Master of Business Administration, MBA

Description of Program

The mission of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is to prepare students for leadership positions in business and to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage organizations in an ever-changing business environment. The MBA program imparts the conceptual understanding and application of problem-solving tools contained in basic business disciplines, including accounting, economics, data analysis, finance, management, and marketing. In addition, students are equipped with the skills needed for effective team-building (not explicitly addressed in the 1:1 modality), quantitative and qualitative decision-making, and creative problem-solving.

Disclaimer * Students in the Master of Business Administration program can choose between two online delivery modalities, the 1 to 1 instruction model or the class-based instruction model.  Once students begin their program, they will remain in the same instructional modality for the duration of the program and will follow the institutional policies aligned with that modality.

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Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate financial statements and quantitative information for decision making using appropriate information systems and tools.
• Assess the global supply chain and develop strategies that reach across different countries and cultures.
• Diagnose the systems, processes, and human capital of an organization. 
• Understand decision making processes and use those processes to make effective decisions.
• Demonstrate effective communication strategies through the use of media and presentations that includes slide decks, personal presentation, and the creation of audio/visual files.
• Interpret legal compliance, ethical concerns of stakeholders, and social responsibility in terms of their impact on the conduct of business.
• Assess the economic environment within an industry and decide appropriate financial decisions for the firm.

Basis for Admissions

Admission to the Master of Business Administration program requires a conferred bachelor’s and/or a conferred master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. In addition to these general requirements, MBA applicants have two options for entering the program:

1. Direct Entry - Individuals with a previously completed bachelor’s degree in business from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution may immediately begin the MBA program.

Note: Students who complete the University’s BBA bridge path in Business Management may be eligible to apply four graduate-level courses from the BBA program to the MBA program. Graduate-level courses completed in the BBA bridge path must be completed with a grade point average of 3.0 (grade of “B”) or better.

2. Evaluation Track - Individuals who do not meet direct entry requirements will begin their degree plan with MBA-5102 - Changing Times - Business in the 21st Century , followed by SKS-5001 - Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies , and upon successful completion of SKS-5001  take the remaining courses in their degree plan.

Students who feel that they have the business background and knowledge are allowed to take a test-out exam that covers the major business areas. The student must score 70 or above on the exam and can be taken no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of SKS-5001  course. This can be discussed with your enrollment or academic and finance counselor.

Students who enter through the evaluation track and do not immediately test out of SKS-5001  prior to having the course placed in their degree plan are not permitted to participate in the Accelerated MBA program.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Business Administration, MBA, requires 30 - 33 semester units for degree completion. The MBA program includes 21 – 24 semester units of foundational courses, which includes the capstone course.  Students end the program with 9 semester units of a specialization aligned with a student’s career goals and interests. 

Students in the MBA program are required to demonstrate competency in the areas listed below:

• Research - MBA students are required to show competency in writing skills for research purposes through their coursework.
• Computer Competency - MBA students are required to use appropriate computer skills that are necessary in writing research papers. Students must be able to prepare documents using APA formatting and advanced word processing skills, such as the creation of title pages, abstracts, tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, and hanging indents.

Students assume full responsibility for understanding both the foundational, specialization, and capstone requirements of the program. Switching programs after completing coursework may result in reevaluation, monetary loss, loss of credit hours and/or the need to take additional credit hours. Students’ Academic and Finance Counselors can assist with any questions related to program requirements.

MBA students without an undergraduate degree in business will be allowed to test-out of SKS 5001. Students who score 70 or above will not have to take the SKS course; however, students who score below 70 will be required to take the SKS course and purchase the required materials. Students claiming they have a good grasp of business can demonstrate this by taking the Exam. All students are eligible for this process.

The University may accept a maximum of 3 semester units in transfer toward the Master of Business Administration for graduate course work completed at an external accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.

Time to Completion

The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.

The median time to completion for this program is 20 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance counselors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 18 months.

Accelerated MBA Scheduling Track

Within the MBA program, the School of Business and Economics offers an Accelerated MBA scheduling track. The Accelerated MBA is not an alternative program, but is a scheduling option designed for students capable of completing an intense, fast-paced, and highly challenging graduate course structure. Students considering the Accelerated MBA track are strongly encouraged to first think about their availability for study-time, work schedule or any other outside activities that may interfere with course participation, and their ability to learn in a rapidly moving academic environment. Students who enter and successfully complete the Accelerated MBA track will graduate in 12 months with a Master of Business Administration degree.

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Course Sequence

The Master of Business program can be completed with a minimum of 30 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the entry track requirements. If needed, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.

All Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs require the foundation courses to be completed prior to enrolling in specialization courses. The program capstone will be completed as the last course in the degree program. 

In some cases, specialization courses listed on the initial degree plan can be changed at the student’s request. Please contact your Academic Finance Advisor for more information.

The Admissions and Evaluation team will schedule any additional courses needed to satisfy entry track requirements.

• SKS-5001  for students without a business degree

• SKS-5001 - Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies * Entry Track Students
• MBA-5102 - Changing Times - Business in the 21st Century
• MBA-5110 - Managing People and Teams
• FIN-6890 - Financial Management
• MBA-5150 - Innovation and Marketing
• MGT-6030 - Business Operations Management
• MGT-6080 - Info & Supply Chain Systems
• Specialization Course 1
• Specialization Course 2
• Specialization Course 3
• MBA-6010 - Strategic Planning

Behavioral Economics Specialization

This specialization prepares students to understand individual and group deviations from economic theory as they relate to social, cultural, emotional, cognitive, and psychological factors. Focus on leadership and decision making. Decision making is explored in the context of managerial economic theory. Further, psychological aspects of economics are evaluated. Included is a consideration of global aspects of behavioral economics. Graduates are prepared to serve in a variety of fields involving leadership, economic decision making and complex analysis of human behavior.

Entrepreneurship Specialization

According to the Kaufmann Foundation, 2015 had the greatest number of start-ups in the last 20 years. The Entrepreneurship MBA at NU takes you beyond the classroom as you build and test your entrepreneurial ideas in real-world scenarios. In our Online MBA Entrepreneurship specialization you will explore various business disciplines, including marketing, finance, operations and strategy, as you develop skills in building businesses, investing in businesses, raising capital and evaluating business opportunities. Entrepreneurship courses emphasize analysis, decision-making and business planning of a real new venture product or service. As a graduate, you can expect to have a solid business plan that is ready to be presented to investors, banks or private entities.

Financial Management Specialization

The Financial Management specialization works best for those seeking leadership and analysis positions in the growing, global field of financial management. With coursework applicable to domestic and international businesses, nonprofits, and governmental organizations, your studies will focus on growth and diversification policies, portfolio management, investment banking, merger strategies, exchange rate movement and risk, and case or research projects that analyze contemporary financial issues.

Financial Technology Specialization

This specialization is intended to equip graduate students with core skills needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of financial technology. These innovative and comprehensive courses incorporate elements of finance and technology with the core MBA business curriculum. Students will gain deeper understanding of financial systems, cutting-edge technologies, and develop the strategic acumen required to shape the future of business.

General Business Specialization

The General Business specialization allows students to select courses from a broad range of electives to fit their personal and professional goals. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours and may take business courses to fulfill their specialization requirements. 

Global Business Management Specialization

Modern business activities have an increasingly global reach. From supply chains to expanding consumer and B2B markets, successful companies and professionals must thoroughly understand international business environments to grow and thrive. With the International Business specialization, you’ll explore cultural, economic, and legal issues, as well as international exporting, licensing, franchising, foreign direct investment, outsourcing, risk analysis, and human capital development. You’ll also be able to travel to a foreign location for a full-immersion international experience.

Human Resource Management Specialization

This graduate-level specialization focuses on the interrelationships between human resource capital, leadership, and the business organization. Students will explore all aspects of human resource management, and address the increasing human resource issues in the global economy. 

Leadership Studies Specialization

The leadership studies specialization prepares professionals to become problem-solving, change-oriented leaders in diverse, dynamic organizations. The instruction, coursework, and experiential exercises are for those desiring to understand and apply the technical and reflective processes that accompany leadership opportunities in the modern workplace — whether business or nonprofit, domestic or international.

Project Management Specialization

In NU’s online MBA Project Management specialization, you will explore principles, concepts, tools and techniques to improve project performance and organizational effectiveness. Under the guidance of mentoring professors, our MBA in Project Management specialization will have you examine all aspects of company projects, including cost estimates, budget management, cost control, risk assessment, bid negotiation and contracts, and performance reporting critical to the success of any organization.

Strategic Marketing Specialization

The Strategic Marketing Specialization at the graduate level transcends traditional marketing by focusing upon emerging trends in the 21st century in marketing management and marketing research. Students will focus on thought leadership-driven strategic marketing, encompassing contemporary and emergent marketing management methods, global product management, precision pricing, advanced promotional methods, and proven distribution techniques. At the conclusion, students will be well prepared for the marketing workforce of tomorrow. 

Supply Chain Management Specialization

While globalization and outsourcing impact nearly every market and industry, supply chain management skills have become essential for competitive businesses, professionals, and managers. The Supply Chain Management specialization examines the integration of logistical planning, inventory deployment, and transportation networks to achieve the most efficient physical connections between firms. Global corporations, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and government agencies demand the increased performance, timeliness, and cost savings that result from supply chain expertise.