BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Program Requirements

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The College of Business Administration is a professional college that is dedicated to the development of its students. The college’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides students with an integrated business education preparing them for successful careers. The program is accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide.  

The overall objective of the program is to prepare graduates for positions of leadership in business and public administration. The program also prepares students for entry into doctoral level study. The curriculum challenges students to think critically about business issues and problems and is organized around three themes: changing technological environments, globalization, and social and environmental responsibility. The program has been designed to enhance students’ critical and analytical problem solving and decision-making capabilities.

The evening program is suitable both for part-time and full-time students and is open to all qualified students regardless of undergraduate areas of study. The program consists of two phases: a foundation phase and the MBA phase. Students who do not possess an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete all or part of the foundation phase as part of their program of study. Foundation courses are available on campus or through an accelerated format via the Internet. Students who are not required to complete foundation courses will be enrolled directly in the MBA phase. In addition to the on-campus required and elective course offerings, electives also are available via the Internet. The entire program of study generally can be completed within one to two years. 

More information can be obtained at the college’s Web site: www.uwlax.edu/ba

ADMISSION

Applicants for admission to the program must apply through the University Admissions Office. In order to be admitted in good standing, applicants must meet the University requirements including a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.85 (or 3.00 for the last half of undergraduate work) on a 4.00 scale and demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the MBA program. Performance on the GMAT and prior academic work will be used as indicators of ability. International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent and submit their scores for evaluation. Applicants who meet the minimum standards may be denied admission because of enrollment limitations. While not required, 3-4 years of work experience is preferred.

THE PROGRAM

Foundation Phase
The MBA program has two phases for qualified applicants with foundation course deficiencies. Such applicants will be admitted to the program while they complete their remaining foundation course work.

Foundation Courses
                 ECO 110 and 120
                        or
                ECO 703 and 704
                ACC 221 and 222
                        or
                ACC 703 and 704
                MKT 309 or 700
                FIN 355 or 701
                MGT 393 or 702
                MGT 308 or 703
                BUS 205
                IS 220
                MTH 145 or BUS 710

(A minimum grade of “C” is required in all foundation courses completed pre- or post-baccalaureate.) 700 level courses are delivered via the Internet.

Students completing foundation courses must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.00. Students who earn less than a “C” grade in any foundation course will be dropped from the program.

Internet courses are delivered in an accelerated format that may allow completion of the foundation program in one calendar year. Credit by exam (test out) is available for some foundation courses. Information should be obtained from the program director.

MBA Phase
Qualified applicants who have completed the foundation courses are admitted to the graduate degree requirement phase. Course requirements for the degree are listed below:

Master’s Degree Requirements Credits
BUS 730 Decision Framing and Decision Making in Complex Environments I 3
BUS 731 Decision Framing and Decision Making in Complex Environments II 3
BUS 735 Business Decision Making and Research Methodology 4
BUS 750 Managing in an Environmentally and Socially Conscious World 3
BUS 755 Managing in a Changing Technological Environment 3
BUS 760 Managing in a Global Environment 4
BUS 790 Assessment 1
  Electives* 9
  Minimum Credits 30

*Elective credits must be selected from course work approved by the MBA program director. Several options are available for students to complete the elective credit requirement. These options include:
- MBA elective course work from UW-La Crosse or other institutions with the approval of the MBA program director.
- Directed Internship Experience (maximum 6 credits)
- Directed Independent Study (maximum 3 credits)
- Research: Master’s Thesis (maximum 6 credits)

All students must complete at least six elective credits at the 700 level.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

A 3.00 grade point average in courses counting toward the MBA is required for graduation. Students must be able to achieve this grade point average in, at most, 36 credits or they will be dropped from the program. A student earning a “D” or “F” in a graduate level course, whether it has been taken on this campus or at another university, will be dropped from the program. A maximum of six credits of “C” may be applied to the MBA.

RESTRICTIONS

Enrollment in MBA courses is restricted to students in the MBA program, unless given special permission by the program director. Graduate students from other programs could be permitted to take, at most, six credits of 500/600/700 level MBA courses.