Online MBA

Curriculum Structure

CORE COURSES

CAPSTONE COURSE

ELECTIVES

NOTE: Students with less than two years of full-time professional work experience at the time of enrollment will be required to complete a 1-credit hour professional development course, making the program a total of 37 credit hours. Those with two or more years of experience at time of enrollment will not be required to complete a professional development course, making the program a total of 36 credit hours.

WEBINARS

There are five proficiency webinars required prior to taking specific courses in the curriculum. Each webinar is estimated to take eight hours to complete, depending on background. They must be completed before the start of the corresponding course and must be passed at the 75% rate or higher.

The webinar topics are in the following subject areas:

• Accounting - completed prior to ACCT 63037
• Spreadsheets - completed prior to ACCT 63037
• Finance - completed prior to FIN 66060
• Statistics - completed prior to MIS 64005
• Economics - completed prior to the first Economics course taken, either ECON 62021 or ECON 62022

Cost of Webinars

There is a separate fee for the webinars which come in an 18-month subscription. The subscription is comparable in cost to that of books and supplies for one course.

COURSE SEQUENCING

Courses can be taken in the order which you choose, apart from the following courses with prerequisites:

• In order to take ACCT 63038, you must have first taken ACCT 63037 as a prerequisite. 
• In order to take MIS 64041, you must have first taken MIS 64005 as a prerequisite.
• In order to take FIN 66060, you must have first taken ACCT 63037 and MIS 64005 as prerequisites.

OPTIONAL CONCENTRATIONS

• International Business
• Supply Chain Management

PROGRAM SUMMARY

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Students who are ready to begin taking courses, but are unable to meet the deadline with application materials should ask about the option to apply as a Graduate, Non-Degree Seeking student. Only a $15 fee, transcripts and resumé are required.

You can take up to 12 credit hours as a Non-Degree Seeking student, and that would give you more time to gather all materials for the Online MBA application to enroll the following semester.

The courses taken as a Non-Degree Seeking student would count toward the MBA once a student is admitted.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Transcripts

Official transcripts of academic records must be obtained from colleges, universities and professional schools attended outside of Kent State University. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded and used for an admission decision, but official copies will need to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies before you can enroll. 

RESUME

Applicants are required to submit a resumé.

GMAT or GRE Scores

Only test scores within the past five years are considered. In the case of multiple tests, the highest score will be used.

Prospective students should plan to take the exam at least one month before the application deadline. Although scores will be provided the day of the exam, it can take up to 10 days for scores to be received by Kent State University.

More Information/Registration for GMAT       More Information/Registration for GRE

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Online MBA and Full-time (in-person MBA)

Tuition, Fees and Financial Assistance

Kent State offers a best-value MBA Program compared to several other universities with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, the top credential for business schools.

Online MBA Tuition*

Tuition cost is $830 per credit hour, regardless of state or country of residency.

The Online MBA program is 36 credit hours, making the total tuition cost under $30,000. Based on current courses, an estimate per course for books and supplies is $150. There is a separate fee for webinars which come in an 18-month subscription. The subscription is comparable in cost to that of books and supplies for one course.

Full-time MBA Tuition

Tuition cost per credit hour for full-time MBA students:

Ohio resident $515 per credit hour | Non-resident $928 per credit hour

Program fee per semester for full-time MBA students:

$600 per semester

Enrollment cost per semester for full-time MBA students:

Ohio resident $5,655 per semester | Non-resident $10,198 per semester

Financial Assistance available to full-time MBA students:

Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based Graduate Assistantships   

Loans and Work Study (domestic students only)

Employer Tuition Reimbursement. Applicants should check with their employer to see if this benefit is offered.

* The tuition and fee information provided reflects, at a glance, generalized rates and is intended to act as a guide. Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. Detailed information regarding tuition and fees can be found in the University Fee Register.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Educational Background

Is an undergraduate degree in an area of business required to get the MBA?

No. A bachelor's degree in the area of business is not required; however, to be considered for the program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree.

If and applicant's undergraduate degree is not in business, are additional courses required?

No additional courses are required. However, webinars are required by all students, no matter their undergraduate degree. Webinars in the following areas are completed prior to quantitative-based core coursework: accounting, spreadsheets (Excel), statistics, finance and economics. Each webinar must be completed prior to taking the corresponding course in the Online MBA curriculum. Webinars are self-paced, can be repeated, and serve as a reference tool. The webinars serve as a review for those with a business education background, and an instrument for those without a business education background to enter into MBA courses with the confidence to succeed.

What math knowledge and skill do applicants need to be proficient in to start the program?

Students should be proficient in algebra. Some exposure to intuitive calculus is helpful, but the subject can be learned while in the program. 

Program Academic Details

Is the GMAT or GRE a requirement in all cases?

Yes, the College's level of accreditation requires an instrument to be used to compare all applicants, and GMAT or GRE scores serve that purpose.

Additionally, preparing for the GMAT or GRE helps the prospective student review and sharpen math skills from earlier courses and experiences. The College also uses GMAT or GRE results as diagnostic tools to measure writing, intuitive reasoning, quantitative and verbal skills.

What are the major differences between the Online and Executive MBA programs?

While both are designed for the working professional, the Online program offers flexibility and the opportunity for the student to go at his or her own pace. Students have the option of taking electives in the same subject area and pursuing a concentration. No prior work experience is required for admittance to the Online MBA program.

The Executive MBA program, designed for the more experienced professional, delivers courses to a cohort. The EMBA cohort meets one weekend per month, supplemented with online content. The EMBA program's summer session is entirely online. Additional features of the EMBA program are beginning and ending residencies and an international business experience. Seven years of full-time, professional, work experience is required for admittance to the EMBA program.

Program Administrative Details

When does the Online MBA program begin?

This flexible program can be started any semester: fall, spring or summer. Application deadlines are typically about six weeks before the start of the intended term.

What happens if I have to stop the program for work or family issues?

In cases where the student will be out for a year or more, a formal Leave of Absence request is required to keep the student active in the University's system.

Completing the Degree

How long do I have to complete the Online MBA Program?

Students have six years to complete the Online MBA, however the average time to complete the program for those working full-time while pursuing the MBA is two to two and a half years. Time approved as a Leave of Absence does not count toward the six-year limit.

How are employer tuition benefits handled by the Bursar's Office?

Kent State has deferred billing for those with tuition benefits. A form is submitted each semester with the student/employee’s information. Find more details about employer tuition assistance and the form.

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