The College for Professional Studies, University of Mary in Bismarck, ND

Academics

The CPS offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Management (MMGT), and Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Management (MSN). The strongest area of study is management. The most popular courses are Management Theory, Human Resources Management, and Ethics.

Thirty-three total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

Management Theory and Application
Organizational Communication
Advanced Economic Analysis
Ethics
Statistics
Information Systems for Managers
Law in Business Environment
Managerial Finance II
Managerial Accounting
Marketing
Seminar: Strategic Decision Making

Required courses for the MMGT include:

Management Theory and Application
Human Resource Management: Personnel
Communication for Professionals
Economics Principles
Human Behavior
Managerial Finance
Ethics
Seminar

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 9 credits.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 15 months.

In a recent year, there were 5 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 20% held a doctorate; there are 60 part-time faculty, of whom 2% held a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 20.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5, a GMAT score of 400, and GRE scores of 400. Most important admissions factors are work experience, academic accomplishments and ability, and motivation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 130; 128 were accepted; 115 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.0. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, resume, and a personal essay. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision as soon as a complete application is received. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Financial Aid

The FFS or FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $350 per credit, or $10,000 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $900, for an estimated annual total of $10,900. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Eighty-two percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 63% had an average of 7 to 15 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from North Dakota (95%). Fifty-one percent were women, 15% were minorities, and 1% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 35; ages ranged from 24 to 50. Two percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 1% already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, liberal arts; 10%, math and science; 10%, social sciences; 5%, economics; and 5%, engineering. In a recent year, 194 graduate business degrees were awarded.