Program Description
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is a College of Business degree with courses taken in various departments. The program is specifically designed for students who hold undergraduate degrees in Arts, Science, Engineering, and Law, as well as for students who hold Baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration. The program will provide the background knowledge necessary for professional practice in the field of business.
The MBA is accredited by the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Students must select between the MBA or the STEM MBA programs. Only one of these programs can be completed.
Admission
Admission to the MBA program is competitive. Applications are reviewed and decisions made on a rolling basis when application packets are complete. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.
The Program Director looks at a variety of criteria that measure a candidate’s potential for being a successful MBA student and business leader. We look at the following characteristics in making admission decisions:
- Past academic performance (official transcripts)
- Official GMAT or GRE score*
- Professional work experience (Resume)
- Admissibility to the Graduate College
*The GMAT may be waived for candidates who satisfy ALL of the following requirements:
- Earned a 3.25 cumulative GPA
- Admitted to or have graduated from a Missouri State COB business unit major in the past five years OR graduated with a business degree from an AACSB-accredited school in the past five years
- Completed a minimum of 80 hours at the time of application
- Meet all English proficiency requirements
To be considered for admission, students are required to submit the following**:
- Graduate Application
- Official transcripts
- Official GMAT or GRE Scores
- Resume
**Additional documents may be required for international students.
Accelerated master’s degree option
Undergraduate majors in the College of Business may apply for admission to the Master of Business Administration program. If accepted, up to 12 hours of 600- or 700-level COB classes taken in the junior or senior year may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Before enrolling in a course that will apply to both the undergraduate program and the master’s program, an undergraduate student must:
- Be accepted into the accelerated program.
- Receive prior approval from the graduate advisor, department head of the undergraduate program, and the Dean of the Graduate College. This is done by using a mixed credit form.
Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). See the Graduate College for further information.
Accelerated Admission Requirements (Admission to the Accelerated MBA Program is Competitive):
- Completion of 80 or more hours at time of application
- An overall GPA of 3.00 or better
- A competitive score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or applicant must meet the requirements for a GMAT waiver (see Admissions Requirements for MBA Program).
XF Policy
High standards of professional conduct are required for admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and other College of Business graduate certificate programs. Prospective graduate students who have been assigned a grade of XF (failure due to academic dishonesty) at Missouri State University (MSU), or the equivalent at another institution of higher education, may be denied admission to the Master of Business Administration program or College of Business graduate certificate programs. Students who have been assigned a grade of XF at MSU, or the equivalent at another institution of higher education, are required to inform the MBA Program Director of such grade at the time of application, even if the X was subsequently removed. Failure to inform the MBA Program Director of this previous XF or equivalent grade will result in removal from the MBA or COB graduate certificate program. A student assigned a grade of XF while studying toward completion of the MBA or COB graduate certificate program will be immediately removed from the program(s).
GMAT Preparation Course
MSU’s International Center’s English Language Institute offers a GMAT preparation course each semester. For additional information, contact 417-836-6540 or review Test Preparation Courses.
Unclassified Admission
Students who meet general Graduate College requirements, but have not fulfilled all requirements to enter the MBA program, may be admitted to the Graduate College as a “Graduate student - unclassified.” This status will allow a student to enroll in an absolute maximum of 9 graduate hours before being fully admitted to the MBA program. All courses at the 600-level or higher are considered graduate hours.
Computer Application Competency
Students entering the Master’s of Business Administration program are expected to be proficient in the use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. No coursework is required to fulfill this criterion. Knowledge derived from professional or personal experience will qualify. If a student feels that he or she does not have the necessary base of knowledge to fulfill this requirement, there are various resources available on campus, such as self-paced tutorials and hands-on programs that would be helpful to increase computer knowledge and experiences.
International Applicants
Applicants from foreign countries whose native language is not English are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Review English Proficiency Requirements.
English Language Institute
The English Language Institute (ELI) began classes in June 1996 with five students. Since that time, the program has experienced continued growth and now serves more than 150 students, most of whom are preparing for study in undergraduate or graduate programs at Missouri State University. The ELI offers five levels of study in core areas of writing, grammar, reading/vocabulary, academic listening skills, and speaking pronunciation classes. Through an intensive twenty-five hours per week, students have the opportunity to prepare for the language challenges of American classrooms. The focus of the English Language Institute, therefore, is to equip ESL students with the necessary language skills to achieve success in the degree program of their choice and to enhance their potential for future employment after graduation.
For more information, please contact: Director, English Language Institute, 301 S Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806, USA, Phone 417-836-6540, Fax 417-836-4784, email JaneRobison@missouristate.edu or ELI@MissouriState.edu . You may also visit the ELI website.
Executive MBA option (EMBA)
When offered to a select group of students, typically a cohort, with significant business experience, the MBA Program may be presented in a format referred to as the Executive MBA Option or the EMBA. From a curricular viewpoint, the EMBA would be structured in the same way as the traditional MBA, however, the presentation format of core and elective courses will be designed in such a way as to maximize the benefit to working business professionals.
GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission to the EMBA, however, the applicant would need to provide documentation verifying at least 5 years of business experience.
For EMBA students, prerequisite requirements for the core program courses can be satisfied through appropriate prior coursework, relevant business experience or by an individualized study program developed and supervised by the EMBA Program Director.
The credit hour costs for classes taken by students enrolled in the EMBA program are assessed at a higher rate than the traditional MBA offerings due to additional expenditures associated with the program.
Admission Requirements
Completion of a regionally accredited undergraduate degree.
- Completion of 5 or more years of business/professional experience.
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