Business Administration, Accelarated Option, M.B.A.

Business Administration Major

Program Overview

The MBA program at TSU is committed to providing quality academic programs, as demonstrated through our accreditation by AACSB International.

We are also conveniently located in the heart of Nashville’s downtown commercial district, competitively priced, and designed for full-time, part-time, and working professionals with all of our courses offered in the evening.

The TSU MBA curriculum is a broad -based management education that provides you with the knowledge and skills to assume leadership positions in public and private companies. Adding to the quality of the MBA program is a dedicated faculty with outstanding credentials in teaching, research, and business. One hundred percent of the faculty holds doctorate degrees from a broad range of leading universities in the United States and abroad.

Students benefit from a faculty dedicated to their fields of study and willing to work with students both inside and outside the classroom. Because of small class sizes, MBA candidates have the opportunity to question, explore, and discuss subject matter in great detail in a professional setting.

Graduate students enjoy the prestige of matriculating in the oldest and most seasoned Master of Business Administration program offered in Nashville, having commenced in 1970. Candidates for the MBA come from all stations of life and all regions of the U. S., as well as Asia, Africa, Europe, Caribbean, and other locations around the world.

The MBA program is offered in two different delivery options; the MBA Traditional Option and the MBA Accelerated Option. The campus classroom experience for both the traditional and Accelerated Option is enhanced with web based learning opportunities. Both the MBA Traditional Option and the Accelerated Option, share the same course objectives/learning outcomes.

The MBA Traditional Option is designed for the working professional and non-traditional student. The Traditional Option consists of 12 courses for 36 hours of credit. All courses are offered in the evenings from 5:30-8:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday at the Avon Williams Campus located in downtown Nashville minutes from the financial center, major entertainment venues, the riverfront and convenient housing. The MBA Traditional Option offers concentrations in Accounting, Management of Information Systems, Finance, Supply Chain Management or General Business. Courses are available on campus and meet once a week Monday through Friday, 5:30-8:30 P.M.

The MBA Accelerated Option is a progressive Master of Business Administration Program directed to adult learners. This innovative accelerated learning option offers the MBA degree in a shorter time-frame while achieving the same number of class hours and learning outcomes as the College’s traditional MBA program. The Accelerated Option consists of 36 credit hours that are completed in 12 short months leading to the General MBA. The MBA Accelerated Option requires 11 courses (33 credit hours) and one elective course (3 credit hours).

Classes are conveniently offered:

• Fridays from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (on the Avon Williams Campus campus)
• Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (on the Avon Williams Campus Campus)
• Fully online during the summer

Program Goals:

The MBA Program adheres to the core values of the College and is designed to provide strategic, behavioral and technical competencies relevant to contemporary business practice. The goals of the program provide guidance for course design and development for the enhancement of student skills and to add value in both content and analytical/critical faculties.

The specific program learning goals are:

Goal 1: Students will be able to apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to make effective business decisions.
Goal 2: Students will be able to apply relevant conceptual knowledge to assess new business situations.
Goal 3: Students will develop effective teamwork skills.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of global dimensions of business.
Goal 5: Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in business

Admission Requirements:

Anyone wishing to take courses for graduate credit must apply for admission to the Graduate School. General admission requirements for the Graduate School are described in the Admissions, Regulations, Policies Section of this Catalog. In addition to requirements of the Graduate School, MBA applicants must meet the following requirements of the College of Business.*

1. 950 points based on the formula: 200 times 4-yearundergraduate GPA plus GMAT score or;
2. 1000 points based on the formula: 200 times Junior-senior GPA plus GMAT score.

*Note - A limited number of exceptions to the above standards may be given for extensive professional experience.

All documents, including official transcripts, must be received by the Graduate School before a student will be considered for admission. Conditional admission is granted for one semester if a student has a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, has taken all prerequisites, and agrees to take the GMAT during their initial semester in the MBA Program. To remain in the program, the student must meet the 950 or 1,000 point criteria cited above.

All applicants are:

1. expected to be competent in oral and written English;
2. expected to satisfy all prerequisite requirements in a particular discipline before enrolling in graduate-level courses in that discipline for credit;
3. expected to satisfy all prerequisites by the time nine hours of graduate-level work are completed.

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the program. In required core courses, grades below “C” are not accepted for credit toward the degree. Advisors can help students plan a program of study and assist them in planning to meet successfully all requirements of their program. Students must be admitted on either a conditional or unconditional basis in order to take MBA degree courses.

Transfer of Credit Policy

Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours of approved coursework from an AACSB Accredited College of Business, or may transfer up to 6 credit hours of approved coursework from a regionally accredited University.

Degree Requirements

1. Candidates must satisfy all prerequisites, complete corerequirements and other approved courses to satisfy theminimum number of semester hours required for agraduate degree, and accumulate a minimum GPA of “B”or 3.0 on a 4.0 system.
2. Candidates must file application of “Admission to Candidacy” for the MBA degree after completing allrequired prerequisites and nine (9) semester hours ofgraduate course work taken in residence with a “B” average in all courses taken for graduate credit. Therecommendation of the major advisor and approval ofthe Dean of the Graduate School are required.
3. Candidates must file “Application for Graduation” at leastone full semester prior to commencement, including clearance with the major advisor, the Dean of theGraduate School, the Business Office, the PlacementBureau, the Office of Admissions and Records, and theUniversity Library.
4. Candidates should attend commencement. The MBA degree may be awarded in absentia upon prior approvalby the Dean of the Graduate School.

The TSU MBA curriculum is a broad-based management education that provides students with the knowledge and skills to assume leadership positions in the public and private companies. The MBA curriculum consists of 36 hours of credit. Students that do not have an undergraduate degree in business will need to take foundation courses prior to beginning the graduate coursework. These courses may include the foundation courses listed below.

MBA Accelerated Option Program of Study