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Business Administration, MBA

students in trading room
Today’s leading organizations seek savvy managers to help them capitalize on emerging trends, maximize advanced technologies and adapt to shifting market forces. Professionals who deliver such qualities to growing enterprises often come armed with their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. In fact, nearly 80 percent of top executives in a recent survey agreed that earning a graduate degree in business is vital for those looking to secure upper management positions. If an MBA degree is part of your career path, the Bridgewater State University MBA program is for you. Our advanced degree program is designed for working professionals who want to develop career-advancing management and leadership skills but whose busy lives demand a flexible, adaptable format.

 

Program Highlights

Why get an MBA? In a word, opportunity. The MBA is a degree that sets you apart and helps position you for advancement in organizations of any size and type. Bridgewater’s MBA program provides the knowledge and skills you need to excel in managerial and executive positions within a wide range of organizations. 

In addition, the value of an MBA is not limited strictly to corporate environments. It can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, not-for-profit, small business, and other arenas. And speaking of value, our MBA program teaches you critical thinking and analysis, decision-making, communication, and leadership without the huge price tag you find with other MBA programs – leading to a significant return on investment.

The MBA program offers you:

  • Diverse faculty with extensive experience and research in economics, finance, marketing, operations, management and accounting.
  • Development of decision-making, communications and analytical skills.
  • Professional leadership skills and development.
  • Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience.
  • Full-time and part-time program options to accommodate busy schedules.
  • Affordable tuition and graduate funding opportunities available.

Graduate MBA Chairperson Dr. Kathleen Ferris-Costa kferriscosta@bridgew.edu

MBA | #ThisIsBSU

ADMISSIONS

Deadline
Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment. 
Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester.

Requirements

  • Online application - A completed application and $50 application fee
  • Résumé- A résumé which demonstrates the applicant’s potential for leadership and academic achievement as evidenced by activities during his or her professional career or undergraduate business studies 
  • Transcripts - Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
  • Bachelor's Degree - A bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university; if the degree has not yet been awarded at the time of application, the successful applicant must be nearing completion of the bachelor’s degree
  • Letters of Recommendation - Three letters of recommendation, at least one each from academic and professional references. If an applicant has been out of school for an extended period, all recommendations can be professional
  • GMAT or GRE Scores - Official copy of scores from the GMAT or GRE*
  • Personal Statement - Prepare a brief, but careful statement regarding the reasons you want to pursue graduate work in this field, your specific interest and experiences in this field, and your career goals.
  • Current BSU undergraduates interested in the Early Acceptance MBA Program should see that section for specific details.

NOTE: Applicants to the MBA degree program who meet specific provisions will be considered for admission without submitting a GMAT or GRE score. If, upon review, the applicant is considered admissible without a GMAT or GRE score, that requirement will be waived. The following provisions qualify an applicant to be considered for waiver:

  • An advanced degree (e.g. master’s, doctorate, JD, etc.) from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A professional business – related certificate or license in the United States that requires a test of field specific knowledge, work experience, and at least a baccalaureate degree (e.g. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
  • An earned undergraduate degree within the last 10 years, with a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.2. Degree field must have included a significant amount of coursework in business, mathematics or quantitative analysis.
  • An earned undergraduate degree within the last 10 years, with a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0+ a minimum of five (5) years of professional (non-– clerical, nine – support) managerial work experience including supervisory roles, with increasing responsibility during that period. Degree feels considered must have included a significant amount of coursework in business, mathematics or quantitative analysis
  • An earned Graduate Certificate in Business Foundations from Bridgewater State University with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 and no course grade below a "B-".
  • The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request a GMAT score from an applicant even if these conditions are met.

NOTE: Applicants for whom English is a second language will be required to submit an official copy of results from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), unless they have at least two years of experience in an American college or university. Students taking the TOEFL must receive a total score of 213 from a computer-based test, 550 from a paper-based test or 79-80 on the internet-based test. Students taking the IELTS must receive a total score of 6/6.5.

 

Apply Today

Access Early Acceptance Application   

The Early Acceptance MBA Program is designed for current undergraduates at Bridgewater State University who would like to earn BOTH an undergraduate degree and MBA degree in as little as 5 years. Students accepted into this program can take up to four (4) graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate and credits will be applied toward both their undergraduate and MBA degrees, saving both time and money!

Application Requirements

  • BSU undergraduates with junior status (minimum of 54 credits earned) and at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Three foundation courses (minimum grade of B-) are required (waived if completed in prior coursework):
    • ACFI 200: Financial Accounting
    • ECON 210: Statistics for Economics and Business
    • ECON 500: Foundations of Economics OR
    • ECON 101: Principles of Microeconomics AND ECON 102: Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate course work.
  • Three letters of recommendation, at least one each from academic and professional references.
  • Résumé 
  • during undergraduate business studies or professional career.
  • Official GMAT or GRE scores. Waiver granted for applicants with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
  • Business background not required.

The MBA program consists of 10 courses. Early acceptance students with senior status (a minimum of 84 credits earned) can begin taking up to 4 graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. Students interested in the Early Acceptance MBA Program should contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Ferris-Costa (kferriscosta@bridgew.edu) for advising.

BSU undergraduates who wish to take graduate courses while still an undergraduate student will need to complete the Early Acceptance MBA application. The application fee for this program is waived. Contact Graduate Admissions (gradadmissions@bridgew.edu) with any questions or to learn how to start an application. 

CURRICULUM

Program of Study
The MBA requires students to complete courses that develop skills in business analytics, managing people and organizations, and managing the environment. Depending on the student’s undergraduate courses, the requirements for the degree range from 30 to 39 credit hours.

Foundation Requirements (9 credits, advanced standing available*)

Foundation requirements (prerequisites) cover the basic content of accounting, economics, management, marketing and statistics. These requirements are satisfied with equivalent work earned either before or after admission to the MBA program. All undergraduate equivalent courses must have been taken within ten years prior to admission, and students must have earned a grade of “B-” or higher in the course to qualify for a waiver or to have the course fulfill the needed area of the MBA foundation.

*Advanced standing in the Foundation category may be granted upon admission to the MBA program. After admission, students may petition for waiver of a foundation requirement based on significant related work experience, professional certification, or other formal educational accomplishments. Students may petition the admissions decision during their first semester in the program. Please contact Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Kathleen Ferris Costa, at MBAChair@bridgew.edu for advising.

Foundation Courses (9 Credits)
ACFI 200 - Financial Accounting
ECON 210 – Statistics for Economics and Business
ECON 500 - Foundations of Economics

Required courses (24 credits)
ACFI 535 - Accounting for Decision Making
ACFI 585 - Finance for Decision Making
MGMT 536 - Global Management
MGMT 560 – Managing People and Organizations with Ethics (formerly Managing People and Organizations; Pending Governance Approval)
MGMT 565 - Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
MGMT 582 - Business Intelligence/Analytics
MGMT 594 - Marketing Management and Strategy
MGMT 595 - Strategic Management

Elective courses (6 credits)
Complete two courses, selected from the following:

ACFI 545-Auditing
ACFI 560- Advanced Accounting
ACFI 593 - Financial Statement Analysis
MGMT 504 – Management Study Tour
MGMT 526 - Project Management
MGMT 562 – Strategic Management of Technological Innovations
MGMT 571 - Organizational Culture and Work Force Diversity
MGMT 576 – Organizational Change and Leadership
MGMT 577 – Power and Influence in Organizations
MGMT 598 - Leadership, Ethics and Corporate Accountability
MGMT 599 - Topical Seminar in Management

Total minimum credits: 30-39*

***For the most up-to-date information regarding course descriptions, please visit our University Catalog.

Search Courses 

Business Foundations Graduate Certificate 

The Graduate Certificate in Business Foundations will provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities required of both new professionals and experienced managers to advance in their careers. The curriculum is designed to develop core competencies that apply to managerial positions in all industries: accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics and statistics.

This program will offer an excellent opportunity for people with non-business backgrounds to earn a graduate-level certificate. If you are subsequently accepted into our Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, your certificate courses may be applied to the MBA to reduce the overall credit requirement.

Program Highlights 

  • No GMAT required
  • Low tuition cost
  • Designed for those with little or no business training
  • Can be completed in as few as two semesters (one year)

Admissions

  • Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
  • An official transcript from the registrar of each college or university attended, whether a degree was completed or not. 
  • A professional résumé
  • A one-page personal statement detailing your reasons for seeking a graduate business education, your short-and long-term professional and personal goals, and how you think this graduate certificate program will help you achieve them.

Curriculum 

The Business Foundations Certificate consists of the 4 courses (12 credits) listed below.

  • ACFI 502 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • ACFI 585 - Finance for Decision Making
  • MGMT 500 - Foundations of Managerial Statistics 
  • MGMT 594 - Marketing Management and Strategy

 

*Funding options are not available for Graduate Certificate programs 

What is an MBA?
According to mba.com, a graduate business degree is earned by completing a graduate business school program, in which students engage in traditional academic coursework and instruction based on real business challenges. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally-recognized degree designed to prepare students and further develop their business and management skills. Not only will you learn about the functional areas of business (accounting, finance, marketing, economics and various aspects of management), but you will also develop your skills in communication, decision-making, and analysis. The value of the MBA is not limited strictly to the corporate environment. An MBA can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, not-for-profit, small business and other arenas.

 

Why would I get an MBA after my career is already begun?
As people progress within organizations, the specific job-related knowledge, skills and abilities that helped them obtain entry-level jobs often becomes less important, and the expertise to plan, manage others and participate in complex decision-making become more critical. As the environment of an organization becomes more complex, there is an increased demand for mangers with the skills and understanding to engage in these difficult demands. Many persons who earned their MBA through a part-time program use their degrees to find the career path that's right for them. Of those contacted by Bloomberg Businessweek (April 2011), “[N]one regret having made a sizable investment in business education, and all say their degrees have resulted in significant advantages—giving … the tools they needed to advance in their careers, and ultimately the confidence to strike out on their own.”

 

Realistically, what will a graduate business degree do for me?
MBA programs present a theoretical context for solving many business problems, including problems that don’t even exist today. With advances in technology and the globalization of business, many new, unexplored issues are presented to managers. MBA students of 10 years ago had not even discussed social media and its role in business – but those students had the concepts from their coursework that helped them quickly adopt this tool A good theoretical background provides the tools to attack and solve new problems. Participating in an MBA program will also broaden your network. Both classmates and professors can provide useful information and contacts that may be vital in accomplishing efforts in both your work and personal life. The accounting concentration will also provide additional technical skills and knowledge for accounting professionals, especially those seeking CPA credentials.

 

Can I still have a job and attend graduate business classes?
Yes. Most of our students do have a job while getting pursuing their degree. If you are working around 40 hours a week we recommend not taking more than 2 classes a semester. We also have full time students. Full time students typically take 3 or 4 classes a semester.

 

I've been out of school for a long time. How will I adjust?
The anxiety of returning to school after a long interval is one of the bigger obstacles to starting a graduate business program but it is one you will share with many of your classmates. Peer support is critical. Your business experience will allow you to make significant contributions to class discussions. And often you will discover that a topic discussed in class can be applied in short order at work. One of the biggest challenges new students find is redeveloping reading and writing skills. The volume of reading required in some classes requires advanced planning, but a beginning-of-term syllabus can help with this. You may also find that your research and report-writing skills have grown a bit rusty. Graduate classes are an excellent opportunity to revitalize those skills. Our faculty also realize what incoming students are experiencing and work with you as much as possible to alleviate these concerns and help you manage the work.

 

How long will it take to complete the MBA program?
The amount of time it takes to complete a graduate degree in business varies from student to student. This is because our programs have “foundation” courses; timely completion of equivalent courses with a required grade will result in the award of advanced standing. Most working professionals will take three or six credit hours a semester and will take two to three years to complete the degree. A full-time student may complete the MBA program in three to four semesters.

 

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in business administration?
No, an MBA program is designed for persons with a variety of backgrounds. If you do have some undergraduate coursework in business, economics or statistics, you may be awarded advanced standing for foundation coursework. In the MBA with an accounting concentration, advanced courses require accounting prerequisites. If you are interested in a graduate degree in accounting, but your undergraduate program did not include a significant number of accounting courses, you may want to consider Bridgewater State University’s Master of Science in Accountancy program.

 

Should my recommendation be from work or from a professor?
The most useful recommendations are those from individuals who are able to speak with confidence about your professional and/or academic achievements and potential. It is important, for those who are currently employed, that at least one of your evaluators be someone in a position to judge your professional performance.

 

What if I have been out of work for awhile and cannot contact my professors for a letter of recommendation?
If you have been out of school for more than five years, you may submit professional letters of recommendation.

 

How much work experience do I need?
There is no minimum work experience required for admission. However, work experience is recommended so that students are able to receive full benefit from their class work.

 

What if I begin an MBA program elsewhere and want to transfer a course?
You can transfer up to six credits from another accredited MBA program. The course must be less than five years old, you must have achieved a grade of “B” or better in the course, and you must provide us with an official transcript indicating the grade for the course along with a course description.

 

Can I waive MBA courses based on work experience?
Work experience is not a basis for waiving MBA course work. Under very narrow conditions, students may be awarded advanced standing for a course, but all students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours to earn a degree.

 

What if I am admitted to the program and decide to start in a later semester?
Your admission is valid for one year from the date of admission.

 

What is the GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admission Test is required for admission into the MBA or MSA Program at Bridgewater State University. The GMAT measures language, quantitative and writing skills. It consists of multiple-choice questions of the verbal and quantitative assessments and two short essays for the analytical writing assessment. This test is administered in nine sections over a period of four hours. Two GMAT publications, The Official Guide for GMAT Review and The Official Software for GMAT Review, discuss the format of the test and describe the skills measured by each section. They also contain actual GMAT questions from previously administered exams to help one prepare for the real test. You can also contact http://www.mba.com/us for more information concerning testing centers and requirements.

 

Why do we require the GMAT?
We use your GMAT score as one piece of evidence of your current ability to deal with the courses and concepts in a graduate business program. Studies by the Graduate Management Admission Council have found that the combination of GMAT score and GPA most accurately predicts the future success of students in graduate business programs. When undergraduate grades are used alone, they are not very good predictors of MBA success. But, when GMAT scores are included in the evaluation process, the predictive ability almost doubles.

 

How long are GMAT scores valid?
GMAT scores are valid for 5 years.

 

What if I took the GRE rather than the GMAT? Can I still be considered for admission?
We will consider GRE scores for admission on an individual basis. You must submit official GRE scores.

 

Where can I get more information on the GMAT?
You may visit MBA.com for more information on the GMAT, including sample questions and information on registration.

 

What are the advantages of a part-time MBA program?
A “part-time” program can be described as a "program for working professionals". Students typically work full-time and attend classes in the evenings. The obvious advantage is that students do not have to put their lives "on hold" while they earn their degree. Regardless of whether the program is full-time or part-time, the MBA is designed as a practical, applications-oriented degree. Taking classes while working allows you to bring ideas and challenges from your workplace to the classroom and apply class concepts to your work.

 

What is the teaching style for professors?
Ricciardi College of Business faculty employ a variety of teaching methods, including lecture, case study, team projects, writings, problem sets, presentations, company visits, guest speakers, and other theoretical and applied teaching methods. The teaching method used in a class is the choice of the individual professor and is chosen to best facilitate learning for that subject matter.

 

What is the average class size?
Classes have approximately 20 students.

 

Are the graduate business programs accredited?
Bridgewater State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through its commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the New England Association indicated that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. The Ricciardi College of Business programs do not hold a specialized accreditation at this time. The College is pursuing accreditation, and as such, its classes, degree requirements, and management practices are designed to meet that end.

 

Do you offer graduate business classes during the day or online?
At this time, we are only offering graduate business programs in the evening. As our program grows, we will explore the opportunity of offering courses in other day-parts and through alternative delivery systems. Note that many of the Foundation requirements have undergraduate equivalents; undergraduate courses are offered in both the day and evening, during all terms (including summer) and many are offered online. Some of our faculty will make use of the University’s online course management system (Blackboard or Moodle) to deliver parts of their courses. But, at this time, we are not offering graduate business courses online. Our classroom based programs result in significant student-faculty interaction, peer-to-peer learning, and the use of outside speakers. In a survey conducted by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, MBA grads rated personal communication as the most important business skill. Our classroom experiences are designed to develop your personal communication skills.

Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews.  For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page

The Master of Business Administration program is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.

Learning Outcomes
Each graduate will be expected to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental principles in business disciplines and the ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines;
2. Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to complex business problems;
3. Understand the domestic and global business environments including the social, political, legal, environmental, and technological issues that impact business;
4. Demonstrate the capacity to function in a global, intercultural and diverse environment;
5. Be aware of ethical issues and responsibilities in business environments;
6. Work and lead effectively in a team-based environment, and;
7. Communicate effectively as leaders.
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View this PDF for an overview of the College of Graduate Studies.
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