Nov 22, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Business Administration


The College of Business at MSU Denver offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with five concentrations to choose from: Accounting, Business Analytics, General, Human Resource Management, and Strategic Management.

Mission of the MSU Denver MBA Program

We transform students into effective business professionals. We do this by providing an accessible, flexible, and high-quality MBA education made possible through excellence in teaching, individualized attention, and hands-on experiences, all at an exceptional value.

MBA Program Goals

The goals of the MSU Denver MBA Program support the missions of the University and the College of Business.

Graduates of the MSU Denver MBA Program will develop and demonstrate competence in written, oral, and collaborative communication skills (LG1 ). MSU Denver MBA graduates will be effective problem solvers with a practical, real-world focused perspective supported by familiarity with decision making models and analytical tools (LG2). Finally, MSU Denver MBA graduates will possess both functional and cross-functional business knowledge reinforced with an appreciation of the ethical and global issues that so profoundly affect contemporary business practice.

Accreditation

In addition to the distinction of being the value leader in the Denver metro area the MSU Denver MBA program is accredited as part of the MSU Denver College of Business’s AACSB accreditation. AACSB is world-recognized as the leading accreditor of colleges and schools of business. Less than 5% of all business programs worldwide have earned the prestige of AACSB accreditation.

MBA Program Admission

Admission Criteria

Applicants, at a minimum, who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any discipline may apply. Most students are advised to gain two or more years of work experience before enrolling in the MBA program. All admission decisions will be made by an MBA admissions committee.

To apply, begin by choosing the pathway that best fits your academic and professional background:

  1. GMAT Waiver
    • Applicants in this pathway first request a GMAT score waiver. Please go to our website for specific waiver processes.*
  2. Traditional Admission
    • Applicants in this pathway take the GMAT/GRE, submit official test scores, and are then subsequently reviewed by the Admissions Committee.*
  3. Previous Graduate Degree
    • Applicants in this pathway have earned a graduate degree from an accredited college or university.*
  4. Professional Portfolio
    • Applicants in this pathway typically have at least five years of significant and progressive business and management experience. Documentation through a portfolio concisely illustrates your upward career trajectory, skills, talents, and why you are equipped to pursue an MBA at MSU Denver.*

*For all pathways, specific processes for applying, and all materials required for a complete application are found on our website.

Leveling Requirements

Leveling may be required. Please consult with our admissions team.

International Applicants

Additional documentation is required. Please visit the International Student Admissions webpage.

Non-degree Seeking Students

Non-degree seeking students have the option to take up to 9 credit hours of MBA coursework on a space available basis. Admission requirements for a non-degree seeking student are found on our website.

If a non-degree seeking student would like to become degree-seeking, the student must apply to become degree-seeking and must have earned an average GPA of 3.0 or above in the MBA program courses they have completed.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students accepted into the Master of Business Administration program must adhere with the following MBA Program academic policies:

  • Students in the MBA program must complete the degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No more than two (2) grades of C-, C, or C+ will count toward the degree requirements, and no grade lower than a C- will count toward the degree. All grade records remain on the master’s transcript and count toward the cumulative GPA. A student who receives three grades of less than a “B-” will be suspended from the program for one academic semester. Upon return from suspension, subsequent grades below a “B-” will result in program dismissal.
  • Students must complete the MBA Capstone (MBA 6500) with a minimum grade of B-.
  • Students may enroll in no more than fifteen (15) credit hours per semester. Students who wish to take over 15 credits are required to seek approval. For more information, please contact the Associate Dean or MBA Advisor at 303-615-0643 or mba@msudenver.edu.
  • Master’s students are considered full-time if they are registered for six (6) credit hours, half-time if registered for three (3) credit hours, and less than half-time if registered for two (2) or fewer credit hours.
  • Students must complete the master’s degree within six (6) calendar years from the semester of initial enrollment.
  • Students not enrolled for three (3) consecutive semesters (including summer) must submit a re-admission application. Students requesting re-admission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for re-admission to the master’s program in which they have been enrolled.
  • The Student Code of Conduct will apply to all MSU Denver students, regardless of level. Access the Student Code of Conduct .
  • Students must adhere to MSU Denver’s residency requirement for graduate students.

MBA Program Requirements

Students will complete 27 hours of required MBA Core courses, and a 9 credit hour area of concentration. An MBA concentration is comprised of at least 9 credit hours in a particular discipline, allowing students to develop more in-depth expertise. The overall MBA program requires a minimum total requirement of 36 credit hours.

MBA Core (27 credit hours)


All MBA students complete course work in each of the major functional areas of business. The MBA core develops and reinforces the functional and cross-functional knowledge component of the MBA program. Once all MBA Core coursework is successfully completed, students take an integrative capstone course that reinforces cross-functional thinking and problem solving.

MBA Area of Concentration (9 credit hours)


The MBA area of concentration allows students to develop more in-depth expertise based on their interests and career aspirations.

Accounting Concentration


Select three of the following courses. Note that some of these courses may have pre-requisites that must be satisfied prior to enrollment.

Business Analytics Concentration


Select three of the following courses:

General Concentration


  • Students take any three courses from any of the other MBA concentrations.

 

Subtotal for General Concentration: 9 credits

Human Resource Management Concentration


Take the following three courses:

Strategic Management Concentration


Select three of the following courses:

Total for MBA Program: 36 credits