Howard School of Business, the No. 1 ranked school for minority MBA students according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, is going digital.

The school recently announced the launch of its first online degree program. The Online Executive MBA program starts in January 2012 and consists of 42 credit hours. It is designed to be completed in 18 months.

“The Howard University Online Executive MBA is crafted for the elite business professional who is ready to lead and seeks a competitive edge in global business,” the website reads.

The school wants to make management education accessible to those who desire to work full-time and obtain a degree. They expect the program to provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry and prepare individuals to strategically think and act from the perspective of senior leadership.

Last year syndicated radio talk-show host Tom Joyner founded HBCUsOnline, an educational services company that partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide access to accredited online degree programs. Since September of 2010, more than 150,000 adult students have visited the site. Last month, Florida A & M University—whose college of law was ranked the nation’s most diverse law school by U.S. News and World Report—and Tennessee State University joined Texas Southern University, who was already on the roster.

Inaugural classes for Howard School of Business start in January 2012. Applications will be accepted starting this month.

For more information visit here.

(Photo: Ron C. Angle/Getty Images)