Business Administration, Accelerated 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 three different delivery options:  The MBA Traditional Option, the MBA Accelerated Option, and the Executive MBA. The campus classroom experience for both the Traditional and Accelerated Option is enhanced with web-based learning opportunities. The fast-track Executive MBA features distance learning and web-supported courses.  The MBA Traditional Option, the Accelerated Option, and the Executive MBA 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 Building 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 Building)

• Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (on the Avon Williams Building)

• Fully online during the summer

The TSU Executive MBA is designed to better accommodate the needs of busy professionals. The 12-month program offers a convenient, business-friendly schedule with classes meeting on weekends and is delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a mix of in-person and online course offerings. Program participants also have the opportunity to spend 10 days studying outside the United States to broaden their understanding of global leadership. The EMBA consists of 36 credit hours that are completed in 12 months. The required courses will be a short 4 weeks.

Courses for each month are structured as follows:

• Week 1: Weekend residency Friday 2-6 pm and Saturday 8 am-4 pm

• Weeks 2 & 4: Online

• Week 3: Saturday morning live lecture via web technology

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 creatively apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to make effective business decisions.

Goal 2:   Students will effectively use leadership skills to achieve goals.

Goal 3:   Students will demonstrate an understanding of the global dimensions of business.

Goal 4:   Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of business.

Goal 5:   Students will be able to integrate knowledge across fields to assess business situations.

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, and Policies Section of this Catalog. In addition to the 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-year undergraduate 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; and

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 core requirements and other approved courses to satisfy the minimum number of semester hours required for a graduate degree, and accumulate a minimum GPA of “B” or 3.0 on a 4.0 system.
2. Candidates must file the application of “Admission to Candidacy” for the MBA degree after completing all required prerequisites and nine (9) semester hours of graduate course work taken in residence with a “B” average in all courses taken for graduate credit. The recommendation of the major advisor and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School are required.
3. Candidates must file “Application for Graduation” at least one full semester prior to commencement, including clearance with the major advisor, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Business Office, the Placement Bureau, the Office of Admissions and Records, and the University Library.
4. Candidates should attend commencement. The MBA degree may be awarded in absentia upon prior approval by 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 sector 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