Howard University MBA Program: An Overview

The MBA program at Howard University is renowned for its ability to equip students with the skills necessary for leadership roles across various industries. As the first university in Washington, D.C. to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, Howard University has consistently attracted top talent and prepared them for career advancement. The Howard University School of Business (HUSB) aims to develop leaders who can create innovative solutions for major business and societal problems. At Howard, students gain the academic and professional foundation they need to make a contribution to the world.

The Howard MBA Advantage

What sets Howard University's MBA apart is its commitment to ensuring that graduates are prepared to be global business leaders and social servants locally and worldwide. The Howard MBA aims to develop leaders who can go on to create innovative solutions for major business and societal problems. At Howard, students gain the academic and professional foundation they need to make a contribution to the world. The Howard School of Business has earned the top spot on The Princeton Review’s “Greatest Resources for Minority Students” list since 2004.

Transformation and Community

The Howard University MBA program offers more than just an education; it provides a transformative experience. Here, small class sizes ensure that students are recognized, challenged, and empowered by professors who invest in their growth and peers who encourage deeper thinking and bolder leadership. The program fosters a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and every interaction contributes to personal and professional development.

A Powerful Alumni Network

One of the most significant benefits of the Howard MBA is access to a strong and engaged alumni network. This network provides graduates with invaluable connections that can lead to diverse career opportunities. Howard alumni have become CEOs, CFOs, doctors, lawyers, social workers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across various sectors.

Program Options

Howard University offers several MBA program options to cater to different student needs and career goals.

Full-Time MBA Program

The full-time day program offers superior management education in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that prepares graduates to enter the global economy as effective leaders, planners, and managers. Graduates of the program develop a solid knowledge and analytical competence in a wide range of functional disciplines, through classroom and hands-on application. The 24-month Howard University MBA (HUMBA) offers management education in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment, preparing graduates to enter the global economy as effective leaders, planners, and managers. Graduates develop knowledge and analytical competence in a wide range of functional disciplines, through the classroom and hands-on application. During the program, over 90% of full-time MBA students are placed in paid summer internships with companies including KPMG, Credit Suisse, Sony, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive, JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Goldman Sachs, PwC, Merrill Lynch, Verizon, and the US Secret Service, among others. A comparable number are offered full-time jobs before they complete their course through these internships.

Online MBA Program

The Howard University Online MBA program enables students nationwide to access Howard’s renowned high-quality instruction from one of the country’s preeminent historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This program accommodates the needs of experienced working professionals from diverse business and cultural backgrounds, offering an interactive online classroom experience. The online format lets working professionals learn from leaders, gain new skills, and build lifelong connections while advancing their careers. Through networking and hands-on learning experiences, students are prepared to succeed in a competitive global environment.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The online MBA comprises 48 credit hours including 11 core courses and five electives. Coursework for the Online MBA has a total of 48 credit hours consisting of 11 core courses and five electives. Most students complete the 48-credit program in 2.5 years. A sample course sequence may include organizational management; economics for global leaders; financial accounting; statistics and business analytics; financial management; marketing management; productions and operations research; project management; entrepreneurship; principles of information systems; managerial accounting; data analytics; financial modeling; e-commerce and supply chain management; global management consulting; and a strategic management capstone. Howard University utilizes Canvas as the learning management system for online courses. Courses are delivered synchronously as live classes with asynchronous coursework. Programs used in addition to Canvas include Zoom, Yellowdig, Turnitin, and Qualtrics. Students participate in break-out groups, discussion boards, and other interactive opportunities.

Immersive Experiences

Howard’s Online MBA program includes a five-day on-campus immersion during which students meet cohort and faculty members, experience the campus, and begin to build their professional network. The in-person immersion typically includes graduate student council presentations, interview workshops, lunch and learn panels, and more. Howard’s Online MBA program combines the flexibility of asynchronous coursework with the benefits of connecting with faculty and peers during live, instructor-led discussions. Students complete coursework and assignments before class to prepare to engage fully in the live session. Small class sizes - averaging 15-20 students - encourage collaboration. Live class sessions typically include discussions, presentations, and group breakout rooms with fellow students.

Curriculum Highlights

The Howard Online MBA curriculum develops culturally aware change agents prepared to solve challenges and make impactful decisions in business and socio-economic environments. Courses include “Economics for Global Business,” “Organization Management,” “Financial Accounting,” “Statistics and Business Analytics,” “Entrepreneurship,” and “Marketing Management.”

Upon graduation, you should possess the skills and competencies to:

Create solutions-oriented business plans that address complex business challenges
Develop a framework for analyzing and examining the complexity and diversity of the international business environment
Leverage data analysis and statistical concepts to inform your business decisions
Examine and improve the efficiency of production and service operations from a systems perspective

Career and Professional Development

Online students can access the Howard University Center for Career and Professional Success, which provides superior career and professional development, including partnerships with leading corporations, startups, and nonprofit organizations. The Center also offers networking connections and resources to help you transition into a new position or advance in your current role.

Executive MBA Program

The School of Business through Howard University offers an online executive master of business administration (EMBA) that can be completed in as little as 18 months. The executive MBA is designed for working professionals who have at least seven years of post-graduate work experience including at least five years of management or leadership experience. Participants in the EMBA have access to executive coaching and have the option of doing an international immersion during the final semester of the program. The Howard University EMBA comprises 42 credits.

Global Trilateral MBA (GTMBA)

HUSB also offers the new Global Trilateral MBA (GTMBA), which is offered in a partnership with the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) in Beijing, China, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria in Johannesburg. The GTMBA was created in response to a felt need to prepare students for a globally connected world; it aims to inspire and teach global citizens to seek solutions to problems impacting humanity. GTMBA students learn the key factors and issues relating to conducting business in an ever-shifting economic, political, social, and technological world. They travel to international conferences and study tours, and engage in cross-cultural consulting projects, which enable them to gain an understanding of global cultures as they relate to developing successful business strategies for clients. They also learn how to conduct essential market and business reviews to build visionary and conceptual strategic plans for businesses including not-for-profits, Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, and government agencies globally.

Dual Degree Programs

The HUMBA program has also partnered with the other professional schools and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences (CEACS) to offer a number of dual degree and special programs. These programs include the JD/MBA program with the School of Law; the MD/MBA program with the School of Medicine; the PharmD/MBA program with the School of Pharmacy; the DDS/MBA with the School of Dentistry; the 5th Year Acct/MBA; an MDiv/MBA through the School of Divinity; and the BSE/MBA with the CEACS. Students seeking a dual degree must meet both the admission requirements of the MBA Program and the other respective school within Howard University. Engineering undergraduate degree must be completed at Howard University to pursue the dual degree option. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree and the professional dual degree programs must be completed at Howard University.

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Admissions

The Howard University School of Business MBA program is open to all persons holding a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university, located in the United States or abroad.

Requirements

Applicants to the online MBA and executive MBA must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is recommended, but not required. GMAT or GRE test scores are required for the online MBA. Applicants to the EMBA must have at least seven years of professional work experience with at least five years of that in management or leadership positions.

Application Materials

Application materials include an online application, application fee, resume, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. International applicants and students must enter in the fall as full-time students in the regular MBA program or one of the joint degree programs. International graduate students are required to show sponsorship as determined and published by the university.

Specifics

Howard University Online Application: Accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $123 for domestic applicants and $93 for international applicants.
Transcripts: Upload unofficial transcript(s).
Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) "Letters of Recommendation" that address a candidate’s intellectual and personal capabilities. Topics should cover personal integrity; ability to work with others; leadership qualities; oral and written communication skills; and community involvement. Letters should be completed by a supervisor, a member of academia, and someone who can attest to these capabilities. All letters must be on letterhead, signed, and placed in individually sealed envelopes, and the signature of the recommender on the seal.
Personal Statement: Applicants should provide a Personal Statement that describes the uniqueness of his/her character, abilities, issues of diversity, academic history, community service activities, and professional experience. Additionally, the Statement should discuss the applicant’s interest in the Howard University MBA program (HU MBA) and how completing the HU MBA will facilitate realizing his/her dreams and aspirations.
Resume: Current Resume. (A minimum of two years of relevant work experience after completion of the undergraduate degree is required.) Documentation from employer(s) indicating two years of full-time relevant work experience.
Test Scores: Code Standardized Test Scores: 5297Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results for international students for whom English is not their native language should be forwarded from the Educational Testing Service. (A minimum score of 550 on the written exam and 213 on the computer-based exam is required for admission.)International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted for international students. (A minimum score of 6.0-6.5 on the exam is required for admission.)

Important Policies

Application materials and all supporting documents become the confidential property of the MBA Admissions Office and cannot be returned to the applicant.
Applications are not reviewed until all materials are received in the MBA Admissions Office.
The application must be typed and all attachments should be typed on letter-sized paper.
Students seeking a dual degree must meet both the admission requirements of the MBA Program and the other respective schools.
Students may transfer a maximum of six graduate semester hours from other Schools of Business that are accredited by the AACSB-International Association for Management Education.
Students are expected to complete the MBA degree within six years from the date of their initial enrollment in the program.
Students who have not completed the MBA within the time limit will be dropped from the MBA program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online MBA Tuition & Fees are $2,020 PER CREDIT HOUR. Financial aid is available for eligible applicants. There is also a $300 ENROLLMENT FEE, which is waived for previous HU students and graduates and applied towards tuition. Howard University online graduate students may have access to graduate student loans in accordance with the FAFSA. As well, Howard University seeks to make graduate degrees even more affordable through grants, scholarships, and veteran benefits. Finally, MBA students may fund their graduate degrees through tuition reimbursement programs, tuition discounts, and other outside loans, scholarships, and grants. Applicants should contact the Howard University Financial Aid Department for current costs, discounts, and available financial aid.

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