Business Administration - MBA

Program Overview:

M.B.A. Program Objectives

Our M.B.A. program provides students with the skills and knowledge to become effective managers in today’s rapidly changing and competitive business environment. Professionally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the program provides a solid foundation in the core business disciplines. Core courses emphasize the development of managerial skills, preparing students to lead, motivate, communicate, and interact effectively with customers, employees, and the community. Through electives, you have an opportunity to develop a more in-depth understanding of accounting, marketing, finance, human resources, or technology.

The College of Saint Rose M.B.A. graduate is expected to:

• Lead, motivate, and effectively communicate and interact with employees, customers and the community;
• Apply ethical considerations to decisions affecting the organization and the community;
• Analyze situations, recognize and define problems, gather and evaluate information and reach optimum conclusions and solutions;
• Be competent in planning, organizing, staffing, influencing, controlling and developing business and organizational strategy; and
• Be effective in oral, written and electronic communication.

Program Contacts:

Dr. K. Michael Mathews

Graduate Coordinator of MBA Program

Email: mathewsm@strose.edu

Program Webpage:

Business Administration M.B.A.

Program Requirements:

The M.B.A. Curriculum

1. The M.B.A. program consists of a minimum of 36 graduate credits.
2. If prerequisite coursework is required, the number of credits may increase to 42 credits. Students wishing to pursue one of the certificate options, in addition to the M.B.A., can expect to take an additional 6-15 credits (depending on the requirements of the specific certificate) in addition to the 36-42 credits required for the general M.B.A.
3. Any course may be waived depending on a student’s background. Up to nine credits may be waived for students who have completed the appropriate undergraduate courses with grades of “B” or better at an accredited institution within three years before admission. A waiver examination may be required. Applicants must submit the appropriate documentation and form for each course they wish to have waived. Decisions are made by the M.B.A. Program Coordinator in consultation with appropriate faculty after reviewing all of the student’s transcripts and credentials. If the waiver is approved, an elective course must be taken in its place.
4. The combination of transferred and waived courses cannot exceed a total of 12 credits. A minimum of 24 graduate credits must be taken in residence. (See Transfer Credit section of this catalog under Academic Policies and Procedures.)
5. All Saint Rose and transfer graduate courses taken for degree requirements must be completed within six years.
6. If required, MBA 511, MBA 508 and MBA 509 must be completed with a B or better. These prerequisite courses do not count toward the 36-credit degree requirement.
7. MBA 690 must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.

Academic Requirements:

Core Courses (27 Credits)

Graduate Electives/Internship (9 Credits)

The usual number of elective courses is three. However, the actual number of elective courses taken will depend on the number of waived and/or transferred credits. Elective courses allow the student the flexibility of developing a functional specialization or broadening of his/her management background. They may be taken at any time.

Students in the Part-Time Program take three elective courses (9 credits). Students in the One-Year and Full-Time options MAY take 3 credits of Graduate Internship (MBA 699) in lieu of one of the elective courses. The remaining elective requirements (6 credits) may be satisfied by taking any two (2) elective courses.

M.B.A. Program Options

The College of Saint Rose offers three scheduling options:

• Full-Time M.B.A.
• Part-Time M.B.A.
• One-Year M.B.A.

Students may take up to five M.B.A. courses per semester. However, many M.B.A. students at The College of Saint Rose are working adults who complete the program as part-time students. For those students who plan to attend on a part-time basis or require scheduling flexibility, we offer the Part-Time (self-paced) M.B.A. The Full-Time and Part-Time programs share the same admissions requirements and courses, with one exception. To maintain eligibility for the 3-credit internship, students must be continuously enrolled in a minimum of three courses per semester. The Graduate Internship is not available to part-time students without express written permission from the M.B.A. Program Coordinator and the Internship. Students may select from evening and weekend courses and may enroll in the daytime course sections of the One-Year M.B.A. on a space-available basis. For those students interested in completing the degree in twelve months of full-time study, we offer the One-Year M.B.A. This option is an intensive day and evening program with its own admission and program requirements.

Admissions requirements and prerequisites for each of the programs are listed in a later section of this catalog.

Part-Time M.B.A.

The Part-Time M.B.A. allows students to complete the degree at their own pace. A typical course load for a currently employed student is one to two courses a semester. However, students may enroll in additional courses if they do not have full-time work obligations.

Full-Time Option

It is possible for students to complete the program in less than two years while they are employed full-time. Though a student may take up to five courses in any semester, the student must maintain a minimum three-course load (9 credits per semester) in each semester enrolled to retain eligibility for the Graduate Internship.

The One-Year M.B.A.

The One-Year M.B.A. is designed to be completed in one academic year of full-time study and combines career development opportunities with intensive course work. Students typically complete an internship as part of this program option.

• The One-Year M.B.A. begins in late summer, and students complete the capstone course (MBA 690) and the internship early the following July. The degree date will be that August.
• Courses may be offered during the day or evening.
• Graduate Internship: The One-Year program includes the opportunity for a competitive 3-credit internship designed to integrate classroom learning with tangible business issues and situations and to provide students with significant professional experience.

Suggested One-Year M.B.A. Course Scheduling Pattern

Fall

Spring

Summer

Technology

The use of computers is an integral part of graduate business courses. Students will have classroom assignments that require proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software applications. The College of Saint Rose computer facilities include computer laboratories with open-time access available to all students. Scanning and laser printing are available. Since students use computer applications throughout the graduate business program for assignments, analysis, presentations, and as a managerial tool, computer ownership is strongly recommended.

Internship/Field Experience/Service:

Required Course

Graduate Internship

The One-Year program includes the opportunity for a competitive 3-credit internship designed to integrate classroom learning with tangible business issues and situations and to provide students with significant professional experience.

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Course

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs are fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

This program is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.acbsp.org/

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

General Admission Information

Eligibility for admission to The College of Saint Rose graduate programs is typically based upon the following minimum requirements:

1. Submission of a completed application and a Statement of Purpose of approximately 300 words detailing the applicant’s goals for graduate study.
2. Evidence of the possession of a U.S.  baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary education.
3. Academic and professional qualifications for graduate study, as indicated by two letters of recommendation. The Communication Sciences & Disorders program requires three letters of recommendation.
4. A grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major.
5. Other admission criteria specified by academic programs such as submission of resumes, writing samples, portfolios, test scores, and participation in interviews or admissions workshops.

Applicants to The College of Saint Rose are responsible for completing their applications by submitting all required components. Prospective students may wish to visit our website at www.strose.edu/gradapply for online application.

See Graduate Admissions section for more information.

Financial Aid

The College of Saint Rose has long been committed to the premise that a quality education should be within the reach of qualified students. To this end, the College serves its student body through a comprehensive program of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. While the basic responsibility for financing education lies with the students and their families, scholarships, loans, and/or assistantships can supplement insufficient family resources. The amount of aid available through the College is limited and is awarded on the basis of academic merit. All financial assistance from the College is subject to adjustment if the recipients are later granted aid from other sources. Financial aid awards are contingent upon students’ maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress.

See Financial Aid section for more information.

Additional MBA Admission Information:

The M.B.A. Application Process

Applicants are evaluated on their potential for success in graduate studies. This is primarily determined by prior academic achievement (GPA) at all colleges attended. If an applicant has graduated with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, submission of a GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) score is not required. In addition, the GMAT requirement is waived for applicants holding graduate degrees. However, if an applicant’s overall undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, a GMAT score must be submitted with the application.

Although evaluation of these objective criteria is an important aspect of the admission process, it is equally important for an applicant to prepare an application package carefully and thoughtfully as all relevant factors are considered in the admissions decision.

The admissions process also evaluates an applicant’s goals, writing skills, motivation, experiences and activities. Factors such as graduate study and professional credentials may be considered. Applications will only be reviewed when a complete application package and GMAT results (if required) are received. The GMAT is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The GMAT Bulletin explaining the test, dates and location can be obtained by visiting www.mba.com, or by calling ETS at 1-800-462-8669. Scores are valid for five years. The applicant is responsible for assembling and submitting the following elements of the application package to the Graduate and Continuing Education Admissions office at The College of Saint Rose:

• A completed application form with the required application fee;
• Official sealed transcripts from all schools attended;
• If required, original GMAT results should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions at The College of Saint Rose (code number: 2091);
• Two sealed academic and/or professional recommendations;
• Personal essay; and
• A current resume.

Under special conditions, candidates whose application packages are incomplete may be admitted as non-degree students at the discretion of the M.B.A. Program Coordinator. Students planning to seek degree status should not take more than two courses under the non-degree status, because only two courses taken as a non-degree student can be credited toward the M.B.A. degree.

International students should also refer to information on Admission of International Students in the Admission section of this catalog.

Admission to the M.B.A. Program

If an applicant has completed a degree at an accredited college or university in any undergraduate major, he/she is eligible to apply; however, the applicant must meet the prerequisites prior to beginning the M.B.A. program of study.

Part-Time and Full-Time Prerequisites

• Competency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software;
• Two undergraduate accounting courses: financial and managerial accounting (both courses must have been passed with a grade of “B” or better). MBA 511 may be substituted for these courses; and
• Mathematics: college algebra and statistics within the past five years (both courses must have been passed with a grade of “B” or better). MBA 508 and MBA 509, respectively, may be substituted for college algebra and statistics.

The college algebra requirement may also be met by passing the MBA 508 challenge exam, and the statistics requirement may also be met by passing the MBA 509 challenge exam. These exams are available from the School of Business office (call 518-454-5272 for a sample copy).

If an applicant meets all other admission requirements and opts to substitute MBA 511, MBA 508 and/or MBA 509 for the undergraduate accounting and math prerequisites, the applicant will be admitted on a conditional basis pending successful completion of these courses. Therefore, students should plan to take these courses immediately upon entering the program.

One-Year M.B.A. Prerequisites

Due to the intense nature of the program, the prerequisites for the One-Year M.B.A. program are more stringent than for the Part-Time or Full-Time programs. In addition to the prerequisites for the Part-Time and Full-Time programs, students must meet the following additional requirements for admission to the One-Year program:

• The One-Year program is designed for students with an undergraduate business (or business-related) degree from an accredited college or university. Therefore, program prerequisites (MBA 508/MBA 509 and MBA 511) must be waived.
• No grade lower than “C” in any undergraduate business course is allowed.
• Overall, the GPA in the major field must be at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Therefore, the GMAT requirement would be waived.
• Students admitted to the One-Year program must begin course work in the fall semester and enroll in a minimum of four courses per semester, with the exception of the final (summer) session.

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