Advance your career through our fully online MBA program.
Earn a high-quality, nationally-ranked online master's degree in Business Administration from the convenience of your home.
Affordable
Among the lowest-cost master's degrees in the U.S.
Attainable
No entrance exams. All bachelor's degrees accepted.
Flexible
100% online with no campus visits required.
High quality
Accredited and nationally ranked for excellence.
Online MBA program overview
Wayne State's fully online MBA program requires no entrance exams or visits to campus. The program is nationally ranked for affordability, and tuition is a flat rate, regardless of residency. Our online MBA program is 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 online MBA program 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 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.
Fast facts
Degree offered: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Delivery format: Fully online
Program credit hours: 30-36
- MBA core (24 credit hours)
- Electives or focus area (6-12 credit hours)
School: Business and Technology
Department: Business and Economics
Online MBA focus areas and business graduate certificates
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 accounting online MBA program.

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.
Estimated program cost
Credit hours: 30-36
Cost per credit hour: $400 (includes fees)
*Based on 30-36 credit hours at the current online tuition rate for 2024-25. Does not include indirect costs. For more information on costs of graduate tuition, visit the Cost of Attendance page.
Get started today!
Our free application can help you decide if Wayne State College is the right choice for you and your career goals. You can apply up until the first day of the term!
Next terms start: July 5, 2025 (5-week summer session)
How to apply Request more info
Upcoming start dates:
- Aug. 18, 2025 (8- and 16-week fall sessions available)
- Oct. 10, 2025 (8-week fall session)
Online MBA program of study
The MBA program consists of 30 credit hours. For students choosing a focus area, an additional 6 credit hours are required. Up to 9 credit hours may be transferred in from another regionally accredited graduate institution (subject to evaluation by the dean of the School of Business and Technology). Only transfer credit with a "B" grade or better is accepted. A "B-" is not acceptable.
Additionally, students must have satisfactory knowledge covering business topics in the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). For more information about fulfilling CBKs and prerequisites, please review the MBA program admission requirements.
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.
Prerequisite: CBK Accounting, CBK Business Finance
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.
Prerequisite: CBK Statistics
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.
Prerequisite: CBK Economics
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.
Prerequisite: CBK Accounting
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 CBK courses and/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 two courses for six credit hours from the following graduate-level BUS (business) or CIS (computer information systems) electives:
- BUS 610 Managing Organizational Change (3 credits)
- BUS 628 Dispute Resolution Management (3 credits)
- BUS 632 Information Systems Technology and Management (3 credits)
- BUS 661 Leading Human Capital (3 credits)
- BUS 665 Leadership Seminar (3 credits)
- BUS 687 Project Administration (3 credits)
- CIS 577 Project Management (3 credits)
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)
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 Work Force Planning and Employment (3 credits)
- BUS 554 Total Compensation (3 credits)
- BUS 555 Employment Law and Labor Relations (3 credits)
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)
Accredited by the IACBE
Wayne State's Business degree programs are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education and comply with high principles of excellence.

Related programs
Students interested in the online MBA may also be interested in these other online master's degrees:
Business and IT Education (MSE)
Organizational Management (MSOM)
Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A. or M.S.)
Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21
Katie Diediker, the human resources director at State Nebraska Bank and Trust in Wayne, entered the online 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.


Graduate spotlight: Katie Diediker, MBA '21
Katie Diediker, the human resources director at State Nebraska Bank and Trust in Wayne, entered the online 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.
Awards and Rankings
An online MBA that's recognized for excellence and affordability
Best Online MBA with Accreditation
Wayne State's MBA program was ranked as the best in Nebraska and in the top 33 of all MBA programs accredited in the United States.

Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
Wayne State College was identified as having the No. 9 most affordable online master's degree program for 2025 out of more than 2,000 other colleges and universities in the U.S.

Top Business College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Top Business College for teaching excellence, successful graduate outcomes, and student opportunities.

A Military Friendly® School
We are proud to be named a Military Friendly® School for our commitment in creating meaningful benefits for military students and veterans. For 2024-25, WSC received the Silver Award. Only a select group of institutions achieve this designation.

Clubs and organizations for MBA students
FBLA Collegiate - A collegiate division of FBLA and professional organization for students in business and related majors
Sigma Beta Delta - International honor society for business

Business and Economics Department faculty

Henry Akaeze, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Henry Akaeze is a business professor at Wayne State College. Akaeze’s teaching expertise spans various economic disciplines, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, natural resource economics, and agricultural resource economics.

Mwata Chisha, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Laura Dendinger, J.D.
Professor
Dr. Laura Dendinger is a business professor at Wayne State College, teaching courses including business communication, negotiations, and conflict management.

Joseph Faello, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Joseph Faello is a business professor at Wayne State College and is an expert in the accounting field.

Trisha Kolterman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Trisha Kolterman is a business professor at Wayne State College and specializes in organizational behavior and strategic management.

Brian Kufner, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Brian Kufner is a business professor at Wayne State College. He is lead faculty and student advisor for the undergraduate and graduate human resource management concentrations at Wayne State College.

Michelle Laughlin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michelle Laughlin is a business professor and teaches marketing and business courses at Wayne State College.

Kelly Legler, MBA
Instructor
Kelly Legler teaches business in the Business and Economics Department at Wayne State College. Legler's teaching interests include financial, managerial, governmental, and nonprofit accounting, as well as business communications.

Dr. Pat Lutt is a business professor at Wayne State College. She teaches marketing and business courses at Wayne State College.

Lindsay McLaughlin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Lindsay McLaughlin is a business professor, teaching marketing and management at Wayne State College.

Jeryl Nelson, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Jeryl Nelson is a business professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are finance and management.

Charles Parker, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Charles Parker is an economics professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include microeconomics, finance, and law.
Get in touch
Department of Business and Economics
Gardner Hall, Room 106
Phone: 402-375-7558
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