Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Business Administration (MBA)
Kent State University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offers a flexible, 100% online format designed to equip professionals with the leadership, strategic thinking, and analytical skills needed to excel in today’s competitive business environment. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or transition into a new field, this program provides the expertise needed for success in various industries.
Business Administration (MBA) Graduate Certificate Program Overview
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 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 Leadership in Conflict Mediation 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 Leadership in Conflict Mediation 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. Applications to this dual degree are not being accepted at this time.
- 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. Applications to this dual degree are not being accepted at this time.
- 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.
Online Concentrations: The online MBA program includes five optional concentrations:
Accounting
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.
Business Analytics
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 decisions.
Digital Transformation
The Digital Transformation concentration prepares students for a more dynamic, modular, and techie-savvy world.
Finance
The Finance concentration allows students to specialize their degree with advanced courses in investments, financial markets and institutions, real estate, and other related areas.
Healthcare Administration
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.
Human Resource Management
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.
International Business
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.
Dual Degrees: The online MBA offers seven dual degree options:
MLIS/MBA
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.
MBA/MA Translation
Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.A. degree in Translation and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
The dual degree 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.
The dual degree 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.
MBA/MPH
Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the Master in Public Health degree and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
The dual M.B.A./M.P.H. 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.
The dual M.B.A./M.P.H. 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.
MBA/MSN
Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.S.N. and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.
The dual M.B.A./M.S.N. 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. It combines the strengths of advanced nursing preparation with the practical management knowledge needed to develop significant leadership capabilities.
The dual M.B.A./M.S.N. 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. It combines the strengths of advanced nursing preparation with the practical management knowledge needed to develop significant leadership capabilities.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Critical Thinking: analyze the elements of a business problem and construct well-reasoned solutions.
- Written Communication: write effective business communications.
- Oral Communication: make effective business presentations using appropriate technologies.
- Teamwork: collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose.
- Business Ethics: recognize ethical business dilemmas and use ethical decision-making to resolve the dilemma.
- Triple Bottom-Line Management: analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and craft solutions for a broad array of stakeholders.
- Global Mindset: distinguish and analyze the key global factors when making business decisions.
U.S. News Rankings:
Kent State’s Online MBA program, offered by the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, boasts two placements in the Best Online Programs rankings. Kent State’s Online MBA with a concentration in business analytics ranked No. 25 in the nation in the U.S. News 2021 Online MBA specialty ranking, and the overall Online MBA program ranked No. 126 in the country among all higher education institutions. Read more.
Princeton Review:
Kent State’s Online MBA program, offered by the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, is ranked #23 among the Top 50 Online MBA Programs for 2022 by The Princeton Review.
Quality Matters Program Design and Recognized Courses:
Quality MattersTM (QM) Recognition via the peer review process means that an online course has met rigorous, research-based standards for quality online course design.
Kent State University is proud to announce that the College of Business Administration has both QM Recognized Courses and QM Program Design. Learn more.
Program Structure
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
Business Administration (MBA) Graduate Certificate Program Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Completion of two quantitative undergraduate courses (e.g., advanced algebra, statistics) with minimum B grade1
- Official transcripts
- Résumé
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
1In some circumstances, the academic program admissions committee may consider other compelling evidence in their determination.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Dual Degree Courses
MBA/MA in Translation
Students pursuing the MBA/MA dual degree will complete a minimum of 61 total credit hours of coursework designed to prepare them for a management role in a global business context. Students will augment their core MBA classes with coursework that covers multilingual documents, theories of translation and interpretation, and software and computer terminology in multilingual contexts. Students will also select a language specific concentration—available languages are Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish—and complete five additional concentration courses in translation practice; literary and cultural translation; commercial, legal and diplomatic translation; scientific, technical and medial translation; and a case study course in their chosen language.
View MBA/MA Dual Degree Course Requirements
View MBA/MA Dual Degree Course Requirements
MBA/MLIS
Students pursuing the MBA/MLIS dual degree will complete a minimum of 61 total credit hours of coursework designed to prepare them for a management role in an information organization. Topics of study include information landscape, information organization, information ecology, and information institutions and professions in addition to the core business topics outlined above. Students in this combined program will select 18-21 credits of business administration or library and information science electives, and they will also complete both a 3-credit internship and a 1-credit master’s portfolio.
View MBA/MLIS Dual Degree Course Requirements
View MBA/MLIS Dual Degree Course Requirements
MBA/MSN
Students pursuing the MBA/MSN dual degree will complete 25 total courses (58 total credit hours) comprised of informatics, policy, theory and clinical skills associated with nursing practice and business fundamentals that include operations, supply chain management, leadership, business strategy, marketing, human resources and more. Included among these are four culminating requirement courses—two seminar courses (4 credit hours) and two courses (4 credit hours) of practicum experience.
View MBA/MSN Dual Degree Course Requirements
View MBA/MSN Dual Degree Course Requirements
Business Administration (MBA) Graduate Certificate Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 2-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $860 | $2,580 | $31,800 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 2-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $870 | $2,610 | $32,200 |
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.
Careers
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.
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