Business Administration, M.B.A.

Note: An online (or hybrid) program is available for this major, and follows the same requirements.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a valuable education for aspiring and practicing managers in any industry or field of endeavor. The graduate program provides early to mid-career professionals with the breadth and depth of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills that are necessary for effective leadership in an increasingly international and dynamic environment. Our innovative, interdisciplinary, and interactive MBA experience emphasizes leadership, teamwork, analytical thinking, business and management competencies, and communication to give you a competitive edge for success.

Program characteristics

Although students with work experience will find maximum benefit from the MBA; no previous work experience is required. The curriculum is designed to recognize and accommodate substantial diversity in preparation and experience as well as the different goals and career expectations of students. For this reason, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework to successfully graduate from the 36-credit MBA program. Flexible course delivery enables students to proceed at their desired pace.

Progression/sequence of coursework

Preparatory coursework is the first step: Students start their studies by completing all necessary preparatory courses. Once all preparatory courses have been completed, students may enter the formal MBA program. In some cases, students may take a combination of preparatory and core courses during their transition into the program, but students should not take a preparatory and advanced class in the same discipline at the same time (e.g. ITKM 500 and ITKM 505).

Students begin the formal MBA program by completing the six core courses (in any order). The three capstone courses should be taken in the final semester, or final two semesters, and must only be taken once all core courses have been successfully completed (not concurrently).

Multiple MBA concentrations

Students may gain additional concentrations by successfully completing three courses in any of the concentrations (courses may not be counted twice toward concentrations). Students may receive a double concentration in their original concentration by taking three additional advanced courses in the discipline.

MBA/Engineering partnership

In an arrangement, with the School of Engineering, approved Engineering courses offered by the College of Engineering are available for students in the MBA degree. Specific courses for this study are selected with - and approved by - the student’s advisor.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate

1. Proficient technical knowledge in all the business disciplines (accounting, finance, human resources, analytics/information systems, management, and marketing), 
2. significant mastery in one of the disciplines, and
3. high-level conceptual knowledge related to strategy, innovation, game theory, economic theories, ethics, governance, management, leadership, etc. 

2. Communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in oral and written structures in both formal and informal settings.
3. Contribute within diverse sets of teams and build internal and external relationships that facilitate success in contemporary organizations via interpersonal and professional skills.
4. Apply information literacy, proficiency with technology, and analytical techniques for ethical/effective/efficient decision-making.
5. Address current issues and case studies using creativity and methods for problem identification/solutions. 
6. Act with integrity as an individual and apply ethical theories to contemporary organizations/topics.
7. Think critically and logically by integrating concepts across disciplines to successfully lead in a dynamic international/global environment.

Eligibility for transfer credits in the 36-credit upper-level program courses

For students who have earned graduate credit from a regionally accredited university that is not included in a conferred degree: No more than two (graduate) 3-credit courses may be transferred into the MBA program. For students who have earned graduate credit from the Trefz School that is not included in a conferred degree: all applicable (graduate) 3-credit courses may be transferred into the MBA program.

MBA/MS MSA/MSF dual-degree programs

Students are offered the opportunity to acquire concurrent graduate degrees within the Trefz School, allowing up to 15 credit hours to be applied to both programs. (Students must not be eligible to graduate from either program until the final semester.) A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed to satisfy the requirements of an MS Analytics/MS Finance dual-degree program, and a minimum of 51 credit hours must be completed to satisfy the requirements of an MBA/MS dual-degree program.

The BUCP 599  Capstone course is available for dual-degree students with the following modification; students may complete a 3-credit internship and 1 credit in each program.

Graduation requirements

To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Business Administration, a student must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

1. Admitted to candidacy for the degree in the School of Business.
2. Satisfactorily complete all academic requirements with a cumulative grade point average grade of “B” (CGPA = 3.0) or better.
3. File an application for the award of the degree at the Registrar’s Office on or before the date published in the University calendar.
4. Complete all academic requirements within five (5) years from the date of first registration, unless a petition for extension is granted. Extensions are granted only for compelling reasons.