Master of Business Administration, MBA

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541-552-8203 (Ashland Office)
541-552-8151 (Medford Office)
www.sou.edu/mba
Donna Lane, MBA Coordinator

The SOU Saturday MBA program offers an innovative approach to meeting the needs of working professionals who wish to pursue an advanced degree in business but whose busy work and personal schedules make attending evening or weekday graduate courses difficult. The Saturday MBA is a seven-term, 21-month program featuring a highly interactive and practical approach to learning. The ability to work closely with faculty, fellow participants, and executives provides tremendous networking opportunities.

Admission Criteria

In addition to possessing a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university, applicants will normally be expected to meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above in the last 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) toward a baccalaureate degree (or toward a graduate degree program), or
GMAT score of 500 or above taken within the last five years.

All applications will be reviewed by the MBA selection committee. Applicants not meeting the admission requirements detailed above may be considered for conditional admission and required to interview with the MBA selection committee. Conditional applicants will only be offered admission if they receive favorable recommendations from the MBA selection committee and if admission slots are available.

Applicants admitted as conditional students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in MBA coursework at the end of their second term in the program. Anyone whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 after two terms will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Program Curriculum

The 45-credit MBA program curriculum consists of the following components:

1.

The Cornerstone Experience (6 credits)

MBA 510 - Global Leadership 3 credits
MBA 511 - Critical Analytical Thinking and Communication 3 credits

2.

Foundation courses (6 credits)

MBA 516 - Managerial Accounting for Decision Making 3 credits
MBA 520 - Economic Analysis 3 credits

3.

Core courses (22 credits)

MBA 515 - Information Systems 3 credits
MBA 512 - Marketing Management and Strategies 3 credits
MBA 575 - Advanced Organizational Behavior 3 credits
MBA 514 - Strategic Operations Management 3 credits
MBA 519 - Graduate Research Project 3 credits
MBA 521 - Legal Issues in Business and Management 3 credits
MBA 585 - Financial Management Practices 3 credits
MBA 509 - Ethics 1 credit

4.

Approved graduate electives (8 credits)

5.

Capstone

MBA 590 - Capstone 3 credits

Transfer Credits

A student may include up to 15 quarter credits of approved graduate coursework taken prior to regular admission to the MBA program. See program coordinator for details.

Program Prerequisites

Although no particular major is required for admission, participants not having earned a business degree or completed the equivalent business courses may be required to demonstrate proficiencies in the areas of accounting, elementary statistics, economics, and/or computer applications. Participants may demonstrate their proficiencies in the above areas through testing or enrollment in the corresponding prerequisite course(s). All testing and required prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of winter term in the first year of the program. Failure to complete the required prerequisite courses will result in termination of the program.

Program Format

The Saturday MBA program is designed on a cohort model: all participants start and proceed through the program together. Course delivery consists of dynamic interaction in face-to-face sessions and high-quality online instruction, depending on course topics and objectives.

Advising

The MBA program coordinator is responsible for advising participants and assisting with course enrollment. Because courses are offered in a cohort format, it is imperative that participants follow the established course sequencing. Anyone who deviates from the cohort course sequencing will not be allowed to continue with their cohort.

Graduation

All MBA coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to qualify for graduation. The Saturday MBA program coordinator provides information regarding graduation processes and procedures.

Grading

All MBA courses must be taken for a letter grade (P/NP option will not be accepted). Credit toward the degree will not be assigned for any course with a final grade lower than a C.

Academic Probation

MBA candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 throughout the program. If a candidate’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the candidate will be placed on academic probation and be notified by the program coordinator. Any candidate placed on academic probation must petition the school dean for permission to continue in the program. If permission is granted, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above must be achieved by the candidate by the following term. Candidates not meeting this requirement will be terminated from the program. Candidates placed on academic probation a second time will automatically be terminated from the program.

Application Procedures

The deadline to apply for admission to the Saturday MBA program is March 1. While applications are accepted throughout the year, applications will only be reviewed at the official deadline. Once the fall cohort is full, any additional qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list. If places are not available, candidates may reapply for the cohort starting the following year. To apply to the Saturday MBA program, each applicant is required to fulfill the following admission requirements for SOU and the Saturday MBA program:

Admission to SOU

Submit the following to the SOU Office of Admissions, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520.

completed SOU Application for Graduate Study with application fee
official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended for credit

Admission to the Saturday MBA program

Submit the following to the Saturday MBA program office, School of Business, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520.

completed application for the Master in Business Administration (sou.edu/business/mba)
two evaluation forms completed by professors or employers
statement of purpose (400 words maximum)
professional resumé
GMAT test scores (500 or above), taken no more than five years previously, if necessary (see admission criteria)
for international students, a TOEFL score of at least 540 (paper), 207 (computer), or 76 (Internet)