Master of Business Administration M.B.A.

(36 Semester Hours)

Program of Study

The MBA program is a 36 semester hour program which integrates all of the functional areas of business. The program imposes a workload that requires a high degree of discipline and commitment on the part of the student, however the program allows flexibility in course selection. By combining the use of case studies and interactive computing with research projects and lectures, the MBA program prepares decision makers of the highest caliber for the nation’s businesses, industries, academic institutions, and government.

Admissions

Northeastern State University seeks highly qualified applicants for the MBA program.  An undergraduate degree in business is not required prior to program entry, however foundation courses may be required for formal admission.  The admission decision is based on an evaluation of all application materials submitted by the Individual. Previous academic records, current resume, GMAT score, and recommendations are assessed during the admission process. Applicants must have achieved a minimum Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 400 and a combined (undergraduate GPA X 200) + GMAT score of at least 1050.  To be considered for admission to the MBA program, the student must submit the following documents: 

1. a transcript showing undergraduate degree completion;
2. an official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report;
3. a current resume showing all academic honors and work experience; and
4. an approved application for graduate admission.

Letters of recommendation are optional but highly recommended. In some cases an interview may be scheduled before admission to the program.

Background Requirements

Before beginning required MBA courses it is necessary to have sufficient background in core business subjects. It is also imperative that any student entering the program have excellent language skills and computer literacy. MBA students are subject to proficiency examination before entering the program and subject to entrance proficiency requirements for core courses and computer usage. Even students with business degrees may be required to remove deficiencies by taking business foundations courses. This may be accomplished by taking the undergraduate level three hour business courses which comprise the common professional component (CPC) core business classes or deficiencies may be removed by taking any or all of the MBA Business Foundations courses:

• MBA 5013, Business Foundations I: Statistics and Management
• MBA 5023, Business Foundations II: Law, Economics, and Marketing
• MBA 5033, Business Foundations III: Accounting and Finance

The record of each student entering the MBA program will be evaluated based upon completed courses (on official transcripts), work experience shown on a resume supported by letters of recommendation, assessment instruments, or other appropriate documentation as well as entrance examinations for the core MBA courses. Appropriate course work to fully meet the CPC requirement will be determined before enrollment in graduate courses. Any CPC hours must be completed and the students will receive credit, however, these hours will not be used to satisfy the 36 hours of MBA degree requirements. Appropriate foundation CPC courses will be determined prior to course enrollment.

Degree Requirements

A student must complete a minimum of either 36 semester hours of graduate course work or 30 hours and completion of a master’s research project; all with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the MBA degree program does not imply admission to candidacy. Students are eligible to be admitted to candidacy if they have:

1. Been regularly admitted to the MBA program;
2. Been assigned an advisor by the Graduate College from the College of Business graduate faculty;
3. Filed a degree plan signed by the student, the advisor, and the Dean of the Graduate College;
4. Filed a Statement of Understanding signed by the student and the advisor with the Graduate College;
5. Completed a minimum of twelve graduate hours as prescribed by the degree plan;
6. Maintained a 3.0 average in all course work by the date of candidacy. Fifteen semester hours toward the master’s degree must be completed after being admitted to candidacy.

Requirements for Graduation In addition to the requirements for admission to graduate study, admission to candidacy and the general regulations and requirements for graduation, the candidate for the Master of Business Administration Degree must comply with the following:

1. Along with completing 30 hours of core business courses the student must take six hours of elective course work or enroll in MBA 5711 with the permission of an advising member of the graduate faculty to complete a Master’s research project. If the research project option is exercised they must remain continuously enrolled in MBA 5711 until their project is completed.
2. Upon completion of the Master’s research project the candidate must present their research to and pass an oral exam over the project topic with a committee appointed by the program director.