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WMU > Haworth COB > Graduate Programs > MBA

Master of Business Administration

How do I request information about the MBA program?

• Kalamazoo: Call 269-387-5075 or
• Grand Rapids: Call 616-771-9478 or
• International Students: Call 269.387-3951 or .

How long will it take to complete the MBA program?

That is up to you. Students with prior business education may accelerate through the program in one year. You have a maximum of six years to complete the program. Most working professionals are taking 3 to 4 years to complete the program.

What are the tuition costs?

Tuition costs depend on residency status and the number of credit hours taken. For details regarding current costs, please refer to WMU's Tuition and Fees web site.

What are the program or course requirements?

All students will complete a minimum of 12 courses (36 credit hours.)  Students with no prior business courses may need to complete up to 4 other courses (12 credit hours) as well.

Prerequisites: Business Core

The following courses are typically waived for students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or with related coursework.

ACTY 6010	Accountancy
FIN 6020	Corporate Finance
LAW 6040	Legal Regulatory and Political Aspects of Business
ECON 6010	Basic Economic Analysis

Required Courses: Business Context

BUS 6150	Global Business and Intercultural Communications
BUS 6160	Business Policy and the Social and Ethical Environment
BUS 6180	Information Technology Management

Required Courses: Functional Core

ACTY 6110	Managerial Accounting
FIN 6120	Financial Management
MKTG 6130	Customer Driven Marketing Management
MGMT 6170	Managing Human Resources and Behavior
MKTG 6140 or MGMT 6140	Business Process Management

 

Required Courses: Integrative Business Solutions

• BUS 6990        Business Strategy

Elective Courses: Nine Credit Hours

• Choose three elective courses. For more information regarding electives and concentrations, please see the Concentration and Electives.

In what sequence are the courses to be taken?

You have some flexibility in establishing the sequence of courses. Requirements are listed below. Review Programs and Courses for details.

• Competency Requirements must be achieved prior to enrolling in core MBA courses.
• Business Core (Prerequisite) courses must be completed before taking any other MBA courses.
• Business Context and Functional Core courses (eight in total) may be taken in any order, although:
• It is recommended that you take the Business Context courses first.
• All eight of the courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the capstone (BUS 6990) course.
• It is recommended but not required that you complete at least four of the eight Business Context and Functional Core courses before you start taking electives. See the Concentrations and Electives section for more details.

When are MBA courses offered?

Our MBA program is available in two locations: Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Both locations offer courses throughout the year and have local faculty, advisors and staff. You may take classes in either location, but most students complete the program in one location.

We run four semesters throughout the year. Fall and Spring semesters are thirteen weeks long, with classes meeting one night per week. Summer I and Summer II semesters are 6.5 weeks long, with classes meeting two nights per week. Most classes meet on weekdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Can I transfer graduate credits from another institution to your MBA program?

A maximum of six graduate credit hours may be transferred if

• the credits are from an AACSB-accredited program;
• you achieved a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) in the courses to be transferred; and,
• you maintained a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 at the institution.

Are there opportunities to study abroad during the MBA program?

During summer session, students can participate in a short-course business study abroad program. Please see Business Study Abroad Program for more information. Also, opportunities are available throughout the year to participate in full year or one semester study abroad programs at many sites across the globe. For addition information, visit the University’s Study Abroad web site.

Are there opportunities for internships?

The MBA program does not require an internship. However, students with no or limited prior work experience are encouraged to seek such opportunities.

U.S. residents interested in internships should contact the Haworth Internship Coordinator .

International students interested in internships need to contact the .

What are your admissions criteria?

Details of the admissions process are available on the MBA Admissions Process and Criteria web page. In general, admissions decisions are based on the following factors.

1. Completion of an undergraduate bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 2.50 for the last two years of study. Undergraduate degrees from all disciplines are accepted.
2. One of the following:
   1. GMAT Score (for GMAT information, please see www.mba.com ) OR
   2. A professional Graduate degree from an accredited U.S. program, OR
   3. A minimum of seven years of extensive management experience.
3. For International applicants, a TOEFL score must also be submitted.

Do I need to have previous work experience?

No. We do, however, request that you email a current biography or resume to .

Does WMU provide testing and preparation assistance for English as a second language applicants?

Yes. The MBA Graduate Preparation Institute for International Students offered by the Career English Language Center for International Students (CELCIS) provides such support. The institute is designed to prepare English as a second language learners to succeed in Western Michigan University's MBA program. This institute is also useful for those preparing to apply to MBA programs at other universities and executives wanting to learn about American business.

When do I apply?

U.S. Residents: The MBA program at WMU uses a rolling admissions process. Although your application can be processed as late as a couple of weeks prior to a semester start, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

International applicants should read the International MBA Student Information and contact International Students and Scholars to apply.

How do I apply?

Before applying, you should review the details for Admissions Process and Criteria.

• Submit the application form and processing fee.
  • U.S. residents, may use the online application.
• International applicants should use the international online application. Note that all International applicants should work closely with International Services and Student Affairs.
• Submit official transcripts. Request each institution, except WMU, send two official transcripts: one should be sent to Western Michigan University, Office of Admissions, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5211; the other to Office of Advising, Haworth College of Business, 2130 Schneider Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5411.
• Submit one of the following items:
  • Official GMAT scores, or
  • Evidence of prior Graduate Degree, or
  • Resume and letter requesting GMAT waiver based on seven years of extensive management experience.
• International applicants must submit TOEFL scores and other materials required by the Office of International Student Services. Please refer to International Services and Student Affairs for more information.

Is financial assistance available?

• All financial aid information is available from the Graduate College.
• Application forms for Graduate Assistantships are available by emailing the or calling 269-387-5075.
• Applications for Fellowships are available online from the Graduate College.

 

Concentrations and Electives

Must I pursue an MBA elective concentration (i.e., take all three electives from a single discipline such as marketing)?

No. The requirement is that you take three electives. If you take your three electives from more than one discipline (e.g., one elective in finance and two in management) you will achieve a general business MBA. If you take all three electives from the same discipline, your transcripts will indicate that you have a concentration in that discipline.

Should a student pursue an MBA elective concentration?

That depends on your situation. To discuss concentrations, call an advisor at 269-387-5086 in Kalamazoo or 616-771-9478 in Grand Rapids.

I am still uncertain if I should pursue a concentration or not. Must a student declare a concentration (or no concentration) before taking MBA classes?

No. If you are uncertain if you want to develop a concentration or if you know that you plan to take electives from multiple disciplines, then you will be considered a general business MBA until you notify us otherwise.

If I started taking MBA courses without plans to develop a concentration but now plan to pursue a concentration, what should I do?

Please contact an advisor: in Kalamazoo, call 269-387-5086; in Grand Rapids, call 616-771-9478. It is important that we know you are pursuing a concentration so that it can be indicated on your transcripts.

Must all of the Business Context Courses (BUS 6150, 6160 and 6180) and the Functional Core Courses (ACTY 6110, FIN 6120, MKTG 6130, MGMT/MKTG 6140 and MGMT 6170) be completed before taking electives?

No. As long as you have completed the prerequisite for an elective course as listed in the graduate catalog (e.g., FIN 6120 as a prerequisite for FIN 6250) you may register for the elective course. However, it is recommended that you complete at least four of the eight required Business Context and Functional Core courses listed above before you start taking electives.

 

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action institution.