College of Management: Online MBA Program

All these courses may be transferred from other accredited
college/universities, but make sure the courses are pre-approved for
transfer. A letter grade of “C” or above is required in prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite courses must be successfully completed before you can be fully
admitted to the MBA program.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The entire 40-credit program, plus three residencies will be completed
in 18-20 months (not including prereqs).

How much does the program cost?

Tuition is approximately $16,000. Cost for books is separate and will
vary by course. Additional fees are for application to the program
($20) and graduation ($20). Meals and hotel costs for the residencies are
born by the student. Compare these prices with other online MBA programs
and you will find us to be quite reasonable. MNSCU employee may only use their
employee tuition waiver for this program if their home unit agrees in writing
to support the waiver with an actual cash transaction.

Do I have to pay for the entire program up front?

No. Tuition payments will be made prior to the start of each semester.
A $500 nonrefundable deposit will be required to hold your place for
the next offered online cohort. This deposit will be applied to the first
term’s tuition once the cohort is begins. If no cohort is formed, the
deposit will be returned to you.

How many students are in a cohort?

There will be 22 students in each cohort. We have found from our significant
experience in teaching online courses that 18-22 is the optimum size for
an online class. Starting with 22 students will ensure for a good class size
throughout the program.

What happens if I have to drop out of my cohort?

If you must drop out of your cohort, you will not be able to rejoin the same
group. Instead, we will ask you to join a later cohort (and retake the first
residency) at the same place you are when you had to drop out of your
original cohort. You may also simply transfer your earned credits into our
regular MBA program.

Will other master's level courses I have taken transfer into this program?

No. Because students are expected to move through the program together,
no courses will be accepted in transfer.

What is the faculty like?

Our entire faculty has advanced degrees along with significant business
experience. All faculty teaching in the program have had extensive training
that teaches them to teach online courses. Many of them have personally
developed the courses they will be teaching you. Our students report that
our professors are expert at bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Is there a required thesis for the program?

No. In lieu of a thesis, you will be working in teams on a project that will
be presented in the final (virtual) residency of the program. These projects
are selected by the students during the second residency and reflect the
interests of each of the teams.

What does the program look like?

The 40 credit curriculum is divided into three phases. The first phase
(28 credits) includes the functional disciplines of business and organizations
and provides a solid grounding in the core theories, processes and skills
needed by managers in today’s rapidly changing environment.
Phase I courses include the following (4-credits unless indicated otherwise):

Mgmt 600 – Practical Research Methods for Managers (2 credits)
ECON 696 – Managerial Economics and Strategy (2 credits)
MGMT 620 – Organizational Behavior
ACCT 620 – Management Accounting
MKTG 600 – Marketing Management
MIS 600 – Management Information Systems
DSCI 681 – Operations Management for Services and
Manufacturing
FIN 601 – Financial Management

Phase II classes (8 credits) will consist of two electives selected by the
cohort participants themselves to match their interests and needs. These
electives will be selected during the second residency. All students in the
cohort will take the same two elective courses.

Phase III is the synthesis and capstone phase. MGMT 699-Management
Strategy and Policy calls for students to integrate what they have learned
in previous courses and life experiences to form a coherent picture of
management and organizations.

In addition to the coursework, students are also required to complete
three residencies.

What are the residencies?

During the course of the online MBA program, three residencies are
required. Residencies are an opportunity for students in the program to
come together in order to accomplish goals of the program that cannot be
accomplished in the normal format of a course. Two of the residencies are in
person and one will be virtual. The first residency focuses on an orientation
to the MBA online program and will give you a chance to meet your
professors, student colleagues, and other professionals associated with
the program. A variety of activities will help create a sense of community
and foster teamwork among participants. The second residency will focus
on planning and developing student projects, which will then be presented
in the third, virtual residency.

There are no additional tuition costs for the residencies. Students will be
expected to pay their own transportation, lodging and meal costs over the
three-day session. The in-person residencies will be held in Minneapolis.

Is the program accredited?

Yes. Metropolitan State University and the MBA program are accredited by
the Higher Learning Commission – North Central. In addition we are a
member of the AACSB (the professional business accrediting association)
and follow its guidelines on curriculum content and outcomes.

How easy will it be to access library resources?

Metropolitan State University gives its students unparalleled access to
online library resources. As a member of this cohort you are given unlimited
access to a wide range of databases, many of which have full text journal
articles. Library video modules help you attain the greatest value from these
library resources.

Are student support services and advising available to online students?

Yes. Metropolitan State University has designed its online program so that
you have access to a full range of student services, including academic
advising. You will be automatically registered for your courses each term.
You will be assigned an academic advisor. Financial Aid services are also
available online.

How do I purchase books and course materials?

Our bookstore has complete services online and, for a small fee, will
deliver books to your door. You will know which books are needed
approximately two weeks before your classes begin. (This is also when
you will typically receive your syllabus for each of the courses you will be
taking in the following term.)

Are there requirements for the type of computer hardware and
software I will use?

Yes, these requirements are stated below.

Hardware Minimum Requirements:

Processor: P4 2.0 GHz or equivalent
Memory: 512 MB
Hard Drive: 60 GM
Modem or high speed connection
Sound card and speakers

Software Minimum Requirements:

Office XP 2003
Acrobat Reader
Presentation program such as PowerPoint

You will find more detailed hardware, software and browser requirements at http://archive.metrostate.edu/com/mba/online/student/techrequirements.html

How does the online program work?

You participate in weekly chats, Internet bulletin boards and discussions,
and projects and assignments are e-mailed to you. At the beginning of
your program, you will attend an on-campus residency to meet fellow
students and faculty and receive online technology training. All course work
and materials for online and classroom are virtually the same. Same
objectives. Same high quality. Same results.

What is required for admission?

In order to be admitted to the online MBA program, you must submit the
following materials:

Completed application with $20 nonrefundable fee
Official GMAT scores (visit www.mba.com for GMAT
information). There is not a minimum GMAT score requirement.
Instead, the following formula is used:

(weighted GPA x 200) + GMAT score = 1,025 or above.

If you do not have at least 1,025 points your application will
not be considered for admission. If your GMAT scores fall
below the 30th percentile you may be required to complete
additional coursework prior to beginning the online MBA
program.
Official undergraduate transcripts. If you received your
undergraduate degree outside the United States, contact an
admissions advisor at COM.GraduatePrograms@metrostate.edu for
additional requirements.
Two references, one of which must be a professional
reference. Those submitting references may mail the
recommendations directly to the Graduate Program Office
or return to you to include with the rest of your application
materials. Electronic or faxed letters are not accepted.
References must complete the reference form and attach a
business card. An attached letter attesting to the importance
of an MBA degree in enhancing your professional development
is encouraged.

Reference form can be found online at:
http://archive.metrostate.edu/com/student_resources/pdf/
reference_letter.pdf
Goals statement. The goals statement gives the faculty
admissions committee an idea of why you are applying to the
online MBA program and serves as a sample of your writing.
The paper should be well organized, concise and free of
grammar, punctuation and spelling errors. Try to limit your
paper to two pages, double spaced. Include in your paper the
reasons you are interested in the online MBA program.
Also explain your career objective and why you feel you would
be a good match for our program. The goals statement is also
a time for you to address any perceived weaknesses in your
application. If your undergraduate GPA is low, tell us why.
If there is a gap in your work experience, explain it in the goals
statement.
Current resume. You must have at least two years of full time,
professional work experience to be eligible for admission. If you
do not meet this criterion your application will not be considered
for admission.

All application materials should be sent to
Graduate Program Office, 1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

What is the admissions process?

Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by the graduate
program admissions committee, which consists of three full time faculty
members. An admission decision is usually made within 7-10 business days.
You will be notified by mail when a decision is made. Once you have been
admitted to the program, you will send your $500 deposit to ensure your
registration in the next available cohort.

What is an online course like?

A typical online course involves you in a variety of activities while learning
course content. By using Web teaching tools, you will meet course
requirements by participating in a variety of activities, including reading
assignments, conducting online research, taking tests, participating in
class discussions with other students, preparing papers and other course
assignments, all while working online. You will have regularly scheduled
activities, assignments, and exams. You can expect lots of interaction with
your instructor and other students as you engage with the course content.

How do I get more information?

Contact the Graduate Program Office at 612-659-7290 or the
admissions advisor at COM.GraduatePrograms@metrostate.edu