Program Description

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in general management provides strong management skills training with information technology support and enhancement.  It is offered online - both synchronously (student and instructor meet online as a group) and asynchronously (transitional online assignments).  The program is intended to meet the needs of career-employed professionals who are seeking promotion or expanding their employment opportunities.

Program Accreditation

Dakota State University and its programs (including the MBA) are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The MBA program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Goals and Objectives

The MBA program will prepare students from a variety of backgrounds for advancement or a career change.  Students who complete the program will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management.
2. Apply their knowledge of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management to business and professional situations.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of management information systems and project management as they relate to organizational functions.
4. Use analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills to anticipate, identify, analyze and solve business problems.
5. Demonstrate an ability to employ ethical principles and legal reasoning when making business decisions.

Program Completion

The program requires 36 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate.  All students must take the following:

• Nine core courses (27 credit hours);
• Two elective courses (6 credit hours); and
• A three-credit capstone course (3 credit hours)

Students must complete the program within five years of the semester of admission.

Students may enroll in six credits (two courses) per term (fall, spring, summer) and complete the program in two years (or two years plus one semester).  Students may also choose to enroll in one course per semester and therefore complete the program in four years.  And students may vary between one and two courses per semester, as needed to fit their work and personal schedules.  The program requires that at least one course be taken in each of the three semesters each year.

Students with an undergraduate business degree should be to participate in the program as described above.  Students without an undergraduate business degree may need to complete foundation courses to be ready for graduate study in business.  This will be determined by the applicant’s education and experience.

Admission Requirements Specific to the MBA

The DSU MBA accepts students from a variety of backgrounds.  Admission to the program is based upon a combination of the following requirements:

1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.
2. Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.70 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on an alternative grading system).
3. Evidence of one of the following:
   • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
   • Two years of professional employment plus transcripts from undergraduate or graduate degree with GPA of 3.0 or higher;
   • Undergraduate degree and GMAT/GRE score
     • 200 * undergraduate GPA + GMAT score is greater than 950, with a minimum GMAT score of 450;
     • 200 * undergraduate GPA + GRE score is greater than 786, with a minimum GRE score of 143 verbal and 143 quantitative.

Program Faculty:

Yen-Ling Chang, Derek Franken, Scott Morstad, Cheri Noteboom, Ronghua Shan, Daniel Talley, Deb Tech, Jack Walters

Assessment/Evaluation Activities

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 the semester in which they are graduating. 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 Program Guidelines require 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” Program Guidelines or speak with their advisor.