| Graduate Program Head | Brian Cameron |
|---|---|
| Program Code | MBADM |
| Campus(es) | World Campus (M.B.A.) |
| Degrees Conferred | Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) |
| The Graduate Faculty |
The Penn State Online Master of Business Administration, led by the Smeal College of Business, is an online degree program of:
- Penn State Erie, The Behrend College;
- Penn State Great Valley, The School of Graduate Professional Studies;
- Penn State Harrisburg, the Capital College;
- and Penn State University Park, the Smeal College of Business.
The online M.B.A. curriculum emphasizes cross-functional organizational thinking; focuses on solving business problems; closely follows the quality guidelines for accreditation of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the accrediting body affiliated with The International Association for Management Education; and uses cutting-edge instructional technology to transcend issues of time and space to support effective teaching and learning.
Within the context of these goals, the online M.B.A. curriculum was developed around core business skills. The skills the program helps to develop include "soft skills" such as managing and leading people and teams, analytical skills such as data analytic decision making, and integrative skills that allow students to understand, analyze, and suggest solutions to significant business problems that cross functional areas of business.
These different skills are integrated at the course level. Students apply knowledge developed in these areas to multidimensional problems and issues throughout the program. The program is offered online and includes a required one-week residency experience at the start of the program. The residency is offered virtually in fall and spring, and on-campus in summer.
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.
Exceptions to GCAC-305 will be considered by the program. Exceptions may or may not be granted by the Graduate School.
Admission is granted only to candidates who demonstrate high promise of success for graduate work. Applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE); the test may be waived for students with extensive experience or advanced degrees at the discretion of the program.
Admissions decisions are based on a review of a complete admission portfolio, including an application, a statement of intent, a current resume, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores.
No specific prior course of study is required to be admitted. Applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Students entering the program are required to have a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
Degree Requirements
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies.
The online M.B.A. degree requires a minimum of 48 credits. At least 6 credits must be earned at the 500 level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MBADM 810 | Team Performance | 3 |
| MBADM 811 | Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
| MBADM 812 | Economics for Business Strategy 1 | 3 |
| MBADM 813 | Data Analysis for Decision Making 1 | 3 |
| MBADM 814 | Leadership Communications and Change Management | 3 |
| MBADM 815 | Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership | 3 |
| MBADM 816 | Managing and Leading People in Organizations | 3 |
| MBADM 820 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MBADM 821 | Marketing in a Global Environment | 3 |
| MBADM 822 | Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets | 3 |
| MBADM 531 | Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MBADM 830 | Managing in the Digital Economy | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 elective credits | 9 | |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| MBADM 571 | Global Strategic Management 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
| 1 | For students with exceptional credentials, MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 may be waived. Students must petition the head of the graduate program to obtain a waiver for these courses, and students’ credentials will be reviewed to assess their eligibility for a waiver. Obtaining a waiver for MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 will not reduce the minimum 48 credits required for the degree. Alternate courses may be substituted for the courses waived. |
| 2 | The culminating experience for the Online MBA is MBADM 571. As the course title implies, MBADM 571 gives students a view of the whole firm and helps them understand how finance, marketing, and operations collectively support the strategy and mission of the firm. Students in this course will typically analyze their own firm to give them a comprehensive understanding of how the firm intends to achieve its goals. |
Attendance at a one-week Residency Experience at the start of the program is mandatory. Following the online MBA course schedule, which involves completing credits in six consecutive semesters, a student can complete the program in two years.
Other Relevant Information
The online MBA is an online graduate degree program delivered via World Campus. Students must be computer literate and have immediate, ready, and reliable access to a computer and the Internet. Although not all aspects of the course are delivered via electronic media, Internet access is required to successfully complete the course of instruction, as well as participate in online discussion groups. See World Campus Technical Requirements for the most current technical requirements.
Students are required to complete the one-week residency experience. No alternatives and substitutions are possible.
Students may spread out their studies over a longer period of time to accommodate their professional and personal commitments, but it is strongly recommended they complete the degree in five years or less.
Minor
A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies and GCAC-700 Professional Degree Policies, depending on the type of degree the student is pursuing:
Student Aid
World Campus students in graduate degree programs may be eligible for financial aid. Refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid section of the World Campus website for more information.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
Contact
| Campus | World Campus |
|---|---|
| Graduate Program Head | Brian Harold Cameron |
| Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or Professor-in-Charge (PIC) | Janet Duck |
| Program Contact | Stacey Lynn Dorang Peeler |
| Program Website | View |