Program of Study for the Master of Business Administration

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GMAT or GRE exam scores; evidence of knowledge in statistics, financial accounting, economics, corporate finance, marketing, and organizational behavior through course work, work experience or completion of the accelerated prerequisite program before taking graduate course work in those subjects.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GMAT or GRE) requirement may be waived for applicants who:

• Have five or more years of full-time, professional work or military experience; OR
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.6; OR
• Hold verified membership in Beta Gamma Sigma.

The GMAT waiver is only available to candidates who have not taken the GMAT within the past five years. 

Accelerated Admissions Option: This program offers an accelerated admission option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Location: On Campus and Online. Online cohorts follow a part-time extended format.

Additional Information about Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility

Any standardized exam waiver for a graduate degree program at Appalachian State requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned degree (undergraduate or graduate; some programs have established higher GPA requirements). No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. Standardized test scores may be required for scholarship consideration.

Course Requirements for the Master of Business Administration

Concentration Requirements (12 Hours)

Choose 12 hours from the list below or from the Additional Elective Options; other electives may be chosen with approval of the program director.

• ECO 5621 - Environmental Economics and Policy (3)
• ECO 5640 - International Macroeconomics (3)
• ECO 5660 - Benefit-Cost Analysis (3)
• ECO 5740 - Forecasting and Time Series Models (3)

Additional Elective Options

With approval of the program director, the following courses can count in any concentration provided that the course content fits with the concentration theme.

• MBA 5060 - Executive Seminar (1-3)
• MBA 5500 - Independent Study (1-6)
• MBA 5800 - Business Practicum (1-6)
• MBA 5900 - MBA Internship (1-6)
• MBA 5998 - Thesis Preparation (1-3)
• MBA 5999 - Thesis (1-6)

Other Requirements for the MBA

• Thesis: Optional
• Proficiency: Not required
• Candidacy: Required
• Comprehensive: Not required
• Product of Learning: Not required

Note on Candidacy

Students must demonstrate knowledge and exposure to international business and culture before completion of the degree program, through approved activities such as short term study abroad, completion of a course with an international theme, international internship, practicum with an international theme, or other activities as approved by the program director.