The College of Business at MSU Denver offers a General Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a prescribed, 30-hour requirement. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration requires the 27-hour core and 9 hours from ONE selected concentration: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Human Resource Management, or 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:
- GMAT Waiver
- Applicants in this pathway first request a GMAT score waiver. Please go to our website for specific waiver processes.*
- Traditional Admission
- Applicants in this pathway take the GMAT/GRE, submit official test scores, and are then subsequently reviewed by the Admissions Committee.*
- Previous Graduate Degree
- Applicants in this pathway have earned a graduate degree from an accredited college or university.*
- 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
- General MBA. General MBA students will complete 30 credit hours. This includes 27 credit hours of the MBA core and 3 additional hours, typically MBA 5502. The Director of the MBA, in concert with the MBA Advisor and student, will consider deviations from this recommended course on a case by case basis.
- MBA with Concentration. Students will complete 27 credit 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.
