Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Overview

The University of Saint Mary’s unrivaled MBA leads to hire opportunities and higher pay. In today’s business world, the MBA is rapidly becoming what the bachelor’s degree was a generation ago—a must-have for entry, advancement, and maximized earning potential.

In the University of Saint Mary accelerated Master of Business Administration program, you’ll learn business best from the best in the business. Our MBA faculty have decades of business expertise they will share with you in the classroom.

Choose from six accelerated MBA program concentrations:

• Health Care Management
• Finance
• Marketing and Advertising Management
• Human Resource Management
• General Management
• Enterprise Risk Management (online)

Our MBA class sizes are small with an average of 8 to 10 students. You’ll network with fellow classmates from such Kansas City-area business heavyweights as Hallmark, Sprint, AT&T, Garmin, Cerner, General Electric, Daimler Chrysler, Providence Medical Center, and The Kansas City Star.

Flexible Scheduling

USM’s accelerated MBA Program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments.
We offer:

• Flexible course design
• Evening classes that meet one night a week
• Accelerated 8-week sessions

The MBA program is also available online.

Terms begin six times a year in August, October, January, February, May, and June. You may start at any term.

And, you can complete your MBA in as little as one year.

Convenient Locations

The University of Saint Mary evening MBA program is available at the Overland Park Campus. You’ll park a few feet from the door in a well-lit, safe parking lot—and you’ll never pay a parking fee. You may also take MBA classes at our Kansas City, Kansas location at Providence Medical Center. You may also earn your MBA online!

How You’ll Benefit

Our accelerated MBA will make you a better manager, leader, decision-maker, and problem-solver. Our program will let you:

• Expand your business knowledge and improve your managerial skills.
• Learn from professors with a powerful blend of academic knowledge and real-world business experience.
• Acquire a more diverse set of business skills to function effectively in your present position.
• Explore the moral and ethical responsibilities of business and how these commitments impact strategic as well as day-to-day decision making.

We recommend that you submit you application materials at least three weeks prior to the start of the term.

Apply Now! Request More Information

The University of Saint Mary has received specialized accreditation for its business and business-related programs (including the Master of Business Administration) through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), Olathe, Kansas.

Learn more about this specialized accreditation

Curriculum

The USM MBA program will make you an effective leader and manager. And, in keeping with our Catholic heritage, USM emphasizes the moral and ethical responsibilities of business and explores how they impact strategic—as well as day-to-day—decision making.

Chose from six concentrations to find the MBA that fits you best: Health Care Management, Finance, Marketing & Advertising Management, General Management, Human Resources, and Enterprise Risk Management. Earn your MBA in as little as one year!

The USM MBA will teach you how to:

• Recognize critical, strategic, and organizational problems and make effective decisions to address them
• Evaluate and balance decisions based on competing demands within your business
• Understand the ethical and societal implications of business decisions and act accordingly
• Respond effectively to changing factors in the marketplace that affect the competitive position of your business
• Enhance your business’ strategic advantages

Flexible Scheduling

Classes are held Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. Most classes meet once a week per term.
Terms begin in January, March, May, August, and October, and you can start at any term.

The MBA curriculum is sequenced to allow program completion in 12-24 months. Courses are taught year round on a regular rotation. Summer term courses, elective courses, and other selected courses may use alternative delivery methods.

Coursework

Core Courses:

• 701 — Organizational Management
• 704 — Marketing Management
• 708 — Human Resource Management
• 709 — Managerial Economics
• 711 — Managerial Accounting
• 712 — Managerial Finance
• 713 — Operations Management
• 714 — Global Management
• 795 — Strategic Management and Ethics

The Finance Concentration requires you to choose three of the following courses:

• MGT 760 — Advanced Financial Topics
• MGT 765 — Current Financial Trends
• MGT 768 — Financial and Capital Issues
• MGT 769 — Financial Decisions
• MGT 784 — Money and Banking

The General Management Concentration requires any three of the following courses:

• MGT 731 — Management Information Systems
• MGT 738 — Advanced Marketing Concepts
• MGT 750 — Leadership
• MGT 751 — Project Management
• MGT 752 — Small Business Management
• Plus:         
  • Any Finance course
  • Any Human Resource Management course
  • Any Health Care Management course
  • Any Marketing and Advertising course
  • Any Enterprise Risk Management Course

The Health Care Management Concentration requires you to choose three of the following five online courses*:

• HCMGT 715 — Communications & Relationship Building
• HCMGT 716 — Leadership & Management
• HCMGT 717 — Business Skills for Health Care Managers
• HCMGT 718 — Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
• HCMGT 719 — Topics in Health Care Management

The Human Resources Concentration requires you to choose three of the following courses:

• MGT 724 — Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
• MGT 753 — Conflict Management and Negotiation
• MGT 757 — Training and Development
• MGT 762 — Work Styles and Generations in the Workplace
• MGT 774 — Organizational Change and Development

The Marketing & Advertising Management Concentration consists of the following three courses*:

• MGT 747 — The Advertising Industry in the 21st Century
• MGT 748 — Buyer Behavior and Marketing Research
• MGT 749 — Advanced Marketing Strategy and Planning

The Enterprise Risk Management Concentration consists of the following three courses*:

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• MGT 776 Enterprise Risk Management:  Culture Management, and Control 
  
• MGT 777 The Role of ERM in Strategic Planning
• MGT 778 Practical Application of Enterprise Risk Management—Student Project

*Note: These elective courses are only available online.

Course Descriptions

All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted. View pop-up of the course rotation.

• MGT 701 Organizational Management
• MGT 704 Marketing Management
• MGT 708 Human Resource Management
• MGT 709 Managerial Economics
• MGT 711 Managerial Accounting
• MGT 712 Managerial Finance
• MGT 713 Operations Management
• MGT 714 Global Management
• MGT 724 Legal and Ethical Environments In Business
• MGT 731 Management Information Systems
• MGT 738 Advanced Marketing Concepts
• MGT 747 The Advertising Industry in the 21st Century
• MGT 748 Buyer Behavior and Marketing Research
• MGT 749 Advanced Marketing Strategy and Planning
• MGT 750 Leadership
• MGT 751 Project Management
• MGT 752 Small Business Management
• MGT 753 Conflict Management and Negotiation
• MGT 757 Training and Development
• MGT 760 Advanced Financial Topics
• MGT 762 Work Styles and Generations in the Workplace
• MGT 765 Current Financial Trends
• MGT 768 Financial and Capital Issues
• MGT 769 Financial Decisions
• MGT 774 Organizational Change and Development
• MGT 776 Enterprise Risk Management: Culture, Management, and Control
• MGT 777 The Role of ERM in Strategic Planning
• MGT 778 Practical Application of Enterprise Risk Management - Student Project
• MGT 784 Money and Banking
• MGT 795 Strategic Management and Ethics
• MGT 798 Special Topics
• HCMGT 715 Communication & Relationship Building
• HCMGT 716 Leadership & Management
• HCMGT 717 Business Skills for the Health Care Manager
• HCMGT 718 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
• HCMGT 719 Topics in Health Care Management

MGT 701 Organizational Management

Explores the role of the manager in organizational settings. In-depth focus and examination of social systems and their influence on the motivation of individuals, the effect on work outcomes, emergent leadership, and control of behavior in the work place. Also explores important concepts that help students understand and respond to the influences and forces affecting the behavior of individuals in the work place. Among the individual topics examined are (1) motivation, (2) self-concept, (3) interpersonal dynamics (4) conflict and resolution, (5) group dynamics, (6) leadership, and (7) change, as they arise and affect the behavior of people in the workplace. The course extensively utilizes case studies of people and groups in actual work situations to help students develop diagnostic and effective tools for exercising leadership and management.

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MGT 704 Marketing Management

Discusses management of the marketing function, including the application of marketing concepts for identifying, developing, and meeting customer needs. Development of marketing relationships to other corporate functions, such as production, finance, and human resource functions, is stressed.

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MGT 708 Human Resource Management

Focuses on key issues involving Human Resources that every manager is likely to face—staffing, compensation, performance management, and employee voice—and it takes the perspective of the general manager as opposed to the HR Manager. Special emphasis is placed on how human resource decisions are influenced by forces internal and external to the firm, including business strategy, global competition, technological change, unionization, workforce characteristics, and government regulation.

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MGT 709 Managerial Economics

Examines the microeconomic principles which describe how consumers and businesses make consumption and production decisions and how the interaction of supply and demand in goods, labor, and capital markets determine prices. Business strategies under different market structures are identified and the role of government in correcting market failure is discussed. The macroeconomics environment in which businesses operates is examined, as are the fiscal, monetary, and international trade policies of government. Cases will be discussed to show how economic principles can be applied to actual business situations. Prerequisite: Completion of on-line primer if required.

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MGT 711 Managerial Accounting

The course is directed toward the users of accounting information and provides them with an understanding of the relevance of accounting information in marketing, production, systems design, engineering, management, and other non-accounting activities. Managerial applications—actual practices that illustrate conceptual ideas—are stressed. Topics covered include an overview of managerial accounting, cost methods and systems used, concepts and methods for managerial decision-making, managerial planning, control, and internal performance evaluation. Non-manufacturing applications are stressed. Special topics, such as fraud, and ethical issues related to a variety of matters are also included. Prerequisite: Completion of on-line primer if required.

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MGT 712 Managerial Finance

Focuses on understanding the importance of the finance function to the organization and the role of the manager in the finance function. Topics include the financial environment, goals of the firm, working capital management, the time value of money, valuation of securities, and capital budgeting. Institutions and mechanisms related to the original and continuing short-term and long-term financial needs of the firm are included. Prerequisite: Completion of on-line primer if required, and MGT 711 Managerial Accounting.

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MGT 713 Operations Management

Focuses on the managerial decisions required to effectively manage the production and/or operations components of a firm. Elements of this course examine the planning, coordination, and executing of activities that lead to the creation and distribution of goods or services by the firm. The course integrates the concepts from other fields including cost dynamics, task analyses, various quantitative methods and industrial engineering. Specific topics explored are capacity planning, task and work flow analysis, manpower management, quality, scheduling, production planning and control, inventory management and customer service and/or assurance. This course develops and explores the concept of trade off analysis and links it to manufacturing/operations strategy and to corporate strategy.

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MGT 714 Global Management

Investigates the problems and managerial skills required to meet organizational needs as firms become engaged in global business activities. Introduces the cultural, social, political, legal, ethical, and economic environments in which international business is conducted and their impact on the firm’s structure, organization, and management processes. Strategy of international business, trade, theory, global marketing, global human resource management, and other topics are also discussed. Examines the various aspects of globalization and how America and American business are impacted. Students should appreciate the complexities and challenges facing multinational corporations (MNC) operating in the diverse world environment. The course extensively utilized case studies of people, companies and countries in actual situations to help student develop diagnostic and effective tools for exercising leadership and management responsibilities. Prerequisite: MGT 704 Marketing Management, MGT 708 Human Resource Management, MGT 709 Managerial Economics, MGT 712 Managerial Finance.

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HCMGT 715 Communication & Relationship Building

Studies communication theory to provide a foundation for understanding
how information and ideas are passed from person to person, the role of
communication and relationship building in organizational change and
transformation, and the methods of developing and strengthening
relationships and trust in a diverse environment. Topics to be covered
include conflict resolution, therapeutic communication processes and
social support for relationships

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HCMGT 716 Leadership & Management

Examines key concepts in leadership and management within the health
care system. Emphasis is placed on organizing and delivering health
care, assessing resources, planning, managing human resources,
improving quality and promoting positive change. Types of leadership will
be reviewed and students will develop a sense of their own style of
leadership.

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MGT 724 Legal and Ethical Environments in Business

Focuses on issues of concern in light of the law, administration of the law, and ethics. Issues include topics such as grievance and confidentiality, environmental regulation, internal financial controls, human rights, etc. These issues are examined in conjunction with managerial decision-making requirements. Application of theory is through case analysis. Elective.

MGT 731 Management Information Systems

Assessment of the relations of information processing systems in the organization. Focuses on methods of integrating systems into daily operations for analyzing and representing data in forms useful for decision-making affecting the future of the firm. Elective.

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MGT 738 Advanced Marketing Concepts

Provides an understanding of the role of marketing, including the planning processes and analytical tools and techniques used. Emphasizes the analytical and decision-making processes involved in formulating, implementing, and controlling a marketing program for a given product or market entry. Course includes such topics as customer, competitor, and environmental analysis, segmentation and target marketing, competitive positioning, and program implementation and control. Prerequisite: MGT 704 Marketing Management. Elective.

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MGT 747 The Advertising Industry in the 21st Century

This course will address the complex management challenges involved with the key 21st Century issues in advertising including the new client service model, working with contract services, campaign planning, modern media and media planning, how to develop a “creative brief,” working with creative staff, and basic advertising production techniques. This is the basic course for success in the degree concentration. Prerequisite MGT 704 Marketing Management. Elective.

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MGT 748 Buyer Behavior and Marketing Research

Understanding why and how a consumer decides to purchase a certain product, and what effect advertising has on the decision, is a key part of the marketing and advertising process. Insight into this process is garnered through the systematic collection of data through targeted marketing research. A comprehensive understanding of the consumer and consumer preferences can only be gained through the application of targeted consumer research. This course will explore both sides of the equation: what makes a consumer buy and how do we determine their buying style, likes and dislikes, and brand preference. Prerequisite: MGT 704 Marketing Management, MGT 747 The Advertising Industry in the 21st Century. Elective.

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MGT 749 Advanced Marketing Strategy and Planning

The advertising plan is a critical part of the overall marketing plan for most products. Proper utilization of the “four Ps” of the marketing mix in the formulation of strategy will determine the future effectiveness of a campaign. This course deals with how integrated marketing communication, through targeted strategic planning, will help insure success of all of the key elements of an advertising campaign. This course will also cover the use of social media in the advertising process and how critical the message strategy, related to the creative execution, is to the overall success of the marketing and advertising effort. Prerequisite: MGT 704 Marketing Management, MGT 747 The Advertising Industry in the 21st Century, MGT 748 Buyer Behavior and Marketing Research. Elective.

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MGT 750 Leadership

Focuses on the role of leaders in creating the vision necessary to change firm structures, motivate people, improve performance and position the company for the challenges of the future. The course will engage participants in identifying both good and poor leadership characteristics with an emphasis on cases, examples and relation to the participant’s experience. Participants will be challenged to access themselves as leaders and to identify traits necessary to improve their skills. Leadership will be analyzed and reflected through problems, observation, readings, case analysis, and examples from culture. Elective.

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MGT 751 Project Management

Project management is the process and skill required to manage complex, non-routine, one-time undertakings. Project management is essential to the firm to fuel the process of change. In addition, project management contributes to the strategic goals of the organization by introducing incremental change to meet those goals while allowing the business to continue to serve clients. Important topics will include the process of selecting projects that best support organizational goals, and the technical and managerial processes to complete those goals. Specific skills required include work structuring, budgeting, resource allocation and performance measurement and control. The course will also explore the organizational and behavioral issues involved in managing projects. Elective.

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MGT 752 Small Business Management

Upon successful completion, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of various management and entrepreneurial techniques vital to the small business operation. The student should be able to apply certain decision-making and problem solving skills toward the goal attainment of owning and operating a small business venture. The start-up and the continuous operation will be explored. Elective.

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MGT 753 Conflict Management and Negotiation

This course is designed to explore the way that power is used in conflict situations. Students will explore ways to make conflict a creative rather than a negative experience. Methods of conflict resolution will be practiced through simulation of role playing, case analysis and resolution and assignments. This experience will give the students an insight into human behavior. It will allow the student to gain experience and confidence in negotiation, managing workplace conflict, leading group decision making and facilitating processes with teams and individuals. Conflict will be discussed, dissected, and analyzed in the micro (person to person) and macro (larger system) to develop a competency through knowledge, skill and attitude. Elective.

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MGT 757 Training and Development

This course is intended to provide a comprehensive review of concepts and techniques as they relate to Training and Development functions in an organization. Concepts include Needs Assessment, Learning Theories and Program Design, Training Methods and Evaluation, E-Learning, and Employee Development. Prerequisite MGT 708 Human Resource Management. Elective.

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MGT 760 Advanced Financial Topics

This course offers the opportunity to focus on other financial issues facing managers in an increasingly savvy marketplace. The course combines discussion, extensive reading and lecture with several projects suited to demonstrate mastery of the topics included in the course. Prerequisite MGT 712 Managerial Finance, MGT 768.Financial and Capital Issues. Elective.

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MGT 762 Work Styles and Generations in the Workplace

There are three parts to this class, all with an emphasis on developing better leadership, interpersonal skills, and human relations skills while working with managers, peers, and/or subordinates; 1) Learning about generations in the workplace, 2) Emotional intelligence, and 3) Work/learning styles. Elective.

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MGT 765 Current Financial Trends

This course will cover the spectacular 2008 financial meltdown that, according to some, took this nation to the brink of repeating the Great Depression. An examination of what led up to the financial crisis including discussions about the mortgage industry and changes in financial markets. A review of the policy changes that have been or are likely to be enacted in response to this crisis will be made. Prerequisite: MGT 712 Managerial Finance.

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MGT 768 Financial and Capital Issues

Integrates capital structure and corporate financial decisions with corporate strategy. Broad topics include financial markets and instruments, valuing financial assets, valuing real assets, capital structure, incentives, information and corporate control and risk management. Within these broad topics, subtopics include the allocation of capital for real investment, financing the firm, knowing whether and how to hedge risk, and allocating funds for financial investments. Prerequisite: MGT 712 Managerial Finance. Elective.

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MGT 769 Financial Decisions

This course focuses on the application of graduate level financial concepts through case studies to solve financial problems. The course will emphasize additional funds needed, future growth, appropriate capital structure, cash flow issues and others. Prerequisite MGT 712 Managerial Finance, MGT 768 Financial and Capital Issues. Elective.

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MGT 774 Organizational Change and Development

The primary focus of this course is organizational development, the management discipline aimed at improving organizational effectiveness. Students will study organizational change including the concept of planning change. The student will discover the basic roles and styles of the OD practitioner, resistance to organizational change and how to overcome it. Elective.

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MGT 776 Enterprise Risk Management: Culture, Management, and Control

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This course analyzes enterprise risk management (ERM) as a thoroughly integrated, systematic process for dealing with the various risks organizations may encounter. Addresses multiple categories of risk, risk tolerance, risk profiles, the benefits of ERM, its conceptual framework, legal considerations, and strategies for implementation. The goal is to provide a thorough understanding of what ERM is, how it works, and what value it provides.  Three credit hours – elective Elective.

 

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MGT 777 The Role of ERM in Strategic Planning

This course is a second course in a series of three that continues the analysis of enterprise risk management (ERM), its follow on development into a risk management strategy, and integrating this strategy into business planning. This course will concentrate on readings and discussions associated with creating a risk-aware culture, allocating resources based on risk, credit risk management, operational risk management, and financial risk management. The goal is to provide the individual with applicable ideas and concepts to ensure their success in building a comprehensive risk management strategy, while working alongside risk management professionals, that drives a strategic advantage within their business sector. Prerequisite MGT 776.  Three credit hours – elective   Elective.

 

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MGT 778 Practical Application of Enterprise Risk Management - Student Project

This course is a follow on to MGT 776 and 777. It is designed to have the student perform a risk assessment of a given situation and make recommendations on ways to mitigate the risks to an acceptable level. Areas of concerned risk include: financial, reputation, operational, ethical, and physical safety issues. Special emphasis on how to analyze risk at the strategic, project, and operational levels, as well as identifying risk owners, gaps in information, and proposing ethically sound actions that would reduce risk to an acceptable level while still meeting the overall requirements of the problem set. Prerequisite MGT 776, MGT 777 Three credit hours – elective Elective.

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MGT 784 Money and Banking

This course will examine the roles of Money, Financial Markets, and Banking in the U.S. financial and economic systems. Attention will also be given to the regulatory framework governing commercial banking and the role of central banks in influencing monetary expansion including monetary tools at their disposal. The course will also include an abbreviated look at the economic crisis facing the United States that being in 2008. Prerequisite: MGT 712 Managerial Finance. Elective.

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MGT 795 Strategic Management and Ethics

This course is designed to provide an integrated examination of
traditional and emerging strategic and ethical business management
issues.  The course explores the means by which the overall direction
and strategy of the organization is constructed, established, implemented
and revised.   The focus is on analyzing, creating and implementing
strategy within the context of the firm’s resources and capabilities.  The
course develops a perspective of the organization as a whole adapting to
its internal and external (primarily competitive and market) environments.
Explicit examination is given to the responsibilities, skills and
perspectives required of senior executives in the organization. The
course also examines ethical management and corporate social
responsibility issues and their relation to the implementation of strategic
management initiatives in the firm. Students will submit the required final
assessment and complete the online comprehensive testing during this
course. This course is the Capstone course of the MBA program and is
expected to be taken at the end of your program.

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MGT 798 Special Topics

A didactic course that addresses a current topic.

HCMGT /717 Business Skills for the Health Care Manager

Introduces the student to the key concepts of management including organizing, planning, directing human resources, and controlling systems to obtain desired results. Topics include budgeting, human resources administration, the use of technology in management, the role of strategic management in leading organizational growth and development. Elective.

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HCMGT 718 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care

Introduces the major ethical theories and principles needed to evaluate current legal and ethical issues. Students explore nursing and health care issues such as patient rights, withdrawing life support, promoting client autonomy, business ethics and the legal responsibilities of health care organizations. Students evaluate varied perspectives and develop a reasoned analysis of current topics. Elective.

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HCMGT 719 Topics in Health Care Management

Focuses on the professional, socio-cultural, economic, and political forces exerting pressure on the current health care system. Emphasis is placed on current issues in health care such as growing demand, the increased use of technology, the changing role of government, and the shortage of trained professionals in many health care fields. Elective.

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Admissions Requirements

• Completed application with a $25 application fee
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Probationary admission status may be approved by the chair of the USM business department
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate work and any graduate coursework. The undergraduate transcript must show the date your degree was conferred and the GPA for all degree-related coursework
• Two letters of recommendation written in the English language. This can be a from a supervisor, employer, or previous professor
• Signed Academic Honesty Agreement (can be signed during registration)

Prerequisites

For students not having an academic business background, there are as many as four online prerequisite courses required:

• Business Statistics Primer
• Financial Accounting Primer
• Corporate Finance Primer
• Managerial Economics Primer

Primer courses are available through Ivy Software at shop.ivysoftware.com. Students will need to complete the primer course on a self-directed basis prior to taking the relevant class and will be required to send a formal notice of completion to their program advisor.

Transferring Credits

You can request to transfer up to nine graduate credit hours (three courses), provided they are substantially equivalent to USM graduate courses. The university reserves the right to determine if the courses are substantially equivalent. Credit hours for MGT 795, Strategic Management and Ethics, may not be transferred into the program.

Graduation Requirements

At USM, you have your choice of five concentrations in our MBA program: Health Care Management, Finance, Marketing & Advertising Management, General Management, Human Resources and Enterprise Risk Management. You can earn your MBA in as little as one year.

Key features

• 36 credit hours to complete degree, consisting of 9 core courses (27 hours) and 9 credit hours of electives
• All courses are three credit hours, unless otherwise noted
• The MBA curriculum is sequenced to allow program completion in 24 months. Courses are taught year round on a regular rotation. Summer term courses, elective courses, and other selected courses may use alternative delivery methods.
• The MBA program can be completed in two years if you’re taking one class per term during each of the two annual summer terms, Summer I and Summer II. The MBA program can be completed in one year if you chose to take two classes per term.

Faculty

Program Advisor

Larissa Brown 
Associate Director, Business Programs, Overland Park Campus
(913) 319-3007
Brown85@stmary.edu

B.S. University of Saint Mary; M.B.A. University of Saint Mary (2012) 

 

Larissa is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 13 years’ experience in finance and program management, including four years with Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. After leaving the military in 2004, she launched Dark Horse Enterprises LLC, a small business offering services including web consulting, design, and search engine optimization marketing. She has also served the University of Saint Mary as the Assistant Coordinator for Military and Veterans’ Services.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Ray Behrens, Human Resources Management
B.S., University of Missouri-Rolla; M.B.A., Saint Louis University

Charlotte Marie White, SCL, Theology
B.A., Saint Mary College; M.S., University of Northern Colorado; M.A., Notre Dame

Vicki Widman, Education
B.A., Washington University; M.A.T., Webster University-Kansas City

Kathleen Williams, Nursing
B.S.N., Creighton University; M.S.N., University of Kansas

Connie Wollenhaupt, Nursing
B.S.N., Pittsburg State University; M.S.N.E., Clarkson College of Nursing

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• When can I start the program?
• How long does it take to complete the degree?
• Is there an online MBA degree option?
• How long before starting the program do I need to apply?
• If I didn’t allow 4-6 weeks to complete the application process, can I still start the program?
• It has been more than 10 years since I last went to school. Do you think that I can still do the work?
• My GPA from college was not very good. Can I still be admitted to this program?
• I understand the cost per credit hour, but how do I get my books and how much are they going to cost?
• Once I have been accepted, what do I need to do next?
• What is a pre-assignment?
• Who can I talk to about the specifics of the MBA program?

When can I start the MBA program?

Students typically start in August and January, but it is possible to begin with terms starting in October, February, May, or June.

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How long does it take to complete the degree?

The MBA program can be completed in two years if students take one class per term during each of the two annual summer terms, Summer I and Summer II. The MBA program can be completed in one year if the student chooses to take two classes per term.

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Is there an online MBA degree option?

Students have the option to earn their MBA online.

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How long before starting the program should I apply?

It is recommended that you start the process 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the desired term. Generally, the most time intensive part of the application process is receiving transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended. Please allow up to three weeks for USM to receive the transcripts from the time you submit your request. You must also fill out an application form. Additionally, if you need financial aid, allow 2-4 weeks for that process to be completed. You also need to order your books online, and complete the pre-assignment before the first night of classes. It is recommended that you start the process 4-6 weeks prior to the start of your desired term.

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If I didn’t allow 4-6 weeks to complete the application process, can I still start the program?

It depends. It is possible to be conditionally admitted or to get enrolled in the next term, but you may not qualify for financial aid. If you are paying the tuition yourself or if you receive tuition reimbursement from your employer and they have no restrictions about your “student status” (be sure to verify their policy with them), then you get in the class. Otherwise, we recommend that you talk to us to see if there is another way to meet the transcript requirement temporarily, until the certified transcript arrives.

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It has been more than 10 years since I last went to school. Do you think that I can still do the work?

If you could do it then, we would expect that you can still do it now. However, it is possible that your study skills may have deteriorated a bit since you were last in college. So, at least in the beginning, it might be necessary for you to devote more time than you used to for class preparation, projects, and homework. While the last minute is frequently a strong motivator, the depth and complexity of graduate level assignments and the nature of group work reduces the effectiveness of undergraduate procrastination.

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My GPA from college was not very good. Can I still be admitted to this program?

If your GPA is 2.75 or higher, you are eligible to be admitted as a regular student. If your GPA is a 2.0 through 2.74, then you may be admitted as a student on probation status. Consultation with the associate director of the MBA program and the approval of the chairman of the business department is required. Removal of the probationary status requires that you receive at least a B in your first two three-hour classes.

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I understand the cost per credit hour, but how do I get my books and how much are they going to cost?

Generally, books cost $100-$150 per class. The university has arranged for you to order your books through our online bookstore. You can then proceed to select your class electronically (make sure that the letters after the course number are exact matches) and proceed to the checkout. Students say that it generally takes two or three days to receive the books. MBS Direct will buy back most textbooks at the end of the semester and provide a return shipping label to send the books back.

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Once I have been accepted, what do I need to do next?

1. Call and arrange to meet with your academic advisor to select appropriate classes
2. Visit the Overland Park Campus to complete a registration form and work with the admissions counselor on your financial aid
3. Order your books from mbsDirect.net
4. Obtain and complete your pre-assignment from eSpire on our website
5. Come to class on the appropriate night.

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What is a pre-assignment?

Since most classes are delivered on an accelerated 8-week basis, it is necessary to come to the first class prepared to participate in the discussion, having read and completed the designated chapters, problems, or other assignments.

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Who can I talk to about the specifics of the MBA program?

Larissa Brown
Associate Director of Business Programs, Overland Park Campus
Monday & Thursday (913) 345-8288
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (913) 758-4390
Brown85@stmary.edu