Master of Business Administration - Amazon Web Services

Program Overview

The MBA with an AWS concentration at the University of the Potomac typically requires 36 academic credits. The program is structured to provide a solid foundation in general business administration before diving into the specifics of AWS. Students complete eight core MBA courses (24 credits) that cover essential business functions like managerial accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic management. Subsequently, they undertake four specialized courses (12 credits) focused on Amazon Web Services. This structure ensures graduates not only possess strong technical understanding but also the broader business context required for effective leadership and decision-making in cloud environments. The program is designed for completion in approximately two years, with flexible scheduling options.

Curriculum: The 36-semester-hour curriculum for the MBA with an AWS concentration at the University of the Potomac begins with foundational MBA core courses such as "Managerial Accounting," "Managerial Economics," "Managerial Finance," "Strategic Management," "Human Resources and Organizational Behavior," "Marketing Management," "Management and Information Systems," and "Business Ethics." Following these, students delve into the specialized AWS concentration courses. These include: "AWS 500: Cloud Foundations," which likely covers core AWS services and cloud concepts; "AWS 510: Cloud Architecting and Developing," focusing on designing and building scalable cloud solutions; "AWS 530: Machine Learning Foundations," introducing the basics of machine learning on AWS; and "AWS 550: Data Analytics," which would cover data analysis tools and services within the AWS ecosystem. This curriculum ensures a blend of business strategy and practical cloud technology skills.

Research Focus: The University of the Potomac's MBA with an Amazon Web Services concentration primarily focuses on the applied aspects of cloud technology and its integration into business strategy, rather than traditional academic research culminating in a thesis. The program emphasizes enabling students to "master current and future AI capabilities, leverage generative models, lead impactful AI projects, and bridge the gap between business and tech." While specific dedicated research courses might not be a standalone component for this concentration, the curriculum's emphasis on areas like "Cloud Architecting and Developing," "Machine Learning Foundations," and "Data Analytics" inherently involves understanding and applying current industry best practices and innovative solutions, which can be seen as applied research. The program's goal is to prepare graduates to solve real-world business problems using cloud technologies and data-driven insights.

Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MBA with an Amazon Web Services concentration is designed with strong industry engagement in mind, directly aligning its curriculum with the demands of the rapidly growing cloud computing sector. The inclusion of "Amazon Web Services" directly in the concentration name indicates a commitment to training students on the leading cloud platform, which is widely used across various industries. The program explicitly aims to "bridge the gap between business and tech," implying close alignment with industry needs. While specific formal partnerships with Amazon are not explicitly detailed, the curriculum content is tailored to equip students with skills relevant to roles within companies utilizing AWS. Graduates of the University of the Potomac have gone on to work at major tech companies like Amazon, indicating a successful connection between the university's programs and industry employment.

Global Perspective: The University of the Potomac's MBA with an Amazon Web Services concentration inherently incorporates a global perspective due to the ubiquitous nature of cloud computing and the global reach of AWS. Cloud services like AWS enable businesses to operate and scale internationally with ease, making an understanding of global infrastructure, data sovereignty, and international business operations crucial. While specific courses on international cloud policy or global technology markets might be integrated into broader business or IT courses, the fundamental principles of cloud foundations, architecting, machine learning, and data analytics on AWS are globally applicable. The program's focus on preparing graduates to "lead impactful AI projects" and "drive innovation and growth" is relevant in a globalized economy where cloud technology is a key driver of digital transformation across borders.