Master of Business Administration

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The Doane University Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides graduate learners with education in rational business decision-making. A primary goal of the MBA program is to provide learners with an understanding of how business functions in the macro- and competitive environments. The Doane MBA consists of a sequence of core coursework, indicative of a traditional MBA curriculum, and the opportunity to specialize in one of a variety of disciplines. Core courses in the MBA program integrate theories from a variety of general business disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, human resources management/organizational behavior, marketing, decision sciences, and strategic management. The degree requires satisfactory completion of 21 credit hours of the core MBA curriculum and 9 credit hours of graduate electives (focused emphasis or tailored electives) for a total of 30 credit hours.

The Doane University mission “is to provide an exceptional liberal arts education in a creative, inclusive, and collaborative community where faculty and staff work closely with undergraduate and graduate students preparing them for lives rooted in intellectual inquiry, ethical values, and a commitment to engage as leaders and responsible citizens in the world.” The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program aligns with this mission in that learners will experience high quality learning experiences that are rigorous and conveniently accessible. Each experience is infused with the opportunity to utilize important transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Program Mission

The primary mission of the MBA is to provide graduate learners with education in rational business decision making and with an understanding of how business functions in the macro- and competitive environments. The program learning outcomes are as follows:

1. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of strategic planning. Example course objectives include
   • Describe how businesses operate and the role played by the various functional areas in the success of an organization in a global environment.
   • Explain the purpose of a strategic plan.
   • List and describe the various macro-environmental, competitive, and global forces that affect the formation and implementation of a firm’s strategic plan.
   • List and describe the levels of management and their complementary roles in fulfilling a strategic vision.
2. Learners will leverage innovation to create and implement operational strategies. Example course objectives include
   • Identify opportunities for innovation.
   • Describe the process for managing organizational change.
   • Assess the impact of environmental forces on an organization’s primary and staff functions.
3. Learners will develop the skill set necessary to make rational decisions to solve common organizational challenges. Example course objectives include
   • Describe and evaluate the use of information systems and technologies, financial and accounting techniques, marketing research, and other rational decision-making tools to diagnose, analyze and resolve common business problems.
   • Integrate the concepts from functional areas of business (e.g., accounting, marketing, etc.) and apply them to common business problems.
   • Describe socially responsible decision-making that considers legal regulation and theories or moral responsibility.
   • Describe the balance necessary when making decisions that impact stakeholders and stockholders.
4. Learners will apply techniques to evaluate organizational performance. Example course objectives include
   • Measure individual work performance through reliable and valid data collection methods.
   • Evaluate organizational performance using financial, accounting, and other key performance indicators.
5. Learners will describe the value of human capital and human capital management. Example course objectives include
   • List, describe, and explain the processes for recruitment and selection.
   • Describe the value of employing a workforce that is diverse on both surface and deep levels.
   • Describe and demonstrate the key components of team and consensus building.
   • Describe and implement techniques that enhance employee engagement, motivation, satisfaction, and positivity.

Summary of Costs for the 2018-19 Academic Year

Tuition for graduate courses is due in full on or before the first day of class. Most courses have a textbook or a required set of materials. When textbooks or materials are required for the course, a fee is automatically billed to the student and must be paid at the first class session.

Tuition charges are reviewed at the conclusion of each academic year and are subject to change without notice.

Application Procedure

Doane University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals who wish to pursue graduate study in the Master of Business Administration program. Such students must complete an application and will be charged a $50.00 enrollment fee. This enrollment fee is not refundable and does not apply toward tuition. Submitting incomplete or false information is grounds for denial or subsequent dismissal.

Admission Requirements

A basic requirement for admission into the Master of Business Administration program is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. When questionable evidence regarding character or personality appears in an applicant’s materials, Doane University reserves the right to evaluate such factors as criteria of admission.

Admission decisions are communicated in writing to all applicants as soon as practical after all criteria have been met. Admission decisions cannot be given by telephone, nor can they be given to any person other than the applicant without a written release from the applicant.

Every applicant is considered equally without reference to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Admission to the program requires

1. a completed application, and
2. an official transcript from the institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree, plus any graduate courses taken.  This requirement can be waived for students with an official transcript showing a previously completed a Master’s degree from a regional accreditited institution in the United States.

All materials should be submitted to the Doane University Enrollment Center. The application must be received before registering for the first class. All other materials are required by the end of the first term of enrollment.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

The non-degree-seeking option exists to serve those students not wanting to pursue a graduate degree at Doane University or those students who want to begin graduate study before seeking formal admittance to the degree program. In order to be admitted to the program as non-degree-seeking, a student must complete the application and pay the non-refundable $50.00 enrollment fee.

Readmission

Admission materials are destroyed after one year for applicants who have been admitted to the program but have not registered for any coursework at Doane University within that year. In order to re-enter the graduate program after that period, a student must submit a new application (including the $50.00 non-refundable enrollment fee).

Students must contact the Masters of Business Administration Academic Advisor to reactivate their files before registering. Readmitted students who are seeking a degree must meet the degree requirements operative at the time of readmission.

If a student has been suspended from the program, admission will not be considered until two regular terms have passed, and the student must undertake an activity that illustrates a renewed commitment to learning before applying.

If a student has been dismissed from the program, no new application for admission (either as a degree-seeking student or a non-degree-seeking student) will be considered until at least two calendar years have passed.

Enrollment Procedures

The schedule of classes is released at least five weeks prior to the beginning of the next term. Registration will begin at least three weeks before the term starts. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser once the schedule is released in order to know what classes they need before registration begins.

Registration is done by the student online through WebAdvisor where they can register for classes, view their course schedule, and agree to pay their tuition and fees.

Students receiving financial aid must meet specified registration dates as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Transfer Credit

A student may transfer up to nine credit hours into the Master of Business Administration program. This credit must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and be no older than seven years at the time of graduation from Doane. Only courses in which a student earned a letter grade of “B-” or above will be considered for transfer. If the grade earned in a graduate level course was a “pass,” the student must submit documentation to the Program Director that the “pass” is equivalent to at least a “B-“. Each course is reviewed individually and final determination of credit is made by the Program Director and the Registrar.

*Students who have completed at least six undergraduate credits in human resource management coursework with a B or better will not complete BUS 602 - Human Resource Management (3). Instead those students will choose another approved 3-credit graduate course not required for the CORE or chosen emphasis.

Programs

• Business Administration, M.B.A.

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