Program Summary
Accelerated Option (for undergraduate business majors)
The MBA degree is open to individuals from all educational backgrounds. Students with a recent business undergraduate degree from an AACSB International Accredited program may be able to shorten their program. Required MBA Management Core courses may be waived from the student's program based on coursework taken previously. Up to 18 of the 30 Management Core credits may be waived. Each student's transcript will be evaluated for waivers at the time of admission.
Proficiencies
Since the MBA program admits students from all academic, undergraduate degree programs, students will enter the program with a wide array of backgrounds and prior preparation. All students will need a few basic tools to be successful in the MBA program. For this reason, each student entering the Kent MBA program will need to demonstrate proficiency in Quantitative and Computer skills. Individuals lacking in these areas will have the opportunity to take workshops or other coursework to satisfy the requirements. Workshops are offered through the College of Continuing Studies and are graded on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
Executive Modules
A key feature of the Kent MBA program is the use of Executive Modules. These three, two-credit hour courses are designed to provide discussion and thought regarding real-world issues, such as ethical decision-making, leadership, cultural diversity, total quality management, team building, project management, negotiations, legal and regulatory issues, and communication skills, among others.
Management Core (12-30 Credit Hours)
The Management Core is designed to give the student in-depth study of the key functional areas of business needed to be a successful leader and manager. A maximum of 30 semester hours is required, although students in the accelerated option (undergraduate business majors) will need fewer hours.
Integrative Management Courses (3 Credit Hours)
Courses at this level synthesize material learned in the Management Core. A Business Strategy course (or approved substitution) is required for all students, but students may choose the second course from either International Business or Modern Entrepreneurial Management. This option allows the student to apply his or her strategy skills in the area of either international business or entrepreneurship.
International Elective (3 Credit Hours)
To be selected from courses in the international concentration.
Elective Coursework and Concentrations (6 - 15 Credit Hours)
A significant portion of the MBA program allows the student to choose those electives best suited to his or her needs. Domestic students with undergraduate degrees in business are required to take 6 hours of electives, whereas, all other students must take 15 hours. A minimum of 12 hours is required for a concentration, but the individual wishing to pursue a broad business program may take the electives in unrelated areas.
Students may br permitted to take some of their elective coursework outside the College of Business. For instance, a student seeking a concentration in Marketing may wish to take relevant coursework in psychology.
The elective area also allows students to take internship, independent study, or other such applied experiences and receive academic credit for them.
Concentrations
Accounting | Finance | Human Resource Management | Information Systems | International Business | Marketing
Accounting Concentration
Dr. Linda Zucca, Faculty Advisor
*** Two department-approved electives are also required.
Finance Concentration
Dr. James Boyd, Faculty Advisor
Human Resource Mangement Concentration
Dr. Robert Faley, Faculty Advisor
*** Additional courses available through the College of Education or Department of Psychology. See faculty advisor, or advisor in the Graduate Office for approved list.
Information Systems Concentration
Dr. Alan Brandyberry, Faculty Advisor
International Business Concentration
Dr. Michael Hu, Faculty Advisor
MarketingConcentration
Dr. Eileen Bridges, Faculty Advisor