Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides a quality graduate program
for experienced professionals who want to assume management and leadership positions
in a variety of organizational settings. The program encompasses the knowledge and
skills necessary for effectively managing both the technical and the human sides of
organizations.
The curriculum consists of foundation courses, core courses, and concentration
courses that combine business theory with current business practice. The foundation and
core courses provide a common body of knowledge required for effective performance
in today’s unpredictable global business environment. Complementing this common
body of knowledge are nine concentrations from which students can choose, depending
on their professional interests: accounting, contracts and procurement management,
general management, information security, management technology, organization and
human resource development, project management, public administration, and risk
management and insurance.
The program is particularly designed for those individuals whose job and family
responsibilities require the flexibility to pursue the MBA on a part-time basis without
interrupting their careers.
Admission Requirements for the MBA Program
Admission to the Master of Business Administration program is based upon a variety
of factors: academic achievements, professional work experience, professional goals, and
professional recommendations. The following are admission requirements for the MBA
program:
1. A completed application;
2. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
3. Official transcripts of all completed undergraduate and graduate course work;
4. A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
during the last 60 credits of the baccalaureate program. Students whose
undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 may be required to take the GMAT.
5. A résumé outlining experiences and education including at least two years of fulltime
professional or technical work experience;
6. Two professional or academic recommendations;
7. A statement of professional goals and how the MBA will help achieve them; and
8. For those for whom English is not their first language, demonstration of
competency on the Test of English as a Foreign Language may be required.
MBA Degree Requirements
Successful completion of all required foundation courses or their equivalents, core courses and concentration courses with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is required to meet degree requirements. All required course work must be completed within six years of matriculation into the program.
Foundation Course Waivers
Waiver of foundation courses generally requires that courses used as a basis for the
waivers are comparable in content to the MBA foundation courses, were taken within the
last six years from a regionally accredited college or university, and were completed with
a grade of B or higher. Waivers are not granted solely on the basis of work experience.
A waived foundation course will not require substitution of another MBA course.
Credits are not given for waived foundation courses. Depending on the number of
foundation courses waived, a student might enter the program required to take only the
core and concentration courses. Final determination of a waiver is made by the MBA
program director.
After admission to the MBA program, students cannot submit portfolios for waiver
or substitution of foundation courses. If portfolio credits were earned prior to admission
to the MBA program and are considered equivalent to foundation course work, the
portfolio credit may be recognized. The MBA program director has final approval of all portfolio credit for applicability to MBA foundation course work. Portfolio credit is not
an option for graduate-level course work in the MBA program.
Transfer Courses
Ordinarily, a maximum of six graduate credits can be transferred into the MBA program. To be accepted for transfer credit, courses must have been taken from a regionally accredited institution within the last six years with a minimum grade of B and must directly relate to one of the MBA program courses. Transfer credit is not given for internship or practicum experiences.
Orientation Session
Prior to the start of every term, new students are expected to participate in an orientation session at CGPS. The orientation session includes introductions of CGPS staff, relevant University policies and procedures, CGPS computer resources, and CGPS library resources.
Requirements for Continuance in the MBA Program
All matriculated MBA students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic
progress in their graduate courses toward completion of the MBA program. A
cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher is required for graduation from the program.
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) each term to remain
in good academic standing. Any student whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at the
end of any term (fall, spring, or summer) will have the following term to correct the
deficiency.
A student who earns three Cs (C+ and C- included) or one F in graduate courses in
the program will automatically be dismissed from the program.
Students who voluntarily interrupt their enrollment for one to three terms (excluding
summer) should refer to the Leave of Absence entry in the Academic Rules and
Regulations section.
Readmission to the MBA Program
Students who have not attended the University for three consecutive terms (excluding
summer) must apply for readmission through the CGPS Office of Admissions. Students
who are readmitted are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of
readmission. When a student is readmitted, the six-year limit from time of first admission
is still in effect. Academic work that was completed more than six years before the date
at which the MBA is awarded may not be used to satisfy the degree requirements. If a
student needs additional time to complete the degree, he/she must apply in writing to the
program director for an extension. Such requests must be received at least one month
prior to the end of the student’s original six-year time limit.
A student who has been dismissed from the program may apply for readmission after
a lapse of three terms. Applicants for readmission must meet current minimum admission
requirements. Readmission to the program is not guaranteed.
MBA Course Requirements (36-66 credits)
Foundation Courses for Concentrations, Except Accounting and Public
Administration (0-18 Credits)
BPST 314 Business Legal Environment (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 302 Financial and Managerial Accounting Policy (6 credits)
LRSP 304 Economics for Managers (6 credits)
Foundation Courses for Accounting Concentration (0-24 Credits)
ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I (3 credits)
ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II (3 credits)
ACCT 303 Business Law for Accountants (3 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 302 Financial and Managerial Accounting Policy (6 credits)
LRSP 304 Economics for Managers (6 credits)
Foundation Courses for Public Administration Concentration (0-15 credits)
BPST 316 Statistics for Managers (3 credits)
LRSP 304 Economics for Managers (6 credits)
LRSP 305 Public Sector Management (3 credits)
LRSP 342 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting (3 credits)
Note: Students matriculated in the MBA program cannot take more than 12
graduate-level credits in the program prior to completion of all program foundation
courses. Students who complete a post-baccalaureate or graduate business certificate and
are later admitted to the MBA program must complete any remaining foundation courses
prior to taking additional graduate-level courses.
Note: After admission to the MBA program, CLEP and DANTES exams may not
be used to satisfy MBA foundation course requirements without prior approval of the
program director.
Core Courses (24 Credits)
MBUS 501A Organization Theory and Design (3 credits)
MBUS 502 Financial Decision Making for Managers* (3 credits)
MBUS 505 Quantitative Methods for Business (3 credits)
MBUS 509 Information Technology for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 512 Organizational Research and Assessment (3 credits)
MBUS 517 Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
MBUS 523 Marketing Strategy (3 credits)
MBUS 595 Strategic Management (3 credits)
*Students enrolled in the Public Administration concentration will take MBUS 518
Budgeting and Finance in the Public Sector, in place of MBUS 502.
MBA Concentrations
Note: A matriculated MBA student can obtain multiple concentrations if the requisite course work in each concentration is successfully completed. No more than one course will be allowed to overlap concentrations. Completion of more than one MBA concentration will not result in more than one degree. Completion of an additional concentration after graduation requires the completion of a minimum of 12 additional credits.
Accounting (12-18 credits)
The Accounting concentration prepares individuals to assume greater responsibility
in the management of organizations and their accounting functions. Persons applying
to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Virginia must have
earned at least 150 college credits, including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred
by an accredited college or university. As part of the 150 credits, applicants must have
completed an accounting concentration or the equivalent—30 credits of accounting—plus
an additional 24 credits in business courses other than accounting.
Required Courses
MBUS 560 Auditing* (3 credits)
MBUS 561 Advanced Accounting** (3 credits)
MBUS 562 Income Tax Procedure (3 credits)
MBUS 563 Corporation and Partnership Tax (3 credits)
MBUS 564 Accounting Information Systems (3 credits)
MBUS 565 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting (3 credits)
* This course may be waived if a student has successfully completed ACCT 460, or its
equivalent, prior to matriculation in the MBA program.
** This course may be waived if a student has successfully completed ACCT 461, or
its equivalent, prior to matriculation in the MBA program.
Note: A Graduate Certificate in Accounting (30 credits) is available to those whose
positions require the knowledge and skills provided by the concentration, but who do not
wish to pursue the MBA. Information can be found in the Business Certificates
section.
Contracts and Procurement Management (12 credits)
The Contracts and Procurement Management concentration provides contracting and procurement professionals in industry and in federal, state, and local governments with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advance to positions of increasing responsibility. This concentration also enables professionals to enter the growing field of contracts and procurement management, to be more effective leaders by understanding these processes and their organizational impact, and to meet the credit hours now required by the federal government for its contracting officials.
Required Courses
MBUS 534 Pricing Contracts (3 credits)
MBUS 535 Negotiation and Persuasion (3 credits)
MBUS 532 Federal Procurement Policy and Practices (3 credits)
or MBUS 583 Strategic Purchasing (3 credits)
Elective Courses (choose one)
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 533 Contract Performance and Evaluation (3 credits)
MBUS 536 Service Contracts (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 538 Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
MBUS 580 Commercial Transactions in a Technological Environment (3 credits)
Note: A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Contracts and Procurement Management
(24 credits) is available to those whose positions require the knowledge and skills provided
by the concentration, but who do not want to pursue the MBA. Information can be
found in the Business Certificates section.
General Management (12 credits)
The General Management concentration will be attractive to those who want the
traditional MBA. This concentration offers a solid professional core in the functional
areas of business, enriched with leading-edge courses applicable to many business and
nonbusiness environments. Select four of the following courses:
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 521 Human Resource Management and Development (3 credits)
MBUS 524 Learning Organizations and Knowledge Management (3 credits)
MBUS 525 Visionary Leadership (3 credits)
MBUS 526 Organizational Change and Transformation (3 credits)
MBUS 535 Negotiation and Persuasion (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
Information Security (12 credits)
The Information Security concentration provides an understanding of the
fundamental technologies and principles of information security. Through an agreement
between the University of Mary Washington (UMW) and the University of Virginia’s
(U.Va.) School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the Northern Virginia Center,
UMW MBA students can complete 12 credits from U.Va. in Information Security
course work and transfer these courses to UMW to satisfy the requirements for this
concentration. The U.Va. courses are offered in a combination of online and traditional
formats.
Management Technology (12 credits)
The Management Technology concentration is appropriate for both information
technology and business professionals who want to deepen their technical knowledge and
develop their management skills. The concentration provides an in-depth knowledge
in the functional areas of business and applicable management technology from both
operational and strategic perspectives.
Required Courses
MBUS 550 Computer-Based Decision Support Systems (3 credits)
MBUS 554 Management Risk Analysis with Computer Simulations (3 credits)
MBUS 555 Knowledge Management Systems (3 credits)
MBUS 556 Strategic Management of Internet Technologies (3 credits)
Organization and Human Resource Development (12 credits)
The Organization and Human Resource Development concentration is particularly
appropriate for those interested in developing competencies in organizational change
and learning organizations, or developing skills as a trainer. Select four of the following
courses:
MBUS 521 Human Resource Management and Development (3 credits)
MBUS 524 Learning Organizations and Knowledge Management (3 credits)
MBUS 525 Visionary Leadership (3 credits)
MBUS 526 Organizational Change and Transformation (3 credits)
MBUS 531 Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Training Programs (3 credits)
MBUS 535 Negotiation and Persuasion (3 credits)
Project Management (12 credits)
The Project Management concentration provides a comprehensive and
detailed analysis of each stage of a business project. The concentration studies the
conceptualization, planning, scheduling, evaluation, risk analysis, and control of a
business project, and other key areas such as total quality management and leadership
for projects. This concentration applies to an array of business professionals, particularly
project managers, supervisors, general and marketing managers, and other practitioners
seeking to learn more about project management. Select four of the following courses:
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 525 Visionary Leadership (3 credits)
MBUS 526 Organizational Change and Transformation (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 539 Project Evaluation (3 credits) MBUS 546 Risk Management for Project Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 547 Quality Management for Projects (3 credits)
Note: A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Project Management (24 credits) is available
to those whose positions require the knowledge and skills provided by the concentration,
but who do not want to pursue the MBA. Information can be found in the Business
Certificates section.
Public Administration (12 credits)
The concentration in Public Administration is designed to provide the knowledge,
skills, and abilities required for successful careers in public and nonprofit administration.
Required Courses
MBUS 527 Legal and Regulatory Environment of Public Administration (3 credits)
MBUS 584 Policy Development, Analysis and Implementation (3 credits)
Elective Courses (choose two)
MBUS 516 Project Management (3 credits)
MBUS 525 Visionary Leadership (3 credits)
MBUS 526 Organizational Change and Transformation (3 credits)
MBUS 528 Personnel Administration in the Public Sector (3 credits)
MBUS 535 Negotiation and Persuasion (3 credits)
MBUS 537 Contracting for Managers (3 credits)
MBUS 542 Intergovernmental Relations (3 credits)
Risk Management and Insurance (12 credits)
The Risk Management and Insurance concentration is designed for professionals in the insurance industry who have earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation or plan to do so and wish to also earn an MBA. This concentration requires a CPCU designation with a minimum of 12 CPCU credits recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for graduate-level credit. In cases where the CPCU designation does not include 12 ACE-approved graduate credits, students may earn the remaining graduate credits to meet concentration requirements by taking MBA courses approved by the MBA program director either at CGPS or at another institution, or by taking additional CPCU courses approved by the MBA program director that carry ACE recommended graduate level credit. More information on the CPCU designation can be obtained at http://www.aicpcu.org/.