2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Dec 06, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Business Administration (MBA)


Program Director: Dennis Reilly, Ph. D.
Email: dennis.reilly@vermontstate.edu

Program Description

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed as an online program. The program aims to prepare students for career advancement and leadership positions in for-profit or not-for-profit businesses and organizations. Students in the 36-credit professionally focused program take nine required MBA “core” courses (27 credits), including the capstone course, Strategic Management and Leadership. In addition, students select one of four concentrations, each with a 9-credit focus. This program is offered entirely online, but one-on-one collaboration with professors is available at the student’s request. Students may complete the degree in one year.  

Program Outcomes

The MBA seeks to develop students into leaders who possess the leadership, analytical, and conceptual skills needed to face the challenges of today’s global business environment. This is accomplished through the following program outcomes: 

Leadership   
  • Summarize and describe the effective use of leadership theories and approaches. 
  • Develop one’s leadership style. 
  • Summarize and apply theories of team composition, process, and motivation (including inclusivity and diversity) to effectively lead teams. 

Decision-making 

  • Analyze and synthesize information across disciplines/functions to evaluate business opportunities and make sound business decisions. 
  • Apply a systematic approach to solving business problems. 
  • Evaluate financial statements and documents to support business decisions. 
  • Use appropriate technologies in gathering and analyzing data relevant to managerial decision-making. 
Social, Legal, and Ethical Responsibilities   
  • Evaluate business decisions within the current U.S. legal and global regulatory business environment.  
  • Evaluate decisions within an ethical framework. 
  • Critique business decisions based on social responsibility. 
  • Evaluate decisions regarding their impact on environmental sustainability. 
Effect of Global Environment on Business  
  • Demonstrate ability to scan the global business environment and identify current trends in an industry. 
  • Analyze the impact of global business issues on specific management situations. 
  • Demonstrate discernment regarding cultural commonalities and differences in international business activities and customs. 
  • Effectively manage a cross-cultural workforce. 
Strategic Planning  
  • Apply appropriate management science and statistical tools to analyze business conditions. 
  • Devise strategies for responding effectively to problems, threats, and opportunities. 
Communication  
  • Communicate quantitative/qualitative assessment information. 
  • Provide evidence of effective public speaking skills. 
  • Demonstrate an ability to motivate and influence through excellent communication skills both within and outside of the business or organization