Nov 09, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Business Administration, Business Analytics Management, Online/Accelerated MBA


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Business Graduate Committee


Program Chair

Beverley Hollingsworth

Program Advisors

Denise Simion
 

Committee

Beverley Hollingsworth, Ph.D. Chair

Denise Simion, Ph,D.

Kwahng Kim Ph.D. 

Marian Simion, Ph.D.

Patrick Malone, J.D., MBA

Brain Webb, MBA

 

Online/Accelerated MBA


Program Objectives

The Online/Accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program is designed to prepare leaders in business and in administration. It seeks to develop decision makers with strong analytical skills who are socially responsible, sensitive to cultural diversity and aware of the broadening world market.

Program Description

The Online/Accelerated MBA program is comprised of a common core of advanced courses in business, and a concentration in one of eight areas: Accounting, Business Analytics Management, Finance  Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing and Supply Chain Management for a total of 30 credits. Students must be admitted and confirm their intent to enroll in order to register for these 7-week courses. There are six terms each year, two in the fall, two in the spring, and two during the summer. Deadlines apply, but the six start dates allow for students to enter the program at multiple points during the year.

To complete the degree students must fulfill the following:

Six courses (18 credits) in advanced core

In the advanced core students acquire advanced skills and knowledge regarding current business and management practice and methodology.

Eight specialized concentrations

The specialized concentrations are in the fields of accounting, business analytics, finance, healthcare management, human resource management, marketing, management and supply chain management. Each concentration is made up of 3 specialized courses. 

One Elective Course

The MBA program requires students to complete one elective course. Students can choose any 8000 or above level course. 

MBA Common Core Learning Outcomes


  1. Students will be able to demonstrate well-developed problem-solving skills including the ability to recognize problems; analyze uncertain situations; interpret and use data and evidence in drawing conclusions; develop alternative solutions, and adapt and innovate in a new setting.
  2. Students will be able to integrate theory and practice across business functional areas and employ appropriate decision-support methods for the purpose of strategic analysis, planning, implementation, and control.
  3. Students will be able to articulate the major theories and concepts in the areas of accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
  4. Students will be able to employ and apply appropriate technical and quantitative techniques and methods in the analysis of real-world business situations.
  5. Students will be able to communicate to relevant audiences, including the composition of clear, consistent, and effective written forms of communication and the composition and presentation of effective oral business presentations.
  6. Students will be able to demonstrate well developed organizational, leadership, and teamwork skills for the effective implementation of organizational policy.
  7. Students will be able to identify and analyze the ethical obligations and responsibilities of business.
  8. Students will be able to identify the opportunities and challenges of globalization and apply managerial skills to global business issues.

Business Analytics Management


  1. Students will be able to lead an initiative to select an area for analytics, design a plan for implementing an analytics initiative, use tools to analyze the data presented to communicate the outcomes and coordinate with various stakeholders in the discovery, implementation, and maintenance of such a program.
  2. Students will be able to improve their design of analytics projects through their critique of current business analytics trends, legal concerns, ethical and social implications, and technological advancement both in the United States and internationally.

Elective Course (3 credits)


Elective Course Options: MGMT 9XXX Course from other Online MBA Concentrations (outside the core)

Total for Degree, 30 Credits


MBA Admissions Standards and Criteria


We are accredited by The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). To enroll in the Master of Business Administration Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

  • An undergraduate GPA not less than 2.8 (students below a 2.8 must also submit a letter of recommendation to be considered for admission)

  • TOEFL scores for natives of non-English speaking countries

Applicants to the MBA program who hold a bachelor degree in business are usually ready to begin the graduate-level coursework immediately, assuming that they have a suitable academic background. Professional experience is also a suitable foundation for graduate work. Students who do not hold a bachelor degree in business, or do not have the equivalent in professional experience, may wish to take courses at the undergraduate level to build a stronger foundation for graduate level work. Determination is made by the Graduate Program Chair.

Dual Concentration


Dual Concentrations

Students enrolled in the MBA program who have a GPA of 3.00 or higher after at least one semester of enrollment may request enrollment in one of the approved dual concentration options listed below. Students approved for a dual concentration will need to meet the requirements for the catalog year in which their dual concentration is approved.

Students enrolled in a dual concentration must complete the course requirements for each concentration. Each course in the program may only be counted once. Students in a dual concentration will complete a total of 39 credits.

One additional MBA concentrations below can be added to your current concentration with approval from the Graduate Department Chairperson and Graduate Academic Dean.

Students enrolled in the Campus Based MBA Program can choose from the concentrations that offer on-campus options (Accounting/Finance or Human Resource Management)

  • Accounting (online and campus based)
  • Business Analytics (online)
  • Finance (online)
  • Healthcare (online)
  • Human Resources Management (online and campus based)
  • Management (online and campus based)
  • Marketing Management (online)
  • Supply Chain Management (online)

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