What is an MBA?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a widely recognized degree highly sought after by those looking to gain an edge in the business world. The MBA is open to individuals from a wide range of academic disciplines who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree.
An MBA education provides students a broad knowledge base in all the major functions and practices of a business (accounting, marketing, finance, operations management, organizational behavior, economics, and information systems) and further develops managerial skill sets and core competencies necessary for business success. Against this backdrop, the critical topics of leadership, teamwork, ethics, and effective communication are embedded in the program to further broaden skills necessary to become more effective managers. Southern Oregon University is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP.)
Program for Working Professionals and Full-time Students
The MBA program at SOU is designed to meet the needs of busy working professionals as well as full-time graduate students. Students may enter the MBA program any term.
- Classes are offered on the Ashland campus evenings on weekdays and at the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center (HEC) in Medford on Saturdays.
- The MBA degree can be completed in as little as one calendar year. Students who plan to complete the program must start in the fall term and must have completed all the prerequisites prior to the fall term start.
International Dual MBA Degree
Students in this program earn an MBA from SOU and a Master of International Management from HTW Saarlandes in Germany. The program of study can be completed in one year, with two quarters of study at SOU and one semester at HTW. All classes in Germany are taught in English.
Admission Criteria
In addition to possessing a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university, applicants will be required 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.
International applicants must also achieve TOEFL scores of at least 540 (paper) or 207 (computer) or 76 (Internet).
Application Procedures
Complete applications will be evaluated and processed after January 1 for the succeeding fall term start. The MBA Selection Committee will continue to review complete applications and admit qualified students until the programs (full and part-time) meet enrollment capacity. Enrollment capacity is typically met by late spring each year. Submit your application to the MBA program as early as possible. Each applicant is required to fulfill admission requirements for SOU and the MBA program.
Admission to SOU
Submit to the SOU Office of Admissions (1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520):
- Completed SOU Application for Graduate Study with application fee.
- Official transcripts from ALL universities or colleges attended for credit. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the SOU Office of Admissions.
Admission to the MBA Program
Submit to the MBA Program Office (School of Business, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520):
- A completed Application for the Master in Business Administration*
- Two evaluation forms*
- Statement of purpose (maximum 400 words)
- Professional resume
- GMAT test scores (500 or above), taken no more than five years previously. (Note: GMAT scores are only required for those who do not meet the GPA admissions criteria.)
- For international students, a TOEFL score of at least 540 (paper), 207 (computer), or 76 (Internet)
* Forms are available electronically at http://www.sou.edu/business/mba/admission.html
Evaluation Forms
Applicants should select two individuals to complete and submit evaluation forms on their behalf. The evaluators should be qualified to describe the applicant’s ability to succeed in this program based on their observations of the applicant’s previous professional or academic work. Candidates are advised to consider requesting evaluations from people who know them in a variety of roles. Evaluations must be mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the evaluator to the MBA office, or an electronic version of the evaluation may be emailed by the evaluator to MBA-grad-asst@sou.edu.
Statement of Purpose
Applicants are required to provide a maximum 400-word personal statement detailing their qualifications and motivation for participating in this degree program. This statement provides the selection committee with information on an applicant’s writing skills and the fit between an individual’s career goals and what this program can offer. The applicant must write the statement of purpose himself/herself without any editing assistance from anyone. Violation of this rule will result in non-acceptance to the Program.
Professional Resume
Applicants must submit a professional resume to provide a detailed comprehensive view of their career history
International Applicants
International participants in the MBA program bring a welcome diversity in experience and perspective. International applicants must meet all University and program requirements for admission. In addition, it is expected that international candidates demonstrate a command of English (see the stipulation on the Statement of Purpose above) that exceeds the minimum standards set by the University, as the program’s courses are too demanding to accommodate remedial work in English. A TOEFL score of at least 540 (paper), 207 (computer), or 76 (Internet) is required for graduate study at SOU. For more information, refer to www.sou.edu/admissions/international or contact the SOU Admissions Office (541-552-6411).
Transfer Credits
A student may include up to 16 quarter credits of approved graduate coursework taken prior to regular admission to the MBA program. See https://inside.sou.edu/business/mba 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 as set forth in each student’s admission agreement. Failure to complete the required prerequisite courses will result in termination of the program.
Graduation
All MBA coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to qualify for graduation. The 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 B-.
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 division director 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.
Program Curriculum
The 45-credit MBA program curriculum consists of the following components:
Approved Graduate Electives (14 credits)
Electives are selected in consultation with and approved by the MBA program coordinator.
Generalist Option:
Students who do not choose to have a concentration area may choose any course from the list below, or any non-business 500-level course as approved by the MBA Coordinator.
Concentration Option:
MBA candidates can select a group of elective courses to comprise a concentration area. The program offers six concentration areas: Finance, Information Analysis and Decision Making, Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting, and Nonprofit Management.
The requirements for the concentration areas are listed below. Except for the Human Resources and Nonprofit Management concentrations where a student must complete at least 4 elective courses from the list, all other concentrations require at least 3 elective courses, in addition to the default core MBA course.
Students may elect to obtain multiple concentrations provided they meet the required credits as listed below. However, elective credits can only be applied to one concentration (i.e. no “double dipping” will be allowed).
Whether or not a student is pursuing a concentration option, the total number of elective credits completed must be at least 14.
Information Analysis and Decision Making:
MBA for the Arts Concentration
The MBA for the Arts concentration is for high-potential arts and cultural managers seeking training in business, strategic and innovative thinking, and a broad knowledge of nonprofit management. The degree and concentration are designed to prepare artists to manage and lead on a local, regional or national scale; combine business strategy with community insights in innovative and resourceful ways; and connect artists, the arts, and audiences in ways that transform their communities.
This program can be completed in one year, after completion of a bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the MBA for the Arts must have a bachelor’s degree in the arts (Art, EMDA, Creative Writing, Music, and Theatre) or other arts-related course of study given the fact that a business minor is pursued at the undergraduate level. Otherwise, the program is a two-year graduate level program if no or very few undergraduate business courses have been accepted as prerequisites for the program. Acceptance into the program is based upon declaration and acceptance into the SOU graduate program.
Students pursuing this concentration option must meet the following prerequisites prior to admission into the program:
