Program Description
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in general management is an MBA that has an information technology focus with it. The MBA is offered at the University Center in Sioux Falls, SD and is intended to meet the growing demands of the Sioux Falls area and the need to employ more people with graduate degrees in business. The program is intended to meet that demand, particularly for entry-level and lower-middle management professionals who are pursuing the degree as a means of improving their business expertise and their employment prospects. The program will prepare students for careers in business and provide opportunities for career advancement.
Goals and Objectives
The MBA program will prepare students from a variety of backgrounds for advancement or a career change.
The MBA will prepare individuals who will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management.
- Apply their knowledge of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management to business and professional situations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of management information systems and project management as they relate to organizational functions.
- Use analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills to anticipate, identify, analyze and solve business problems.
- Demonstrate an ability to employ ethical principles and legal reasoning when making business decisions.
Program Delivery
Courses in the MBA program are offered face to face at the University Center in Sioux Falls, SD only. To maximize the relationships between faculty-student-business partners, the courses will be taught face-to-face using lecture/discussion/small group instructional methods and case study methods. Instruction will be supplemented with D2L courseware, Camtasia and Elluminate. Courses in the MBA program are offered face-to-face on site at the University Center in Sioux Falls, SD in a traditional classroom setting.
Program Completion
Students must complete the program within 5 years of the semester of their admission.
Students with an undergraduate business degree: It is expected that, on average, students will enroll part-time and will complete 9 credits per academic year (one 3-credit course in the fall, spring and summer each year) and therefore will need four years to graduate (9 credits x 4 years = 36 credits).
Students without an undergraduate business degree: Students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete additional foundation courses. It is expected that, on average, students will enroll part-time and will complete the foundation classes the first academic year and the program-specific courses in the next three years, to graduate in four years (12 credits x 4 years = 48 credits).
Admission Requirements Specific to the MBA
The Dakota State University Masters of Business Administration program will enter students from a variety of backgrounds who are pursuing the degree as a means of improving their business expertise and their employment prospects. Admission to the program is based upon a combination of the following requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education with full regional accreditation for that degree.
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.70 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on an alternative grading system).
- Evidence of one of the following:
- B.S. in Business Administration with a cumulative GPA > 3.0;
- Two years of professional employment plus transcripts from undergraduate or graduate degree with GPA > 3.0;
- Undergraduate degree and GMAT/GRE score
- 200 * undergraduate GPA + GMAT score > 950, with a minimum GMAT score of 450;
- 200 * undergraduate GPA + GRE score > 1350, with a minimum GRE score of 360 verbal and 480 quantitative;
- Students may be provisionally admitted under DSU policy;
- Other factors (such as student maturity, references, or special expertise) also may be used to determine admission to the program.
MBA Knowledge Requirements
Students entering into the program will likely come from a variety of backgrounds. Those students who do not meet certain requirements in the business administration area may be required to take additional knowledge support courses. These courses may also be recommended for students wishing to refresh their knowledge or reinforce what they have gained through experience. The DSU knowledge courses are included in the individuals program of study if they are required of the student.
The knowledge requirements can be met in a variety ways; including; an undergraduate degree in business administration with a cumulative GPA > 3.0; two years of professional employment plus transcripts from undergraduate or graduate degree with a GPA > 3.0; and a combination of an undergraduate degree and GMAT/GRE scores.
Students who have not had appropriate coursework or acceptable experience to meet the knowledge requirements will be admitted to the program if they meet the other minimum requirements. However, these students will be required to meet the knowledge requirements by satisfactory completing the specified knowledge support courses as part of their program of study. These courses may include any of the following:
Program Faculty:
Yen-Ling Chang, Richard Christoph, Deb Tech, Omar El-Gayar, William Figg, Derek Franken, Lynette Molstad, Peg O’Brien, David Peak, Rick Puetz, Zixing Shen, Daniel Talley, Jack Walters, Cecelia Wittmayer
Program Requirements
Coursework
The program requires 36 hours beyond the baccalaureate. All students must take the following:
- Nine core courses (27 credit hours)
- Two elective courses (6 credit hours);
- A three credit capstone course (3 credit hours)
Students who do not meet the business administration knowledge requirements as specified for admission may have to take additional hours of foundational coursework which will be added to their program of study.
Courses supporting the MBA program:
Knowledge Support Courses:
These courses may be required of students who do not meet the knowledge requirements in business administration. They are also recommended for students wishing to refresh their knowledge or reinforce what they have gained through experience.
Final Assessment Exam
All candidates for graduation must participate in an assessment activity. The MBA students will take their final assessment exam during their final semester. ETS offers a major field test for MBA programs and graduating students will take this assessment test in BADM 782 (the capstone course). This assessment tool will be an integral part of the program improvement process.
The results of the exam are used as one means of evaluating the MBA curriculum by providing information to the faculty who teach the courses.
Course Grades
Course Grades are used as an indirect measure of student attainment of specific program goals and objectives. DSU Policy requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program, receive no grades below a C, and have no more than 2 grades of a C. If you do not maintain the required “B” average you will be placed on academic probation and given the opportunity to raise your GPA to 3.0 within the next nine credit hours. If you do not raise your GPA to 3.0 you will be suspended from the program. If you receive more than 6 credits of “C” or any grade lower than a “C” you will be suspended from the program. You may appeal the suspension. If students have questions regarding grading, they should review the Satisfactory Progression Policy (DSU Policy 05-34-00) or speak with their advisor.
