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2015-2016 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Business Administration

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A., F.I.M.B.A., and E.M.B.A.)

In a world of changing opportunities and challenges, individuals must enrich their skills and increase their value in the marketplace. Seidman offers three M.B.A. options, each providing strategic advantages that make a real difference in students' careers. The traditional part-time M.B.A. program is primarily for working professionals; the Full-time Integrated M.B.A. best meets the needs of individuals who have limited or no work experience; and the Executive M.B.A. serves experienced professionals.

Master of Business Administration (Traditional M.B.A.)

The traditional M.B.A. serves primarily working professionals. Most students attend classes part time while working full time. This facilitates a synergistic connection between the classroom and the workplace. Traditional M.B.A. students bring diversity of academic and professional backgrounds, making the classroom a dynamic environment for the exchange of perspectives and ideas.

Admission to the Traditional Master of Business Administration Program

Candidates are admitted to the traditional M.B.A. program based on criteria that have been shown to predict success. Applicants must submit official documentation of all previous college coursework, including a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent international credential). Any major is acceptable. Additionally, applicants must submit:

  • GMAT score
  • Personal Statement
  • TOEFL score (if English is not the applicant's first language)

Admission requirements are provided in detail in the Seidman College of Business section of this catalog. There are no prerequisite courses required for admission to the traditional M.B.A. program, although foundation courses are required prior to 600-level course work as described below.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine semester hours of transfer credit will be given for appropriate graduate courses completed with a grade of B or better from another AACSB-accredited college or university. These credits may be substituted for required courses, area of emphasis courses, or general elective credit as determined by the program director. University policy on transfer of credit also governs such courses.

Academic Review

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in all 600-level courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the M.B.A. A grade of C or better must be earned in all graduate courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the M.B.A. Additionally, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required in all graduate-level courses.

Program Location

The M.B.A. program is offered in the Pew Campus L. William Seidman Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Website: www.gvsu.edu/mba

Graduate Outcomes/Time to Program Completion

The Seidman faculty has identified the following learning goals for M.B.A. students. Objectives related to each goal are assessed regularly to ensure that they are being achieved.

  • Effective Business Communications
  • Business Acumen and Strategic Decision Making
  • Global and Intercultural Competence
  • Value Driven Leadership

The Seidman faculty has adopted APA as the standard citation style for M.B.A. coursework. Unless a faculty member indicates otherwise, students are expected to use this citation method where appropriate in their written course work.

Requirements for the Traditional M.B.A.

The M.B.A. program consists of 33 semester hours of 600-level coursework. Foundation work equivalent to the undergraduate business core must also be completed. Students who have completed an undergraduate business degree will have completed some or all of the foundation. Students who have undergraduate degrees with non-business majors may need up to 11 semester hours of accelerated foundation courses.

Foundation Courses (up to 11 credits)

Foundation requirements may be met by completion of either the 500-level accelerated courses or the undergraduate courses as indicated below:

Background Area GVSU Undergraduate Course(s)
Accounting ACC 511 - Financial and Managerial Accounting Concepts (3 credits) Credits: 3 ACC 212 and 213 (6 credits)
Quantitative Methods FIN 520 - Statistics and Mathematics of Finance (3 credits) Credits: 3 STA 215 and FIN 320 (6 credits)
Legal Environment BUS 531 - Legal Environment of Business (2 credits) Credits: 2 BUS 201 (3 credits)
Economics ECO 542 - Economic Reasoning (3 credits) Credits: 3 ECO 210 and 211 (6 credits)


The relationship between foundation requirements and the M.B.A. curriculum requires that all foundation studies be complete by the time the student enrolls for 600-level course(s). An exception is made for those students who are completing their background studies during the same semester in which they enroll for their first 600-level course(s), in which case the specific prerequisite(s) for the 600-level courses, as documented in this catalog with the course description, must be complete.

Students who have completed GVSU undergraduate courses listed above with a grade of B or better or the equivalent at another college or university are not required to complete additional 500-level coursework in the respective areas. A background assessment showing the status of the student's foundation requirements is provided each student at the time of admission.

The traditional M.B.A. is a program designed for working professionals. Classes are offered in the evenings. Students who have completed the foundation requirements and enroll for six credits each semester graduate in two years. The M.B.A. can be completed in three or four semesters of full-time study if the student has completed all foundation requirements.

Core Courses (28.5 credits)

The following core courses are required of all traditional M.B.A. students except as noted below:

Students who have majored in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, or operations management will not take the corresponding core course but are required to substitute a graduate business elective. Graduate business electives include courses in accounting, business, economics, finance, management, and marketing.

Students with 12 or more credits, but not a major, in any of the following areas will be required to substitute an elective in the same area: information systems, international business, economics, finance, marketing or operations.

Students who have completed an undergraduate or previous graduate cost accounting course will be required to substitute a graduate business elective for ACC 611. However, students with 12 previous accounting credits which do not include cost accounting will be required to complete ACC 611.

The balance of the program, typically 4.5 to 10.5 credits of business electives, will depend on the student's objectives and career interests. All students regardless of undergraduate major, must complete at least 33 600-level credits.

Capstone Course

  • BUS 681 - Strategy (3 credits) Credits: 3 (Capstone course and may not be taken until other core courses are complete, or concurrently with other required courses if it is the student's final semester.)

M.B.A. Emphasis Areas

The M.B.A. is a degree of breadth rather than depth. However, for a variety of reasons, some M.B.A. candidates benefit by completing electives in one area. Students earning the Seidman M.B.A. may choose electives in one area if they choose to complement the breadth of the degree with some depth in a functional area.

The Seidman M.B.A. offers students an official emphasis in innovation and technology management. The emphasis requires four 3-credit electives, which lengthens the M.B.A. program. The emphasis in technology and innovation management is designed to provide participants with the requisite management, business, technical, and strategic skills needed to better manage the technological resources of an organization. The interdisciplinary combination of courses that comprises the elective portion of the student's M.B.A. are BUS 656, Management of Technology; MGT 665, Enterprise Information Systems; MGT 669, Process Analysis and ERP Systems; and one additional technology-related course offered at Grand Valley with the graduate programs director's approval.

An emphasis in health sector management is also available and consists of three specific courses that complete the elective portion of the M.B.A. program, as well as the substitution of PA 634, Health Care Law and Ethics, for core course BUS 677. Electives for the emphasis are PA 630, Health Administration/Services; PA 631, Health Policy and Politics; and PA 633, Health Economics. This emphasis increases the total credit hours for the M.B.A. program.

Those students interested in depth of study in finance may earn an emphasis in that discipline by completing FIN 624, Investments, and at least 9 credits from the following: FIN 626, Advanced Managerial Finance; FIN 629, International Finance; FIN 680, Special Topics in Finance; ACC 613, Financial Statement Analysis; FIN 627, Derivative Assets; and FIN 699, Independent Study. This emphasis increases the total credit hours for the M.BA. program.

Students interested in expanding their study of international business may earn an emphasis in that area by completing a minimum of 9 credits from the following courses: ACC 617, International Accounting; BUS 644, International Business; ECO 645, International Economic Issues; FIN 629, International Finance; and MKT 658, International Marketing.

Students interested in expanding their study of sustainable enterprise may earn an emphasis in that area by completing the following 9 credits: MGT 672, Creativity and Social Entrepreneurship; BUS 634, Sustainability Principles and Practices; BUS 635, Sustainable Small Enterprises; and ECO 647, Environmental Economics.

It should be noted that the elective courses, including those required for the above emphases, are not available with the same regularity as core courses. Consequently, it is usually not possible to complete a specific series of electives required for an emphasis in fewer than four academic semesters. This places limitations for emphases on those students who are pursuing the degree on an expedited schedule.

Master of Business Administration (Full-time Integrated M.B.A.)

The Full-time Integrated M.B.A. (FIMBA) program is designed to jump-start students' business careers. Students with undergraduate business degrees and little or no work experience pursue study in a cohort program for 14 months. It is differentiated from the traditional program by an extensive real-world business fellowship, professional development, study abroad, and participation in a Washington, D.C., program.

Admission to the Full-time Integrated Master of Business Administration Program

Admission to the FIMBA program is competitive. Applicants must submit official documentation of all previous college course work, including baccalaureate degree (or equivalent international credential) with a business major. Applicants must also submit:

  • GMAT score
  • Personal Statement
  • Brief essays as directed
  • TOEFL score (if English is not the applicant's first language)

The academic record and admission test scores (GMAT) are important indicators of the student's ability to succeed in the program. Finalists are interviewed, and the cohort is selected by faculty and the corporate fellowship sponsors. Admission requirements are provided in detail in the Seidman College of Business section of this catalog.

Transfer Credit

No transfer credit is accepted for the FIMBA program.

Academic Review

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in all 600-level courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the FIMBA. A grade of C or better must be earned in all graduate courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the program.

Program Location

The FIMBA program is offered in the Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Graduation Outcomes

The Seidman faculty has identified learning goals for M.B.A. students, which are found above in the Traditional Master of Business Administration section of this catalog.

Requirements for the FIMBA

The FIMBA consists of 42 credits of 600-level coursework. Access to special ERP software enhances technology skills and serves to integrate the curriculum. Students complete the following courses in a cohort group:

Summer Semester:

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Spring/Summer Semester:

All students attend the Washington Campus program in Washington, D.C. where they study the business/government relationship and the political and economic environments. Winter semester courses are enhanced by the mandatory study abroad, where all students spend two weeks exposed to the global marketplace. Travel and other accommodations are made by the Seidman College and included in the cost of the program.

Business Fellowship

Integral to the FIMBA program is the Business Fellowship, which provides students real-world experience. Student fellows are compensated by the employer, which helps to defray the costs of their studies. Fellowship placement is facilitated by the Seidman College of Business Graduate Programs and Career Services

Master of Business Administration (Executive M.B.A.)

The executive M.B.A. serves experienced professionals. The program is cohort based, and classes meet primarily on select Fridays and Saturdays over a 22-month period. The curriculum is highly strategic and systems oriented. It culminates in a real-world project.

Admission to the Executive Master of Business Administration Program

A bachelor's degree and at least five years of significant professional experience are required for consideration, and final selection is based on prior academic performance, potential for leadership, and employer recommendation. Applicants must submit official documentation of all previous college course work, and personal statements, recommendations, and resumes. Any major is acceptable. (The cohort for the calendar year of this catalog is limited to Spectrum Health employees.)

Transfer Credit

No transfer credit is accepted for the EMBA program.

Academic Review

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required in all 600-level courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the executive M.B.A. A grade of C or better must be earned in all graduate courses that fulfill graduation requirements for the M.B.A.

Program Location

The executive M.B.A. program is offered in the L. William Seidman Center on the Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Website www.gvsu.edu/mba

Graduate Outcomes/Time to Program Completion

The Seidman faculty has identified learning goals for M.B.A. students, which are found above in the traditional Master of Business Administration section of this catalog.

The program is 4 semesters and meets over 22 months.

Requirements for the Executive M.B.A.

The E.M.B.A. program consists of 38 semester hours in a lock-step format. Preparation for M.B.A. coursework in areas of accounting, finance, business law, and economics can be fulfilled through GVSU courses and/or established online courses. Individualized program plans inform each student which foundation area(s) need to be completed and provide direction for completion. Also required is a series of workshops that integrate the academic curriculum and provide executive focused professional development.

Core Courses (38 credits)

The following core courses are required of all E.M.B.A. students:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Additional Professional Development

Approximately 130 hours of Professional Development over four semesters will be facilitated by the program's executive director. It is integral to the program's overall goals and is required of all students.

Semester 1

  • Team Building
  • Innovation
  • Content Integration

Semester 2

  • Content integration

Semester 3

  • Action Learning Capstone Project*
  • Content Integration

Semester 4

  • Action Learning Capstone Project*
  • Content Integration

*Culminating Experience

The executive M.B.A. culminates with a real world integrative project which takes place during the final two semesters of the program. It will be facilitated by the program's executive director and evaluated by the executive director and academic director.

Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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