Foundation Courses

Many MBA in business programs require students to complete foundation courses before they can enroll in the program core courses. The foundation courses show that students have a solid background in business theory and application and have the ability to successfully complete the advanced courses. These courses also provide a basic understanding of the aspects of domestic and international economic environments, human behavior in organizations, and applications of financial practices. The amount of required courses depends on previous academic coursework. In fact, some students may have the ability to waive all of the foundation requirements. Many schools require students to submit waivers by the end of the first semester in the MBA program. Some students may receive credit for a particular course if they score a certain score on a certain area of the GMAT. Others can take challenge examinations to receive credit for foundation courses. Additionally, if students have significant work experience in certain subject matters, they may qualify for waivers. Some schools require students to replace the waived courses with elective courses or experiential learning aspects. Typically, the admissions staff of an institution carefully examines the academic backgrounds of students to determine the required foundation courses for each individual. The foundation courses commonly include college-level mathematics, business information systems, accounting, corporate finance, business economics, foundations of marketing, foundations of operations management, principles of management, analytical business writing, and qualitative analysis. Many schools require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all foundation courses. The required credits vary for foundation credits, but many programs require 10 to 20 credits for these courses.

Core Courses

The core courses in an MBA in business program are intended to provide students with an overall competence for business and management. The courses introduce individuals to the many different areas of business, including accounting, marketing, finance, and human resources. Course instruction includes theory of business and management principles and their applications to real-world work environments. Students acquire professional know-how in a variety of business subjects, as well as essential communication skills. Many programs also focus on diversity in business, shared leadership, and team management. Examples of common coursework for MBA in business programs include managerial accounting, strategic management, financial management, managing organizational behavior, business ethics, data analysis, project management, marketing management, global marketing, leadership in business, managerial statistics, international business, and social perspectives in business. Individuals who have undergraduate majors in accounting, marketing, or management usually have the ability to substitute core courses for a more advanced class. Most schools require the repeat of any failed course. Core courses are typically the bulk of the credit requirements, ranging from 20 to 30 credits.

Elective Courses

Majority of MBA in business programs require students to complete elective courses to provide exploration in interest areas and meet individual goals. The elective courses provide in-depth instruction in particular subjects to enable students to customize their program to meet their academic and professional objectives. Many programs require a minimum amount of elective credits for graduation. Students commonly have the ability to take elective courses both within and outside of the business school. If a student fails an elective course, many schools allow a repeat or replacement of the course.

Experiential Learning

Some MBA in business programs require students to complete an experiential learning component. This aspect of the program provides students with hands-on experience in real life business situations. This enables students to hone their skills and prepares them to succeed in future positions. Experiential learning varies on the program and institution and can take many different forms. Some schools focus on team projects where students work in groups to create business concepts and solve common business issues. Other institutions have partnerships with organizations in the area to provide students the opportunities to engage in real business challenges. These students commonly work alongside business professionals to gain an understanding of the field and engage in mentorship opportunities. Many programs offer students internship and externship opportunities during the summer months and throughout the school year. Others require a final capstone project or a thesis where students engage in rigorous research to present a particular business topic.

Other Requirements

Most MBA in business programs have additional requirements for students. A time limit is common and most schools provide a maximum of six eight calendar years from the start of enrollment until completing a MBA degree. Coursework that is older than eight years may not be counted toward the degree and students may need to retake those courses. Many MBA in business programs require students to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or 3.0 or higher for graduation. The GPA is usually calculated based on all coursework complete for credit and all grades received in a course, even those that were failed and retaken are included in the calculation. Grades received for foundation courses taken prior to the start of the program are usually not included in the GPA.

Graduates of MBA in business degree programs are prepared for success in real world business environments. They will have the ability to advance in their career into a wide range of management and leadership positions in a variety of public, private, and government organizations. Individuals searching for a MBA in business program must only consider options that are accredited by authoritative organizations, such as the AACSB.