A population close to 4.6 million people live in the state of Louisiana. The state’s capital is Baton Rouge and it’s largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana has a diverse landscape including swamplands, beaches, rivers, mountains, and barrier islands. The state also has a diverse culture influenced by French, Spanish, Native American, and African cultures. This cultural diversity has contributed to the state’s status as a Cajun food and jazz music haven.
Louisiana hosts over 170 institutions of higher education, many of these offer online degree programs. The state’s most well-known universities include Louisiana State University (LSU) and Tulane.
Consider an Online MBA in Louisiana
Obtaining a Master of Business Administration will prep you for various job opportunities, and the Bayou State offers an extensive selection of online MBA programs. Online MBA in Louisiana programs are intended for employees who seek management or executive careers in business. Students must earn 33 to 36 credit hours in most of these programs and they typically take 2 years to finish.
The perks of an online degree include at-home access to course materials and some colleges provide lower tuition fees for online students. The cost of living is often lower near college campuses, and online programs sometimes have in-person requirements, which can make living close to campus a plus. Some online degree programs are taught in an asynchronous format, which creates the greatest flexibility for students. GMAT requirements vary between schools with no GMAT requirements possible.
The Mason School of Business at William & Mary
Location:Williamsburg, VA
Length:24 – 36 Mos
Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Length:24 Mos
California State University, Monterey Bay
Location:Seaside, CA
Length:18 – 24 Mos
Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
Location:Seattle, WA
Length:30 Mos
University of Kansas School of Business
Location:Lawrence, KS
Length:27-36 Mos
MBA Concentrations for Students in Louisiana
Many online MBA programs in Louisiana offer specializations based on industry. A few well-known MBA concentrations include entrepreneurship, finance, global management, analytics, hospitality management, consulting, and human resource management. When choosing a concentration, it is worth reviewing the makeup of the state’s economy. Educational services, health care, and social assistance are some of the biggest industries in Louisiana, they recently accounted for 8% of the state’s GDP. Oil and gas is another principal industry in Louisiana. Healthcare Administration and Energy are MBA specializations that apply to these industries.
Louisiana MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
Nondurable goods manufacturing; finance, insurance, real estate are the industries that contributed the most to Louisiana’s GDP in recent years, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries with the best rates of employment in 2015 were health care and social assistance. This growth of healthcare jobs is forecast to grow by 18% throughout the nation over the next 10 years. Graduates of online MBA programs in Louisiana can exploit this increase.
The employment forecast in Louisiana is positive, regardless of industry. As of June 2018, Louisiana has a 4.7% unemployment rate, which is a bit higher than the national average rate of 3.7%. In the past year, unemployment rates in metro areas throughout the state have decreased by 0.6-0.8%.
Top Employers in Indiana
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Sales/Retail | Seattle | 341,000 |
| CenturyLink | Telecommunication Services | Monroe | 40,000 |
| Entergy | Energy | New Orleans | 14,000 |
Online MBA Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana offers a great selection of online MBA programs. Keep in mind some programs do have an internship or capstone requirement that requires in-person appearances. Below is a list of online MBA programs in Louisiana.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in Louisiana
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Louisiana- these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
COMPARE STUDENT OUTCOME DETAILS
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
CONSIDER EXPECTED COSTS OF YOUR PROGRAMS
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
CHECK THAT CLASSES WILL FIT INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT ALUMNI
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.