Online MBA - Wayne State College Nebraska

MBA online program overview

Wayne State's online MBA for working professionals requires no entrance exams or visits to campus. Along with offering streamlined MBA requirements, the program is nationally ranked for affordability, and tuition is a flat rate, regardless of residency. Our MBA online programs are also accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, with classes taught by faculty who hold the highest degree. You can follow the main MBA program, or add one of four focus areas: accounting, human resources, leadership, or supply chain management.

What's more, our accredited online MBA provides an affordable and efficient pathway for high school educators to earn the credentials needed to teach dual credit in high schools. To become an instructor in WSC's dual credit program, you must have a master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in the subject being taught.

Student learning outcomes for the online MBA program:

Utilize core concepts to make informed business decisions. The core areas include marketing, management, finance, accounting, and strategic integration.
Apply business-related methods and tools to formulate management decision alternatives.
Construct and present effective business communications to reach diverse audiences.
Create a cohesive team environment by building on contributions of members to accomplish a team goal.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

MBA online programs and graduate certificate options

In addition to the 30-credit-hour online MBA option, we offer focus areas in Accounting, Human Resource Management, Leadership, and Supply Chain Management, which include 6 additional credit hours each. With a focus area, the MBA program totals 36 credit hours and provides additional coursework in the chosen field of study. Not ready for the full MBA? Try our graduate certificate programs, which are only 12 credit hours and can apply toward your full MBA when you're ready.

Accounting MBA

Take the next step in analyzing numbers in this online accounting MBA program.

Accounting MBA

Human Resources

Advance your skills in managing employees within a business with a full MBA or a certificate.

Supply Chain Management

Increase your knowledge to run your business more efficiently.

Leadership

Designed for professionals preparing for leadership roles.

MBA core courses (24 credits)

Credits: 3
Description: A study of financial decision making in the firm; development of a decision-making framework for determining the most efficient allocation of resources within the firm; emphasis placed on the analysis of capital investment projects, long-term sources of funds, and short-term financing problems.
Credits: 3
Description: Application of principles of communication to the managerial setting. The course investigates the influence of organizational climate, manager’s style, and use of motivation on the communication process. Communication strategies appropriate to business reports, speeches, interviews, and conferences are explored along with emphasis on managerial problems with employee communication and conflict management. The course includes a focus on methods of analyzing and resolving communication problems.
Credits: 3
Description: Underlying structure of quantitative business decisions and their solution. The course emphasizes problem recognition, formulation, and analysis, using software to perform necessary calculations. Topics may include linear programming, goal programming, simulation, queuing, and other MS/OR techniques.
Credits: 3
Description: Application of microeconomic theories in private and public managerial decision-making including an analysis of market structure and its effect on price and output determination. The course incorporates a global perspective and estimation of econometric models for business, government, and non-profit organizations.
Credits: 3
Description: An examination of management uses of accounting data with particular reference to decision-oriented cost classification, methods of cost estimation, data appropriate for decision models, standards and controls, and special problems.
Credits: 3
Description: A study of concepts useful in understanding marketing systems and buyer behavior and developing skills in making marketing decisions. Topics include marketing strategy, decision models, market segmentation, promotional strategy, and product management.
Credits: 3
Description: Examination and analysis of the organization as a social system and the impact of its various components on work attitudes and behavior; topics include the development of organizational structures, organizational effectiveness, decision-making and policy formulation, leadership, and change.
Credits: 3
Description: Analysis of policy formulation and implementation from a company-wide standpoint; emphasis on integration of knowledge and approaches across functional areas; both endogenous and exogenous factors that affect company policies; and the role of the firm in society.
Prerequisites: All core or foundation courses and satisfactory completion of 24 credit hours in the MBA program or approval of MBA director.

Electives or focus area requirements (choose one)

Students will choose from graduate-level business (BUS), economics (ECO), or computer information systems (CIS) electives to total 6 credit hours.
For a complete listing of courses and their descriptions, please view the course catalog.
Students choosing the Accounting focus area will take the following courses in addition to the MBA core:
- BUS 531 Accounting Analytics (3 credits)
- BUS 537 Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting (3 credits)
- BUS 544 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing (3 credits)
- BUS 546 Federal Tax Accounting II (3 credits)
Additional prerequisite courses must also be taken for the Accounting focus:
- BUS 347 Intermediate Accounting I (3 credits)
- BUS 348 Intermediate Accounting II (3 credits)
Students choosing the Human Resources focus area will take the following courses in addition to the MBA core. Students who earned their bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Wayne State College and have already completed the undergraduate equivalent of these courses will substitute other courses by advisement.
- BUS 552 Human Resource Development (3 credits)
- BUS 553 Workforce Planning and Employment (3 credits)
- BUS 554 Total Compensation (3 credits)
- BUS 555 Employment Law and Labor Relations (3 credits)
Students choosing the Leadership focus area will take the following courses in addition to the MBA core:
- BUS 610 Managing Organizational Change (3)
- BUS 661 Leading Human Capital (3)
- BUS 628 Dispute Resolution Management (3)
- BUS 665 Leadershp Seminar (3)
Students choosing the Supply Chain Management focus area will take the following courses in addition to the MBA core. Students who earned their bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management from Wayne State College and have already completed the undergraduate equivalent of these courses will substitute other courses by advisement.
- BUS 585 Introduction to Predictive Analytics (3 credits)
- BUS 586 Seminar in Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
- CIS 577 Project Management (3 credits)
- CIS 632 Information Systems Technology and Management (3 credits)

Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21

Katie Diediker, the human resources director at State Nebraska Bank and Trust in Wayne, entered the MBA program with an undergraduate degree in communication. Though she did not have a background in business, she says the faculty were excellent in helping her learn new topics in order to complete the program successfully.

Graduate spotlight: Scott Kruger, MBA '23

Scott Kruger says he had time on his hands during the Covid pandemic and made the decision to pursue his MBA. Since he was at home much of the time, he decided it was a good chance to get his master’s degree. He says it was something he was able to do while working and studying for his CPA exams, noting that it was manageable and challenging at the same time.

The online MBA program at Wayne State College provided the tools that I needed to achieve my goals. I am now self-employed as the Founder and CEO of Grant Administration and Consulting LLC, an exciting and rewarding career in grant administration. Professors at WSC are exceptional leaders who intentionally build their knowledge of business, management, marketing, and public relations through life experiences, current events, and decisions based on exciting challenges that bridge professional growth. They encourage leadership, community outreach, mentorship, and business development. Wayne State College made my dream a reality, and I am extremely grateful to have taken this journey. Thank you, Wayne State College!

Judith Stanton, '23

Laurel, Neb.