The Shepherd M.B.A. is a 36-42-credit hour program that creates a stimulating environment that is diverse, challenging, and focused on global connections, while at the same time providing real-world experiences for our graduate students.
All students in the M.B.A. program take a 27-credit core that includes courses in leadership and ethics, marketing, management theory, economics, and accounting. Students complete their coursework with a flexible set of electives, while concentrations in Public Management and Sport Management require three courses (9 credits), and Health Administration requires five courses (15 credits) from a specific set of courses in the discipline.
The M.B.A. program finishes with a culminating project or capstone in MBA 590 or MBA 591 . Here, students work in a collaborative environment with faculty mentors in an open exchange of ideas and information. In the internship experience, students are explosed to new ideas and put theory into practice through contact with influential leaders from a variety of companies and industries. Through these experiences, students heighten their cultural awareness, develop a global perspective, and learn to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, academic and professional backgrounds.
Please see the contacts page for graduate students and specific graduate program coordinator contact information.
Information about the accelerated 4+1 BS, Business Administration/Master of Business Administration degree can be found at the following link:
4+1 Bachelors/M.B.A. Option (Fifth-Year M.B.A.)
Dual Degrees: MA-CSDA and MBA
M.B.A. Admissions requirements
Graduate Foundations
Because some foundational experience in accounting, statistics, and economics is crucial to success in the Shepherd M.B.A. program, students admitted to the M.B.A. must meet three content area prerequisites: Accounting, Statistics, and Economics. Foundational courses at the undergraduate level must have been taken within the last ten years with a grade of C or higher.
Applicants who lack this undergraduate course work can fulfill the foundational requirements in one of four ways:
- Taking the appropriate graduate foundations course work at the graduate level (online MBA courses: these do not count toward the M.B.A.); Or
- Passing the appropriate CLEP test(s); Or
- Submitting an industry recognized certification; Or
- Requesting an evaluation of academic course work.
Applicants may begin the M.B.A. program while completing their prerequisite courses.Foundational courses must be completed prior to courses for which they serve as prerequisites or within the first year of enrollment, whichever comes first.
MBA Foundation Passing Grade Policy - MBA Program
All grades in foundation courses do count toward the overall graduate GPA. Students must receive a grade of C or better in each of the graduate level foundation courses (MBA 5FDA , MBA 5FDE , MBA 5FDS , or any future foundation courses) he or she may have to take as a condition of acceptance. However, a grade of C in the graduate level foundation course is considered minimal preparation for MBA core classes and as such, advisors and student should evaluate seriously whether to take MBA graduate core classes without additional preparation.