School for Professional Studies Graduate Programs

Academics

The SPS Graduate Programs offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management (MSM), Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS), and Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM). Other programs include work-study and internships in the MNM program. The strongest areas of study are accounting and finance, database administration, and nonprofit management. The most popular courses are in finance and accounting, computer information systems, and e-commerce.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

  • Ethics and Legal Environment of Business
  • The Economics of Management
  • Strategies in a Global Environment
  • 21 semester hours in emphasis and electives

Required courses for the MNM include:

  • Theory and Future of the Nonprofit Sector
  • Organizational Change and Program Development
  • Advocacy and the Third Sector
  • Financial Resource Development and Marketing
  • Fiscal Management in Nonprofit Oraganizations
  • Leadership and Ethics
  • Governance and Managing Human Resources
  • Professional Project
  • 12 semester hours of electives

Required courses for the MSM include:

  • Leadership: A Personal Context
  • Management and Leadership Process
  • Organizational Change
  • Professional Leadership Project
  • Applied Action Research or Contemporary Leadership Research
  • Leading in Changing Economics
  • Strategic Management and Financial Reports Analysis
  • 15 hours of electives

Required courses for the MSCIS include:

  • Computer Systems Architecture
  • Presentation of Technical Materials
  • Applied Systems Analysis
  • Professional Project
  • 12 hours of emphasis requirements
  • 12 hours of electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by receiving credit for previous course work or taking exemption exams for undergraduate level prerequisites. Applicable transfer credit of up to 6 semester hours is accepted for graduate courses.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending part time is 4 to 6 years (varies).

There are 10 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 75% hold a doctorate; there are 160 part-time faculty, of whom 20% hold a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 15.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and a successful interview. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 5300; 5050 were accepted; 3900 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.5. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, a nonrefundable application fee, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and personal essays. A faculty interview is also required. Students are notified of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.Check with the school for current application deadlines and fees.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is open for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is approximately $545 per credit. Books and supplies cost approximately $1100. Check with the school for current costs. Graduate student housing is not available. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Seventy-eight percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; all had an average of 18 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Colorado (80%). Fifty percent were women, 15% were minorities, and 10% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 35; ages ranged from 26 to 78. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons. In a recent year, 786 graduate business degrees were awarded.

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