Admissions
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information. For consideration and admission to the Master of Business Administration program, applicants must satisfactorily submit and/or complete the following:
- A graduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable application fee.
- Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution where English is the language of instruction, see international student admission requirements.
- A program planning conference meeting with a program chair to discuss admission, candidacy, and program requirements is highly recommended.
- It is recommended that students also request official copies of their undergraduate transcripts at the time of their application submission.
MBA applicants should review the sections on Admission and Advancement to Degree Candidacy below.
All required application, transcripts, and candidacy documents should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Program Purpose
The Master of Business Administration program is designed to prepare students for management and leadership positions in all types of business enterprises including health care organizations, financial institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. The program is designed with an emphasis on executive skills development, quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, and the knowledge and professional capabilities necessary for the execution of complex managerial duties in today’s global business environment. Embedded in the MBA program is an appreciation for the role of business in a pluralistic society and the international community.
Program Competencies
In addition to the university graduate school graduation competencies, the following competencies apply to the MBA program:
- Use financial management, economic principles, and modern marketing techniques to ensure the efficient operation and strong fiscal future of the organization.
- Prepare a strategic plan that will critically examine the organization’s internal and external environments and select creative, feasible business alternatives.
Program Design
The philosophy of the Wilmington University MBA program is closely aligned with its instructional format. The program is organized through a series of coordinated accelerated seven-week courses and is scheduled to accommodate the needs of students who maintain full-time employment while pursuing their degree. While some course sequencing is necessary, the program is designed to permit students to complete degree requirements at their own pace. Classes are offered at the Wilson Graduate Center and are scheduled on weeknights and Saturdays. Classes are also offered at multiple satellite campuses and are scheduled primarily on weeknights. Many of the MBA courses and concentrations are available fully online.
Over the 2015-16 academic year the MBA program will transition the majority of in-class sections to seven 3-hour face-to-face weekly classes complemented by required online instructional activities.
MBA Admission and Candidacy Requirements
The MBA program requires the following undergraduate coursework:
Mathematics. Three credits in undergraduate mathematics with a grade of “C” or better at the level of college algebra, college mathematics, statistics or higher (equivalent to Wilmington University MAT 110 or higher or a passing grade on the CLEP college algebra examination).
Economics. Three credits in undergraduate economics with a grade of “C” or better (equivalent to Wilmington University ECO 105 or a passing grade on the CLEP microeconomics or macroeconomics examination).
Accounting. Six credits of undergraduate Accounting I and II with a grade of “C” or better in both courses (equivalent to Wilmington University BAC 101 and BAC 102). Students may complete MBA 5850, Financial Accounting for MBAs, to meet this requirement.
Finance. Three credits of undergraduate finance with a grade of “C” or better (equivalent to Wilmington University FIN 305). Students may complete MHR 7830, Finance and Accounting for Managers, to meet this requirement.
Students who need to fulfill any of the prerequisite undergraduate course requirements may enroll in specially designed graduate courses or appropriate undergraduate courses that carry no credit toward the MBA degree.
Incoming MBA students are expected to have a basic proficiency in spreadsheet software applications and writing skills at a level necessary for success in graduate coursework. Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential shortcomings in these areas and corrective solutions during their program planning conference.
Registration
It is highly recommended that students take MBA 6000 as the first course in the MBA program.
Prior to registering for the second MBA course students should:
- Submit official transcript(s) from an accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Send official transcript(s) directly from the identified college or university to the Wilmington University Graduate Admissions Office.
- Meet with a program chair for a program planning conference if not completed earlier. Official transcript(s) should be on file prior to the conference. Students may bring unofficial transcripts to this meeting if official transcript(s) are not yet on file.
Advancement to Degree Candidacy
Students who have met the MBA admission requirements are advanced to degree candidacy after completing four courses with a minimum GPA. of 3.0, provided they have met the following requirements:
- Official undergraduate transcript(s) are on file with the graduate admissions office.
- Successfully completed MBA 6000 as one of the first four courses in the program.
- Fulfilled all of the undergraduate pre-requisite coursework listed in the section above.
Students who have not completed all of the above requirements prior to completing 12 graduate credits will not advance to candidacy status. Students who do not meet the candidacy requirement will be unable to register for additional classes until they meet with a program chair and agree on a plan of action ensuring student’s successful completion of the MBA candidacy requirements.
The Wilmington University MBA Program
The MBA program is based upon the belief that students must understand the complex relationships of the various organizational functions of economics, finance, marketing, operations, and management on a global basis. The program consists of 12 three-credit hour courses divided into a 7 course common core and a 5 course concentration. The MBA core is required of all students and provides an in-depth and integrated exposure to the fields of economics, finance, accounting, management, leadership, quantitative methods, and business strategy.
The MBA Common Core:
MBA Without a Concentration
In addition to the MBA core, students complete the following courses:
| MBA 7592 | Global Enterprise Development | 3 |
| MGT 6503 | Leadership Development and Change Management | 3 |
One of the following three courses:
2 electives
Two elective courses may be taken from any of the electives offered in the graduate business programs. Students should consult with their academic advisor when selecting MBA electives.
The MBA without a concentration is the only MBA option with open electives.
Graduate-level courses taken to meet program admission pre-requisites are not applied towards the 36 credit-hour requirement for MBA degree completion.
MBA Concentrations
In addition to the traditional MBA program above, students may elect to concentrate in a particular area of study. The following concentrations are offered:
Accounting*
Environmental Sustainability
Finance
Health Care Administration
Homeland Security
Management Information Systems
Marketing Management
Organizational Leadership
Each of the above MBA program concentrations require 12 3-credit graduate courses consisting of the MBA core and the specific concentration curriculum.
*The MBA with a concentration in Accounting requires a six course, 18-credit hour common core. Advanced Managerial Accounting MAC 7200 is taken within the Accounting concentration. MBA 6100 is not included in the MBA Accounting curriculum.
MBA with a Concentration in Accounting
In addition to the MBA admission and candidacy requirements listed above, the MBA Accounting concentration has the prerequisite completion of undergraduate Intermediate Accounting I and II with grades of “C” or better. The Wilmington University equivalent of these courses is BAC 201 and 202.
To fulfill the requirements for the MBA with a concentration in Accounting, students must complete an 18-credit hour Business Management core and an 18-credit hour concentration in Accounting. The 6 courses listed below along with a 6 course MBA core are required for completion of an MBA with a concentration in Accounting.
Courses
| MAC 7100 | Financial Accounting Theory, Policy, and Research | 3 |
| MAC 7200 | Advanced Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| MAC 7300 | Issues in Auditing and Assurance Services | 3 |
| MAC 7400 | Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| MAC 7500 | Federal Taxation, Policy, and Research | 3 |
| MAC 7600 | International Accounting and Taxation | 3 |
MBA Core 18 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Environmental Sustainability
This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) demonstrating knowledge of how to strategically align the needs of businesses with environmental needs in order to promote ecological sustainability and 2) utilizing management skills necessary to meet the complex technological and ethical issues relating to environmental issues both at the domestic and global level. The 5 courses listed below along with the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of the MBA with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability.
Courses
| MBA 7802 | Economic and Financial Analysis of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| MBA 7803 | Project Management with Sustainable Green Technologies | 3 |
| MBA 7804 | Environmental Regulations and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| MBA 7805 | Strategic Planning for Sustainable Organizations | 3 |
| MBA 7810 | Principles of Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Finance
This concentration has an additional program competency of exercising decision making skills in the area of financial management to meet business strategy. Five of the courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of an MBA with a concentration in Finance.
Select five of the following six courses:
MBA 7294: ideally scheduled immediately following MBA 7200.
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Health Care Administration
This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) analysis of decision making as it relates to Healthcare Administration and 2) to demonstrate knowledge of health policy, insurance and reimbursement. Five of the courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of the MBA with a concentration in Health Care Administration.
Courses
| HCA 7700 | Seminar in Health Care Administration | 3 |
| HCA 7720 | Health Policy and Economics | 3 |
| HCA 7730 | Health Insurance and Reimbursement | 3 |
| HCA 7740 | Legal Aspects in Health Care | 3 |
| HCA 7745 | Marketing in the Health Care Sector | 3 |
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Homeland Security
Issues involving homeland security have become a priority at all levels of the corporate world. Business professionals need to know the problems involved and be prepared to adapt to the ever changing landscapes in homeland security and maintain a safe and secure work environment. This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) demonstrating knowledge in the area of risk assessment and homeland security management and 2) determining future strategies for meeting security challenges in organizations. The 5 courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of the MBA with a concentration in Homeland Security.
Courses
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Management Information Systems
This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) demonstrating decision making IT strategies in the areas of analysis, modeling and design and 2) knowledge of available communication and networking in order to meet IT strategies within the organization. The 5 courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of an MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems.
Courses
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Marketing Management
This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) demonstrating knowledge of management issues affecting marketing in global environments confronting U.S. organizations today and 2) formulating business strategies in order to meet sales, marketing and customer service needs. Five of the courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of the MBA with a concentration in Marketing Management.
Courses
| MBA 7603 | Market Research and Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MBA 7606 | Business to Business and Business to Government Marketing | 3 |
| MBA 7608 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
Two of the following three courses:
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
MBA with a Concentration in Organizational Leadership
This concentration has two additional program competencies of 1) evaluating the need for using teams with respect to organizational effectiveness and 2) knowledge of theories and principles of change management as it relates to leadership. While some course sequencing is necessary, the program is designed to permit students to complete degree requirements at their own pace. Five of the courses listed below in addition to the 7 course MBA core are required for completion of an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Leadership.
Courses
One of the following five courses:
MBA Core 21 credits
Total of core and concentration courses is 12 courses or 36 credits.
Certificates of Advanced Study
The College of Business offers certificates of advanced study in Environmental Sustainability, Finance, and Management Information Systems. All students interested in completing a certificate of advanced study must:
- Submit a graduate admissions application along with the non-refundable application fee
- Submit official transcript(s) documenting completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree
Certificate of Advanced Study in Environmental Sustainability
Students who wish to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study in Environmental Sustainability must complete the five courses listed in the Concentration in Environmental Sustainability above. When students are enrolled in their last course for completion of the certificate program, the student must complete the Graduate Certificate Program Form and submit to the Office of the Registrar. This form is available from the Registrar’s website.
Certificate of Advanced Study in Finance
Students who wish to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study in Finance must complete any five finance courses listed in the Concentration in Finance above, in addition to any prerequisites for them. When students are enrolled in their last course for completion of the certificate program, the student must complete the Graduate Certificate Program Form and submit to the Office of the Registrar. This form is available from the Registrar’s website.
Certificate of Advanced Study in Management Information Systems
Students who wish to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study in MIS may obtain it from the College of Technology upon completing the five MIS courses listed in Concentration in MIS above. When students are enrolled in their last course for completion of the certificate program, the student must complete the Graduate Certificate Program Form and submit to the Office of the Registrar. This form is available from the Registrar’s website.