Master of Business Administration

Steven Smith, Ph.D., Chair Business Department

The Master of Business Administration degree at The University of Olivet allows students to pursue advanced studies in business administration. Students choose one of five concentrations for their studies: Accounting, Insurance, Enterprise Risk Management, General MBA, o a Sport and Recreation Management concentration.

This graduate program utilizes blended distance learning technology (synchronous and asynchronous) that allows students to see and speak with faculty and other students online while completing much of their coursework at their own pace and on their own schedule via the university’s Canvas software program. The program takes advantage of experts in the appropriate fields as adjunct instructors located throughout the United States as well as faculty at The University of Olivet.

Courses are scheduled in five eight-week terms each academic year (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, and Summer). An annual course schedule including all required courses in regular rotation is developed and provided to students prior to each academic year. Students work with academic staff to develop an academic plan that accommodates their work and family demands and to schedule courses to facilitate progression through the academic program. Although no on-campus course attendance is required, graduates are invited to participate in the spring commencement ceremony held on campus each May.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Business Administration degree at The University of Olivet is a rigorous program of graduate-level study. To be eligible for admission consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements.

A. Undergraduate Degree Requirement

Except for students participating in the dual undergraduate/ graduate program, students seeking to enroll in graduate studies in business administration at The University of Olivet must meet one of the following degree requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university accredited by a regional accrediting organization, in an appropriate academic field; or
2. A bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university accredited by a regional accrediting organization in a related field and significant related professional experience.

B. GPA Requirement

Students seeking to enroll in graduate studies must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA), including all prior college level coursework, of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Students with a grade point average between 2.0 and 2.74, may be considered for acceptance to the graduate degree program based on the following additional requirement, as determined by the MBA Admissions Committee:

1. A minimum of two years professional work experience in a related field; or
2. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or accepted alternative exam.

C. GMAT Requirement

Completing and submitting a satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is strongly suggested to strengthen the applicant’s profile.

The GMAT requirement may be waived by candidates who are able to provide documentation of at least one of the following:

• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience indicating increased responsibilities over that period.
• A transcript indicating an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A transcript indicating having earned a master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

Meeting the criteria to waive the GMAT does not guarantee admission to The University of Olivet MBA program.

Application Requirements

Prospective graduate students are required to submit the following documents as part of their application package:

• A formal application through the university’s online application system.
• An official transcript indicating completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Two letters of recommendation sent directly from the reviewer to The University of Olivet’s Office of Admissions discussing the applicant’s ability, talent, and aptitude for graduate study in business administration.
• A personal essay discussing the applicant’s commitment to professional growth and development through the graduate program and discussing the applicant’s ability, talent, and aptitude for graduate study in business administration.

Graduate Provisional Admission Status

Provisional admission status may be granted to applicants who have strong potential for academic success in business administration but will not complete their undergraduate degrees by the graduate program start date, may require remedial coursework before beginning program coursework, or have not met one of the admissions criteria. Permission is required from the MBA Admissions Committee and the Chair of the Business Department to grant this status to applicants. The three types of applicants who may be eligible for provisional admission include:

Incomplete Bachelor’s Degrees - Students who are near to completing their undergraduate degree but will not graduate with a bachelor’s degree prior to the graduate program start date, have met all other admissions requirements, and have undergone the evaluation process for admission to the MBA program.

Remedial Coursework - Students who have met all admissions requirements and have undergone the evaluation process for admission to the graduate program but lack content knowledge required for graduate study in business administration. If granted, students must complete designated coursework within two academic terms and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in these courses before official admission into the graduate program may occur.

Missing Admissions Criteria - Students who do not meet one of the admissions criteria but are nominated for admission on a provisional basis by an The University of Olivet faculty member. Students are admitted under this status for one academic term. If they earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher, students will be officially admitted into the graduate program.

The MBA Admissions Committee has final approval on the acceptance of all candidates into The University of Olivet MBA Program.

Technology Requirements

The University of Olivet MBA program is offered online. In order to enroll in the program, students must have:

• Access to adequate internet connectivity to participate in the program.
• Computer equipped sufficiently for technology and software used within the program.
• Video teleconference technology (e.g., webcam) for synchronous components of classroom courses.

Graduation Requirements

The following are requirements for graduation with a Master of Business Administration degree at The University of Olivet:

• The completion of a minimum of 33 credits, with at least 21 credits earned at The University of Olivet.
• The completion of all required courses for the degree program, including the chosen concentration.
• The successful completion of the capstone course with concentration specific case study or project. This MBA capstone course will distinguish the comprehensive learning of the student that has been developed in the program and through prerequisite experience with respect to the specific concentration pursued. Expanding on the concentration-specific knowledge of the student, the final project in this course will be a completion of a comprehensive case study or project directly aligned with the student’s chosen MBA concentration.
• Maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• All requirements for graduation must be completed within seven years of matriculation into the program.

NOTE: The University of Olivet MBA program recognizes that MBA students may demonstrate mastery of select course content through graduate coursework or through professional designations such as CPCU®, CPA®, CFA®, or FRM®. A maximum of twelve credits may be accepted in transfer or as course equivalencies towards graduation as part of the MBA program. Assessment of transfer credits and course equivalencies are determined following admittance into the MBA program. The University of Olivet aligns the awarding of credit for CPCU and other industry exams with current recommendations for graduate credit determined by the American Council of Education (ACE)’s review and evaluation of individual examinations. This equivalency information is provided on The Institutes’ website.

Master of Business Administration Program Learning Outcomes

With the completion of the Master of Business Administration program, the following student learning outcomes are expected:

• Apply advanced knowledge, business analysis and problem-solving techniques to formulate strategies for optimal organizational performance.
• Apply critical thinking, quantitative analysis and data interpretation to corporate judgements and decisions.
• Make ethical, legal, and socially responsible managerial decisions within a global business atmosphere.
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and provide effective leadership within diverse business environments.

Accounting Concentration Learning Outcome

In addition to the MBA program learning outcomes, the following accounting specific outcome is expected:

• Demonstrate enhanced expertise in managerial and financial accounting, assessing an entity’s financial condition through timely and accurate financial information, and testing compliance through audits.

Enterprise Risk Management Concentration Learning Outcome

In addition to the MBA program learning outcomes, the following enterprise risk management specific outcome is expected:

• Demonstrate enhanced expertise in the enterprise risk management industry related to identifying and effectively addressing organizational risks. Describe and show an understanding of different risk categories and recommend methods to manage an organization’s risk, including risk optimization, management of market risk, credit risk operational and other risks.

Insurance Concentration Learning Outcome

In addition to the MBA program learning outcomes, the following insurance specific outcome is expected:

• Demonstrate enhanced expertise related to the financial, ethical, legal and global issues within the insurance industry. Apply current insurance and risk management theories, concepts and quantitative techniques to formulate strategies for optimal organization performance.

General Business Management Concentration Learning Outcome
In addition to the MBA program learning outcomes, the following general business management specific outcome is expected:

• Demonstrate enhanced expertise in the business industry by articulating key issues facing small businesses and large corporations and by demonstrating the ability to utilize qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate and solve critical business problems.

Sport and Recreation Management Concentration Program Learning Outcomes

In addition to the MBA program learning outcomes, the following sport and recreation management specific program learning outcomes are expected:

• Graduate students will demonstrate enhanced expertise related to the financial, ethical, legal and global issues within the sport and recreation industry.
• Graduate students will apply current organizational and design theories, concepts and techniques to formulate strategies to investigate and strategize solutions for optimal organizational performance.
• Graduate students will demonstrate a knowledge of operations management and administration as it pertains to facility planning and construction design.
• Graduate students will employ an understanding of socio-cultural issues in leadership, governance, policy and procedures as applied to the sport and recreation industry.