Online Master of Arts in Management (MA)
Study how effective leaders plan and execute strategic initiatives to overcome complex business challenges. This master’s in management from American Public University (APU) examines the practices that transformational decision-makers employ to help organizations maintain a competitive advantage.
About APU’s Online Master’s Degree Program in Management
This master’s degree program examines advanced management theories and practices within the context of today’s increasingly competitive global business landscape. Students learn how successful leaders combine data analysis techniques with effective communication skills to optimize organizational performance.
APU’s curriculum addresses the intricate relationship between operational strategy, workplace dynamics, and resource management. Courses explore how decision-makers navigate these factors to lead cross-cultural teams and develop strategies that support positive business outcomes.
The program is designed to nurture career-relevant skills among current and aspiring managers interested in corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations. Assignments integrate case studies and problem-solving exercises that reflect the real-world duties of modern business leaders. To conclude their studies, learners complete a capstone portfolio demonstrating their competencies.
The MA in Management is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Spanish-language learners may complete the management program through select courses in the general concentration.
ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Online Program concentrations:
We offer concentrations in the following areas. Select a concentration to learn more:
About the Concentration
This general concentration allows you to select from other concentration courses offered in this program.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Develop a strategic business plan applying the theories and practices of management and planning for a particular organizational setting.
- Examine complex organizations from a level of analysis perspective, including the individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational level perspectives.
- Evaluate management issues in the context of ethical, technological, structural, cultural, human and environmental factors.
About the Concentration
The concentration in Business Project Management enhances the student’s understanding of how businesses evolve, adapt, and maintain an enterprise through project management. Through this concentration, students will be introduced to the theories, concepts, and practices that align with project management. Students will develop a skill set to track and monitor projects.
Companies depend on project management to stay competitive in developing new offerings, determining the technology needed within the enterprise, updating processes and procedures, and implementing projects for customers.
The concentration is designed for business professionals and military personnel interested in project management within the business environment.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate how to properly monitor a project.
- Articulate why a project needs to align with the organization’s strategic plan.
- Analyze the project costs and actuals.
- Create a risk management plan.
- Build a project schedule that integrates the various parts of the project to define the critical path
- Integrate the various parts of the project to determine the health of the project through cost/schedule metrics.
- Articulate the ethical and legal aspects of project management.
- Analyze the various business tools used to define quality control and quality assurance.
About the Concentration
Focuses on key concepts and principles of being a successful entrepreneur/intrapreneur or small business owner. You will examine leadership practices, feasibility of ideas, funding, and customer service specific to a small business.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Develop an idea for a new business venture.
- Use various methods to critically evaluate specific operational functions.
- Determine your target market and market segmentation.
- Create a marketing plan for your venture.
About the Concentration
Compares various managerial approaches to employment law. Discusses rewards systems, measurement of employee performance, and other compensation packages. Probes policies and procedures involving legislative, regulatory, and organizational issues affecting human resource management in a global workforce. Topics include workplace safety and the recruitment, development, and training of human capital.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast various managerial approaches to employment law.
- Evaluate the strategic factors influencing the various levels of rewards systems in the marketplace.
- Assess methods used to measure performance and determine pay level and associated compensation packages.
- Analyze the role and function of the Senior Human Resource Professional in the development and implementation of policies and procedures encompassing legislative, regulatory, and organizational issues affecting the management of human resources in today’s global workforce.
About the Concentration
This concentration focuses on meeting industry needs for IT managers in order to manage cost, time, scope, quality, risk, and people to ensure that projects come in on time and under budget. It also addresses strategic planning and business systems analysis.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate the principles and practices for organizing, allocating, and managing project resources.
- Analyze the project management framework, including the stakeholders, domains, phases, processes, integration, and lifecycle.
- Examine the potential complexities and pitfalls in initiating and closing projects, and assess methods to mitigate this risk.
- Evaluate the unique challenges in managing the scope, time, and cost of Information Technology projects.
- Examine various project cost models and analyze the principles of earned value management (EVM).
- Assess the principles, strategies, challenges, and measures for managing quality and risk on IT projects.
- Analyze the phases, procedures, deliverables, and best practices for business systems analysis.
About the Concentration
The concentration in Organizational Crisis Management covers crisis management concepts and activities from the organizational leader’s perspective. The courses in the concentration cover organizational change, risk management, organizational processes related to crisis management, and leadership roles in crisis management.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Establish protocols for crisis management communication as it relates to the organization.
- Recommend organizational crisis planning strategies.
- Evaluate processes for continuity planning.
- Explain the impact on the organization of poor crisis planning.
- Describe the role of leadership in organizational crisis management.
About the Concentration
Examines various leadership theories and models used by contemporary leaders in management. Looks at the effective leader’s role in the workplace as it relates to decision making, conflict resolution, motivation, and risk taking. Addresses contemporary leadership theories and models to develop and nurture followership, varied workplace settings, ethics, motivation, and knowledge management.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate various leadership theories and models used by contemporary leaders in the field of management to develop and nurture followership.
- Assess leadership approaches to a variety of workplace settings, ethics, motivation, and knowledge management.
- Examine the roles and functions of an effective leader in today’s workplace as it relates to the areas of decision making, conflict resolution, motivation, and risk taking.
About the Concentration
Addresses the management of public organizations and interpersonal relationships at the federal, state, and local levels. Various positions and issues involving politics, policy, economics, administration, and management in the public sector are covered. Topics include human resource strategy and the role of federal, state, and local public health agencies.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Apply theories and approaches to managing public organizations and administering federal, state, and local levels and evaluate the interpersonal relationships among these levels of government.
- Evaluate positions and issues that intersect the dynamics of politics, policy, economics, administration and management in the public sector.
- Analyze public policy initiatives from political and administrative aspects as to their intentions, achievable aims and outcomes.
About the Concentration
This concentration focuses on developing a business plan for a strategic consulting practice, assessing organization and business consulting models, and presenting recommendations on improving an organization’s practices and processes. Topics include interpersonal relations, group behavior, and managing individuals and groups in a virtual environment.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Implement a change management program in an organization.
- Assess the systems and processes in an organization when addressing strategic, organizational and managerial challenges.
- Present senior management with recommendations on how to improve an organization’s practices and processes.
- Lead a project on innovation.
APU’s Online Program Provides a Career-Relevant Education in Business Management
This management degree program equips students with working knowledge of how impactful leaders optimize workplace dynamics and manage resources to meet business goals. Students discuss effective strategies for motivating employees and maintaining a collaborative, efficient work environment. Courses incorporate critical-thinking exercises and case studies that explore the real-world challenges that decision-makers across a wide range of industries encounter.
Students also:
- Conduct research on a business management problem, collect and analyze data, and communicate findings using qualitative and quantitative methods
- Develop a strategic business plan
- Evaluate management issues considering ethical, technological, structural, cultural, human, and environmental factors
- Apply leadership and management concepts and practices to address the challenges of a global organization
- Prepare ePortfolios to demonstrate their learning View Program Outcome Assessment Results
This MA in Management is designed to prepare students to navigate leadership functions across commercial, nonprofit, and government settings. APU’s curriculum explores a wide range of real-world planning and problem-solving strategies that managers use to help organizations reach their goals.
Graduates may have potential career opportunities as:
- General and operations managers, who plan, direct, and coordinate operations within public, private, or nonprofit organizations while overseeing budgets, personnel, and strategic initiatives
- Management analysts or consultants, who analyze organizational performance, identify operational challenges, and recommend improvements to management processes
- Program or project managers, who oversee project timelines and resources to lead cross-functional initiatives
The program may also help lay the groundwork to pursue further study in management or a related field.
APU’s master’s in management program incorporates case studies and research assignments to teach students how successful leaders demonstrate analytical thinking. The curriculum also helps strengthen problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Students discuss the complex nature of managing cross-cultural teams as they learn how effective managers make strategic business decisions.
Graduates will be prepared to:
- Evaluate organizational structures and management theories to improve performance and effectiveness
- Apply strategic planning and decision-making frameworks to address complex business challenges and support an organization’s mission
- Analyze financial, operational, and market data to produce actionable business insights and inform management decisions
- Spearhead change initiatives using evidence-based management practices and advanced leadership principles Assess ethical, legal, and social responsibilities that shape managerial decision-making and influence business operations
- Communicate executive-level recommendations effectively to diverse stakeholders through professional business communication
Browse Core Courses from APU’s Management Online Program
This online management master’s degree program examines how successful leaders translate data-driven insights into business strategies. Core courses explore the unique challenge of building and maintaining a high-performing workforce, and students discuss how to foster collaboration in the workplace.
The program also includes degree concentrations that allow students to explore specialized subject areas, such as human resource management and entrepreneurship. Assignments incorporate case studies that showcase real-world examples of how managers demonstrate strategic leadership. Students consider the legal, ethical, and cultural challenges that decision-makers face. The program concludes with a capstone course where students prepare ePortfolios demonstrating their advanced management skills.
Microsoft Project® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
All Course Requirements for the MA in Management
Explore Opportunities to Network While You Pursue Your Master’s in Management Online at APU
Connect with classmates, faculty members, and alumni who share your interests through dozens of online University clubs and organizations. Groups such as the Society for Human Resource Management and the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society are especially well-suited to students pursuing the Master of Arts in Management. Other online communities include social and cultural groups, as well as organizations dedicated to volunteer work and community service.
Learn more about student life at American Public University.
Signature Skills: A Learning Revolution
Integrated into our student curriculum, these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence. The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APU.
-
Encouraging students to use current technologies, critically evaluate emerging tools, and responsibly engage with digital and AI systems.
-
Strengthening the ability in all students to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, explore alternatives, and develop skills essential for navigating continual change.
-
Helping students thrive in dynamic workplaces by reinforcing adaptability, resilience, innovation, and self-awareness.
Welcome to a learning revolution.
APUS signature skills.
Digital literacy, critical thinking, a growth mindset entwine themselves around the student journey.
They’re in everything we do!
[Signature Skills homepage is shown]
Meant to inform our approach to you, and your ability to thrive beyond the classroom,
these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence.
The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
[APUS logo appears]
APU is here to support your student journey
We know your well-being is vital to your success. That's why we offer a range of supportive resources to help you throughout your academic journey.
- Career Coaching
- 24/7 Mental Health Support
- Admissions & Advising Support
- Student Life
Career Coaching
Get individualized guidance to help you explore career options, strengthen professional skills, and prepare for the next step in your journey. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, changing fields, or advancing your professional knowledge, our career services team is here to help you translate your goals into action.
Learn More24/7 Mental Health Support
Your well-being is essential to your success. That’s why APU offers access to confidential, flexible, and around-the-clock mental health support. Through our partnerships with telehealth apps, you can connect with peers and professionals anytime you need to manage stress, maintain balance, or find motivation.
Learn MoreAdmissions & Advising Support
From your first course to the day you graduate, our admissions and advising teams are here to guide you every step of the way. You’ll receive personalized assistance with enrollment, program selection, and degree planning from professionals who understand the needs of adult learners.
Learn MoreStudent Life
At APU, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Enrich your college experience and expand your network by getting involved in any of our student organizations. From cultural and social organizations to program-specific honor societies, you’ll find a group to help you thrive during and after your studies.
Learn MoreEarn an Affordable Master’s in Management Online at APU
- $0 Application Fee
- $0 Textbooks & Ebooks
- $0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
Earning a degree is a valuable investment, but it needs to fit into your budget. Our tuition estimator can help you estimate your tuition and fees, so you can plan a manageable path to your educational goals. For full details, please refer to the financial aid cost of attendance (COA). This estimate does not include course materials, supplies, equipment, software and other expenses such as lab fees. You may be eligible for partnership grants through your employer. Speak with your admissions representative for more details.
APU Removes Barriers
Quality Education Shouldn’t Break the Bank
We offer special rates and grants for eligible students and limit fees to help keep the cost of higher education within reach. Find out how you can save on tuition expenses with our:
- Transfer Credits
- Financial Aid
- Private Loans & Scholarships
- Military & Veteran Benefits
Transfer Credits
APU makes it easy to earn credit for the work you’ve already done. We accept transfer credits from prior college coursework, professional training, exams, and certifications. We’ll evaluate your transcripts at no cost and help you maximize eligible credits so you can save time, reduce costs, and stay focused on reaching your education goals sooner.
Learn MoreFinancial Aid
We’re committed to making quality education accessible and affordable. APU participates in federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid Office can provide personalized guidance to help you understand your options, complete required forms, and make an informed decision about paying for your education.
Learn MorePrivate Loans & Scholarships
In addition to federal financial aid, some APU students choose to explore private education loans or external scholarships to help fund their studies. We encourage all students to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal student aid before considering private options. Be sure to research lenders carefully, compare terms, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Learn MoreMilitary & Veterans Benefits
Learn More
Apply to APU’s Online MA in Management Program Today
This online management master’s degree program is designed to accommodate working professionals and students who are balancing their coursework with other responsibilities. Courses are held online and run for 8 to 16 weeks. There are no set login times, and students may submit weekly assignments from anywhere with internet access. The University also welcomes new students year-round.
Review our admission requirements and submit your application today.
- No Entrance Exams No GRE® or GMAT® required for master’s programs
- No Application Fee For undergraduate & master’s-level courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
Learn More About APU’s Master’s in Management
Pursuing a master’s degree in management can be a practical choice if you are interested in strengthening your leadership skills and learning how to support organizational excellence. Courses examine strategies that managers employ to build cohesive teams and achieve business objectives across a wide range of industries.
APU’s management curriculum also explores how effective leaders use data-driven insights to engage in strategic planning. Students build career-relevant skills as they discuss the unique challenges of managing cross-cultural teams and leading global business operations.
No, you do not need a business degree to pursue this online master’s in management at APU. Your undergraduate degree must be from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, however.
Please review all admission requirements for more information.
With more than 200 career-relevant degrees and certificates, APU makes online education accessible and affordable.
Request More Information
Interested in a specific program or wondering about the application process? Fill out the quick form below, and we’ll follow up with details tailored to your goals. Click here if you are a current student and need assistance.
Consumer Information
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
