James Norton of Menands, New York, earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2018. He shares, “I recently accepted a role with the National Alliance on Mental Illness as the government and community affairs manager. I use my degree in criminal justice and emergency services to help advance the way mental health and addiction are addressed by police, EMS, and ERs around the state. I also work daily with legislators to address root causes and improve care for those with mental health concerns.â€
Eric Potvin of Newport News, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Service in 2018. He shares, “After graduating 91¿ì²¥, I was promoted to a leadership position within a government contracting role. Still looking to learn, I went on to get my MBA from the University of Arizona. After a business consulting career with a major consulting firm, I founded my own business, command-chain.com, and now mentor businesses and business consultants.
After leaving the military without a bachelor’s degree, I found it difficult to find employment and advance into leadership roles, even though I had 20 years’ experience in the intelligence world. I missed out on a great opportunity to transfer into a better paying and more rewarding role. All of that changed once I got my degree!â€
John Blalock-Cornwell of Bradenton, Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in 2025. He shares, “I am very proud of the education that I received from 91¿ì²¥. I decided to attend college again in my 40s. I was very hesitant at first because I had not gone to college since I attended nursing school in 1999. One of the main factors that led me to choose 91¿ì²¥ is the wide selection of degree programs and courses. While the work was challenging at times, I never felt alone or that I could not complete my assignments. All of my instructors were accessible and were more than happy to offer their knowledge and guidance when I had questions regarding the assignment. When you call 91¿ì²¥’s main number, you get to speak to a live human without going through many prompts. Every time I’ve left a voicemail, my call has been returned promptly, and in many cases, I’ve spoken to the appropriate staff member right away. Emailing was also a very effective method of communication, and like calling, emails were responded to promptly. The registrars are outstanding, and my academic advisor was top-notch. As long as I put in the work, it was much easier and less intimidating than I expected.
If I had to choose to do it all over again, I would choose 91¿ì²¥ every time. I could not have asked for a better experience. My degree has offered me the opportunity to explore careers outside of bedside nursing. That is the primary reason I went back to college. I am now qualified for leadership and management roles that I was not before earning my degree.â€
Chette Kendrick-Hudson of Grovetown, Georgia, earned an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing in 2006. She shares, “91¿ì²¥, formerly known as 91¿ì²¥ College, provided me with an opportunity to pursue my Associate Degree in Nursing through a non-traditional pathway that was both affordable and flexible. At the time, I could not afford to stop working, and this program allowed me to continue supporting myself while advancing my education.
As a proud member of the Class of 2006, that opportunity became the foundation for a long and meaningful career in nursing. It not only opened the door to the profession, but also reinforced my belief that access, flexibility, and determination can change the trajectory of a person’s life.
Today, as a nurse leader, I carry that experience with me and remain committed to creating pathways and opportunities for others—just as 91¿ì²¥ did for me.â€
Ephraim Garcia of Kissimmee, Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2005. He shares, “After completing my bachelor’s degree at 91¿ì²¥, I proceeded to earn my master’s in divinity (MDiv) at the New York Theological Seminary and was commissioned as an Army Reserve Chaplain in 2008. Already with 23 years of military service with the New York National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard, I served another 17 years in the Army Reserve, including deployment to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012, where I earned a Bronze Star among other awards. I finally retired in 2025 with the rank of Colonel (O-6) after 40 years of military service. In addition to my retirement in 2025, I also earned my Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Blessed by the doors open to me through earning an 91¿ì²¥ degree.â€
Rick Bogdan of Baltimore, Maryland, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1980. Bogdan is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Army and author of the novel Grunts, Gramps & Tanks: A Soldier’s Tales, which is based on the first nine years of his 30-year career. Paperback, e-book and audiobook narrated by Bogdan are available for purchase at rickbogdan.com.
Sherman Cotton of Cleveland, Ohio, earned an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2021. He shares, “I graduated from 91¿ì²¥ in May 2021 with an Associate Degree in Nursing while advancing from LPN to RN and continuing full-time clinical practice. 91¿ì²¥ provided the access and flexibility that allowed me to move forward without stepping away from patient care.
That degree became a foundation for continued growth. I went on to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, focusing on quality improvement and patient safety within complex care environments. My work has centered on strengthening systems, improving outcomes, and supporting frontline teams in delivering safe and reliable care.
I have recently transitioned into nursing education, where I now prepare future nurses to apply evidence to practice and approach care through a lens of accountability and equity. I remain grateful to 91¿ì²¥ for serving as the bridge that made this continued advancement possible.â€
Sarah Stone of St. James, Missouri, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology in 2024. She shares, “During my time with 91¿ì²¥, I had no clue just how far in life I would go without even leaving the county I reside in. Becoming a nuclear engineer as a single mom was not an easy journey, but it is a journey that I am grateful for and always will be. After finishing my degree, I obtained my dream job two months later as a health physicist! I am now the campus health physicist here at Missouri University of Science and Technology, was given the opportunity to speak to our students during a nuclear symposium, and I have become the person I was destined to be. So, to all of you currently working on your degrees, do not quit, do not give up, do not falter, your journey is yours to bring ever upward to greatness!â€
Stephanie McClure of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, earned an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from 91¿ì²¥ in 2018. in 2025 at other institutions. She shares, “Several months after finishing graduate school, I became a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Since 2018, my husband and I have also welcomed two beautiful children. I share that none of these accomplishments would have been possible without God’s grace and mercy.â€
Tracey Briggs of Albuquerque, New Mexico, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1996. She shares, “On February 2, 2026, I successfully defended my dissertation project entitled, “Study of the Impact Positive Psychology Training Has in Higher Education Staff,â€completing a 9.5 year journey to achieve a Doctor of Psychology degree. I achieved this milestone while working full time and caring for my 87-year-old mother with Alzheimer’s disease. I know she is proudly looking down from heaven with a smile.â€
Becoming a DBA student isn’t just about starting another degree; it’s about stepping into a different kind of professional development. A Doctor of Business Administration asks experienced professionals to connect leadership, research, strategy, and real-world problem-solving in a disciplined way.
The best preparation begins before the first course. Success in a DBA program requires clarity of purpose, time management, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to become more than a consumer of business ideas. The goal is to become someone who can evaluate evidence, ask better questions, and apply research to decisions that matter.
That is the heart of 91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA program: helping proven leaders grow into scholar-practitioners who can use business theory, applied research, and evidence-based thinking to address real organizational challenges.
How to Start 91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA Application
The first step is to understand whether a DBA is aligned with your goals. The DBA program is for professionals with a master’s degree and five or more years of professional experience that includes managing people and/or projects. That matters because doctoral business education is not meant to restart your career; rather, it should help you build from the experience you already have. Before applying, take time to do seven things.
1. Clarify Your Purpose
Do you want to strengthen your strategic leadership? Build research skills? Move toward consulting, executive leadership, higher education, or industry thought leadership? A Doctor of Business Administration works best when it’s connected to a professional direction.
2. Assemble Your Application Materials Early
Request official transcripts from every institution you attended and review your academic records for completeness. Doctoral applications often take longer than expected when applicants wait until the last minute to gather documentation.
3. Prepare a Strong Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Beyond your employment history, consider highlighting leadership experience, major projects, presentations, publications, teaching experience, certifications, board service, or other accomplishments that demonstrate your professional growth and readiness for doctoral-level work.
4. Think Carefully 91¿ì²¥ Your Letter of Intent
Rather than simply explaining why you want another degree, focus on why a Doctor of Business Administration is the right degree for your next professional chapter. Describe your leadership experience, examples of managing people or projects, the organizational challenges that interest you, and how a DBA aligns with your long-term goals.
5. Be Strategic 91¿ì²¥ Your Letters of Recommendation
Select individuals who can speak directly to your leadership, decision-making, project management, and professional impact. Current or former supervisors, executives, board members, clients, or senior colleagues are often strong choices. Help your recommenders by providing your resume, a summary of your accomplishments, and an explanation of why you’re pursuing a DBA so they can write detailed, meaningful recommendations rather than generic endorsements.
6. Review Your Prior Graduate Coursework
It’s possible to apply up to 30 credits into the DBA program from eligible prior graduate-level coursework, with conditions. DBA graduate-level transfer credits must generally have been earned within five years of enrollment. That makes the application process a good time to gather transcripts and ask thoughtful questions about transfer credit. Be mindful that unofficial transcripts are not accepted.
7. Begin Thinking 91¿ì²¥ Problems Worth Solving
You do not need a finished dissertation topic on day one. But you should begin noticing the recurring challenges in your industry, organization, or area of expertise. Those questions may become the foundation for deeper applied research.
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How to Succeed as a DBA Student in 91¿ì²¥â€™s Program
To prepare for success as a DBA student, treat the program like a professional transformation rather than a checklist of courses. A strong DBA student builds habits early. They schedule reading and writing time and keep a research journal. They capture possible topics, useful sources, and questions that keep resurfacing in their work. Online and hybrid students benefit from strong, self-regulated learning habits, including goal-setting, time management, help-seeking, and self-monitoring. has found that self-regulated learning strategies are associated with stronger academic achievement. Other tips for our business school students include a thoughtful approach toward concentration papers, networking, and learning to make evidence-informed decisions.
Choose Concentrations Thoughtfully
Success requires engagement. 91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA includes concentration papers that allow a student to apply research skills to real challenges in their area of focus and potentially build momentum toward their dissertation. Students should use those assignments strategically. A course paper should not be treated as disposable work. It can become part of a larger research path.
Stay Connected
Relationships also play a large role in student success. A DBA student should connect with and stay connected with faculty, peers, mentors, and professional networks. Doctoral education is demanding, and shows that relationships and academic integration shape the doctoral experience. The student who asks questions, accepts feedback, and stays connected is better positioned than the student who tries to complete the journey alone.
Make Evidence Your New Best Friend
Most importantly, DBA students should learn to think with evidence. emphasizes the use of practitioner expertise, organizational evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and critically evaluated research when making decisions. That’s not only a research skill—it’s a leadership skill.
How to Succeed After Earning Your DBA
Preparing for life after earning your DBA should begin while you’re still in the program. Start by learning how to explain your value. A DBA isn’t just a credential; it’s evidence that you have practiced advanced problem definition, research design, analysis, communication, and applied decision-making. Those skills matter in many professional settings.
Students should also translate their dissertation work into professional language. A dissertation topic can become a conference presentation, consulting framework, industry article, internal strategy document, or teaching case. The key is to move from “I completed a doctoral project†to “I developed evidence-based expertise in a problem that matters.â€
Finally, continue building your professional platform. Share what you’re learning. Write, present, and mentor. Serve on boards or committees where your expertise can help. A DBA can support career growth, but the long-term value comes from how you use the knowledge, discipline, and credibility the program helps you build.
The DBA Program That Makes Proven Leaders into Scholar-Practitioners
91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA program is designed for experienced professionals who want to connect research to practice. The program includes applied learning, online coursework, two in-person residencies, concentration papers, and dissertation options that include either an applied project or a three-paper model. That structure gives students a way to build research skills while staying connected to real business problems.
The best way to prepare for success is to enter with purpose. Know why you’re applying. Understand the time commitment. Build strong learning habits. Stay connected to faculty and peers. Choose research questions that matter.
A successful DBA student does more than earn a degree. A successful DBA student becomes a stronger thinker, a more disciplined decision-maker, and a better-prepared leader.
Apply to 91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA Program
If you’re ready to deepen your leadership expertise, develop advanced research skills, and tackle complex organizational challenges through evidence-based practice, now is the time to explore 91¿ì²¥â€™s DBA program. With multiple starts throughout the year, flexible online coursework, dedicated mentorship, and opportunities to connect research with real-world impact, the next step in your professional journey may be closer than you think.
Choosing to start the 91¿ì²¥ Master of Business Administration program is an exciting step toward advancing your education, expanding your professional opportunities, and preparing for future leadership roles. Whether you’re looking to move into management, strengthen your business expertise, change careers, or increase your earning potential, an MBA can provide the knowledge and credentials to help you achieve your goals.
For many students, however, excitement comes with a few questions: What will the workload be like? How much time will I need to dedicate each week? Can I balance business school with work and family responsibilities? These questions are especially common among students who have been away from the classroom for several years.
The good news is that 91¿ì²¥â€™s online MBA program is designed with working professionals in mind, offering the flexibility to fit graduate education into a busy schedule. Although many students complete the program in about two years, motivated students who carefully plan their course schedules may be able to finish in as little as one year. So, what can you expect during your first year? Here’s a closer look at the MBA student experience at 91¿ì²¥.
Your First Year in an MBA Program at 91¿ì²¥ vs. Other Business Schools
One of the appealing aspects of the 91¿ì²¥ MBA program is its flexibility. Because the program is delivered primarily online and designed for working professionals, no two students follow exactly the same path. Some students take a single course at a time to balance their studies with work, family, and other commitments. Others choose a more accelerated pace, taking two courses each term and potentially completing the program in as little as one year.
91¿ì²¥ also operates on a trimester-based academic calendar, with six terms offered throughout the year. This structure differs from the traditional two-semester model used by many colleges and universities and allows students to begin and progress through the program more frequently. As a result, what your “first year†looks like will depend on your starting term, course load, and individual goals.
Despite these differences, MBA students in most programs share a similar journey during their first year. They begin by building a foundation in key business disciplines, developing graduate-level communication skills, and learning how to apply business concepts to real-world organizational challenges. Along the way, students collaborate with classmates, engage with faculty who bring industry experience to the classroom, and gain new perspectives that can be immediately applied in their workplaces.
At 91¿ì²¥, the first few terms of the MBA program are a time of core coursework, selecting a concentration, and then weaving in specialized courses so students can tailor their degrees to their goals.
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First-Year MBA Courses
Most MBA students spend their first year building expertise across the major functional areas of business while developing the leadership skills needed to guide organizations through change and uncertainty. The curriculum is intentionally designed to help students understand how successful organizations operate from multiple perspectives rather than through a single business discipline.
91¿ì²¥ students typically begin with Resilient Leadership and Organizational Behavior, where they examine leadership styles, team dynamics, organizational culture, and strategies for leading effectively in complex environments. From there, coursework expands into other areas with courses like Operations and Project Management, Corporate Finance and Accounting, and Ethical Risk Management and Compliance, helping students understand how organizations manage resources, make financial decisions, and navigate risk.
As students progress through 91¿ì²¥â€™s MBA program, they explore the growing role of technology and innovation through Information Technology and learn how organizations create value for customers through Strategic Brand Marketing. Throughout the program, students are challenged to apply concepts to real-world business situations, analyze case studies, participate in mock experiences, evaluate organizational challenges, and develop practical solutions.
Concentrations and Specialization in 91¿ì²¥â€™s MBA Program
All MBA students complete the same core curriculum in 91¿ì²¥â€™s program, but they also have the opportunity to tailor their degree through a concentration. Concentration courses are intentionally integrated into the program so that students begin developing specialized expertise while continuing to build their business foundation.
91¿ì²¥ students can choose from a variety of concentrations, including Leadership, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Data Analytics, Health Care Management, Strategic Sustainability, Cannabis Control, Distributed Workforce Management, Nutrition, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Health Equity, and Organizational Leadership. A student may also create a more personalized pathway that more closely aligns with their career goals.
This structure creates a shared MBA experience while allowing students to pursue their individual career goals. For example, a student concentrating in Data Analytics may explore how organizations use data to inform strategic decisions, whereas a student in Human Resource Management may focus on talent development and employment practices. Both students continue studying the same core business concepts, but each develops expertise in a field that aligns with their respective professional interests.
By the end of the first year, many MBA students have completed a combination of core and concentration coursework, giving them both a broad understanding of business management and a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities within their chosen area of specialization.
How to Choose an MBA Concentration at 91¿ì²¥
For some 91¿ì²¥ MBA students, choosing a concentration is straightforward. They may already work in a specific field and want to deepen their expertise. An allied health professional, for example, may choose Healthcare Management, whereas someone working in HR may pursue Human Resource Management to strengthen their skills.
Other students use their concentration to prepare for where they want to go rather than where they are today. Someone interested in moving into a leadership position may select Leadership or Organizational Leadership. A professional looking to transition into a more analytical role might choose Data Analytics. And someone interested in strengthening their understanding of financial decision-making could pursue Finance and Accounting.
Many 91¿ì²¥ students also choose a concentration to complement their existing experience with a new skill set. For example, an experienced manager may add expertise with Human Resource Management, Data Analytics, or Marketing to broaden their perspective and increase their value to employers.
If you find yourself drawn to multiple concentrations, start by considering your long-term career goals. Ask yourself where you would like to be in three to five years and which concentration will provide the knowledge and skills most relevant to that future role.
5 Tips for First-Year MBA Students
The students who thrive in their first year are the ones who build strong habits, stay organized, and remain committed to their goals. Here are five more tips for your first year in an MBA program.
1. Make time before you need time.
Nothing new can fit into your schedule unless you intentionally make room for it. Decide when you’ll complete your coursework—before work, during lunch breaks, in the evening—and make it part of your daily routine.
2. Plan the entire term in advance.
Use the course syllabus and assignment schedule to build a calendar at the beginning of each term. Add major due dates, project milestones, and dedicated study time so you can stay ahead rather than simply reacting to deadlines.
3. Build your professional network.
Your business school classmates are current and future leaders across a wide range of industries. Connect with them and your faculty on LinkedIn, engage in discussions, and build relationships that may benefit you long after graduation.
4. Apply your learning immediately.
Look for opportunities to connect course concepts to your current role. Many students find that the Master of Business Administration becomes more valuable when they can immediately apply what they are learning at work.
5. Ask questions and use available resources.
Successful MBA students don’t try to figure everything out on their own. Reach out to faculty, advisors, and support services whenever you need guidance or clarification.
Chart Your Path to the C-Suite at 91¿ì²¥
Whether your goal is to move into management, advance into executive leadership, change careers, or develop specialized expertise, an MBA can help you take the next step with confidence. 91¿ì²¥â€™s MBA program is designed for working professionals who need a graduate education that fits their lives without sacrificing academic quality.
With flexible online coursework, opportunities to engage with faculty and classmates, and multiple start dates throughout the year, students can begin their MBA journey when the time is right for them. The program’s flexible pacing allows students to adjust their course load to match their professional and personal commitments, whether they prefer a steady pace or an accelerated path to graduation.
91¿ì²¥ also recognizes the value of prior learning and graduate-level coursework, providing transfer credit opportunities for eligible students. Combined with six academic terms each year, this flexibility allows many students to begin making progress toward their degree sooner than they might expect.
Your first year as an MBA student doesn’t have to begin in the fall semester. In fact, your first term could be just weeks away. Ready to take the next step? Learn more about 91¿ì²¥â€™s MBA program and discover how an advanced business degree can help you achieve your professional goals.
