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MBA at the M&BA

Offerings

We offer the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree, a specialized Five Year Bachelor’s Degree MBA Program, and a number of Graduate Certificates (Human Resource Management, Investments, Marketing, Public Administration). In addition, we provide customized packages of graduate courses in business administration (and related topics) for working professionals who wish to upgrade skills or retrain. The MBA can be designed as either a general degree or with a concentration. Concentration areas include Environmental Sciences, Human Resources Management, Information Systems, Investments, Marketing, Pastoral Ministry, and Public Administration.

Our programs may be pursued on either a full or part-time basis. Due to course prerequisites and frequency of course offerings, concentrations and graduate certificates are designed primarily for part-time students. These programs may only be available to full-time students who meet certain prerequisites. Full-time students interested in concentrations and graduate certificates should contact the program director for more details.

The Manufacturer & Business Association Cohort

The offering at the Manufacturer and Business Association will be an MBA degree offered over a four (4) year period by offering four (4) courses per year on Saturday mornings (tentatively scheduled from 9:00a.m. to 1:20p.m. for 9 sessions each). The purpose of this model is to allow students to take all of their courses with the same core group to allow for camaraderie and interaction within the classroom Students will take one course at a time, taking two courses in the spring, one course in the summer, and one course in the fall. 

The elective courses will be chosen by a majority vote of all students in the cohort. If a student wishes to take electives other than those offered at the Conference Center, they may do so at standard student rates on campus when offered. Students must take courses at the Conference Center on Saturdays when offered to receive the reduced tuition. Should a student need to take a course out of sequence, that student may do so on campus when offered at standard tuition rates.

Introduction

Gannon is a student-oriented, teaching university.  This philosophy guides our approach to curriculum design, teaching and advising.  We recognize and understand the dramatic changes in the world of work.  Our mission is to provide students with the vision, values, and skills required to lead successful professional and rewarding personal lives within this exciting new world.  Our approach is to pay careful attention to each student, challenge them to grow, and help them to reach their own objectives.  Courses are rigorous and challenging by design, but the faculty is prepared to work with each student to build the skills needed in the business world.

Our experience as the region’s oldest and largest graduate school of management has taught us some important lessons.  Simply having a master’s degree, regardless of the type of degree or apparent status of the degree-granting institution, is no assurance of success or happiness.  To succeed in business, individuals need real skills, an understanding of the world of business and an appreciation for life.  Our network of over 1,200 MBA alumni is a proud testament to Gannon’s ability to make success happen for its graduate students.  Gannon’s MBA alumni include 52 Presidents/CEOs, 72 Vice Presidents, 32 CFOs or Treasurers, 10 Managing Partners, and 17 Consultants.  In addition, 29 have earned advanced degrees, including doctorates from some of the most prestigious academic institutions in North America (Indiana University and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, to name a couple).  More than 40 Gannon MBAs are currently teaching in colleges and universities.

One of the common dreams of graduate business students has traditionally been to own a business.  Our alumni currently include over 50 individuals who are owners/operators of their own businesses.  Gannon has continued to provide both instruction and motivation for these prospective entrepreneurs and our faculty is proud of its supportive efforts in helping these alumni businesses to succeed.  The affiliation of the MBA program with Gannon’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) continues to facilitate this thrust.

Mission

The mission of the Masters in Business Administration Program is to provide an ethically based graduate level education with an emphasis on practical knowledge and application in the functional areas of management grounded in sound business theory presented by faculty actively engaged in scholarship in the pure and applied fields consistent with the mission and goals of the University as well as those of the Dalhkemper School of Business Administration.

 

Accreditation

The Business Administration program is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), an international accreditation body for business schools.

Admission Requirements

For all students:

·  A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline

·  GMAT score (this requirement is waived for students with a 3.2 GPA or higher in a business field)

·  A completed application

·  Official transcripts from all prior institutions attended

·  Three letters of recommendation

·  TOEFL scores if English is not a first language

Degree status is awarded to students whose undergraduate grade point average was 3.2 or higher in a business related field or who score at least 1050 using the formula below:
200 x (Undergraduate GPA) + GMAT Score

Provisional Status may be awarded at the discretion of the program director to students who show academic promise but do not achieve 1050 on the formula above.  These students may petition for Degree status after completion of 9 credits with at least a 3.0 GPA.

Curriculum

The MBA is a professional degree program.  Students begin studies with a wide variety of academic and work backgrounds.  MBA curriculum requirements range from 30 to 45 credits depending upon these experiences.  Courses are presented in four general categories:

·  From 0 to 15 credits of Foundation (500 level) classes.  This series is designed to bring all students up to the same preliminary level before commencing with the common body of course work.  Foundation courses are waivable (or challengeable) on the basis of academic and professional experience.

·  Twenty-four (24) credits of Core I (600 level) classes.  The 600 sequence represents the common body of topics and skills that MBA’s are generally expected to possess. Students may substitute up to one (1) course in the Core I series if that student has an undergraduate major in the field and has applied the material within the prior six (6) years. This substitution is in consultation with and at the discretion of the program director.

·  Three to six (3-6) credits of Elective (700 level) courses allow the student to customize a curriculum or build a concentration.

·  The three credit Business Policy Course (GMBA799) is designed to integrate the curriculum, teach teamwork, and challenge MBA students to make real world applications of their MBA skills.

1.Foundation Series (0-15 credits)
 GMBA 501 Financial Accounting (3)
 GMBA 525 Statistical Analysis (3)
 GMBA 531 Management Concepts (3)
 GMBA 561 Fundamentals of Financial Management (3)
 GMBA 571 Economic Environment of the Firm (3)

Waivers may be granted for the above courses on a course-by-course basis.  See “Waiver of Courses” for details.

2.Core I Series (12-15 credits)
 GMBA 601 Managerial Accounting (3)
 GMBA 631 Organizational Behavior (3)
 GMBA 651 Marketing Management (3)
 GMBA 661 Financial Management (3)
 GMBA 671 Managerial Economics (3)

3.Core II Series (9 credits)

GMBA 6XX Global Business (3)

GMBA 6XX Leadership and Ethics (3)

GMBA 6XX Business Information and Communication (3)

4.Electives 700 series (3-6 credits)
To be selected with permission of the MBA Director or advisor, from the regular MBA (or 600 or 700 level courses from the MPA program or, at the discretion of the MBA Director, from another department) offerings of the graduate school.

5.Capstone Course (3 credits)
 GMBA 799 Business Policy (3)

TOTAL CREDITS 30-45

Waiver of Courses

Students must complete the waiver process within one year of beginning coursework.
The “500” level courses may be waived in either of the following two ways:

·  Waiver by Transcript
Students should make an appointment with the MBA office to determine which (if any) 500 level courses can be waived.  A waiver request is based upon previously completed undergraduate or graduate courses which are equivalent to the 500 level course in question.  The student must demonstrate the equivalency of the prior courses by completing a Course Waiver Form.  The form is completed and returned to the MBA office.  To waive a 500 level class the student must have taken the following courses within 7 years and obtained at least a grade of B.

GMBA 501 Financial Accounting
    2 courses in Introductory Accounting
GMBA 525 Statistical Analysis
    2 courses in Statistics (at least one course beyond the intro level)
GMBA 531 Management Concepts
    Principles of Marketing and Principles of Management
GMBA 561 Fundamentals of Financial Management
    1 course in Financial Management
GMBA 571 Economic Environment of the Firm
    Introductory Microeconomics plus Intermediate Microeconomics or Managerial Economics

·  Waiver by Proficiency Examinations
Students who feel that they have a strong background in an area which is not reflected on their transcript may request challenge exams to demonstrate their proficiency.  See the MBA office for details.

 

Five Year Bachelor's Degree/MBA

This program is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate degree and the MBA within a five year period.  Students from any major may apply and should do so before they begin their junior year.  Working with both the undergraduate advisor and MBA Director, the student will customize a schedule in which 500 level course work (Foundation Series) will be completed during the undergraduate years.  These MBA classes will be used as substitutes for undergraduate requirements, electives, or cognates.  At the completion of the undergraduate work, the 15 credits of foundation work will be met and the student will need only 30 more graduate credits to earn an MBA.

Concentrations

Although it is not necessary to declare a concentration within the MBA curriculum, most students do so in an effort to become more attractive on the job market.  Students must take at least two courses (depending on the discipline) in a discipline to indicate they have achieved a concentration in that field.

Unless the cohort elects to take two electives within the same topic area, it is likely that the M&BA cohort will not have a concentration.

Internships and Cooperative Education

MBA students may, with permission of the Program Director, accept placements in fields which are related to their academic studies.  The University generally has a number of professional opportunities available for its graduate students, and for the younger, less experienced MBA’s these placements can be valuable resume and portfolio builders.  Placements range from short term assignments to full-time positions and are often administrated in cooperation with either the Co-op Office or the Small Business Development Center.  Interested students are advised to check with both for placement opportunities.  In some circumstances, these placements can be credit bearing, supervised by a graduate faculty member, and substituted for an elective course.

Second Master's Degree MBA/MPA

A student who has earned an MBA or MPA can obtain the second master's degree with a reduced number of courses. See Program Director for details.

Graduate Level Certificates

Competition in business is rapidly increasing.  As employers look for the talent needed to remain competitive, those who are credentialed will have the competitive edge in obtaining employment or advancing their careers.  For those who wish to demonstrate a broad masters level exposure to a given career field, a degree in that field is the appropriate credential.

However, often it is desirable to show a degree of specialization.  The certification program fills this need.  One who possesses such a credential is well-steeped in the refined practice of a particular field.

Students completing a graduate level certificate may apply all classes toward a Master of Business Administration at Gannon University.

Students in the M&BA cohort who wish to pursue a graduate level certificate may apply their MBA coursework at the M&BA toward the certificate and complete the coursework on campus, at standard tuition rates, to receive the certificate.

Admission Requirements

For all students:

·  A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline

·  GMAT score (this requirement is waived for students with a 3.2 GPA or higher in a business field)

·  A completed application

·  Official transcripts from all prior institutions attended

·  Three letters of recommendation

·  TOEFL scores if English is not a first language

 

Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management

The Graduate Certificate in Human Resources provides the student with a concentrated study in organizational theory, human resource management and labor management.
 GMBA 531 Management Concepts (3)
 GMBA 631 Organizational Behavior/Theory (3)
 GMBA 6XX Leadership and Ethics
 GMBA 736 Human Resource Management (3)
 GMBA 773 Employee Relations and Employment/Labor Law (3)
 Total: 15 credits

Graduate Certificate in Investments

The Graduate Certificate in Investments provides the students with a concentrated study in investment management. Students study the functioning of financial markets and pricing of financial assets. The pricing efficiency of financial markets is also studied.
 GMBA 501 Financial Accounting (3)
 GMBA 561 Fundamentals of Financial Management (3)
 GMBA 661 Financial Management (3)
 GMBA 764 Investments (3)
 GMBA 767 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (3)
 Total: 15 credits

Graduate Certificate in Marketing

The Graduate Certificate in Marketing offers the student the opportunity to earn a credential that demonstrates a specialization in this field. A total of 15 credits are required. Consult the MBA program director before enrolling in coursework.
 GMBA 531 Management Concepts (3)
 GMBA 525 Statistical Analysis (3)
 GMBA 651 Marketing Management (3)
 GMBA 753 Marketing Research (3)
 GMBA 752 Consumer Behavior (3)
 Total: 15 credits

For more information, please contact Graduate Admissions or Dr. Scott Miller, Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Business at (814)871-7397.

Tenative MANP Schedule

The schedule provides for 9 weekly meetings during a span of 11 weeks. All meetings will be held on Saturdays and are tentatively scheduled from 9:00a.m.-1:20p.m.

 

January 17, 2009 to March 28, 2009	GMBA 501 Financial Accounting
April 4, 2009 to June 6, 2009	GMBA 531 Management and Marketing Concepts
June 13, 2009 to August 15, 2009	GMBA 525 Statistical Analysis
September 19, 2009 to November 21, 2009	GMBA 561 Fundamentals of Financial Management
January 9, 2010 to March 20, 2010	GMBA 571 Economic Environment of the Firm
March 27, 2010 to May 29, 2010	GMBA 601 Managerial Accounting
June 12, 2010 to August 21, 2010	GMBA 631 Organizational Behavior
September 18, 2010 to November 20, 2010	GMBA 651 Marketing Management
January 15, 2011 to March 26, 2011	GMBA 661 Financial Management
April 2, 2011 to June 4, 2011	GMBA 671 Managerial Economics
June 18, 2011 to August 27, 2011	GMBA 6XX Global Business
September 17, 2011 to November 19, 2011	GMBA 6XX Leadership and Ethics
January 21, 2012 to March 31, 2012	GMBA 6XX Business Information and Communication
April 7, 2012 to June 9, 2012	GMBA 7XX Elective*
June 23, 2012 to August 25, 2012	GMBA 7XX Elective*
September 15, 2012 to November 17, 2012	GMBA 799 Business Policy and Strategy

 

* Students who substitute a Core I Course (GMBA601, 631, 651, 661, or 671) will be required to take both elective courses.  All other students will be required to take one elective but may take both if desired. Students will be polled during the Fall, 2011 semester to determine which elective courses they would like to take and the two courses with the highest votes will be offered as part of the cohort.