MBA Degree Program, Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH - Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH

Academics

The MBA Degree Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include internships and 12-credit certificate programs. The strongest areas of study are management, finance, accounting, marketing, and human resources. The most popular courses are Legal Environment of Business and Managerial Economics.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 2 elective credits. Required courses include:

Strategies in Cross Functional Analysis
Legal Environment of Business
Organizational Behavior
Marketing Techniques
Accounting for Managers
Financial Analysis and Decision Making
Operations Management
Seminar in Executive Management
2 electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 15 graduate credits from other accredited institutions. Prerequisite competencies may be satisfied by using previous undergraduate course work or by exam.

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 10 months; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 22 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 91% hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 70% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 8; average business class size is 15.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, management potential, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 65; 60 were accepted; 60 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.4. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, a nonrefundable application fee, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis. Once accepted, students may defer admission, with requests considered individually.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current appliction deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is approximately $350 per credit. Nonresidents pay approximately $400 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6500. Graduate student housing includes single and family apartments and a limited number of dormitory rooms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Seventeen percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 92% had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from New Hampshire (79%). Forty-eight percent are women, 4% are minorities, and 4% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 35; ages range from 21 to 65. Eight percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 55%, business; 30%, liberal arts; 5%, economics; 5%, engineering; 3%, math and science; and 2%, social sciences. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 98% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 37 graduate business degrees were awarded.