Frequently Asked Questions About
MBA Standards Board Credentials
The MBA Standards Board provides the following:
- The “Certified MBA Professional™ designation that accompanies our MBA+™ & MBAe™ Certifications – These validate proficiency in MBA core business courses and are equivalent to a graduate MBA degree.
MBA with specialization certificates. Our MBA general business management competency with an added focus on specific business functions such as these:
Accounting
Artificial Intelligence
Business Analytics
Business Consultancy
Cybersecurity
E-Commerce
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Fintech
Healthcare Management
Human Resources
Industrial Production Management
Information Technology
International Business
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems
Market Research Analyst
Marketing
Operations Management
Project Management
Real Estate
Supply Chain Management
Sustainability
The MBA Standards Board provides the following:
- The “Certified MBA Professional™ designation that accompanies our MBA+™ & MBAe™ Certifications – These validate proficiency in MBA core business courses and are equivalent to a graduate MBA degree.
MBA with specialization certificates. Our MBA general business management competency with an added focus on specific business functions such as these:
Accounting
Artificial Intelligence
Business Analytics
Business Consultancy
Cybersecurity
E-Commerce
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Fintech
Healthcare Management
Human Resources
Industrial Production Management
Information Technology
International Business
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems
Market Research Analyst
Marketing
Operations Management
Project Management
Real Estate
Supply Chain Management
Sustainability
No, not in our program.
We have designed our program on MBA knowledge essentials and eliminating unnecessary or redundant steps and requirements found in many residential MBA college programs today.
First of all, becoming a Certified MBA Professional™ will include credit for your certifications, courses, and work experience to date. Many applicants find that they are nearly halfway done when they begin.
Completing any additional accredited online courses may require some dedication, but it is an achievable goal for motivated individuals.
Secondly, our program is very different from the inflexible, fast-paced, high-pressure, theory-intensive, heavy on assignments and exam-emphasis residential MBA college programs.
While we have the same curriculum, we approach it in a self-paced, with practical information and application use with some required projects and quizzes to assess course progress and completion.
Be prepared to put in consistent effort. Managing your time will be key.
That said, our curriculum is designed to set you up for success. Instructors provide robust support, and our Association of MBA Professionals™ community provides additional support to help keep you on track and motivated.
Our ongoing certification requirements for continued education (completion of one course annually) are easy and doable. It sets our certificants apart as residential college programs simply end in a degree.
Our certification and credentials inform employers that our certificants are dedicated to continually developing their value and relevance in meeting their company needs. Their continued participation in our Association of MBA Professionals™ assures employers that they have a community of mentors, colleagues, and experts who serve each other as valuable resources..
We have seen that applicants earning our prestigious letters after their name is an immense motivation towards completion and is also a point of pride and a boost for their careers.
- Coursework access is free or nearly free. (A small exception is that the college may require a small document fee for course credit, often under $100 per course.)
- Our application fee for review of current credit earned and guidance to certification fee is $295 and covers the period between application to qualification for our certification and credentials.
- After the applicant receives their review of credits earned and recommendations for completion, their next required step is to join our Association of MBA Professionals to become part of our community and build important relationships with their colleagues, employers, and experts. We have found that building a network of relationships while completing this effort and after certification leads to applicants’ increased earnings and satisfaction in their chosen careers. Annual membership costs remain at just $95 per year.
- Once it is determined that the applicant has completed their certification requirements, they will pay an annual certification and credential use fee of $295. This fee covers our costs in maintaining the credentials and providing reviews of continuing education credits and ethics requirements to keep the certificant’s credentials current.
- Coursework access is free or nearly free. (A small exception is that the college may require a small document fee for course credit, often under $100 per course.)
- Our application fee for review of current credit earned and guidance to certification fee is currently $195 and covers the period between application to qualification for our certification and credentials.
- After the applicant receives their review of credits earned and recommendations for completion, their next required step is to join our Association of MBA Professionals to become part of our community and build important relationships with their colleagues, employers, and experts. We have found that building a network of relationships while completing this effort and after certification leads to applicants’ increased earnings and satisfaction in their chosen careers. Annual membership costs remain at just $95 per year.
- Once it is determined that the applicant has completed their certification requirements, they will pay an annual certification and credential use fee of $595. This fee covers our costs in maintaining the credentials and providing reviews of continuing education credits and ethics requirements to keep the certificant’s credentials current.
- Coursework access is free or nearly free. (A small exception is that the college may require a small document fee for course credit, often under $100 per course.)
- Our application fee for review of current credit earned and guidance to certification fee is currently $195 and covers the period between application to qualification for our certification and credentials.
- After the applicant receives their review of credits earned and recommendations for completion, their next required step is to join our Association of MBA Professionals to become part of our community and build important relationships with their colleagues, employers, and experts. We have found that building a network of relationships while completing this effort and after certification leads to applicants’ increased earnings and satisfaction in their chosen careers. Annual membership costs remain at just $95 per year.
- Once it is determined that the applicant has completed their certification requirements, they will pay an annual certification and credential use fee of $595. This fee covers our costs in maintaining the credentials and providing reviews of continuing education credits and ethics requirements to keep the certificant’s credentials current.
Our credentials are globally recognized. Earning our Certified MBA Professional™ and MBA Standards Board MBA+™ or MBAe™ credential can provide several valuable career benefits:
- Improved hiring prospects – Hiring managers view our certifications as a mark of quality when evaluating candidates. Our credentials stand out on business cards and resumes.
- Increased salaries – On average, professionals with our credentials earn 15% to 30% higher salaries. The boost in earning potential over time can have a major financial impact on career satisfaction and meeting the financial goals of our certificants.
- Promotion opportunities – The skills and knowledge validated by our certifications position credential holders for management-track promotions. Demonstrating business acumen is key for advancement.
- Career transitions – For those looking to pivot their careers into business roles, our credentials help provide the needed prerequisites. The certifications may open many doors to new opportunities.
- Skill development – Undertaking our rigorous curriculum ensures you have mastered current best practices and can perform business functions using classic MBA models and frameworks confidently. Lifelong learning with our continuing education credits demonstrates our certificants continued relevance in the competitive job markets.
- Networking – Our active alumni in our Association of MBA Professionals community provide connections for mentorship, resources, and exposure to new roles.
- Employer recognition – Our course providers are globally accredited and respected. Our certifications on a resume grab the hiring manager’s attention. Leading organizations look for our credentialed talent.
At the MBA Standards Board, we recognize that broad degrees are often no longer enough to thrive in today’s specialized business landscape. To truly stand out, professionals need targeted knowledge and technical capabilities beyond generalized MBA curriculum.
That’s why we offer over 20 specialized MBA credentials spanning critical domains like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare administration, and more.
Employers desperately need talent equipped with these precise skillsets that universities aren’t teaching. Our laser-focused certifications deliver the expertise employers now demand.
We provide an antidote to the limitations of traditional degrees. While those diplomas look prestigious hanging on your wall, they fall short in developing the niche competencies and hands-on abilities that modern jobs require.
Worse still, they often leave graduates drowning in crippling debt yet no better off in employability and career prospects.
Education has failed to keep pace with the evolving workplace.
But at the MBA Standards Board, we offer a solution.
Our MBA certifications provide provide affordable, targeted specializations that drive career success today.
No more wasting time and money on generalized degrees that lack career utility. We deliver the specialized knowledge to thrive in the roles employers urgently need to fill.
The future lies in targeted education that foregoes fluff for pragmatism. Our laser-focused credentials provide the essential ingredients to outshine peers, open new doors and reach your full potential.
Some of our MBA specializations:
Accounting
Artificial Intelligence
Business Analytics
Business Consultancy
Cybersecurity
E-Commerce
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Fintech
Healthcare Management
Human Resources
Industrial Production Management
Information Technology
International Business
Management Information Systems
Market Research Analyst
Marketing
Operations Management
Project Management
Real Estate
Supply Chain Management
Sustainability
*Additional specializations are available upon request.
Content is designed by faculty from our consortium of accredited business schools.
Learning is delivered through flexible online platforms.
The following is a small list of colleges and institutions that offer free or near-free courses that we often recommend our applicants to complete their MBA curriculum requirements:
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Michigan
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Miami
Johns Hopkins University
Dartmouth College
University of California, Irvine
Harvard University
University of Pennsylvania
University of California, Los Angeles
Coventry University
Santa Fe Institute
Saint Petersburg State University
Arizona State University
Rice University
Georgia Institute of Technology
The University of Chicago
Duke University
Yale University
University of Leeds
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Davis
Columbia University
Purdue University
University of Virginia
A fulfilling, sustainable career requires more than a high salary, but the financial ROI of our MBA program is exceptional. The highest-paying jobs held by some MBA graduates tend to be in the private sector, and your location also plays a role in earning potential — wages are often higher in large cities.
Below are some traditional business administration jobs that tend to draw higher-than-average salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 data:
- Financial manager: Median annual wage $139,790¹
- Chief executive: Median annual wage $189,520²
- Marketing manager: Median annual wage $140,040³
- Human resources manager: Median annual wage $130,000⁴
Keep in mind that certain careers will require additional training or experience, and earning your MBA does not guarantee you a job. However, the best online MBA programs can provide you with the skills, experience, connections, and perspective to take the next step in your career.
¹ Financial Managers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on December 14, 2023.
² Chief Executives. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on December 14, 2023.
³ Marketing Managers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on December 14, 2023.
⁴ Human Resources Managers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on December 14, 2023.
Thank you for your interest in our MBA credential program. Here are the key admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree – You must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.
- 2+ years of work experience – We require a minimum of 2 years of full-time professional work experience. This ensures you can apply classroom concepts in the real world.
- GMAT/GRE scores – Although we do not have a minimum test score requirement, submitting valid GMAT or GRE scores strengthens your application.
- Online profile/application – You will need to complete our online application form and upload transcripts, test scores (if applicable), resume, and essays.
- Application fee – A nonrefundable $195 application fee is required upon submission.
- Personal Statement: Here is the place you’ll express what your goals are in completing this MBA Certification, as well as the area of specialization you plan to complete.
We take a comprehensive, holistic approach when evaluating applicants. There are no strict GPA or test score cutoffs.
One aspect of college residential MBA applications is that many applicants dread standardized test scores, such as the GMAT or GRE. Over the last few years, some universities have questioned the necessity of submitting these test scores. While many universities still require these scores as proof of your quantitative abilities, others no longer request them or offer GMAT/GRE waivers as we have done if you have prior professional work experience.
We review your full profile to determine already earned certifications, courses and work experience that can be applied for credits to determine and map out for you the courses remaining to complete our MBA certification and credential requirements.
As you become familiar with the accredited college course providers and various options for your area of specialty, we will continue to work with you to adjust your curriculum plan to accept curriculum changes until you complete them and apply for full MBA Standards Board certification and credentials.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions! We’re happy to guide you in the process. You are welcome to send any questions to [email protected]
What if I have already completed an MBA degree, can I still apply for MBA Standards Board certification, join the Association of MBA Professionals™ and use the credentials?
Yes, even if you have already completed an MBA degree, you can still apply for MBA Standards Board certification and membership in our Association of MBA Professionals™.
While Our certification process and standards exceed those of many traditional MBA programs a commitment to a business specialty, and continuing education and business ethics is standard practice today in many professions.
We evaluate applicants based on a comprehensive criterion focused on real-world business competencies, specialized knowledge, ethical standing, and a commitment to ongoing career development.
Professionals who hold MBAs from accredited institutions are still required to document their educational history to earn our prestigious credentials.
It is also suggested that you build upon your previous MBA foundation with a few additional courses to complete one of our many business specializations.
We provide generous transfer credit and course waivers for prior relevant graduate coursework and credentials. Your existing MBA degree may allow you to complete our certification process within 30 days.
Once certified, you will be authorized to use our coveted post-nominal credentials and access exclusive benefits through our Association of MBA Professionals™.
Yes, we strongly believe in providing credit for your existing accredited coursework, certifications, and work experience. Our goal is to help you consolidate and maximize the value of all your hard work into an efficient path to new opportunities.
Through our generous transfer credit and equivalency policies, we make it easy to get credit for relevant college, certification, military, and work on-the-job training from other reputable institutions.
Complete our simple application process and we will conduct an individual evaluation to determine exactly what can transfer into our programs. In many cases, we can waive substantial requirements based on your previous credentials and experience.
Don’t waste time and money repeating material you’ve already mastered.
We streamline degree paths by recognizing overlapping objectives from prior learning. This personalized approach ensures you only take new coursework that progresses your knowledge.
Earning one of our MBA credentials allows you to summarize all your education onto your business card or resume with credential letters listed after your name.
These powerful letters behind your name signal to employers your multifaceted business expertise. Our programs efficiently consolidate coursework from many entities into an impressive brand that communicates your skills and leadership.
Don’t let other college transfer policies deter you from seeking credit for previous academics and credentials. We break down these barriers through flexible evaluation focused on your unique background.
Apply today and let us craft a custom path to new opportunities that respects your past achievements. We’re committed to maximizing credit to save you time and money while advancing your career goals.
Our prestigious Certified MBA Professional™ with MBA+™ and MBAe™ credentials have become the new gold standard and preferred status for Masters of Business Administration.
Unlike conventional MBA programs, the MBA Standards Board thoroughly vets and exclusively grants annual permission to use our coveted MBA+™ trademark to only those professionals who meet our rigorous education, experiential training, and ethical standards.
Our multifaceted criteria ensure all of our credentialed MBAs have not only completed standardized MBA curriculums but have also demonstrated specialized skills in high-demand areas prized by today’s leading employers.
We are the only accreditation body that requires ongoing ethical behavior and continued education for trademark use renewal. This provides employers assurance of both competence and character when hiring our elite talent.
The three letters behind your name signify far more than just academic achievement. Our unparalleled MBA+™ and MBAe™ trademarks assure recruiters you possess the comprehensive business acumen, technical capabilities, real-world experience, ethical foundation, and passion for lifelong learning required to excel in modern business environments.
Don’t settle for just any MBA. Pursue premier status as a Certified MBA Professional™ with our exclusive and reputable MBA credentials. We are redefining excellence for MBAs worldwide.
