The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree program in the Stephens College of Business (COB) is designed to prepare graduates for careers in operational management and strategic leadership of public- and private-sector organizations. The distinction of the M.B.A. in the Stephens COB is the liberal-arts experience the University of Montevallo offers to its students. Through small class sizes, individual attention, and a focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills, the M.B.A. provides students with a unique learning experience. Along with diverse liberal-arts disciplines, the M.B.A. equips students with the necessary business knowledge, quantitative skills, and leadership expertise to be successful in the business practices of any field of study. The M.B.A. offers flexible and affordable full- or part-time evening options for coursework completion. Full-time status allows M.B.A. degree completion in one full year and can be entered in either the fall or the spring term. Students and professionals may also study at their own paces on a part-time basis. For students who do not have an academic background or education in business, the Stephens COB offers all prerequisite coursework online in a convenient summer business institute, as well as in the traditional classroom format year-round.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program requires:
(a) an undergraduate bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
(b) an overall GPA of at least 2.5 or 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work;
(c) a competitive score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
(d) completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better; and
(e) two letters of recommendation.
Admission to the MBA program is based upon both academic and personal qualifications and is ultimately determined by the dean of the Stephens COB in consultation with the MBA faculty and the MBA recruiter/program director. Candidates with mitigating circumstances who do not meet one or more of the admissions criteria above may be offered admission to the MBA program with specific individual provisions. Applicants who are denied admission to the MBA program may make an appeal to the MBA recruiter/program director.
Test Score Requirement
The MBA program requires a competitive GRE or GMAT test score and acceptance to the program is based on a sliding scale that factors in the test score with the undergraduate GPA. If a student has a master’s degree from an accredited institution, the test score requirement is automatically waived.
Prerequisite Coursework
Admission to the MBA program requires completion of 21 hours of undergraduate business courses from a regionally accredited college or university. Prerequisite courses must be substantially equivalent to the following Stephens College of Business courses:
- Accounting 221 - Principles of Accounting I (Financial Accounting)
- Economics 232 - Microeconomics
- Finance 372 - Business Finance
- Quantitative Methods 235 - Quantitative Methods in Business
- Marketing 351 - Principles of Marketing
- Management 361 - Principles of Organization and Management Theory
- Management Information Systems 161- Introduction to Computers (or proficiency)
- A course in macroeconomics similar to EC 231 and a course in managerial accounting similar to AC 222 are recommended, but not required.
Note: All prerequisite courses are offered each academic year in the Stephens College of Business undergraduate evening program.
Retention and Graduation
In addition to the general requirements listed earlier in this Bulletin, and the requirements listed below, MBA students are required to maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA for completion.
Request Additional Information
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