PASADENA, Calif. — University of the People, the world’s first tuition-free, accredited online university, is significantly expanding its Master of Business Administration program by offering it in both Arabic and English, a move designed to open access to advanced business education for thousands of additional learners across the globe. The expansion represents one of the most ambitious steps yet in the institution’s mission to democratize higher education and reach underserved populations at scale.
The newly broadened MBA offering reflects a growing demand for flexible, globally relevant business education, particularly in regions where access to traditional graduate programs is limited by cost, geography, or language. By delivering the same rigorous curriculum in two of the world’s most widely spoken languages, University of the People is positioning itself as a serious player in international business education while maintaining its founding principle that cost should never be a barrier to learning.
University officials say the bilingual expansion is aimed squarely at working professionals, entrepreneurs, and aspiring business leaders seeking practical, leadership-driven training without taking on crippling student debt. The MBA program emphasizes real-world business skills, including strategic management, organizational leadership, marketing, finance, and ethical decision-making, all delivered through an online model that allows students to balance education with professional and personal responsibilities.
The Arabic-language MBA, in particular, is expected to dramatically increase enrollment from the Middle East, North Africa, and Arabic-speaking communities worldwide. For many students in these regions, graduate-level business education in their native language has historically been scarce or prohibitively expensive. University of the People’s approach removes both obstacles, offering a fully accredited MBA that mirrors the English-language program in academic standards, faculty oversight, and learning outcomes.
In parallel, the English-language MBA continues to attract students from more than 200 countries and territories, reinforcing the university’s status as one of the most internationally diverse higher education institutions in the world. The program’s global classroom model allows students to collaborate across borders, cultures, and economic backgrounds, creating a learning environment that mirrors the realities of modern, interconnected business.
The expansion also underscores a broader shift in higher education toward accessible, skills-driven programs that align with workforce needs. As employers increasingly value demonstrated competence, leadership ability, and global awareness over traditional prestige markers, University of the People’s MBA model offers a compelling alternative to conventional graduate business schools.
For New Jersey residents and international learners alike, the move highlights the growing influence of online education in reshaping how advanced degrees are earned and valued. As business leaders face rapidly changing markets, digital transformation, and global competition, programs that combine flexibility, affordability, and academic rigor are becoming increasingly attractive.
University of the People’s leadership has indicated that this expansion is part of a larger strategy to continue growing enrollment while maintaining academic quality and institutional integrity. With tens of thousands of students already enrolled across its degree programs, the university is steadily building a reputation as a disruptive force in higher education — one focused not on exclusivity, but on impact.
The MBA expansion also aligns with broader conversations around workforce development and lifelong learning, topics frequently explored within the broader landscape of higher education and professional advancement. Readers interested in ongoing coverage of academic innovation, policy, and access can find related reporting in Sunset Daily News New Jersey’s education coverage.
As University of the People looks ahead, the bilingual MBA offering signals more than just program growth. It represents a strategic bet on inclusivity, global engagement, and the idea that high-level business education should be available to anyone with the ambition to pursue it — regardless of where they live or what language they speak.
