Marilyn Macik-Frey, Ph.D.
Dean of the Al Danos College of Business
Ray Peters, M.S., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
M.B.A. Director
Amber Brady-Billiot, M.B.A.
Assistant M.B.A. Director
| Office: | 104 White Hall |
| Phone: | 985-448-4241 / International: 011-985-448-4241 |
| Web: | www.nicholls.edu/mba |
Degree Program
Master of Business Administration
Accreditation
The Al Danos College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Mission
Our mission is to provide a quantitively focused and AACSB-accredited graduate education emphasizing advanced business analytics, decision-support techniques, and the integration of strategic disciplines. With guidance from industry experts, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to ethical leadership, we prepare students to excel as leaders who leverage data-driven insights to navigate complex business environments and create enduring value for our region and beyond.
Master of Business Administration
Purpose of the Program
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program within the Al Danos College of Business at Nicholls State University emphasizes excellence and continuous improvement in graduate learning. The purpose of the MBA program is to prepare students for leadership and professional management positions in both the private and public sectors. The broad, integrated curriculum focuses on knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by effective managers and ethical leaders in an ever-changing global environment.
Pathways through the Program
Evening MBA:
- The Face-to-Face Evening MBA pathway is designed for recent graduates and working professionals who progress through the pathway at a pace of their choosing from 12 months to 24 months. Evening MBA courses are held on the Nicholls campus and are offered Monday – Thursday from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online MBA:
- The Online MBA pathway is designed for recent graduates and working professionals, either in-state or out-of-state, whose schedule may not be conducive or who prefer not to attend face-to-face classes on campus. Courses in the pathway are generally taught by the current Nicholls MBA faculty and consist primarily of asynchronous learning.
Flex MBA:
- Achieve a balanced approach with our flex option starting every 8 weeks, combining online convenience and on-campus engagement.
Executive MBA:
- The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is a convenient 18-month pathway designed for practicing professionals and entrepreneurs who would like to earn their MBA with minimum work disruption. 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 class meetings.
Program Layout (Effective Fall 2025)
The evening and online MBA pathways are taught in two 8-week mini terms during the traditional (spring and fall) 16-week semesters; two courses are offered in Mini Term A and two courses are offered in Mini Term B. These dates are stipulated by the University academic calendar. Two courses may also be offered during the 8-week summer semester.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Business Administration’s integrated curriculum encompasses the following areas: accounting, economics, finance, information systems, management, marketing, statistics, and strategy.
To be admitted to the MBA program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Have a grade point average of at least 2.50 on all undergraduate work, or 2.75 on the last 60 hours and score as outlined below on the GMAT.
- If the grade point average on all work attempted* in pursuit of the undergraduate degree is a 2.5 or higher, the applicant must submit a minimum score of 450 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- If the grade point average on all work attempted* in pursuit of the undergraduate degree is below a 2.5, the applicant’s minimum score on the GMAT is determined using the following criteria:
- 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.
- The Al Danos College of Business will waive the GMAT/GRE admission requirement under the following cases:
- for undergraduate students majoring in any undergraduate degree program from a regionally accredited college or university who graduates with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, or 3.2 GPA over the last 60 hours, from the degree granting institution.
- for applicants majoring in any undergraduate degree program from a regionally accredited college or university who graduates with a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 2.99, or 3.0 or higher GPA over the last 60 hours, from the degree granting institution and has two+ years of relevant full-time professional experience. The request for the waiver shall be submitted to the MBA Director and clearly state the basis for the waiver. A current resume and letter of recommendation shall accompany the request.
- an applicant with significant and meaningful supervisory, technical and/or budget responsibilities and a strong academic background may request that the GMAT be waived as a requirement for admission to the MBA Program. The request for the waiver shall be submitted to the MBA Director and clearly state the basis for the waiver. A current resume shall accompany the request. A final decision will be made by the Graduate Program and Instruction Committee.
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.
Students must meet all other academic provisions of the MBA program, as stipulated in the University Catalog.
Additional Executive MBA (EMBA) Application Requirements:
- Undergraduate Transcript with Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from accredited college or university
- Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- GMAT score (unless a GMAT waiver is granted)
- Interview with Al Danos College of Business Graduate Program and Instruction Committee
EMBA Applications are evaluated on:
- The nature and length of one’s professional/entrepreneurial experience;
- 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.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in lieu of GMAT
An applicant to the MBA Program may take the GRE in lieu of the GMAT as a requirement for admission.
- If the grade point average on all work attempted* in pursuit of the undergraduate degree is a 2.5 or higher, the applicant must submit a minimum combined score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE.
- If the grade point average on all work attempted* in pursuit of the undergraduate degree is below a 2.5, the applicant’s minimum score on the GRE is determined by using the ETS-published “GRE Comparison Table for Business Schools” to convert the GRE score to its equivalent GMAT score. The equivalent GMAT score is used to assess if the applicant meets the aforementioned formula scores for possible admission.
* Courses that were repeated are counted every time they are taken.
Foundation Requirements
By incorporating the foundation material into the MBA curriculum courses as listed below, foundation requirements are not required to be met before taking MBA courses.
Degree Requirements
The program leading to the Master of Business Administration with a concentration requires the completion of 30 semester hours of courses.
Students’ time to complete the program will vary, depending upon the number of courses taken each semester. The student must earn at least an overall average of B (3.0), in the MBA Graduate Curriculum as described below, with no more than six semester hours with the grade of C. All requirements for the MBA degree must be completed within six years. Credit earned toward the MBA may not be applied to the EMBA described below.
Graduate Curriculum – Core and Major (24 hours)
ACCT 500 – Managerial Decision Support
BSAD 501 – Quantitative Business Analysis & Decision Support
ECON 500 – The Economic Environment of Business
FINC 515 – Performance and Planning (taken after ACCT 500, BSAD 501, and ECON 500)
CIS 501 – Managing Information Technology & Business Processes
MKTG 501 – Market Analysis, Planning & Control
MNGT 502 – Managing Human Capital
BSAD 525 – Managing Strategic Resources for Competitive Advantage (taken after ECON 500, MKTG 501, MNGT 502 and FINC 515)
Graduate Curriculum – Concentration(s) (6 hours)
Executive Leadership (MBAE)
BSAD 507 – Leadership, Ethics & Accountability (taken after MNGT 502)
FINC 520 – Value-Based Management (taken after FINC 515)
Human Resource Management (MBAH)
MNGT 550 – Labor and Employment Law (taken after MNGT 502)
MNGT 551 – Human Resources Strategy (taken after MNGT 550)
Supply Chain Management (MBAS)
MNGT 552 – Supply Chain Management Fundamentals
MNGT 553 – Advanced Supply Chain Management (taken after MNGT 552)
Data Analytics (MBAA)
BSAD 550 – Business Analysis and Data Visualization (taken after BSAD 501)
BSAD 551 – Big Data Analysis and Machine Learning (taken after BSAD 550)