Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Director MBA: Ben Judd, Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
Academic Advisor: Charles N. Coleman, Assistant Professor, M.P.A., West Virginia University
The M.B.A. curriculum prepares managers for today’s increasingly complex global and multidimensional work environment. It includes a strong focus on leadership, teamwork, and integrative management activities. The program offers flexibility, providing choices within the advanced courses and a variety of functional concentrations with a broad selection of courses offered each trimester. In addition to this M.B.A. program, the university offers two M.B.A. dual degree programs: one combined with the master’s program in public administration (M.B.A./M.P.A.) and one combined with the master’s program in industrial engineering (M.B.A./M.S.I.E.).
Students with a recent degree in business may be able to complete the program with as few as 30–36 graduate credits, while other students may require the maximum 48–54 credits. Because the Graduate School operates on a trimester calendar with three full-length terms each year plus an abbreviated summer session, full-time students may complete their studies in 12 to 22 months.
Admission Policy
Admission to the graduate business programs at the University of New Haven is competitive. Candidates are evaluated carefully on previous academic and professional success as well as on their potential for leadership in business, nonprofit, and other careers. Candidates for admission to graduate programs are required to hold a four-year baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited institution. International students must hold a degree that is acceptable as an alternative to a four year bachelor’s degree program in the United States. An undergraduate degree in business is not a requirement; qualified students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Admission decisions are based on a “portfolio” approach that includes review of the combination of a student’s undergraduate and/or graduate academic performance, professional and/or business experience, standardized test scores, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to submit GMAT (or GRE) scores as part of their application.* Note: Applicants to the Emerging Leaders cohorts of the M.B.A. program should also possess a minimum of two years of post-collegiate professional, administrative, or business experience.
Required materials for admission are as follows:
- Completed application
- Official transcript(s)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Test scores*
- Résumé
Applicants may submit an essay or personal statement to provide additional information to the admissions committee or to explain any unusual circumstances.
The test score requirement can be satisfied by submission of GMAT scores, or scores from the general test administered through the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) program, or submission of evidence of current licensure as a certified public accountant, attorney, medical doctor or similar credential.
For Academic Year 2009–2010 admission, the test score requirement is waived if the applicant has a graduate degree from an accredited institution or an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or above. Otherwise, a test score (GMAT or alternative) is required for admission.
For Academic Year 2010–11 all applicants must submit GMAT scores or an acceptable alternative to complete the program. Applicants with all other required admission material except the test score can be admitted into the program, but cannot progress past the fourth course in the program (12 credits) until a test score or acceptable alternative is submitted. Students with a minimum of five years of continuous post-collegiate professional, administrative, or business experience may apply for a waiver of the test score requirement. Waivers must be granted prior to admission, and require a personal interview plus the other required admission application materials prior to any action.
Curriculum
The M.B.A. curriculum is focused primarily on advanced topics Students without previous studies in business will complete up to 18 credits in introductory core courses before proceeding to the 30–36 credits of advanced courses and electives.
For advanced electives, students may choose four courses from a variety of alternatives or they may select a concentration from six different areas, ranging from accounting to sports management.
Students begin their studies with six required core courses. Any of these six core courses may be waived on the basis of the student’s undergraduate course work or previous graduate courses, if taken at a regionally accredited institution within the last seven years. Waiver guidelines are outlined on the following pages.
After satisfying the prerequisites, students proceed to the next level in the program: the six advanced courses plus the four elective, or concentration, courses. No waivers are permitted for the 30–36 credits of advanced courses plus electives; however, transfer credit toward advanced courses and/or electives may be granted for graduate courses with a grade of B (3.0) or better if taken within the last four years at a regionally accredited institution, subject to the transfer policies of the Graduate School. After admission, any graduate courses taken for transfer must have approval with a signed Coordinated Course Form.
Completion of the elective portion of the M.B.A. program may be accomplished by taking graduate courses offered through the various departments or programs of the university, or by choosing a concentration in a specific area of study. Students should select courses that will enhance their career objectives. Concentrations allow students to develop specialized skills in a particular field, and they are described later in this section. Students taking non-business elective courses must contact the M.B.A. program director for approval and seek academic advice from the graduate program coordinator of the non-business department.
In appropriate cases having special approval, a student may elect to write a thesis. Candidates for the M.B.A. who elect to write a thesis must register for a minimum of six thesis credits in the appropriate business department and substitute the six credits of Thesis I and II for two elective courses in the program. The thesis must show ability to organize material in a clear and original manner and must present well-reasoned conclusions. Thesis preparation and submission must comply with the Graduate School policy on theses as well as specific departmental requirements.
Core Courses (18 credits; waivable)
Advanced Courses (18 credits; not waivable)
Note(s):
Accounting concentration requires 51 credits; Finance concentration–Certified Financial Analyst Track requires 51 credits.
Waiver Policy
Any of the six required core courses may be waived on the basis of appropriate undergraduate or graduate courses taken within the last seven years at a regionally accredited institution. Waivers are considered at the time of admission; waivers based on a B (3.0) or better in the appropriate courses are granted. Students who seek transfer credit must submit a written request (with a course syllabus, preferably, or course description of the previously completed course work) to the M.B.A. director during the first semester of attendance. Normally, waivers are decided within the first semester of study. Only courses with grades of B or better may be used in meeting waiver guidelines for required courses. Only required core courses may be waived.
A course that has been waived may not be taken for or used for elective credits. No tuition refund or cancellation is issued for courses taken and subsequently waived.
Waiver Guidelines
The minimum course requirements or waivers are as follows (courses must have been taken within the last seven years):
Concentrations
Within the M.B.A. program students may use the elective credits to concentrate their studies in a specific area. It is recommended, but not required, that concentrations be indicated on the application for admission to the M.B.A. program, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The M.B.A. concentrations and their course requirements are presented on the following pages. Concentrations consist of at least 12 credits. In certain circumstances, students may be allowed to substitute other appropriate courses for those listed as part of the concentration. Any substitution for a listed concentration course must be approved in writing by the student’s concentration advisor prior to enrollment in the course.
Selection of a concentration is optional; students may find that a variety of courses from several areas is more useful for their career training and interests. If they do pursue a concentration, they are encouraged to designate it as early as possible in order to plan the sequencing of courses for the concentration and to receive appropriate advisement from the concentration advisors listed below. Most courses in a concentration may be attempted as soon as prerequisites have been satisfied. Delaying start of the concentration may cause key courses to be missed on the annual rotation. Because accounting preparation often involves state or other coverage requirements, early consultation with an advisor is strongly recommended.