MBA Curriculum and Courses

Curriculum
Concentrations
Course Descriptions

The MBA curriculum is comprised of courses from four categories:

The total number of credits required to earn the degree will be reduced for those receiving core course waivers, as discussed below. A minimum of 36 graduate credits is required for the MBA.

The MBA curriculum requirements are the same whether the degree is pursued through online courses or evening, on-campus courses.  However, there may be fewer elective courses and concentrations available for students doing their MBA entirely through online courses.  However, all concentrations can be earned by those able to take elective courses on campus.

MBA Core Courses (11 courses, 33 credits)
Core courses are designed to provide students with exposure to the functional areas of business. They provide the foundation for MBA Managerial Application courses, electives, and the MBA Capstone course.

Core course waivers reduce the number of credits required to complete the MBA degree; however, a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours is required to graduate. The Graduate Office determines all course waivers. Students may, at their option, enroll in core courses that have been waived, although completion of these courses will not satisfy MBA program requirements. Once admitted to the MBA program, students must take graduate level courses, or courses approved for graduate credit.

Core course waivers will be considered based on previous equivalent undergraduate or graduate course work as reflected on official transcripts. Only undergraduate courses completed with a grade of B or better and taken as part of a baccalaureate degree program completed within seven years of admission to the MBA program, will be considered for core course waivers.

Prior graduate coursework, completed with a grade of B or better, can be considered for MBA core course waivers if (a) the graduate coursework had been completed within seven years of admission to the MBA program, or (b) the graduate coursework was part of a graduate degree that had been completed within seven years of admission to the MBA Program.

There are three options available for determining core course waivers based on the above guidelines:

1. Admitted applicants that have completed an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course from an AACSB-International accredited school will be waived from the appropriate core course. In some cases, students may be advised to petition for a waiver and provide additional course information before the waiver decision is made.
2. Admitted applicants may request a core course waiver based on previous undergraduate or graduate course work from non-AACSB accredited schools on a case-by-case basis by completing a petition form. The following supporting documentation must accompany the petition: copy of the course description from the college catalogue, a copy of the course syllabus, and a copy of the title page and table of contents of the textbook used in the course.
3. Core MBA courses may also be waived by proficiency demonstrated by examination. MBA candidates who wish to waive core courses in this manner must petition the Graduate Office to take a proficiency exam and must provide reasonable justification for the request. Proficiency exams are generally administered two to three times per year and must be taken within one year of initial enrollment. Admitted students must complete the required proficiency examination registration forms and pay the applicable non-refundable fee prior to taking the exam. Students receiving a grade of B or better on the exam will be waived from the applicable core course. Additional information regarding proficiency examinations is available to admitted students in the SOM Graduate Office, 168 Fairlane Center South.

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MBA Managerial Applications Courses (6 courses, 18 credits)
Managerial Applications courses build upon the foundation knowledge and skills of the MBA Core courses, and apply functional business knowledge in a managerial setting. Managerial Applications courses provide in-depth exposure to the analysis and solution of business problems, and the implementation of business decisions. MBA students are required to complete three courses each from Group A and Group B.

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MBA Capstone Course (1 course, 3 credits)
BPS 585 Managing Strategic Innovation and Change

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MBA Electives (2-3 courses, 6-9 credits)
Students complete the MBA program by choosing at least two graduate elective courses tailored to their individual interests. No more than three graduate credits can be taken from units other than the School of Management.

Required and elective courses cannot be taken off-campus except by prior permission of the Graduate Office. The Director will consider a request to take a course off-campus only if there are unusual circumstances.

To earn a concentration within the MBA requires at least one additional elective course, according to the requirements specified below.

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