Business Administration (MBA)

For students applying to the MBA program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:

• One copy of official transcripts from each institution attended.
• An essay (250 words or less) that includes background experience and future goals.

Applicants who have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0, must also submit the following:

• A résumé.
• Two letters of recommendation (letters can be emailed to gofurther@hood.edu).

No GRE or GMAT required.

Students entering the program must exempt or complete six foundation courses designed to provide the appropriate prerequisite background for the cross-disciplined major. The program director determines the required foundation courses or exemptions based on a thorough evaluation of transcripts and other supporting documents. The objective is to ensure the student is well prepared and ready to succeed in the program.

Applicants who have not taken calculus and accounting courses in the last five years may be required to take the related foundation courses at the program director’s discretion.

Students can complete the MBA program coursework in approximately two to three years depending on the pace of coursework that they choose.

Students should consult their advisor and the course schedule each semester to determine how they will fulfill the program requirements. The program director contact information is located at the bottom of the MBA homepage and students' academic advisors are indicated on their letters of admission. These faculty members can assist in planning a program of study that is based on a student's professional and career goals. All students must consult with their advisor before signing up for any final research project.

As part of the Graduate School at Hood College, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who can assist in the pursuit of academic and professional goals. Students are encouraged to get to know their faculty advisors and course professors to make the most of their graduate school experience.

Six foundation courses (18 credit hours) are designed to provide a background for students who did not take courses in business administration at the undergraduate level. Students who have completed appropriate undergraduate coursework may be exempted from foundation courses. It is expected that students meet the foundation requirements before they enroll in core requirements. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the MBA program director. Any foundation courses required are in addition to the 36 credits required for program completion.

Core Requirements

Ten core courses (30 credit hours) provide a common body of knowledge and are required of all students in the MBA program. These courses provide a solid foundation in the functional areas of business, such as finance, marketing and accounting. The program exposes students to the environmental factors affecting business operations. Included in the core is a capstone course, MGMT 590 Strategy and Competitive Advantage, which is taken by MBA students in their final semester of study after all other core courses have been completed. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements before enrolling in a class. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the academic advisor.

Focus Areas

Students are required to complete two elective courses. Students may elect to take courses in one area to receive a focus area (accounting, finance, human resource management, information systems, marketing or public management) or may take courses from two different focus areas to receive a general management MBA. No substitutions are allowed with regard to any focus area courses. Courses may count for requirements in two focus areas, but the credits can only count toward one focus area. 6 credits are required for each focus area.

Accounting Focus Area

Data Analytics Focus Area

Finance Focus Area

Human Resource Management Focus Area

Information Systems Focus Area

Students may select courses in Information Systems by selecting two graduate computer science courses with the consent of their advisor and the director of the computer science program.

Marketing Focus Area

Public Management Focus Area

National Institutes of Health's Foundation of Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES)

Hood accepts credits from the National Institutes of Health's Foundation of Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES). Upon acceptance to any of the Hood College's programs listed below, students may submit their official FAES transcript for course-transfer review by the program director. Final approval must be issued by program chair for any course transfer.

The 4PLUS program is designed for highly motivated students who have the desire to build career options into their undergraduate curriculum and earn a master's degree in business administration.

Hood College students from all majors are eligible to participate in a 4PLUS program that allows for a combined, and in some cases accelerated, master’s degree in business administration after the completion of their undergraduate program. The program is especially relevant to business administration and economics majors, but it is also available to students from other disciplines.