Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Southwest Minnesota State University is designed to help working individuals acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for professional advancement within their organizations. The program allows students to pursue graduate education while maintaining ongoing responsibilities, with classes scheduled for weekday evenings, online, or on weekends for convenience.

Program Curriculum

The MBA program's curriculum is designed to meet the management needs of organizations now and in the future. It focuses on enhancing a person's managerial, financial, and market decision-making abilities. The program includes topics such as global markets, ethics, effective communication, diversity management, and leadership/teamwork skills. The goal is to enable students to become competent managers in a rapidly changing world.

Concentrations

To prepare MBA graduates for different career fields in business, the program offers several concentrations:

• General MBA
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Hospitality
• Organizational Leadership
• Human Resource Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Cybersecurity
• International Business Management
• Healthcare Administration

Each concentration provides students with the opportunity to obtain a strong business degree as well as a recognized specialty.

Course List

The MBA program includes a list of required and elective courses. Required courses cover foundational business topics, while elective courses allow students to delve deeper into their chosen concentration.

Required Courses

• MBA 606: Accounting for Managers
• MBA 607: Strategic Marketing Management
• MBA 609: Management of Production and Operations
• MBA 660: Legal and Ethical Environment of Management
• MBA 670: Financial Analysis
• MBA 681: International Business & Leadership
• MBA 684: Managerial Economics
• MBA 685: Strategic Management and Policy

Elective Courses

Elective courses vary by concentration but may include topics such as:

• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Business to Business Marketing
• Strategic Sourcing and Logistics Management
• Project Management
• Business Analytics & Technology
• Quality Management
• Consumer Insights
• Diversity Management
• Training & Development
• Staffing Management
• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Content Marketing
• Mobile Marketing
• Organization and Managerial Behavior and Theory
• Interpersonal and Managerial Skills in Organizations
• Leadership & Team Management
• Compensation and Benefits
• Labor Relations
• Human Resource Management
• Entrepreneurial Marketing
• Fieldwork in Business and Entrepreneurship
• Long Term Care Administration
• International Marketing
• US Services, Programs, Issues & Trends in Healthcare
• Managed Care
• Healthcare Administration

Concentration Details

General MBA Concentration

The General MBA concentration allows students to select from a wide range of elective courses to tailor their degree to their interests and career goals.

Healthcare Administration Concentration

The Healthcare Administration concentration is designed for students interested in the business side of healthcare. It includes core courses in healthcare administration and allows students to select additional courses that fit their interests.

Organizational Leadership Concentration

The Organizational Leadership concentration focuses on the key theories and concepts in leadership, as well as hands-on applications and skills. It prepares students to become leaders and facilitate teams within an organizational setting.

Human Resource Management Concentration

The Human Resource Management concentration provides students with knowledge of the key functions in human resource management, including strategic planning, diversity, state and federal laws and regulations, recruitment and selection, employee relations, compensation and benefits, job analysis and evaluation, performance management, training and organization development, career planning, risk management, and union relations.

Cybersecurity Concentration

The Cybersecurity concentration introduces students to the fundamentals of information security, including cybersecurity law and policies, computer system security, and internet security.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the MBA program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Students with undergraduate degrees in non-business areas may need to complete prerequisite courses to ensure they have a foundation in business terminology.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for the MBA program are competitive and designed to be affordable for working professionals.

Research Areas

The MBA program at Southwest Minnesota State University focuses on applied research, with faculty and students working together on projects that address real-world business challenges.

Conclusion

The Master of Business Administration program at Southwest Minnesota State University offers a comprehensive and flexible graduate education that prepares students for advanced careers in business. With its variety of concentrations, the program caters to different interests and career goals, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to succeed in their chosen fields.