Choosing a graduate business school is less about collecting another credential and more about finding a format, cost and curriculum that fit your working life. Keller Graduate School of Management, part of DeVry University, focuses on flexible master’s degrees and graduate certificates in business, technology and management. I’ll explain the available programs, admission rules, likely costs, accreditation and the situations in which this type of school makes practical sense.
The right choice depends on your career goal and study constraints
- Flexible delivery includes online and hybrid study with eight-week class sessions.
- Popular options include the MBA, human resource management, project management, accounting and information systems.
- Admission generally requires a bachelor’s degree, while many eligible applicants do not need GRE or GMAT scores.
- Graduate tuition is currently listed at $776 per credit hour for new students, before additional costs and aid.
- Accreditation includes institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, with selected programs holding additional recognition.
What this graduate school is designed to offer
Keller is DeVry University’s graduate school, serving people who want to build management, leadership or technical business skills without necessarily leaving full-time employment. The model is especially relevant to working adults, career changers and professionals seeking promotion, rather than students looking only for a traditional residential campus experience.
Classes are offered online and, where available, in hybrid formats. The academic calendar uses eight-week sessions, with multiple start points during the year. That structure can make it easier to maintain momentum, although it also means the workload arrives quickly and missing one week can create a serious backlog.
The school’s graduate portfolio covers areas such as business administration, accounting, human resources, project management, public administration, healthcare management, information technology and information systems. I see the strongest fit for applicants who already have a target role in mind and want a program they can connect directly to workplace projects.
Which programs deserve the closest look
The MBA is the most recognizable option, but it is not automatically the best one. Keller promotes a general MBA that may be completed in as few as 10 courses without a specialization, while other pathways add leadership coursework or a focused concentration.
| Program direction | Useful for | What to examine carefully |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | General management, career advancement and business leadership | Whether a broad MBA or a specialization better supports your target role |
| Project management | Coordinating budgets, timelines, teams and business change | Whether the curriculum supports the industry or certification path you want |
| Human resource management | Recruiting, employee relations, talent development and HR operations | Whether the program’s HR alignment matches your intended employer |
| Accounting and financial management | Financial reporting, analysis and managerial decision-making | Whether you need preparation for a professional exam or a broader finance role |
| Information systems and technology management | Technology leadership, systems planning and digital operations | How much of the program is technical versus managerial |
Some MBA pathways can include an embedded graduate certificate in leadership, allowing students to gain an additional credential while working toward the degree. That is useful when you want a visible milestone for your résumé, but it should not replace checking the full course list, assessment style and expected weekly workload.
Graduate certificates can also work as a lower-commitment test. I often recommend this route to professionals who are unsure whether they can sustain graduate study. Before enrolling, confirm in writing whether certificate credits will transfer into the exact master’s program you may later choose, because eligibility and program availability can vary.
How admission works in practice
The basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. International applicants generally need an equivalent U.S. bachelor’s degree and must meet English-language proficiency requirements because instruction and student services are delivered in English.
For many applicants, the process is relatively direct:
- Submit the application and proof of graduation.
- Provide academic transcripts for review.
- Speak with an admissions representative.
- Demonstrate the required math and verbal skills.
- Complete any program-specific prerequisite work before beginning core courses.
Keller states that GRE and GMAT scores are not generally required for eligible applicants. The important qualification is that applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 2.50 on a 4.00 scale may need acceptable GMAT, GRE or school-administered assessment results. Strong grades in college algebra and composition can also affect whether testing is required.
That distinction matters. “No GMAT required” is helpful, but it does not mean every applicant bypasses academic assessment. I would ask for a written review of your transcript before making financial plans, especially if your degree is from outside the United States or your undergraduate record is uneven.
What Keller tuition may cost in 2026
Current published information lists graduate tuition for new students at $776 per credit hour. A 39-credit program would therefore represent approximately $30,264 in tuition before books, course resources, technology fees, application charges or any other program expenses.
| Example credit load | Tuition at $776 per credit | What the estimate does not include |
|---|---|---|
| 30 credits | $23,280 | Books, materials, course fees and possible prerequisite coursework |
| 39 credits | $30,264 | Additional program and learning-management-system charges |
| 48 credits | $37,248 | Books, materials, fees and any concentration-specific costs |
| 51 credits | $39,576 | All non-tuition expenses and changes in published rates |
Active-duty military personnel and eligible spouses may qualify for a lower published rate of $575 per credit hour. Financial aid, scholarships, employer assistance, transfer credits and course waivers can also change the final amount. The number that matters is not the advertised rate, but your written program cost after all applicable reductions.
My practical advice is to request a term-by-term payment estimate before enrolling. Ask whether the quote includes course resource fees, books, technology charges and prerequisite classes. Also compare the total borrowing required with the likely salary increase in your target role. An MBA can support advancement, but the degree alone does not guarantee a promotion or a higher salary.
Accreditation, flexibility and career value
DeVry University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and Keller is included within that accreditation. Several business-related programs also carry specialized recognition, including selected programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The project management MBA pathway has additional recognition connected to the Project Management Institute, while the human resources MBA is aligned with Society for Human Resource Management guidance.
These distinctions are useful because accreditation is not a single label with one meaning. Institutional accreditation speaks to the university as a whole, while programmatic accreditation evaluates a specific academic area. I would check the status of the exact program and delivery format you plan to attend, rather than assuming that every certificate or specialization has identical recognition.
The flexible schedule is one of the school’s clearest advantages. Online learning, eight-week sessions, academic advising, tutoring and career support can suit someone who has a job, family responsibilities or a long commute. At the same time, flexibility shifts more responsibility to the student. You still need reliable weekly study time, stable internet access and the discipline to complete substantial reading, writing and group work.
Keller may be a sensible option if you need a career-focused credential while remaining employed. It may be less suitable if your primary goal is a highly selective full-time MBA, intensive campus recruiting, a large residential alumni network or a research-oriented academic environment. In that case, compare it with public universities and traditional business schools using total cost, employer recognition, networking access and graduate outcomes, not just delivery format.
The smartest next step before you enroll
Start with the job you want after graduation, then work backward to the degree. A project manager may gain more from a focused project management pathway than from a general MBA, while a department supervisor may benefit from leadership, finance and organizational behavior coursework.
- Write down the job title and promotion target the degree should support.
- Compare the full curriculum with job descriptions from your preferred employers.
- Request a personalized cost estimate and confirm every additional fee.
- Ask how transfer credits, prior learning and professional training may reduce the course load.
- Check the accreditation and availability of the exact specialization you want.
My overall view is straightforward. Keller’s strongest selling point is practical flexibility for career-focused adults, not prestige alone. If the schedule, price and curriculum align with a specific professional plan, it can be a useful step forward. If you are still unsure what role you want, spend more time clarifying that goal before committing to a graduate degree.
