies
4 Credit Hours
This course provides an evaluation of how taxation affects various business entities and managerial decision-making. Discussion topics include an evaluation of taxation and its influence on proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations and how taxation also influences decisions regarding acquisitions, dispositions, and exchanges.
MB505 Business and Society
4 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the interrelationships among business, government, and society. Students taking this course will learn how to function in a complex and dynamic environment and how to apply frameworks for moral reasoning to complex business issues. Students will also gain an appreciation of the role of ethics and society in business decision-making.
MB511 Management Communications
4 Credit Hours
This course is designed to help students to develop oral and written communication skills that can be used in a variety of organizational settings. Course work includes communications networks, oral presentations of technical material, and decision-making, problem-solving, and agenda-setting in small groups.
MB517 Dynamics of Organizational Behavior
4 Credit Hours
This course in management involves theories and models aimed at helping students to develop the managerial competencies needed to analyze, predict, and guide individual, group and organizational behavior.
MB524 21st Century Leadership
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine current issues in leadership and the managerial strategies for goal setting, negotiations, and managing change and conflicts. Students will also evaluate leadership theories and will obtain the necessary skills to become better leaders.
MB625 International Management
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine special aspects of operating in the global environment by using the cross functional approach. Topics covered include global issues in politics, ethics, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, law, and strategy.
Organizational Management Specialization – 20 total credit hours required
MB520 Organizational Sustainability
4 Credit Hours
Students will explore how organizations seek to implement strategies and commitment to provide economic and cultural sustainability. Students will analyze the concept of “360-organizational sustainability” through an examination of four critical areas: the organization itself, Human Resources both inside and outside the organization, the community/society, and the environment.
MB524 21st Century Leadership
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine current issues in leadership and the managerial strategies for goal setting, negotiations, and managing change and conflicts. Students will also evaluate leadership theories and will obtain the necessary skills to become better leaders.
MB588 Managing Quality
4 Credit Hours
In this course, students focus attention on how quality is created, implemented and maintained in both the manufacturing and services industries for both parent organizations and supplier relationships. Students gain an understanding of quality planning and assurance, as well as, quality control and quality improvement. In the course, students examine many different theories and practices of quality management, including Six Sigma, The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Total Quality Management.
MB611 Project Management Life Cycle
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine the practices, processes, and concepts of project management. Students will review the project life cycle areas including Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing projects.
MB690 Organizational Management Capstone Course
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – Students must be enrolled in the MBA Spec. program; to be completed in the students’ last term) Students taking this course will complete a personal, guided capstone project requiring the student to address a past or current management issue affecting a medium sized business. Emphasis will be placed on researching the factors causing the problem, devising a practical solution that includes applicable methods and metrics of measurement, and describing the theoretical difficulties of implementing that solution.
International Business Management Specialization – 20 total credit hours required
ACC650 International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
4 Credit Hours
This course presents international accounting within the context of managing multinational enterprises, focusing on business strategies and how accounting applies to these strategies. Students will have the opportunity to learn about international accounting topics such as: foreign currency transactions, analysis of foreign financial statements, foreign taxation and multinational systems of control. Students will examine the key factors that influence accounting standards and practices in different countries, and how those factors impact the convergence of standards worldwide. Particular emphasis is given to culture and its unique contribution to accounting standards and practices worldwide. The course focuses on the needs of users of financial and accounting information across borders with the aim of enhancing their understanding of how to use information and make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex and dynamic international business environment.
MB565 International Finance
4 Credit Hours
This course deals with monetary interactions between two or more countries, concerning itself with topics such as financial flows, currency exchange rates, international monetary systems, foreign direct investment, balance of payment considerations and issues of international financial management including political risk.
MB582 Managing Global Diversity
4 Credit Hours
This course examines benefits and challenges of managing diversity in the international workplace, as well as, methods for using diversity to create a competitive advantage. Students will examine differences between countries, as well as, the internal diversity of each country. The course will examine a country’s customers, employers, employees and suppliers. Students will also focus attention on what constitutes a successful global diversity management program and successful global diverse teams.
MB584 Managing International Human Resources
4 Credit Hours
This course is concerned with identifying and understanding how the Multinational organizations manage their geographically dispersed worked force in order to leverage their Human Resources for obtaining local, as well as, global competitive advantage. Students will examine how the global Human Resources functions differ from those of domestic Human Resources. Particular emphasis is placed on staffing, compensation, training, performance management, labor relations, communication and regulatory compliance within the global business environment.
MB625 International Management
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine special aspects of operating in the global environment by using the cross functional approach. Topics covered include global issues in politics, ethics, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, law, and strategy.
Accounting Management Specialization – 20 total credit hours required
ACC522 Management Control
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will obtain an in-depth understanding of the analysis and design of control systems to facilitate short-term decisions in order to aid in focus on long-term strategic issues. Integrates the development, implementation, and evaluation of control systems in various business environments.
ACC610 Financial Reporting
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will develop an understanding of the issues involved in the development of financial accounting information. Emphasis will be placed on current issues facing financial reporting and the potential impact of these issues on business entities.
ACC640 Business Tax Strategies
4 Credit Hours
This course provides an evaluation of how taxation affects various business entities and managerial decision-making. Discussion topics include an evaluation of taxation and its influence on proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations and how taxation also influences decisions regarding acquisitions, dispositions, and exchanges.
ACC650 International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
4 Credit Hours
This course presents international accounting within the context of managing multinational enterprises, focusing on business strategies and how accounting applies to these strategies. Students will have the opportunity to learn about international accounting topics such as: foreign currency transactions, analysis of foreign financial statements, foreign taxation and multinational systems of control. Students will examine the key factors that influence accounting standards and practices in different countries, and how those factors impact the convergence of standards worldwide. Particular emphasis is given to culture and its unique contribution to accounting standards and practices worldwide. The course focuses on the needs of users of financial and accounting information across borders with the aim of enhancing their understanding of how to use information and make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex and dynamic international business environment.
ACC690 Accounting Management (Capstone Course)
4 Credit Hours
Students in this culminating course integrate knowledge and skills learned throughout the MBA program. Students apply what they have learned to challenges faced by accountants balancing the needs of customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders within ethical and legal considerations.
This course guides the student in dealing with internal control, financial statement analysis, U.S. taxes, business law (as it relates to accounting), financial accounting and business consulting. The course will require students to confront and resolve techniques acquired in previous courses. It prepares students to develop a personal code of ethics by exploring ethical dilemmas and pressures they will face as accountants. It will also help the student understand financial statement analysis.
Healthcare Management Specialization (Select 5*) – 20 total credit hours required
MS500 Healthcare Informatics
4 Credit Hours
This course includes concepts of computers and the internet, a review of the healthcare information systems, and the contribution of informatics to the foundation of knowledge in healthcare. Analysis of current and emerging trends in healthcare technology will be addressed. Concepts include administrative information systems, electronic security, telehealth, and research. Students explore the use of information technology to support decisions that promote safety and quality in patient centered care while addressing concerns about information protection in the use of electronic healthcare records.
MS530 Health Policy, Regulations, and Politics for Healthcare
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with an in-depth view of healthcare policy and regulatory issues at the local, state, national, and global level for the advanced practice nurse and the healthcare administrator. Concepts examined include the regulatory agencies effect on patient care and scope of nursing and other healthcare professionals, implications of policy and legislative processes on healthcare delivery, and vulnerable populations. Policy and politics in the work environment, in the government, in associations and interest groups, in the community and related to quality and safety in healthcare will be included.
MS550 Ethics and Legal Principles for Healthcare
4 Credit Hours
This course gives a perspective on healthcare law and ethics for professionals in the healthcare industry. The principles and theories that guide ethical practice, ethical dilemmas that exist in a variety of settings, local and federal guidelines, end of life issues, and scarce healthcare resources will be addressed. Ethical issues for health services will be examined in a global perspective. Content includes legal principles, responsibilities of healthcare professionals, medical records management, liability and duties of a health care professional, informed consent, and workplace issues.
MS560 Healthcare Organizational Systems and Quality Improvement
4 Credit Hours
This course studies the internal organization and management of health-care facilities including delivery models and roles of health care professionals. The principles and theories of healthcare organizational systems and concepts of organizational behavior will be addressed. Topics include quality improvement to ensure patient safety, delivery of evidence based practices to improve patient care outcomes, and recognized benchmarks demonstrating delivery of higher-value care.
MS615 Health and Patient Safety Risk Management
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. MS560) This course is for health care professionals who require the knowledge and skills in the area of health care risk management, compliance, and patient safety. This content prepares administrators to reduce medical errors and control adverse events. The healthcare administrator will develop the skills for working effectively with the risk management department and various healthcare departments to ensure patient safety.
MS618 Human Resource Management for Healthcare
4 Credit Hours
Examines the complexities and multiple issues involved in human resources management, which are due to the unique nature of health-care organizations that employ a highly regulated workforce with specific technical discipline based on expertise with continual educational development and involved in a business devoted to patient care. Offers health-care administrators the knowledge and tools to manage people in all aspects of their work from recruiting, to hiring, to compensation, and benefits, to training and development, to motivational strategies and performance appraisals, to promotions and terminations. Content includes the use of volunteers, employment laws, and the support provided the manager by the human resources professional.
Hospitality Management Specialization (Select 5*) – 20 total credit hours required
HS575 Meetings and Events Planning
4 Credit Hours
An advanced course for students to examine the management and planning strategies utilized in the hospitality field to organize meetings, expositions, events, and conventions (MEEC). The course provides a broad overview of the MEEC industry and students will learn to clearly define the stakeholders and sponsors of gatherings in today’s hospitality industry. Distinction will be made for the required strategies and planning techniques required for different types of events. Identification and delineation will be provided for the associations that help to support the professional development of those responsible for producing hospitality gatherings.
HS605 Human Resources in the Hospitality Industry
4 Credit Hours
A study of personnel, consumer relations, and diversity in the Hospitality industry within a multicultural, multiracial, and Multi-ethnic society through an examination of value systems and cultural characteristics. The course also analyzes supervision, team building and the importance of training in the hospitality industry.
HS610 Sales, Marketing and Branding for the Hospitality Industry
4 Credit Hours
In this course, students will analyze strategic processes for competitive sales and marketing management in the hospitality industry. Students will use critical thinking models, decision making simulations and field operation assessments for managing sales, marketing and branding functions within the hospitality industry.
HS615 Managing Quality Service in the Hospitality Industry
4 Credit Hours
An advanced course in the organization, integration, and presentation of the guest experience in the hospitality industry. The course utilizes the findings of the most significant research on hospitality services and the “best practices” of leading hospitality organizations to understand a guest-focused culture and successful business strategy.
HS620 Legislation and the Hospitality Industry
4 Credit Hours
An advanced study of the legislative requirements imposed upon the hospitality industry. Special emphasis is placed on the prevention of potential legal violations by identifying specific actions and precautions necessary to avoid in order to minimize the number of lawsuits. Students will examine the legal fundamentals for the Hospitality industry and explore the laws relevant to casinos, theme parks, spas, restaurants, and hotels.
Information Technology Specialization – 20 total credit hours required
CY501 Information Assurance and Security Management
4 Credit Hours
This course provides the student with the basis and tools necessary to develop a business case for information assurance governance, and the development and implementation of a strategy to increasingly integrate assurance functions to improve security, lower costs, and ensure the preservation of the organization and its ability to operate.
IT540 Marketing Innovation and Technology Products and Services
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with a strong understanding of the unique marketing challenges that surround innovation and high-tech products and services. Students will learn how traditional marketing strategies and programs must be modified and adapted for today’s global high-tech environment and how to bring together marketing with other business disciplines such as research and development, legal and management and strategy to achieve effective cross-functional interactions.
IT590 Enterprise Architecture and IT Governance
4 Credit Hours
Students will learn to develop a complete, comprehensive methodology and framework for adopting and managing a successful service oriented architecture environment and how to set up an SOA Architecture practice defining the policies, procedures and standards that apply to IT developers and the enterprise for business applications.
IT610 Global IT Products and Services Outsourcing
4 Credit Hours
In this course, students will examine both historical and current perspectives on IT products and services outsourcing, the continuously evolving outsourcing marketplace, and the incentives and opportunities that drive management decisions on IT products and services outsourcing. Contributing factors to IT products and services outsourcing and offshoring market evolution such as globalization, technological advancement, politics, changing global economies, and changing vendor characteristics will be examined. Within this context, students will review different IT products and services outsourcing framework, models, vendor selection strategies, and outsourcing lifecycle from both client and vendor viewpoints.
IT620 Decision Models for Technology Management
4 Credit Hours
This course is an introduction to the application of various statistical concepts and methods as decision support tools to support decision making in technology management. The emphasis is on business application rather than mathematical concepts or problem solving. Students will learn to use statistical tools and quantitative analysis for forecasting, process, and quality management.
Global Leadership Specialization – 20 total credit hours required
MB524 21st Century Leadership
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine current issues in leadership and the managerial strategies for goal setting, negotiations, and managing change and conflicts. Students will also evaluate leadership theories and will obtain the necessary skills to become better leaders.
MB582 Managing Global Diversity
4 Credit Hours
This course examines benefits and challenges of managing diversity in the international workplace, as well as, methods for using diversity to create a competitive advantage. Students will examine differences between countries, as well as, the internal diversity of each country. The course will examine a country’s customers, employers, employees and suppliers. Students will also focus attention on what constitutes a successful global diversity management program and successful global diverse teams.
MB583 Global Virtual Teams
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq: MB630 Operations Management) Students in this course will study best practices for managing global virtual teams. Concepts covered will include asynchronous communication in teams, collaboration among team members, time zone differences, cultural differences, coaching for performance, and business applications for global virtual teams.
MB584 Managing International Human Resources
4 Credit Hours
This course is concerned with identifying and understanding how the Multinational organizations manage their geographically dispersed worked force in order to leverage their Human Resources for obtaining local, as well as, global competitive advantage. Students will examine how the global Human Resources functions differ from those of domestic Human Resources. Particular emphasis is placed on staffing, compensation, training, performance management, labor relations, communication and regulatory compliance within the global business environment.
MB625 International Management
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will examine special aspects of operating in the global environment by using the cross functional approach. Topics covered include global issues in politics, ethics, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, law, and strategy.
All program admission criteria must be satisfied prior to admission to the program. For all courses: See course description for applicable prerequisites.
All students are required to complete 50 hours of practicum training each term they are enrolled in the program
* Based on availability
** If taking the Healthcare Management Specialization – course MS618 replaces MB518 in the program core
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |