Program Overview

Master of Business Administration Program

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Southern Oregon University is designed to prepare professionals, entrepreneurs, and graduates for leadership in a rapidly evolving business environment. The program offers flexible and focused options, including in-person, online, and accelerated pathways, to align with students' goals.

Program Formats

• Evening MBA: Designed for working professionals, with classes meeting in the evenings on the Ashland campus, creating a collaborative environment with professionals from diverse industries.
• Accelerated MBA (AMBA): A 3+1 or 4+1 pathway that allows qualified SOU undergraduates to earn both a bachelor's degree and an MBA efficiently.
• Online MBA: A fully online program providing the same rigorous MBA curriculum, designed for professionals who require maximum flexibility.

MBA Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The Master of Business Administration at Southern Oregon University requires 45 total credits, ensuring graduates develop both strategic systems-level thinking and specialized expertise in high-demand business disciplines.

• 33 Credits Core Courses: Students build foundational expertise in leadership, strategic management, marketing, managerial accounting, finance, operations, economics, legal and ethical decision-making, and information systems.
• 12 Credits Elective Courses: Students specialize through a concentration aligned with their professional goals.
• Capstone Experience: The program concludes with an integrative strategy or applied capstone project using case studies that connects theory to real-world organizational challenges.

Concentrations

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Generalist (customized to career goals)
• Marketing
• Non-Profit Management
• Corporate Sustainability
• Environmental Sustainability
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Information Analysis and Decision-Making
• Leadership & Team Management
• Arts Management

Career Outcomes

Graduates of SOU's MBA programs pursue leadership and management roles across industries, including business analytics, finance, healthcare administration, marketing, sustainability, and nonprofit leadership. The MBA degree supports career advancement, salary growth, entrepreneurial ventures, and executive leadership development.

Faculty and Learning Experience

MBA students learn from faculty who combine academic scholarship with years of professional experience in business, government, analytics, finance, and nonprofit leadership. Students benefit from small class sizes, collaborative projects, and applied learning experiences designed to translate directly into workplace impact.

Admission Criteria

• Full Admission Status: Applicants who meet specific conditions, such as an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above, are given full admission status.
• Conditional Admission Status: Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA may be admitted conditionally, requiring them to earn a B or better grade in their first-term courses.

Degree Fit and Program Preparation

The Master of Business Administration program is open to individuals from a wide range of academic disciplines who have previously completed a bachelor's degree. No particular undergraduate major is required for admission, as foundational courses are embedded in the core MBA courses.

Degree Roadmap

Applicants planning to complete the program in one year must start in the fall. The part-time program requires 18 to 21 months to complete. Elective courses are offered in various formats and must be discussed with and approved by the MBA program coordinator.