Business Administration, M.B.A.
The Master of Business Administration program is designed to serve the educational and practical interests of individuals who are seeking managerial positions or wish to progress to higher levels of responsibility within their existing organizations. The program is especially beneficial to those with work experience. It is therefore preferred, but not required, that all candidates, especially those without business degrees, have two years of relevant experience. The focus of the program is on core concepts that relate to both small entrepreneurial businesses as well as large corporate enterprises. Our focus on core business competencies produces the following program outcomes.
Students graduating with a graduate business degree will have demonstrated the following goals:
- A working knowledge of the functional areas of business
- Effective critical thinking skills when addressing complex business problems
- Effective research skills when applied to complex business problems
- An engaged attitude toward business activities and working knowledge of the strategic management process
Program of Study: Requirements
Students lacking an undergraduate degree in business from a regionally accredited institution must successfully complete the prerequisite undergraduate course work listed below prior to enrolling in certain M.B.A. courses. The prerequisite course work must be taken at a regionally accredited institution and a grade of “C” or better must be earned. Students admitted to the M.B.A. program can elect to take the undergraduate courses listed below at Piedmont University at the graduate credit hour rates.
Piedmont equivalent course:
Format:
- A minimum of 36 semester graduate credit hours (12 courses) are required.
- Rolling enrollment means students may start the program during any semester: Spring, Summer or Fall.
- A flexible curriculum ensures that students never have to worry whether the classes they need will be available when they need them.
- Hybrid format with 2 to 4 meetings per course with the remaining content, where appropriate, delivered online.
The M.B.A. program of study with highly structured course offerings makes effective use of resources and allows students to effectively integrate their studies into their professional and personal lives. If the student possesses an undergraduate specialty in logistics/supply chain management, this program will enhance that specialty and for those in other specialties, this program offers the specialty along with an option for certification in logistics.
Required Courses for M.B.A.
Options:
Summer Travel Study:
The Walker College of Business has been conducting Travel Abroad experiences for undergraduate students since 2002. In 2018, we initiated an experimental program for MBA students to travel abroad, and the response was very positive. As a result, we will continue to offer the travel abroad experience every other summer once pandemic restrictions are lifted and international travel is again possible. This program replaces 6 hours in the 36 hour curriculum and adds additional focus on the current undergraduate QEP initiatives. Substitutions into the standard M.B.A. curriculum will be at the discretion of the graduate advisor.
Logistics:
Beginning fall 2020, students may elect to focus on logistics and global supply chain management. Current events have highlighted previously unthought of risks associated with global sourcing. This requires that mangers rethink everything that previously was “just the way everybody does it”. A rigorous re-analysis of existing sourcing practices by well training logisticians who are fully versed in business analytics isn’t just the latest hot topic; it’s the only way to avoid significant competitive disadvantage over the next decade. Substitutions into the standard M.B.A. curriculum will be at the discretion of the graduate advisor
Logistics Certificate:
The M.B.A. student will be awarded a certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management upon the completion of BUSA5600, BUSA5610, BUSA5620, BUSA5700, and BUSA/
ACCT 6500, with at least a 3.0 GPA in the coursework. Individuals who already possess an M.B.A. who wish to earn the Logistics Certificate must complete BUSA5600, BUSA5610, BUSA5620, BUSA5700 with at least a 3.0 GPA in the coursework.