Business Administration, M.B.A.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 36 hours

The MBA program's mission is to prepare graduate business students for leadership positions in today's global economy. The program features an active student learning environment with a curriculum that meets the needs of both part-time and full-time students all over the world. Accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the program is designed to meet the needs of three groups of people:

1. Individuals whose business careers have focused on specialized areas and who seek to develop a more general management perspective in anticipation of further advancement;
2. Individuals with previous education and work experience in areas other than business who seek a general business education that will allow them to move into management positions and make an impact on society from within the organization; and
3. Individuals with limited work experience who plan to use the MBA as a foundation from which to begin their careers.

This program consists of a wide variety of emphasis areas, including Accounting, Business Data Analytics, Business Economics, Consulting, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, Health Systems Leadership, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, International Business, Logistics Management (currently offered only online), Marketing, Project Management, and Value-Driven Organization. Note, however, that some emphasis areas are only offered when we have adequate student demand and resources.

The College of Business Administration offers the MBA program on its main campus and online. The program can be tailored to fit the needs of both full-time students and working professionals who seek career-enhancing education and work/life/school balance.

In existence for over 55 years, the curriculum receives constant review to keep pace with emerging business trends. The graduate business faculty are not only well educated but also have substantial business experience. The faculty are committed to a program that emphasizes:

1. Integration of the functional core areas of business;
2. Providing the perspective required to manage in a global world;
3. Awareness of ethical issues and standards and their influence on business decisions;
4. Ability to work in teams through group projects and collaborative learning;
5. Enhancement of oral and written communication skills integrating the most current technology;
6. Application of theory and concepts to the solution of business problems through the use of cases, business exports, consulting projects, simulations and the study of real world business practice;
7. Integration of business concepts in an applied project.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

Minimum GPA: 2.7

Statement of Purpose
Resume

International Application Deadline: March 15 (Fall), November 15 (Spring)

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MBA program, an applicant must first be admitted to Graduate Studies. The application for main-campus MBA should be submitted online at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the first semester of anticipated enrollment in classes.

The Online MBA program has limited seats and we encourage applicants to submit their completed admission portfolio by the priority deadline* to guarantee a quick decision on their application. However, completed applications will be accepted until the final deadline*.
*See website for exact dates.

Minimum GPA: 2.7

Statement of Purpose is a brief, one-page statement describing your purpose and general plan for MBA study at Central Michigan University. The statement should include information about your future career plans and past or current activities and achievements, including any relevant business or volunteer experience that make you a good candidate for admission. The goal is to share relevant information that is not captured in the other documents you have been asked to submit.

Regular Admission. The minimum requirements for regular admission to the Master of Business Administration program, are that the applicant meet the university requirements for admission to Graduate Studies; and meet the minimum GPA. We evaluate all submitted materials and encourage applicants to provide any information they think would demonstrate their interest in and/or potential for being a successful MBA student and a future business leader. Although not required, we strongly recommend that applicants familiarize themselves with principles of accounting, finance, economics, and statistics at least through self-study or not-for-credit online courses prior to beginning the MBA program. If you have not taken formal courses in the aforementioned subjects but have gained a working knowledge on the job or by completing a not-for-credit online course, you are encouraged to describe this in your statement of purpose.

Regular Admission with Stipulations. Applicants who demonstrate evidence of potential for success in the MBA program but require initial monitoring will be granted regular admission with stipulations that will be specified in the admissions letter. In some cases, we may contact applicants to participate in an entrance interview before making a decision about regular admission with stipulations.

Any exceptions to the above admission requirements must be approved by the MBA Committee of the College of Business Administration.

Program Requirements

Degree Requirements I (27 hours)

MBA Program Core Courses

MBA 610	Managing Information Systems in a Global Economy	3(3-0)
MBA 620	Managerial Accounting: A Management Perspective	3(3-0)
MBA 630	Managing and Leading Individuals and Groups in Organizations	3(3-0)
MBA 640	Data Analysis for Managers	3(3-0)
MBA 650	Marketing-Based Management	3(3-0)
MBA 660	Global Business and Sustainability	3(3-0)
MBA 670	Financial Analysis and Risk Management	3(3-0)
MBA 680	Global Economic Environment	3(3-0)
MBA 690	Strategic Management: Integrative Experience and Strategy Simulation	3(3-0)

Plan B Requirement. The Plan B requirement is fulfilled through successful completion of MBA 690.

Degree Requirements II (9)

Select an Area of Emphasis below.

Areas of Emphasis (9 hours)

Select one of the following areas, to be approved by a graduate advisor:

Accounting

Business Data Analytics

Cybersecurity

Entrepreneurship

Finance

General Business

Health Systems Leadership

Human Resource Management

Information Systems

Logistics Management (currently offered only online)

Marketing

Project Management

Value-Driven Organization

Total: 36 semester hours

 

Accelerated Master of Business Administration

Students admitted to the Master's Degree Program may earn up to eighteen (18) hours of graduate credit (500 or 600 level courses) towards the MBA for courses taken during their senior year. These courses will count both toward their undergraduate degree and toward their MBA Degree. The student will need to be admitted to the program and have completed the agreed-to plan of study.

Admission: Generally, students will apply during their junior year for admission into the Master's Degree Program to begin Fall Semester in their senior year.

Admission Requirements: Overall GPA of 3.25 and have completed university competency requirements; plus, meets the regular admission requirements of the MBA Program.

Plan of Study: 500 and 600-level MBA, BUS, and area of emphasis courses (except ACC 536) may be counted toward both the undergraduate degree and the Master in Business Administration when taken and completed during the senior year by a student admitted to the Accelerated MBA degree program prior to the senior year. Undergraduate Accounting majors may use ACC 521 to substitute for MBA 620. Plan of study must be approved by the graduate advisor for the MBA program.

Doctor Of Medicine and Master of Business Administration Dual Degrees

Students admitted to the MD program at CMU and deemed to be in good standing by the Office of Medical Education have the option to earn an MBA degree whereby six credit hours of the MD program will count towards the MBA degree requirement. 

Admission Requirement: 

1. Complete the “Approval Form to Enroll in MBA Program” available through the Office of Medical Education. The application must include a one-page statement describing their purpose and general plan for MBA study at CMU. The statement should discuss how the MBA degree fits into their future career plans and include past or current activities and achievements, including any relevant business, research, or volunteer experiences that make them a good candidate for admission.
2. Complete the application for admission to CMU’s Graduate Studies (https://fireup.cmich.edu/apply/). MD-MBA students are free to take any combination of on-campus and online MBA classes to match their schedules, needs, and interests, they must begin the MBA admission process by applying to the main campus MBA program
3. Submit College of Medicine transcript demonstrating the student is in good standing at the College of Medicine whereby the GMAT requirement for admission to the MBA program may be waived. 

Important Dates: MBA admission applications will be accepted between May 1 and May 15 of the M1/M2 year of medical school for Track I and at least one month prior to the start of their ‘gap’ year for Track II (see description of tracks on the following page). We expect MD students to begin the MBA program in mid-June (for MBA 2nd summer session), August (for MBA Fall semester), or January (for MBA Spring semester).

Plan of Study: MD students admitted to the MBA program can use up to six (6) credit hours of MED 600, if a passing grade was achieved, towards satisfying the MBA degree requirements of MBA 640 and 660. Based on the College of Medicine’s recommendation, students will pick from two alternate tracks: 

• Track I expects MD students to take advantage of the MD curriculum calendar to complete MBA courses simultaneously with their MD courses. 
• Track II interleaves an additional year into the MD curriculum that will focus on MBA; it requires students to complete the MBA courses during a concentrated leave between M2 and M3 OR M3 and M4.
• College of Medicine will not approve enrollment into Track II after the start of year 3.
• Specific details of Track I and Track II can be obtained from your MD academic advisor.