Program Information

The M.B.A. curriculum is focused primarily on advanced topics; however, students without previous studies in business will complete up to 18 credits in introductory core courses before proceeding to the 30–36 credits of advanced courses and electives. The program stresses alternate approaches to studies in organizational communication, production, corporate valuation, and organizational change.

Students may choose from a wide variety of alternatives for their advanced elective courses.  Concentrations are offered in nine different areas ranging from accounting to sports management.

Students will begin their studies with the six required core courses.  Any of these six courses may be waived on the basis of the student's undergraduate coursework or previous graduate courses, if taken at a regionally accredited institution within the last seven years. Waiver guidelines for the six core courses are outlined on the next pages.

After satisfying the appropriate prerequisites, students proceed to the next level in the program: the seven advanced courses plus the four elective, or concentration, courses. No waivers are permitted for the 30–36 credits of advanced courses plus electives; however, transfer credit(s) toward advanced courses and/or electives may be granted for graduate courses with a grade of B (3.0) or better if taken within the last four years at a regionally accredited institution, subject to the transfer policies of the graduate school.  After admission, any graduate courses taken for transfer must have prior approval with a signed Coordinated Course form.

Completion of the elective portion of the M.B.A. program may be accomplished by taking the graduate courses offered through various departments or programs of the University or by choosing a concentration in a specific area of study. Students should select courses that will enhance their career objectives. Concentrations allow students to develop specialized skills in a particular field and they are described in the pages immediately following this section.  Students taking non-business elective courses must contact the M.B.A. program director for approval and seek academic advice from the graduate program coordinator of the non-business department.

In appropriate cases having special approval, a student may elect to write a thesis. M.B.A. candidates electing to write a thesis must register for a minimum of six thesis credits in the appropriate business department and substitute these six credits of Thesis I and II for two elective courses in the program. The thesis must show the ability to organize material in a clear and original manner and must present well-reasoned conclusions. Thesis preparation and submission must comply with the graduate school policy on theses as well as specific department requirements.

Students who begin as in-process students taking graduate courses in the College of Business may enroll only in the core courses (A 620, EC 601, FI 601, MG 637, MK 609, QA 604) unless permission is granted by the coordinator of the M.B.A. program.

In order to become fully matriculated in the M.B.A. program, students who are admitted provisionally must complete, with satisfactory grades as specified in the letter of acceptance, the following courses before enrolling in elective courses: QA 604 and any other three required core courses for which the prerequisites have been met. (Refer to the course descriptions elsewhere in this catalog for course prerequisites.)

Required Courses (18 credits; waivable)

Advanced Courses (18 credits; not waivable)