GRADUATE PROGRAM IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Shawn Mauldin, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CFP
Dean of the College of Business Administration
Chuck Viosca, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
Office: 104 White Hall
Phone: 985-448-4241 / International: 011-985-449-7014
Web: http://www.nicholls.edu/mba/default.htm
Email: ba-mba@nicholls.edu
Accreditation
The College of Business Administration is accredited by the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Mission of the College of Business Administration
The mission of the College of Business Administration is to prepare students to participate in society and the work force as educated individuals able to compete in a dynamic global economy. To enrich the learning process, the College contributes to scholarship through research and instructional development. While providing support to the employer community through the development of marketable skills in potential employees, the College enhances competitive capabilities of regional businesses by providing continuing professional education and consulting services. The faculty advances the welfare of the students, the university, the community, and academic and professional organizations through interactions and outreach activities.
Purpose of the Program
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program within the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University emphasizes excellence and continuous improvement in graduate learning. The purpose of the MBA program is to prepare students for professional management positions in both the private and public sectors. The broad, integrated curriculum focuses on knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by effective managers and ethical leaders in an ever changing global environment.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Business Administration curriculum is a diverse one encompassing the following areas: accounting, business administration, economics, finance, management, and marketing.
To be admitted to the M.B.A. program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a minimum score of 400 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), AND
- Score at least 950 on the following formula: 200 times the grade point average on all work attempted in pursuit of the undergraduate degree plus the GMAT total score, OR
- Score at least 1,000 on the following formula: 200 times the grade point average on the last 60 hours of work attempted in pursuit of the undergraduate degree plus the GMAT total score.
An applicant who fails to satisfy these requirements may be classified as a pre-M.B.A. student until he, or she, has met the criteria. No graduate credit may be earned while classified as a pre-M.B.A. student.
A student who has not taken the GMAT, and who has a 3.0 average on all work in pursuit of the undergraduate degree, may petition the Director of Graduate Studies in Business who may give written permission to enroll in graduate courses. Permission may be granted on the condition that the student shall take the GMAT during the semester of admission and meet the admission criteria. If a student fails to meet requirements during that semester, the graduate courses taken shall not count toward the M.B.A. degree.
In addition to meeting the GMAT and grade point average requirements, applicants from non English speaking countries must submit a total score of 550 (computer-based 213), and a listening comprehension score of 55, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Foundation Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and the following foundation courses:
- MBAF 501 - Foundations of Business Statistics
- MBAF 502 - Foundations of Economics
- MBAF 503 - Foundations of Financial Accounting
- MBAF 504 - Foundations of Managerial Accounting
- MBAF 505 - Foundations of Management
- MBAF 506 - Foundations of Marketing
- MBAF 507 - Foundations of Finance
A grade of B or better must be earned in each of the above required MBAF foundation course. Prerequisites for individual graduate credit courses must be completed before enrolling in the graduate course.
Foundation requirements may also be met by completing the following undergraduate courses with a grade of C or better:
- ACCT 205 (3)- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- ACCT 206 (3)- Introduction to Managerial Accounting
- ECON 211 (3)- Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 212 (3)- Principles of Macroeconomics
- FINC 302 (3)- Financial Management
- MNGT 301 (3)- Management of Organizations and Behavioral Processes
- MKTG 300 (3)- Marketing
- QBA 282 (3)- Business Statistics I
NOTE: Students are responsible for a basic knowledge of computer information systems. Those who are deficient in this area are encouraged to take, or audit, CIS 213 Management Information Systems.
Degree Requirements
The program leading to the Master of Business Administration requires the completion of 24 semester hours of courses in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, management, and marketing. In addition, the student must complete nine hours of approved electives. The needs, interests, and objectives of the student will be considered whenever electives are approved. Students may select electives in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, information systems, management, or marketing.
Although a thesis is not required, a student may elect to write one and reduce elective courses from nine to three hours. For more information, contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Business. Also, see the course description for BSAD 596 Master’s Thesis Research in this Bulletin.
The time required by students to complete the program will vary, depending upon the amount of work in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and statistics completed as an undergraduate, and by the number of courses taken each semester.
The student must earn at least an overall average of B (3.0), with no more than six semester hours with the grade of C. All requirements for the M.B.A. degree must be completed within six years. Credit earned toward the MBA may not be applied to the EMBA described below.
Graduate Course Work:
- ACCT 500 (3)- Advanced Managerial Accounting
- BSAD 501 (3)- Business Statistics
- BSAD 525 (3)- Business Research
- CIS 501 (3)- Information systems for Managers
- ECON 500 (3) - Managerial Economics
- FINC 500 (3)- Seminar in Financial Management
- MNGT 502 (3)- Organization Theory and Practice
- MKTG 501 (3)- Marketing Theory and Practice
Approved Electives (nine hours to include at least three hours open only to graduate students).
Executive Master of Business Administration
The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is a convenient, 17-month program designed for practicing professionals and entrepreneurs who would like to earn their MBA with a minimum disruption of work. Students will progress through the curriculum together, and are encouraged to contribute to the learning process by sharing perspectives shaped by their unique professional experiences. Classes are held approximately every other Saturday, with additional work completed online between meetings. Preparatory (foundation) course material is integrated into the program through the use of gateway sessions.
The eleven course, 33-hour program is completed sequentially and begins each January. Applications should be submitted not later than December 1, and will be evaluated by EMBA Admissions Committee.
Applications are evaluated on:
- The nature and length of their professional/entrepreneurial experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from accredited college or university
- GMAT score
- Undergraduate grade point average
- Other professional training or education (advanced degrees, certifications, etc.)
Admission to the EMBA program is separate from admission to the MBA program. English language requirements of the MBA program also apply to the EMBA. Additional tuition/fees apply.