Dec 26, 2024

2017-2018 Graduate Catalog

2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Business Administration

The M.B.A. program is designed to serve business and other organizations by preparing students to be leaders. The themes of a global view of business, leadership, ethics, and communication are important and integral parts of the program. Students are encouraged to integrate these themes into term papers, case presentations, and classroom discussions.

Master of Business Administration Learning Goals and Objectives

Our graduates will demonstrate business acumen and analytical skills.

NIU MBA graduates will solve business problems through integration of core business knowledge; including accounting, finance, marketing, management, information technology, and operations management.
NIU MBA graduates will think critically to identify and analyze business problems, and prioritize reasonable alternatives.

Our graduates will communicate with impact.

NIU MBA graduates will effectively convey their ideas, decisions, and recommendations through oral dialogue, the written word, and the visual medium.
NIU MBA graduates will effectively persuade their audience through a combination of analytical reasoning and persuasive language.

Our graduates will be effective leaders.

NIU MBA graduates will demonstrate skills that value diverse perspectives and work as a team player to accomplish organizational goals.
NIU MBA graduates will demonstrate the skills required to lead organizational change and innovation.
NIU MBA graduates will anticipate and adapt to global market changes and industry dynamics.

Our graduates will identify ethical issues and the implications on business, society, and individuals.

NIU MBA graduates will identify situations when ethical leadership is required and demonstrate personal responsibility regarding the impact of ethical behavior on business, society, and individuals.

Admission

Admission to the M.B.A. program is competitive and limited to those who can demonstrate high promise of success. The College of Business considers several indicators of success including, but not limited to, previous academic accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, communication skills, letters of recommendation, and scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT. All candidates are expected to have some minimal competencies in computer, mathematics, and communications skills. The College of Business requires other material in addition to that required by the Graduate School for the admission process. Contact the Office of M.B.A. Programs at 866-648-6221 for details.

Credit Requirements

For those with the minimum competencies mentioned above but without prior preparation in the business area, the M.B.A. may require a maximum of 48 semester hours. However, an individual student’s program may require fewer semester hours depending on the student’s previous education in business and economics.

In addition to maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all graduate course work completed in the program at NIU, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all graduate course work completed in Phase Two.

Limitation of Time

The student must fulfill all Phase Two requirements for the M.B.A. within the six consecutive years immediately preceding the date of the student’s graduation from that degree program. This time limit applies to all Phase Two graduate course work in the student’s program including work for which transfer credit is allowed.

If an NIU course taken to complete the requirements of Phase Two does not fall within the time limitation indicated in the preceding paragraph, the student may be required to retake the course for credit or may be allowed to demonstrate current knowledge of the subject matter. In the latter case, currency must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department offering the course through successful completion of an appropriate examination or other assessment if available from the department. Otherwise, the outdated course work must be deleted from, and other course work must be substituted in, the program of courses. Transfer courses falling outside the limitation of time cannot be used in a graduate program.

Courses for Which Graduate Credit is Allowed

At NIU only courses which are numbered 500-798 carry credit toward the master’s degree.

Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit

Students-at-large are normally prohibited from registering for graduate business courses.

The total Phase Two credit accepted in transfer from other accredited institutions may not exceed 9 semester hours. The total Phase Two credit earned from NIU graduate study-abroad courses may not exceed 9 semester hours. The Phase Two combination of transfer credit and credit earned from NIU graduate study-abroad courses may not exceed 15 semester hours. These semester-hour limits may be exceeded on a program of courses only by the use of transfer courses and only if the total number of semester hours required on the program of courses exceeds the minimum requirements for that major by at least the same number of hours.

Phase One Requirements

See Phase One requirements listed under “Graduate Study in Business” above.

Phase Two Requirements

Phase Two consists of a total of 30 semester hours. Students are required to take a minimum of 24 semester hours of Phase Two course work in classes reserved exclusively for admitted graduate students.

Attendance in three College of Business colloquia as designated by the Office of M.B.A. Programs is required prior to graduation. Exception to this requirement may be approved by the Office of M.B.A. Programs.

Course Requirements

ACCY 630 - Managerial Accounting Concepts Credits: 3
FINA 607 - Financial Analysis Credits: 3
MGMT 635 - Managing Individuals, Teams, and Organizations Credits: 3
MGMT 672 - Strategic Management and Policy Credits: 3
MKTG 654 - Marketing Management Credits: 3
OMIS 627 - Operations Analysis Credits: 3
OMIS 640 - Management of Information Systems Technology Credits: 3

Elective Courses

Elective courses may be selected from among the graduate course offerings in the College of Business, or elsewhere in the university with the prior approval of the student’s M.B.A. academic adviser, and should be used to meet particular career objectives. (9)

Course Sequencing

All Phase One course work must be completed prior to enrollment in FINA 607, MGMT 635, MKTG 654, and OMIS 627.

FINA 607, MGMT 635, MKTG 654, and OMIS 627 must be completed prior to enrollment in MGMT 672.

Application for Graduation

When nearing completion of requirements for a degree, a student must file an application for graduation with the Graduate School. See “Graduation.”

Program Format Options

In order to pursue an M.B.A. degree one must apply and be admitted to one of the four program formats. A student who wishes to change program format may do so with approval of the office of M.B.A. programs.

Evening Master of Business Administration

The evening M.B.A. is designed for fully-employed students who desire to earn their degrees by attending classes in the evening, with flexibility to set the pace for completion and select electives relevant for achieving personal career goals. Elective courses are offered in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, international business including study abroad programs, marketing, leadership and human resources management, management information systems and operations management. Evening M.B.A. students also have the option of completing a certificate of graduate study in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, management information systems, or strategic marketing to satisfy the M.B.A. elective requirements for the degree. With M.B.A. adviser approval, students may enroll in graduate courses offered in other areas of the university to satisfy degree elective requirements. Courses are offered throughout the year at two convenient locations, and students may begin the evening M.B.A. in the fall and spring semesters or the summer session. For further information contact the office of M.B.A. programs at 866-648-6221.

Executive Master of Business Administration

The executive M.B.A. program is designed to meet the needs of working executives who desire to earn the degree while continuing to work full time in an organization. Students must have had five or more years of previous managerial experience and be sponsored by their employer. While participating in the executive M.B.A., students continue working full time. Courses are offered on Saturdays for four semesters. Students may begin the executive M.B.A. only in the fall semester. For further information contact the executive M.B.A. office, 815-753-0257.

Fast-Trak Master of Business Administration

The one-year fast-trak M.B.A. is designed for individuals who desire to earn their degree in an accelerated daytime format. Students must have completed an undergraduate degree. No prior work experience is required. Courses are offered Mondays through Fridays for three semesters. Students may begin the fast-trak M.B.A. only in the fall semester. Students have the opportunity to earn a double degree when pursuing the fast-trak M.B.A. For further information contact the fast-trak M.B.A. office, 815-753-0257.

One-Year Master of Business Administration

The one-year M.B.A. is designed for working professionals who desire to earn the degree in an accelerated evening format while continuing to work full time in an organization. Students must have completed an undergraduate degree in business and have post-undergraduate work experience prior to starting the one-year M.B.A. Courses are offered in the evening, meeting two nights per week. Students may begin the one-year M.B.A. only in the spring semester. For further information contact the office of M.B.A. programs at 866-648- 6221.