Master of Business Administration, MBA
Dr. Jennifer Plantier, Program Director
The MBA is a 30 to 45-hour program open to qualified students with bachelor’s degrees, regardless of major. The objective of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is to prepare managers and leaders to manage successfully in a dynamic business environment. More specifically, the program provides advanced study in all functional areas of business: accounting, management information systems, economics, finance, marketing, and management. In addition, the program is designed to help students further develop and refine such important broad skills and abilities as analytical thinking, problem solving, computer applications, communications, and teamwork. Through lectures, papers, simulations, seminars, and case studies, the graduate student will enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills while solving real world managerial problems.
The MBA offers a fully online program to provide students with needed flexibility in completing coursework.
Admission Criteria
To be eligible for the MBA program, a candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a 3.2 GPA in undergraduate work. To receive full admission to the program, students must provide:
- Official transcripts from all schools attended showing a conferred degree.
- A detailed resume.
- A writing sample.
- An interview (in person, online, or telephone) with the program director.
No GMAT or GRE required
International Students
International students who wish to participate in the MBA program can take the fully online MBA from their home country.
A student whose native language is not English must provide an official TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based exam, a 213 on the computer-based exam or a 79 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT). TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. HSU school code: TOEFL- 6268
Residency Requirements
A maximum of 18 semester-hours of approved graduate work may be transferred into the MBA program provided the student did not complete the previous degree. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be transferred from a previously completed degree. These courses must have been taken within 10 years prior to the first enrolled semester at HSU.
Early Admission to Graduate Learning (EAGL)
Undergraduate students who are approaching their senior year of undergraduate work at Hardin-Simmons University are encouraged to apply to the EAGL program. Admission requirements are the same as those for full admission to the MBA, except that the cumulative GPA for all HSU coursework to date can substitute for the overall undergraduate GPA. Admitted students may take up to 6 hours of MBA coursework in their senior year to apply toward their MBA degree. By completing the remaining MBA core curriculum, electives, and all other requirements of the MBA, the student may receive the master's degree upon the completion of 36 hours of graduate work (that includes up to 6 hours taken as an undergraduate). The undergraduate degree will be awarded upon completion of all requirements for that degree program.
Undergraduates in Graduate Courses
In accordance with the standards of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), courses in the MBA program must be reserved for graduate students admitted to the MBA program. Exceptions will be made only under the following circumstances:
- The undergraduate has been admitted into the EAGL program.
- The undergraduate is a senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.5.
- There is some extenuating circumstance which justifies allowing the undergraduate to take a graduate course.
Enrollment in the graduate course must be explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis either by the program director or by the Dean of the Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies.
Time of Course Offerings
MBA courses are offered fully online. Classes are offered in 8-week format with few exceptions.The calendar of course offerings allows select students the possibility of completing their MBA in as few as 12 months. Contact the program director for additional information.
Comprehensive Exam
The MBA's comprehensive examination will require knowledge of specific information drawn from the foundation and core curriculum courses of the MBA program. The ETS Major Field Test for the MBA is a 120 multiple choice exam administered online. Students must register for the COMP 6000 MBA course in their final semester. The student must successfully complete this exam with a minimum individual rank score within the 50th percentile or better. Students who score below the minimum score will be required to pass a written and oral exam.
Time Limit
The student must complete the MBA in 5 years from the semester of first admission.
Courses
By action of the Graduate Council and graduate faculty, all students must have a minimum of 50% of their curriculum in 6000 level courses.
Master of Business Administration
Complete the following:
Foundational Courses
Core Courses
Non-Thesis Program
| Business Electives (12) | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Thesis Program
Comprehensive Exam
Total Credit Hours: 45