MBA: Basic

Overview

The Master of Business Administration degree program is designed to encourage participation by students with a wide range of backgrounds, and the curriculum is fast-paced. As a consequence, a minimum level of background knowledge is expected of all entering students.

Successful completion (with a grade of A or B) of courses in financial accounting, macroeconomics, statistics and calculus is required.

Demonstration (through successful completion of prior coursework, examination, or work experience) of adequate knowledge of the core areas of financial reporting, analysis and markets, domestic and global economic environments of organizations, the creation and distribution of goods and services, and human behavior in organizations is also required.

Degree Plan/Application for Candidacy

Minimum Knowledge: Background and Professional

Important Note: Background knowledge and professional knowledge (prerequisites) must be completed within the 1st year of admission to the MBA Program or you will be prohibited from taking further MBA coursework.

Candidates for the Masters of Business Administration degree must fulfill the following requirements.

• Successful completion (with a grade of A or B) of courses in:
  • ACCT 252 Financial Accounting
  • ECON 251 Macroeconomics
  • EST 311G or STAT 251 Statistics
  • MATH 142 Calculus or Calculus Equivalent
• Demonstration (through successful completion of prior coursework, examination, or work experience) of adequate knowledge of the core areas of
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Reporting, Analysis and Markets
  • Macroeconomics Statistics
  • Calculus
  • Domestic/Global Economic Environments
  • Creation and Distribution of Goods/Services
  • Human Behavior in Organizations
• Course equivalencies for professional knowledge background with grades of “B” or better:
  • FIN 341 Financial Analysis
  • MGT 309 Human Behaviors in Organizations
  • ECON 251 Macroeconomics or the like
  • ACCT 251 Managerial Accounting
• Any one of the following Marketing courses:
  • MKTG 303/311/312 or BUSA 365 (for later catalogs)

Required Coursework (36 Credits)

The basic MBA program is made up of twelve courses. Nine of those courses cover the managerial aspects of accounting, information systems, law, economics, finance, marketing, operations, organizational behavior and quantitative analysis. The two remaining courses, one involving the development and presentation/defense of one or more professional papers and one covering strategic management, are particularly integrative in nature and are taken at the end of the program. The twelfth course is a graduate elective in business.

• BA 590 Professional Paper and Presentation.
  • Must be completed during the final term of the student’s program; open only to students who have been accepted into the MBA degree program.
• MGT 590 Strategic management.
  • Must be completed at the end of the student’s program of study; open only to students who have been accepted into the MBA degree program.
• ACCT 503 Managerial Accounting
• BCS 502 Business Information Systems
• BLAW 502 Legal Environment of Business
• ECON 503 Management Economics
• FIN 503 Financial Management
• MGT 502 Operations Management
• MGT 503 Organizational Behavior/Management Processes
• MGT 512 Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions
• MKTG 503 Marketing Management
• One graduate business elective (3 credits; course numbered 500 or above).
  • Must be completed prior to, or during the same term as MGT 590.
  • We encourage you to take any additional coursework that fits your interests. Careful scheduling may enable you to complete the requirements of a minor or specialization during your course of study.

Final Examination

Oral defense of the paper written in fulfillment of the requirements specified under BA 590 will constitute the final examination as required by the Graduate School, and will be scheduled and completed in accordance with the timetables prescribed by, and other requirements of, the Graduate School.

Thesis

A thesis is not required. With special approval, however, a degree candidate may elect to write a thesis with at least 6 credits under BA 599 in lieu of BA 590.