Requirements
Program Overview
The Master of Business Administration program balances management theory with practical decision making. The program is available to students with no previous business course work, in addition to undergraduate business majors. Students accepted into the program will complete an individual plan of study ranging from 30 semester hours to 39 semester hours, depending on previous business course work. The M.B.A. degree is offered online as well as on the Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses.
General Admissions Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to the program each applicant must:
- Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment.
- Submit an application packet to the graduate admissions office.
Admissions Process
The following must be submitted as part of the application packet:
- the completed application form,
- official transcripts of all college work completed,
- GMAT scores*,
- two professional nominations from individuals familiar with the applicant’s abilities,
- application fee, and
- TOEFL scores if applicable.
* The GMAT is waived for applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher and applicants who have completed a graduate degree program. For other applicants, admission status will be determined using the Work Experience Formula or the Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula listed below with a maximum of 10 years of work experience.
Work Experience Formula
[Undergraduate GPA x 200] + [number of years of work experience x 10]
Regular admission status will be granted if the admission evaluation score from the Work Experience Formula is greater than or equal to 650 points.
Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula
[Undergraduate GPA x 200] + [number of years of work experience x 10] + GMAT
Regular admission status will be granted if the admission evaluation score from the Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula is greater than or equal to 1000 points. Probationary status will be granted if the score from the Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula is greater than 850 but less than 1000 points.
Admissions Status
Each application for admission will be presented to the M.B.A. admissions committee for approval. After review of the application packet, the M.B.A. admissions committee may grant the applicant regular, probationary, or non-degree admission status. An applicant must be admitted to William Carey University prior to being considered for admission for the M.B.A. degree.
- Regular Admission Status
Regular admission status will be awarded to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher, applicants who have completed a graduate degree program, applicants with 650 or more points using the Work Experience Formula, and applicants with 1000 or more points using the Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula.
- Probationary Admission Status
Probationary status will be granted if the score from the Work Experience Plus GMAT Formula is greater than 850 but less than 1000 points.
A student will remain on probation until the completion of at least six hours of course work in the program. A student admitted on probationary status must maintain a 3.00 GPA or the student will be dismissed and cannot continue in the program. Probationary students who have a GPA of 3.00 or higher at the end of the probationary period will be upgraded to regular admission status. Probationary students who have a GPA below 3.00 at the end of the probationary period will be ineligible to continue in the M.B.A. program. All courses taken to remove probationary status must be taken at William Carey University.
- Incomplete Admission Status
A student may be enrolled in the M.B.A. program under the “Incomplete Admission Status” under the conditions that he or she presents a completed M.B.A. application, a copy of his or her college transcript reflecting graduation from an accredited college institution, submission of the completed “Graduate Incomplete Admission” form, and the application fee. This incomplete status will allow the M.B.A. student to complete one trimester in the M.B.A. program, but the student will not be allowed to continue without further completion of all requirements under the terms and conditions stated in the previous section under “Admissions Process.” All the requirements of admission must be completed before the student will be allowed to continue following the trimester admitted under the “Incomplete Admission Status.” A student admitted under this status may take only nine hours of course credit. Upon completion of all the requirements as stated, the student will be further evaluated to determined his or her future status applying the standards of the “admission evaluation score” as specified under the previous section. Students on incomplete status, who would have been on probation once the incomplete is removed, will be considered on probation for that trimester.
- Nondegree Admission
A limited number of students who do not desire to complete the M.B.A. degree may be admitted to M.B.A. classes as nondegree students. Up to 9 hours may be taken within the M.B.A. program as a nondegree student. Approval for such status is on a course by course basis by the M.B.A. Admissions Committee. Students seeking nondegree status must provide transcripts of all previous course work and a completed application form. Such enrolled nondegree students are prohibited from enrolling in the M.B.A. program in the future under Incomplete Status. Students must have a 3.00 GPA on all M.B.A. course work to be considered by the M.B.A. admisisons committee for regular admission status.
- Early Admission to the M.B.A. Program
In addition to the early admission requirements given in the “General Information” section of the catalog, a candidate for early admission to the M.B.A. program must have an application for the undergraduate degree on file in the registrar’s office. The candidate must complete an application for admission and submit two professional nominations. After review of the application materials, the M.B.A. admissions committee may grant early admissions status.
If a student is not admitted because he or she does not meet these admissions criteria, the student may appeal the admission decision to the admissions committee for reconsideration. A student may be admitted by the admissions committee if the committee determines that the student has the potential for success in the M.B.A. program. Recommendations from the student’s supervisors or other individuals will be taken into consideration by the committee.
Other Requirements for the Master of Business Administration
Candidates for the M.B.A. from William Carey University must have acquired regular admissions status prior to application for graduation.
Students must have successfully completed the plan of study approved by the M.B.A. admissions committee with a minimum GPA of 3.0 within a six year time frame.
A typical plan of study will contain a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit. Students who have not had an undergraduate course in the areas of accounting, economics, or business law will be required to take the appropriate foundation courses listed in the M.B.A. curriculum, which will extend the hours in their individual plan of study. With the permission of the advisor and written approval of the dean, a student can take an undergraduate course at William Carey University to meet the requirements of a foundation course. Permission to take such courses at another institution may be granted, but only in situations where a course is not available. Students wishing to earn credit at other institutions after the program plan is submitted must seek the written approval of the dean prior to enrollment. Approval of undergraduate courses to meet foundation course requirements is subject to the ten-hour course load limit described earlier in the catalog.
Participation in the graduation ceremony is required. Students who are candidates for May degrees are required to file applications for their degrees in the registrar’s office by October 15. Candidates for August graduation must file application for their degrees by March 31. Applications submitted after these deadlines will be charged a late fee of $50 within the first 30 days after the deadline; $100 within 60 days; and $150 within 90 days. Applications will NOT be accepted later than one month before graduation due to processing, printing of programs, and printing of diplomas. Degrees are not conferred in absentia, except by special permission of the registrar.
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