Business Administration

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Kennesaw State University offers three MBA programs of study - Coles MBA (Cobb, Galleria, and on KSU campus locations), Coles Executive MBA, and the Georgia WebMBA. All graduate and undergraduate programs at Kennesaw State University are fully accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - (http://www.aacsb.edu).

Vision and Mission Statements, Michael J. Coles College of Business

Vision: The Coles College of Business aspires to be the preferred provider of timely, flexible business education and relevant, applied research and practice valued by the marketplace.

Mission: The Coles College of Business provide high quality, applied business education and knowledge creation in a collegial, stimulating, and supportive learning-centered environment. Predominantly serving residents and the business community of the metropolitan Atlanta and the Northwest Georgia region, we strive to develop our students into highly effective and ethical business leaders who are prepared for an increasingly complex, technologically sophisticated and interdependent world. We offer innovative and flexible programs through a diverse and talented pool of faculty and staff who contribute to the professional and ethical standards of their respective disciplines. In all our activities, we treat individuals with integrity and respect and are focused on the continuing development of our students, faculty and staff, and communities.

– Revised March 2008

Contact: Susan Cochran
Office: BB Room 421
Email: colesdba@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/dba/

Program Description

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a three-year program for experienced professionals who want to continue their careers while pursuing doctoral level studies. The program is delivered primarily through a combination of on-campus weekend and five-day residencies augmented by online experiences designed to maximize the opportunity to collaborate with peers and faculty. Students will achieve an in-depth understanding of the major research issues in business, develop in-depth quantitative and qualitative research skills, and conduct independent applied business research. Upon completion of the DBA, graduates as practitioner-scholars can pursue faculty positions at academic institutions or may apply their skills in advanced positions within their current organization or through consulting.

General Requirements for Admission to the Coles DBA

The Coles DBA admission process is highly competitive and designed to identify applicants with the skills, background, and experience necessary to complete the requirements of a doctoral degree program. There is a five-step process for admission. Applicants submit different application materials at each step and are notified after a review of their materials whether they need to submit materials for the next step. For directions on how to apply, applicants should review the information at http://coles.kennesaw.edu/dba/admissions_process.htm.

The application process begins during the summer, enrollment decisions are made in the fall for admittances to a DBA cohort beginning during the following summer semester. Applicants offered admittance to a cohort but who are unable to attend will need to reapply for a future cohort. All students who have been admitted to the DBA program are required to register for the specified number of courses each semester in order to remain in good standing. 

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is not permissible for any part of the Coles Doctor of Business Administration program.

Contact: Claude Leveque
Office: KSU Center, Room #431
Phone: (770) 420-4622
Email: colesmba@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/graduate/mba/

Program Description

The Coles MBA is a professional degree providing a broad base of general business knowledge that prepares graduates for middle- and upper-level management positions. The program seeks to develop in its students an understanding of managerial behavior and decision-making within the economic, social, and political environments of business operations. Students will develop their communication and leadership abilities, their analytical and decision-making skills, and their effectiveness at developing working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors, and external constituents.

General Requirements for Admission to the Coles MBA

Admission to the MBA program is granted to those persons showing high promise of success in graduate business study. Applicants’ portfolios are reviewed as a part of a competitive process based on the following components:

• Professional Experience
• Academic Background
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Applicants may also provide up to 3 references if they choose

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

Transfer Credit

A student may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate courses provided the transfer hours are made prior to the last 27 hours of course work. Special hardship cases, such as job transfers, will be decided on an individual basis by the program director. The transfer of credit for course work completed at another institution will be approved only under the following conditions:

1. The course was completed at an institution accredited by AACSB at the time of transfer;
2. A minimum grade of “B” was received in the course;
3. The course was restricted to graduate students only;
4. The content of the course corresponds to that of a course required or permitted in the student’s program at Kennesaw State University;
5. The credit to be considered for transfer will not be more than six years old at the time the student enters KSU.

A request for consideration of transfer credit must be submitted to the MBA program director by the student concerned during the first semester of residence here. The request must indicate the specific course(s)  for which transfer credit is sought. A copy of the other institution’s transcript and a course description from the catalog must be submitted. A course outline may also be required.

Grades in Graduate Courses

Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Petition to Graduate

Each MBA student must petition to graduate one semester prior to completing program requirements. The MBA Program office should be contacted to petition to graduate.

Admission Criteria for Non-Degree Student

The Coles MBA does not admit non-degree seeking students.

Readmission to the Coles MBA

Any graduate student who has a break in attendance of 5 semesters or more must apply for readmission to the MBA program. Students applying for readmission must meet all admissions criteria in place at the time of readmission including minimum GPA and GMAT scores. The six-year time limit for degree completion applies. For details on readmitting, see Readmission to Graduate Study in the Graduate Admission  section of this catalog. Complete the application at http://www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/admissions/forms.html.

Contact: Claude Leveque
Phone: (770) 420-4622
Email: colesmba@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/graduate/mba/

The Georgia WebMBA offers qualified and highly motivated students the opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree online through a consortium of five University System of Georgia institutions. The Coles College of Business and the other Georgia WebMBA participant school and colleges are accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (http://www.aacsb.edu).

Program Description

The Georgia WebMBA is a professional degree providing a broad base of general business knowledge that prepares graduates for middle- and upper-level management positions. The program seeks to develop in its students an understanding of managerial behavior and decision-making within the economic, social, and political environments of business operations. Students will have the opportunity to improve their communication and leadership abilities, their analytical and decision-making skills, and their effectiveness at developing working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, and external constituents. The Georgia WebMBA program is cohort-based meaning that students who begin the program at the same time constitute a cohort. Each cohort progresses through the program together taking the same courses in the same sequence.

Georgia WebMBA admission is competitive with a limited cohort. Successful candidates typically have undergraduate grades and GMAT scores well above the general requirements noted below.

Two three-semester-hour Georgia WebMBA courses are offered in each of the five consecutive 14-week semesters. Students must complete ten prescribed graduate business courses for a total of 30 credit hours plus a program orientation. Every course is not offered each semester, so students should take courses in sequence, two courses per cohort, to complete the degree in five semesters. Course offerings will be announced at the Georgia WebMBA student orientation. (See the “Mandatory Orientation” section below for details.) For course descriptions, visit http://www.webmbaonline.org.

While extenuating career or life events may require a student to work closely with the program director to make any necessary adjustments, most students complete all 10 courses in five sequential semesters.

General Requirements for Admission to the Georgia WebMBA

Admission to the MBA program is granted to those persons showing high promise of success in graduate business study. Applicants’ portfolios are reviewed as a part of a competitive process based on the following components:

• Professional Experience
• Academic Background
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

Transfer Credit

The program allows, but does not encourage, a maximum of six semester hours from an AACSB accredited graduate institution. The transfer of credit for course work completed at another institution will be  approved only under the following conditions:

1. The course was completed at an institution accredited by AACSB at the time of transfer.
2. A minimum grade of “B” was received in the course.
3. The course was restricted to graduate students only.
4. The content of the course corresponds to that of a course required or permitted in the student’s program at Kennesaw State University.
5. The credit to be considered for transfer will not be more than six years old at the time the student enters Kennesaw State University.

Students must submit a request for consideration of transfer credit to the program director during their first semester at KSU. The request must indicate the specific course(s) for which transfer credit is sought. An official transcript from the institution at which the course was taken and a course description from the catalog the year the course was taken must be submitted. A course outline may also be required.

KSU Course Substitutions

The six-hour transfer-credit limit includes courses earned at KSU and courses completed at another institution. The KSU program director will advise on and have final authority on any requests to use KSU courses as substitutions for required Georgia WebMBA courses. While remaining flexible to work and life changes, the director typically encourages students to take the prescribed Georgia WebMBA courses to preserve the integrity of the overall learning experience.

Mandatory Orientation

Students are required to attend a two-day orientation. Any admitted student who does not attend is disqualified from continuing in the program. The orientation focuses on team building, program expectations, interaction with faculty and administrators, and hands-on learning with WebCT, the distance learning technology platform used in the program. New students also have the chance to interact with students from other program cohorts A second non-credit residential meeting, held concurrently with the orientation, is required for each student team. It consists of one day on which seasoned student teams or team representatives present special topics and demonstrate learned knowledge and skills and best practices.

Grades

Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Petition to Graduate

Each Georgia WebMBA student must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completing program requirements. The student must contact the program director of the school to which they were admitted and request a petition to graduate. 

Admission Criteria for Non-Degree Students

The program does not admit non-degree seeking students.

Readmission to the Georgia WebMBA

Any graduate student who has a break in attendance of six semesters or more must apply for readmission to the Georgia WebMBA program. Students applying for readmission must meet all admissions criteria in place at the time of readmission and they must re-enter at the lock-step point in the program where they stopped attending previously. For details on readmitting, see Readmission to Graduate Study in the Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

Contact: Alvin C. Miles, Program Director
Office: Executive and Graduate Business Center, KSU Center, Suite 341
Phone: (770) 420-4MBA (4622)
Fax: (770) 420-4444
Email: acm0996@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/mba-options/

The Coles Executive MBA (EMBA) is designed for working professionals with aggressive business goals. In only 18 months, approximately one weekend an month, Coles EMBA provides the strategic business and leadership skills needed to achieve personal and professional success. Coles’ cutting-edge global teaming experience, program-long executive coaching, and customized curriculum are just a few of the differences that lead to its internationally ranked and accredited status. Be a commanding business leader with a Coles Executive MBA.

Requirements for Admission to Coles Executive MBA

Admission to the Coles Executive MBA Program is based on a competitive process which includes consideration of the following:

• Completed Executive MBA application.
• Baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited in a manner accepted by Kennesaw State University (See ”Admission Criteria for Applicants Without an Undergraduate Degree” below).
• Official transcripts.
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant post-graduate professional experience as evidenced by a current resume.
• Two letters of recommendation speaking to leadership, teaming, and/or other professional qualifications.
• Completion of an interview with the appropriate Coles EMBA Program Director.

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

Program Fees

The cost for the 18-month program is $52,500.00. This fee includes a nonrefundable deposit of $500 which is due upon acceptance to the program. The remaining $52,000 is prorated over the entire program. Contact the EMBA Admissions Office for complete details and all items included in the tuition amount.

Transfer Credit

The Coles Executive MBA is a cohort based, lock-step curriculum program. Students enrolled in the Coles Executive MBA program will not be given program credit for courses taken at other institutions.

Grades in Graduate Courses

Expectations for satisfactory graduate level student performance are detailed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Petition to Graduate

Each MBA student must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. Petitions to graduate will be processed and sent to each student by the EMBA programs office for student completion.

Admission Criteria for Non-Degree Student

The Coles EMBA Admissions Office at Kennesaw State University will consider a limited number of applications from individuals without an undergraduate degree based on the following (in addition to the other requirements outlined above):

• Ten years of significant business experience.
• An acceptable GMAT score.
• A minimum of 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work from an accredited institution.
• A panel interview with three faculty members which results in a favorable recommendation by all three.
• Final review and approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• Students admitted to the EMBA program without an undergraduate degree shall number no more than 5% of the final class headcount.

Contact: Claude Leveque
Office: KSU Center, Rm 431
Phone: (770) 420-4622
Email: colesmba@kennesaw.edu

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Information Systems (MBA/MSIS) Program is a dual degree offered by the Coles College of Business Administration and the College of Science and Mathematics. The objective of this program is to allow students who are interested in information systems and business to concurrently register in both MBA and MSIS programs. The relationship between information technology and success in the business enterprise makes this program innovative and attractive to students wishing to become IT leaders. Specifically, documented expertise in these related areas provides graduates with opportunities for advancement and career mobility in areas such as project management, information technology, strategy, management, and information security.

Program Admission Requirements:

To be admitted into the dual degree program, the applicant must specify the option at the time of application to the Graduate School. Students interested in applying for the MBA/MSIS dual degree program should consult with either the MSIS Director or the MBA Director with regard to admission requirements and required courses.

General Admission Requirements for the MBA/MSIS Dual Degree Program

1. Submission of application to the graduate admission office and a non-refundable application fee;
2. Baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited in a manner accepted by Kennesaw State University;
3. Academic background (approved by MBA and MSIS program directors);
4. GMAT;
5. Three letters of recommendation;
6. Professional experience (Note: Personal interviews will be conducted whenever possible and responsible work, community service, and leadership experience will be considered.).

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

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