2003 - 2004 Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program

Program Requirements | Course Descriptions

Program Director: David M. Spann
Graduate Coordinator: Phuong Presson

The MBA program is designed to develop present and future managers who can deal creatively and effectively with organizational problems within an increasingly complex environment. Graduate students have an opportunity to broaden personal perspectives and sharpen management skills without interrupting their professional careers. Core requirements of the MBA program are not directed at specialization in one area of business; instead, they develop cross-functional frameworks that stress balance in using managerial skills to achieve effective leadership.

In support of the college mission statement to integrate liberal education within career and professional programs, graduate programs are designed in part to help managers develop:

• the capacity to think abstractly and creatively about organizations and their goals
• the ability to interpret their environment pragmatically
• the ability to develop analytical skills in the face of imperfect information
• the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• the ability to develop strong interpersonal decision making and conflict resolution skills
• the strength of character to recognize and take into account the ethical implications of their actions
• an understanding of their global environment
• the ability to incorporate effective team building and to project management skills

Program Requirements

Forty-two graduate semester hours are required to complete the program and earn the Master of Business Administration degree. A minimum of 33 of these semester hours must be taken at Westminster. Individuals without prior undergraduate course work in business, or who graduated with a business degree five years ago or longer, must complete survey courses in addition to completing the 42 semester hours of graduate core and elective course work.

Waiver examinations may be taken in place of survey courses. A maximum of 9 approved graduate hours may be transferred toward the MBA Program from other institutions. Of this number, only three credits may be applied to hours required by graduate certificate programs. Courses completed at other graduate institutions must be awarded a minimum of a B grade to be eligible for credit. Waivers or substitutes for program requirements must be approved by the program director and the school dean.

A grade of C is the lowest passing grade for all MBA and graduate certificate courses except for MBA 651, MTECH 628, and MTECH 629 where a grade of B is the Minimum acceptable grade. Students must take all MBA course work, including survey work, for letter grades.

For course prerequisites please refer to the course description.

*Note: Optional upper level courses may be substituted in certain circumstances, on approval from the MBA Director, based on work/educational experience.