Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration degree prepares students for responsible leadership positions in private, nonprofit and public organizations. Upon completion of the M.B.A. degree, graduates demonstrate a global mindset and competence in critical thinking, digital technology, communication, teamwork and ethical and sustainable management.

The program welcomes students from the full range of undergraduate degrees. Regardless of their undergraduate education, students will find a challenging program designed to prepare them for management positions in organizations.

The degree is structured for full-time/in-person and full-time or part-time online students:

• The full-time/in-person program is targeted to early career professionals, both nationally and internationally, who wish to jump-start their business career, and to those who wish to make a business-related career change. The program operates in cohorts so that students proceed through the sequence of required courses as a group. Students take six to seven courses each semester (offered in eight-week modules) and are expected to participate in experiential activities such as internships, mentoring and professional development activities. Delivery of the program is accelerated; students are able to earn the M.B.A. degree in 12 to 16 months.
• The online program is designed for those who want maximum flexibility in pursuing their M.B.A. degree. Students can take courses to suit their life: from one course at a time to a full-time course load. This is an ideal program for professionals who intend to keep working full-time while pursing the M.B.A., and for those students who want to pursue their M.B.A. without commuting to campus.

The Business Administration major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Accounting concentration allows students to specialize their degree with courses in managerial and financial accounting, business valuation using financial statements and international accounting. Completion of this concentration is not sufficient to sit for the CPA exam in Ohio unless the student has an undergraduate accounting major.
• The Business Analytics concentration allows students to gain the technical, analytical, communication, decision-making and leadership skills needed to glean useful information from data to make strategic business decisions.
• The Digital Transformation concentration prepares students for a more dynamic, modular and techie-savvy world.
• The Finance concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced courses in investments, financial markets and institutions, real estate and other related areas.
• The Healthcare Administration concentration provides business students with knowledge of the healthcare setting that will support their capacity to work effectively in a variety of healthcare organizations.
• The Human Resource Management concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced topics in employee selection and appraisal, organizational analysis and the opportunity for real-world applications.
• The Information Systems concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced topics in database management systems, emerging hardware and software technology and other related area courses.
• The International Business concentration allows students to specialize their degree with courses in accounting, marketing, finance and strategy with an international focus. Study abroad options are possible, with no language skills required.
• The Organizational Leadership concentration allows students to develop advanced skills that will support their capacity to lead in higher level positions.

Students may pursue an online stackable certificate pathway to the M.B.A. by completing the Leadership and Management graduate certificate, the Quantitative Business Management graduate certificate and a set of remaining courses to earn the M.B.A. degree. Students who choose a Business Analytics, Financial, Human Resource Management, International Business or Organizational Leadership concentration can take one additional course and stack an additional graduate certificate in Business Analytics, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, International Business or Leading Through Challenge.

The following dual degree programs with the M.B.A. are possible. A separate application must be submitted for each program.

• Combined degree with the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree prepares students to run their own Podiatric Medicine practice. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
• Dual degree with the Master of Architecture degree is designed for architects or undergraduate architectural students whose career goals include assuming middle or executive management positions in architectural practices, or who are interested in starting their own businesses.
• Dual degree with the Master of Engineering Technology degree is designed for students with the dual goal of pursuing the a highly technical degree while at the same time preparing for a career that will hold increasing levels of management positions.
• Dual degree with the Master of Library and Information Science degree is designed for managers of large libraries and information centers. Individuals in these positions need knowledge pertaining to planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. Advanced education to obtain knowledge and learn skills related to these management functions enables students to take advantage of career opportunities both in library settings and other information settings, both in the profit and nonprofit sectors.
• Dual degree with the Master of Public Health degree prepares students for responsible leadership positions and offers an integrated business and public health curriculum designed to help students develop real-world knowledge and skills needed to pursue success and management opportunities in the public health industry.
• Dual degree with the Master of Science in Nursing degree is designed for experienced nurses whose career goals include assuming middle- or executive-management positions in health services agencies or in health-related companies, or who are interested in starting their own business. The program combines the strengths of advanced nursing preparation with the practical management knowledge needed to develop significant leadership capabilities.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Communication Studies is designed for students and professionals whose career goals focus on communication, particularly global communication. The program provides direction and leadership in economic and business development processes.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Peace and Conflict Studies converges the field of conflict management and the field of business. Students learn how business works alongside understanding the dynamics of conflict and how to successfully transform it to succeed in business and to transform organizational cultures.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Sport Administration is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to enable them to become successful professionals in the field of sports and recreation management. The program integrates management theory and application in sports settings with a broad business curriculum to give graduates a competitive advantage.
• Dual degree with the M.A. degree in Translation is designed for linguists. By combining the practices and language of business, students can pursue language-based careers in the private, public and governmental sectors.
• Dual degree with the M.Ed. degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs is designed for professionals who aspire to responsible leadership positions in higher education. The program provides an integrated curriculum grounded in theory and focused on practice to support diverse student populations. Students are equipped with necessary skills to make the business decisions required of leaders in higher education.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Aviation Management and Logistics prepares students for responsible leadership positions and provides an integrated business and aviation management and logistics education with an emphasis on regional, national and global implications in the field of aviation.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management prepares students for responsible leadership positions and provides an integrated hospitality and tourism education with an emphasis on regional, national and global implications of the field.
• Dual degree with the M.S. degree in Knowledge Management is designed for students who seek the capacity to develop and apply knowledge to improve organizational strategies. Graduates will be able to design, deliver, support and lead knowledge-management programs at project and enterprise levels.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Critical Thinking: analyze the elements of a business problem and construct well-reasoned solutions.
2. Written Communication: write effective business communications.
3. Oral Communication: make effective business presentations using appropriate technologies.
4. Teamwork: collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose.
5. Business Ethics: recognize ethical business dilemmas and use ethical decision-making to resolve the dilemma.
6. Triple Bottom Line Management: analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and craft solutions for a broad array of stakeholders.
7. Global Mindset: distinguish and analyze the key global factors when making business decisions.

AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Online MBA Program Structure

• 37 minimum credit hours
• Study abroad opportunity available—fulfills some of the program’s required elective credits
• Courses are in 8-week modules—students can start the program and always find the beginning-level courses
• Students can go at their own pace—full-time students can complete the program in as little as 12 months, but can also be spread out up to a period of six years. Most students complete the program in 24 to 27 months
• Ability to enroll in the online MBA program any semester—this program admits year-round, during fall, spring and summer semesters
• For the full-time options: Admission to the full-time Master of Business Administration program is in the fall semester only
• Kent Campus (full-time) or online (full- or part-time)

Graduation Requirements

The Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship will permit the waiving of M.B.A coursework if supported by the appropriate and recent undergraduate coursework. The waiver of each specific course will be determined by the relevant academic department (Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management and Information Systems and Marketing and Entrepreneurship). Students may graduate with the M.B.A. degree with fewer than 37 total credit hours but no fewer than 30 total credit hours.

Online Dual Degree Program Structure

• 50 to 61 required credits depending on chosen online dual degree

Ohio Residents

Non-Ohio Residents

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

A webinar fee is also charged, covering 18-month subscriptions consisting of five self-paced instructional webinars each. The webinar topics are in the following subject areas:

• Accounting—completed prior to ACCT 63037 and MIS 64005
• Spreadsheets—completed prior to ACCT 63037
• Finance—completed prior to FIN 66060
• Statistics—completed prior to MIS 64005
• Economics—completed prior to the first Economics course taken, either ECON 62021 or ECON 62022

Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.

*Out-of-state/International tuition includes a surcharge of $10 per credit hour for all students enrolled in an online program.

General and operations managers

• 5.8% faster than the average
• 2,486,400 number of jobs
• $103,650 potential earnings

Human resources managers

• 6.3% faster than the average
• 165,200 number of jobs
• $121,220 potential earnings

Management analysts

• 10.7% much faster than the average
• 876,300 number of jobs
• $87,660 potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

• 17.7% much faster than the average
• 738,100 number of jobs
• $65,810 potential earnings

Financial and investment analysts, financial risk specialists, and financial specialists, all other

• 5.5% faster than the average
• 487,800 number of jobs
• $83,660 potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}