Earn your MBA in the U.S. on an F-1 Student Visa
A flexible, accredited online MBA built for international students. Complete most of your coursework online while maintaining F-1 status, with one required in-person residency at a U.S. campus. Studying from outside the U.S.? Earn the same MBA entirely online.
DEAC AccreditedStudy online, meet your F-1 visa requirements, without pausing your career.
Achieve your career goals with University of Fairfax’s accredited MBA program. Designed for flexibility, it blends online coursework with one required in-person residency, so international students on an F-1 visa can meet their visa requirements while completing the majority of coursework online. Studying from outside the U.S.? Earn the same MBA entirely online, from anywhere in the world. Our curriculum, developed by industry experts, focuses on practical, real-world skills you can apply immediately in your career.
What makes our MBA different
An MBA designed around the realities of international students — visa status, distance and all.
Off-campus CPT & OPT
Work with top companies across the U.S. without campus restrictions during and after your program.
Dedicated career support
Guidance from dedicated career advisors helps you plan and advance your professional journey.
Accelerated completion
Complete your Master of Business Administration in as little as 12 months.
Online coursework, one required residency
Here’s how international students complete the MBA while maintaining F-1 status.
Study online
Complete the majority of your MBA coursework online, on a schedule built around your visa status and your life.
Attend your residency
Join a required in-person residency at one of our U.S. campuses — Salem, VA · Louisville, KY · Orlando, FL — to fulfill your F-1 program requirements.
Graduate & gain experience
After graduation, put your degree to work with off-campus CPT or OPT at companies across the U.S.
Your MBA, your focus
Earn the full degree in General Management, or sharpen your edge with a specialization.
Master of Business Administration
The same accredited MBA, built for international students — complete your coursework online and meet your F-1 visa requirements with one required in-person residency.
- Credits36 credit hours
- LengthAs little as 12 months
- DeliveryOnline coursework + one in-person residency
- LocationsSalem, VA · Louisville, KY · Orlando, FL
- Open toF-1 visa students in the U.S. · fully online option for students abroad
General Management
In-depth knowledge in Six Sigma Lean methodologies, strategic change management and supply chain coordination.
- Included in your MBA tuition
- Builds project management expertise
Information Technology
Prepares you to lead in the rapidly evolving IT sector — managing operations, aligning IT with strategy and overseeing technology-driven projects.
- Included in your MBA tuition
- Covers IT governance & technology management
Cybersecurity
Advanced topics in cybersecurity management, risk assessment and incident response, within a business leadership framework.
- Included in your MBA tuition
- Focused on securing digital assets
Project Management
Lead complex projects from inception to completion, with a focus on planning, risk management and quality control.
- Included in your MBA tuition
- Prepares you for varied PM roles
What our students say
Each course gives you enough time to delve deeper…it allows you to put out your thought process, accompanied with research. It makes you a well-versed, independent researcher.
Dr. Monica BansalCurrent StudentThat’s a big yes, I will recommend students, especially international students, to UoF because I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to get a terminal degree. There’s a lot of flexibility and [they’re] very accommodating.
Dr. Rayfurd Thompson2024 GraduateSupport for international students
From your F-1 visa to your finances, our team supports you every step of the way.
Visa support
Step-by-step guidance so you can meet your F-1 requirements, including your in-person residency.
- SEVIS registration & I-20 documentation support
- Workshops on maintaining visa compliance
- Guidance on your required residency
Academic advising
Dedicated advisors help you stay on track with your F-1 status requirements from day one.
- A dedicated advisor for international students
- Help maintaining full-time enrollment for F-1 compliance
- Guidance planning your in-person residency
Financial support
Options to help make an MBA in the U.S. more affordable.
- Scholarships available for international students
- Pay tuition one term at a time
- Personalized financial counseling
Entry requirements
Professional experience is evaluated by the Chief Academic Officer to ensure relevancy.
Bachelor’s degree
From a regionally or nationally accredited institution, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
One of the following:
- 2.5 GPA at the bachelor’s level, or
- 3.0 GPA for the last 9 credit hours of graduate coursework, or
- A GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
Additional English-proficiency and F-1 visa documentation requirements may apply for international applicants.
Accreditation, aid & transfer credit
Accredited
University of Fairfax is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Scholarships & aid
Our Financial Services Team will sit down with you to identify sources of financial assistance — we’re committed to finding solutions for those who qualify. Please note: Federal Financial Aid is not yet available to students of University of Fairfax.
Transfer credits
We accept transfer credits for previous graduate courses taken at another university, and for work/life experience. Transfer up to 50% of the required credits — a maximum of 18 semester credits — into the MBA program.
Up to 18 credits →Ready to earn your MBA in the U.S.?
Talk with an admissions advisor about the MBA for international students, your F-1 eligibility and how to pay for it.