Full Description

The Master of Business Administration degree prepares students for responsible leadership positions in private, nonprofit and public  organizations. Upon completion of the M.B.A. degree, graduates demonstrate a global mindset and competence in critical thinking, digital technology, communication, teamwork and ethical and sustainable management.

The program welcomes students from the full range of undergraduate degrees. Regardless of their undergraduate education, students will find a challenging program designed to prepare them for management positions in organizations.

The degree is structured for full-time/in-person and full-time or part-time online students:

• The full-time/in-person program is targeted to early career professionals, both nationally and internationally, who wish to jump-start their business career, and to those who wish to make a business-related career change. The program operates in cohorts so that students proceed through the sequence of required courses as a group. Students take six to seven courses each semester (offered in eight-week modules) and are expected to participate in experiential activities such as internships, mentoring and professional development activities. Delivery of the program is accelerated; students are able to earn the M.B.A. degree in 12 to 16 months.
• The online program is designed for those who want maximum flexibility in pursuing their M.B.A. degree. Students can take courses to suit their life: from one course at a time to a full-time course load. This is an ideal program for professionals who intend to keep working full-time while pursing the M.B.A., and for those students who want to pursue their M.B.A. without commuting to campus.

The Business Administration major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Accounting concentration allows students to specialize their degree with courses in managerial and financial accounting, business valuation using financial statements and international accounting. Completion of this concentration is not sufficient to sit for the CPA exam in Ohio unless the student has an undergraduate accounting major.
• The Business Analytics concentration allows students to gain the technical, analytical, communication, decision-making and leadership skills needed to glean useful information from data to make strategic business decisions.
• The Economics concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced topics in various areas in economics.
• The Finance concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced courses in investments, financial markets and institutions, real estate and other related areas.
• The Healthcare Administration concentration provides business students with knowledge of the healthcare setting that will support their capacity to work effectively in a variety of healthcare organizations.
• The Human Resource Management concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced topics in employee selection and appraisal, organizational analysis and the opportunity for real-world applications.
• The Information Systems concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced topics in database management systems, emerging hardware and software technology and other related area courses. Applications to the Information Systems concentration are not being accepted at this time.
• The International Business concentration allows students to specialize their degree with courses in accounting, marketing, finance and strategy with an international focus. Study abroad options are possible, with no language skills required.
• The Organizational Leadership concentration allows students to develop advanced skills that will support their capacity to lead in higher level positions.

Students may pursue an online stackable certificate pathway to the M.B.A. by completing the Leadership and Management graduate certificate, the Quantitative Business Management graduate certificate and a set of remaining courses to earn the M.B.A. degree. Students who choose a Business Analytics, Financial, Human Resource Management, International Business or Organizational Leadership concentration can take one additional course and stack an additional graduate certificate in Business Analytics, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, International Business or Leading Through Challenge. 

The following dual degree programs with the M.B.A. are possible. A separate application must be submitted for each program. 

• Dual degree with the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree prepares students to run their own Podiatric Medicine practice. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
• Dual degree with the Master of Architecture degree is designed for architects or undergraduate architectural students whose career goals include assuming middle or executive management positions in architectural practices, or who are interested in starting their own businesses.
• Dual degree with the Master of Engineering Technology degree is designed for students with the dual goal of pursuing the a highly technical degree while at the same time preparing for a career that will hold increasing levels of management positions.
• Dual degree with the Master of Library and Information Science degree is designed for managers of large libraries and information centers. Individuals in these positions need knowledge pertaining to planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. Advanced education to obtain knowledge and learn skills related to these management functions enables students to take advantage of career opportunities both in library settings and other information settings, both in the profit and nonprofit sectors.
• Dual degree with the Master of Public Health degree prepares students for responsible leadership positions and offers an integrated business and public health curriculum designed to help students develop real-world knowledge and skills needed to pursue success and management opportunities in the public health industry.
• Dual degree with the Master of Science in Nursing degree is designed for experienced nurses whose career goals include assuming middle- or executive-management positions in health services agencies or in health-related companies, or who are interested in starting their own business. The program combines the strengths of advanced nursing preparation with the practical management knowledge needed to develop significant leadership capabilities.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Communication Studies is designed for students and professionals whose career goals focus on communication, particularly global communication. The program provides direction and leadership in economic and business development processes.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Sport Administration is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to enable them to become successful professionals in the field of sports and recreation management. The program integrates management theory and application in sports settings with a broad business curriculum to give graduates a competitive advantage.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Translation is designed for linguists. By combining the practices and language of business, students can pursue language-based careers in the private, public and governmental sectors.
• Dual degree with the M.Ed. degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs is designed for professionals who aspire to responsible leadership positions in higher education. The program provides an integrated curriculum grounded in theory and focused on practice to support diverse student populations. Students are equipped with necessary skills to make the business decisions required of leaders in higher education.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Aviation Management and Logistics prepares students for responsible leadership positions and provides an integrated business and aviation management and logistics education with an emphasis on regional, national and global implications in the field of aviation.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management prepares students for responsible leadership positions and provides an integrated hospitality and tourism education with an emphasis on regional, national and global implications of the field.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Knowledge Management is designed for students who seek the capacity to develop and apply knowledge to improve organizational strategies. Graduates will be able to design, deliver, support and lead knowledge-management programs at project and enterprise levels.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Completion of two quantitative undergraduate courses (e.g., advanced algebra, statistics) with minimum B grade
• Official transcripts
• GMAT or GRE scores (effective for spring 2024 admission term, GMAT/GRE scores are no longer required)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester (in-person program only)
  • Funding deadline: March 15 (domestic student)
    Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Application deadline: March 15 (international student) and June 1 (domestic student)
    Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.
• Fall Semester (online program only)
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester (online program only)
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term (online program only)
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Critical Thinking: analyze the elements of a business problem and construct well-reasoned solutions.
2. Digital Technology: employ appropriate tools in order to analyze business problems.
3. Written Communication: write effective business communications.
4. Oral Communication: make effective business presentations using appropriate technologies.
5. Teamwork: collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose.
6. Business Ethics: recognize ethical business dilemmas and use ethical decision-making to resolve the dilemma.
7. Responsible Management: analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and craft solutions to business problems that create long-term value and shared prosperity for the broad array of stakeholders.
8. Global Mindset: distinguish and analyze the key global factors when making business decisions.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

¹

Students may select courses from all concentrations and are not required to concentrate in any one area, although they are strongly encouraged to do so. Students who are currently enrolled in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree may fulfill this requirement with CMD 80326, CMD 80327 and PMD 80417.

Accounting Concentration Requirements

¹

Students with a B.B.A. degree in Accounting may apply the following courses toward concentration electives: ACCT 53009, ACCT 53020, ACCT 53033, ACCT 53043, ACCT 63022, ACCT 63024 and ACCT 63031.

Business Analytics Concentration Requirements

Economics Concentration Requirements

Finance Concentration Requirements

Healthcare Administration Concentration Requirements

Human Resource Management Concentration Requirements

Information Systems Concentration Requirements

International Business Concentration Requirements

¹

 MGMT 54009 is not offered online currently.

Organizational Leadership Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students may receive permission to have M.B.A coursework waived if supported by the appropriate and recent undergraduate coursework. The waiver of each specific course will be determined by the relevant academic department (Accounting; Economics; Finance; Management; Information Systems and Business Analytics; and Marketing and Entrepreneurship). Students may graduate with the M.B.A. degree with fewer than 37 total credit hours but no fewer than 30 total credit hours.

• Delivery:
  • Fully online (full-time and part-time program with optional concentrations in Accounting, Business Analytics, Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management and International Business)
  • In person (all concentrations are available to students in the full-time, in-person MBA program)
• Location:
  • Kent Campus (full-time only for general degree and all concentrations)

Applications to the Information Systems concentration are not being accepted at this time.

AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business