Master of Business Administration
Mission
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) prepares graduates to manage and lead enterprises that create value for stakeholders in a dynamic, global business environment.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Business Functions/Processes: Analyze and evaluate business functions and processes.
- Strategic Planning: Evaluate and formulate effective domestic and global business strategies.
- Sustainability/Ethics: Integrate ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability in decision-making.
- Leadership: Identify, evaluate, communicate and implement effective leadership of a diverse workforce.
- Innovation: Research, design and apply the innovation process from creativity to solution design and implementation.
Requirements for Admission
The prospective graduate student in the MBA program must demonstrate his or her readiness to succeed in graduate-level academic coursework by satisfactorily fulfilling one of the following admission options. All graduate admissions options listed below require an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Option One
A 3.0 grade point average (GPA) calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed in either a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from a regionally accredited institution.
Option Two
A GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 calculated over the most recent graded 30 semester (45 quarter) credits completed in either a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from a regionally accredited institution. A satisfactory score on an accepted graduate admissions exam is required.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE): achieve the required minimum scores on two out of three of the subsections of the GRE. (Minimum score for Quantitative: 141, minimum score for Verbal: 150, minimum score for Analytic Writing: 4.5)
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT): achieve a minimum scaled score of 400.
- Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): fulfill the formula GMAT + (GPA X 200) > 1000.
Option Three
An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Option Four
Submission of a portfolio of evidence that shows adequate preparation for graduate studies. The portfolio will contain: writing samples that show graduate level communications and analytical skills; a detailed resume showing professional development and achievements; awards; professional recognition; letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to do graduate level work; and a letter of explanation detailing the reasons the student believes he or she is a good candidate for graduate study in the field of Business Administration.
Transfer Credit Policy
A maximum of 9 credits may be accepted in transfer in the MBA degree program. (See the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.)
In addition to university policies concerning transfer of coursework, the MBA program will accept transfer of military coursework which meets the following requirements:
- Course requested for transfer must include an official transcript or copy of an ACE evaluation which verifies graduate-level work;
- Coursework must be letter graded or provide verification of completion at a grade of “B” or higher;
- Coursework must be comparable to program requirements (if marginal comparability, a written statement of rationale must be provided); and
- Military coursework will be accepted in transfer as fulfilling elective requirements only.
In addition to University policies concerning transfer of coursework, University of Massachusetts Global may accept the following:
-
Transfer of twelve elective credits to the MBA upon receipt of appropriate official documentation of successful completion of the University of California, Irvine Extension Project Management Certificate provided that all required certificate courses were completed with a grade of “B" within the last seven years.
-
Transfer of twelve elective credits to the MBA Degree to eligible Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired and prior military service members for completion of military coursework comparable to OLCU 641 Leadership in Military Communication, OLCU 643 Military Operations Leadership, HRCU 618 Career Management, and HRCU 605 Talent Management. Qualifications and provisions of this twelve credit transfer opportunity follow:
a. The service member must qualify for admission to the MBA degree program. (See Graduate Admission section of this catalog).
b. Active Duty, active reserve, retired and prior service military members in the following ranks are eligible: Commissioned Officer (any rank), Senior NCO (E7 or above) or CW2 or above.
c. Commissioned Officers must be graduates of a commissioning program (OCS or equivalent, ROTC, Military Academy) and an officer basic career course. Senior NCOs must be E7 or above and graduates of a career NCO Advanced Course. Warrant Officers must be CW2 or above and graduates of a Warrant Officer Candidate School and a Warrant Officer career course.
d. The seven-year rule for completion of all coursework toward the MBA degree applies, including transfer credit for military schooling. (See Seven-Year Limitation in Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.)
e. Recipients of the twelve credit transfer must complete all remaining coursework for the MBA degree at University of Massachusetts Global in accordance with academic policy.
f. This is not an online only program. Service members who qualify may enroll in the MBA program, if available, at a nearby campus or as an online student.
Core Course Waiver Policy
Though the MBA program consists of 48 credits, a student with comparable undergraduate or graduate coursework may have a maximum of 12 credits waived. Graduates of University of Massachusetts Global's competency based BBA degree program will automatically qualify for this 12 credit waiver opportunity. The four MBA core courses eligible for waiver include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCU 602 | Financial Reporting & Analysis | 3 |
| BUSU 610 | Data Analysis for Decision Making | 3 |
| BUSU 620 | Economic Analysis for Managers | 3 |
| OLCU 613 | Seminar in Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
Course Waiver Requirements
- For graduate courses supporting an eligible MBA core waiver: Produce evidence of equivalent graduate course content by attaching relevant course descriptions.
- For undergraduate courses supporting an eligible MBA core waiver: Produce transcript evidence of the following courses:
- Fundamentals of Accounting I and Fundamentals of Accounting II are required for waiver consideration of ACCU 602 Financial Reporting & Analysis.
- A computer course and a statistics course are required for waiver consideration of BUSU 610 Data Analysis for Decision Making.
- Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are required for waiver consideration of BUSU 620 Economic Analysis for Managers.
- Two theory oriented Leadership or Management courses are required for waiver consideration of OLCU 613 Seminar in Organizational Dynamics.
- Only courses with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher in appropriate courses will be considered.
- Undergraduate and graduate courses taken within the last seven years may be used toward waivers. A course older than seven years may be authorized via the petition process provided that currency in the field can be verified by matching current student knowledge and experience with the Course Learning Outcomes. Verification of currency in the field requires the submission of a current job description and supervisor’s letter. Currency in the field cannot be self-reported.
- A course that has been waived may not be taken or used for elective credit.
- No tuition and unit-based fees refund or cancellation will be issued for courses taken and subsequently waived.
- The Dean has the final decision on all course waivers. This decision may not be appealed.
Course Substitutions
Students with the following certifications will be granted a maximum of 6 credits as defined below:
| Certification | Substituted | Course Comments |
|---|---|---|
| CMA | ACCU 640 | Current certification at the time of application |
| CPA | ACCU 602 | Current certification at the time of application |
| PHR | HRCU 600 | Certification or recertification within 3 years |
| SPHR | HRCU 600 | Certification or recertification within 3 years |
| GPHR | HRCU 603 | Certification or recertification within 3 years |
| SHRM-CP | HRCU 600 | Certification or recertification within 3 years |
| SHRM-SCP | HRCU 600 | Certification or recertification within 3 years. |
Students who received substitution credit as an undergraduate for HRCU 445 for the PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, may only receive waiver credit for HRCU 600 as graduate students.
Specific Requirements for the MBA Degree
The MBA program consists of two segments. The first segment is the MBA Core consisting of 24 – 36 credits depending upon course waivers (see Course Waiver Policy above). The second segment of the MBA program consists of 12 credits of electives or a designated emphasis area.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Select 24-36 credits of the following, depending upon waivers: | 24-36 | |
| Financial Reporting & Analysis | ||
| Data Analysis for Decision Making | ||
| Economic Analysis for Managers | ||
| Business Process Analysis and Innovation | ||
| Corporate Responsibility: Ethics and Sustainability | ||
| Financial Management | ||
| Human Resource Foundations | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Seminar in Organizational Dynamics | ||
| Leading Organizational Change | ||
| Leadership and Innovation | ||
| Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage Capstone | ||
| Core Requirements Subtotal | 24-36 | |
| Electives or Designated Emphasis Area | ||
| Electives or Emphases | 12 | |
| Electives or Designated Emphasis Area Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 36-48 | |
MBA Electives
MBA students may select an individualized set of electives from the graduate courses listed in the following emphasis areas: Accounting, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, International Business, Organizational Leadership, Marketing, and Computer Science. Successful completion of the University of California, Irvine Extension Project Management Certificate, as described in the Transfer Credit Policy, may substitute for the described MBA electives.
MBA Emphases
Instead of individualized electives, MBA students may specialize in one of the following designated emphasis areas:
Accounting Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCU 620 | Contemporary Issues in Accounting | 3 |
| ACCU 621 | Accounting Ethics | 3 |
| ACCU 640 | Strategic Cost Management | 3 |
| Select one course from Finance or Accounting | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUSU 670 | Data Foundations | 3 |
| BUSU 671 | Data Visualization and Presentation | 3 |
| BUSU 672 | Project Planning and Data Modeling | 3 |
| BUSU 673 | Project Implementation and Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Entrepreneurship Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENTU 610 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENTU 620 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
| MKTU 624 | Seminar in Marketing Research | 3 |
| MKTU 630 | Seminar in New Product Development | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Finance Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINU 615 | International Finance | 3 |
| FINU 620 | Investments | 3 |
| FINU 630 | Capital Markets | 3 |
| Select one course from Accounting | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Healthcare Administration Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HAUU 640 | Foundations of Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HAUU 641 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |
| HAUU 642 | Health Information Systems and Technology | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Healthcare Economics | ||
| Healthcare Quality and Safety | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Human Resources Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HRCU 604 | Workforce Planning | 3 |
| HRCU 605 | Talent Management | 3 |
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Career Development & Management | ||
| Strategic Business Concepts and Human Resources | ||
| Total Rewards | ||
| Human Resources Management in Public Administration | ||
| Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining | ||
| Conflict and Negotiation | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
International Business Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINU 615 | International Finance | 3 |
| HRCU 603 | Globalization and Diversity | 3 |
| ACCU 621 | Accounting Ethics | 3 |
| ACCU 625 | International Accounting | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Organizational Leadership Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OLCU 501 | Organizational Research | 3 |
| OLCU 600 | Foundations of Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| OLCU 601 | Democracy, Ethics and Leadership | 3 |
| OLCU 602 | Self, Systems, and Leadership | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Marketing Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKTU 624 | Seminar in Marketing Research | 3 |
| MKTU 630 | Seminar in New Product Development | 3 |
| MKTU 635 | Seminar in Advertising and Promotion | 3 |
| MKTU 640 | Seminar in International Marketing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
e-Business Strategic Management Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CSCU 615 | Information Technology Development and Innovation | 3 |
| CSCU 641 | Internet Based Systems Analysis and Development | 3 |
| CSCU 683 | Project Management for Business Majors | 3 |
| CSCU 685 | Risk Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Public Administration Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PADU 600 | Foundations of Public Administration | 3 |
| PADU 607 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following list: | 6 | |
| Governance in the Public Sector | ||
| Public Sector Finance | ||
| Human Resources Management in Public Administration | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |