2014-2015 Catalog

Dec 11, 2024

2014-2015 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Distance MBA Program

The Master of Business Administration program is devoted to the concepts, analytical tools, and communication skills required for competent and responsible management. The management of an enterprise is viewed in its entirety and within its social, political, and economic environment. All on-campus graduate level courses are scheduled during the evening hours to accommodate employed students.

Residence and Distance Options

The Graduate School of Business Administration offers an MBA program delivered via two modes— residence (on-campus) and distance (online). Students may choose to complete their entire MBA program through either of the two modes or take a combination of on-campus and online courses. However, distance tuition differs from on-campus tuition. Please contact the MBA Advising Office for more information.

Computer System Requirements

	Minimum	Recommended
Operating System	Windows XP, Vista, or 7 Mac OSX 10.5, 10.6, or 10.7	Windows Vista or 7 Mac OSX 10.6 or 10.7
Processor	1 GHz processor	2 GHz or faster processor
Memory	512 MB of RAM	2 GB of RAM or higher
Monitor Resolution	1024 x 768	1024 x 768 or higher
Free Hard Disk Space	5 GB of free disk space	20 GB or higher of free space
Internet Connection	Broadband (high-speed) Internet connection with a consistent minimum speed of 1.5 Mbps.	Broadband (high-speed) Internet connection with a speed of 4 Mbps or higher
Internet Browser	Respondus Lockdown Browser and IE8, IE9, Safari 4+, Chrome or Firefox	Respondus Lockdown Browser and Firefox
Java	Java is required to use Blackboard.
Macromedia Flash Player	Flash is required to play videos within the Blackboard system. You can download Flash from the Adobe website.

Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer with a stable broadband Internet connection. Any system older than 4 years may not have the processing power to work with our current version of Blackboard and its components.

Blackboard Mobile Learn
The Blackboard Mobile Learn app is available for download on the following devices:

iPhone®/iPod Touch®
iPad®
Android®

MBA Graduate Admission

Admission Criteria
The Graduate School of Business Administration seeks to admit students who show a high likelihood of success in postgraduate business study. The following 3 basic indicators are used to evaluate candidates for admission:

PRIOR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE. A 4-year Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent is a condition for application. The applicant’s complete academic record from all institutions attended is examined.
ADMISSION TEST. Applicants may submit scores from either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In some cases, the GMAT may be waived if the applicant has substantial business experience or holds an advanced degree (e.g. Master’s or higher). Please contact the MBA Advising Office for more information
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE. Of particular interest is the candidate’s progression of work. Recommendations from prior and current colleagues are optional. Though employment experience may be used to evaluate a candidate, it is not required.

Provisional and Senior Admits
Individuals may be admitted on a provisional status at the discretion of the admissions committee. If the terms of the provisional admittance are met, the student will be transferred to regular degree status. Students who do not meet the terms of the provisional admission are not eligible for admittance into the program. College of Business seniors in this university who have satisfied the undergraduate residence requirements and who need no more than 6 semester hours of advanced subjects and 12 credit points to meet their requirements for an undergraduate degree may be admitted to the MBA program. They must meet regular admissions criteria and submit a completed application by the published deadline. They must complete their final undergraduate courses during their first semester as an MBA student.

Application Process and Deadlines
The application, GMAT or GRE, one official transcript (not student copies) from each post-secondary institution attended, a resume, a statement of interest, and the nonrefundable application fee should be submitted by April 1 for summer admission, by June 1 for fall admission, and by November 1 for spring admission.

See MBA Web site: www.uccs.edu/mba for the online application or contact the MBA advising office by phone at 1-800-990-8227, ext. 3408, or by email at mba@uccs.edu. The mailing address for supporting materials is as follows:

UCCS Graduate School of Business Administration
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

MBA Academic Policies

Access to MBA Courses
Students must be officially admitted to the MBA program in order to register for graduate level courses. Students who are officially admitted to other CU graduate programs may be eligible to register for MBA courses. All course prerequisites must be met. Interested students should contact the MBA advising office for more information.

Course Load
The typical course load is 3-6 hours for a working graduate student and 9-12 hours for those attending school full-time during the fall and spring semesters. Students are limited to 12 credit hours for the fall and the spring semesters. Students are limited to 6 credit hours for the summer semester. Credit hours over these limits require that an academic petition be approved. Concurrent enrollment in both campus and distance classes is subject to the same credit hour limits.

MBA Completion Timeframe
Candidates for the MBA degree are expected to complete the degree within 5 years. If coursework is completed more than 5 years before the expected graduation date, the work will not be accepted for the degree unless it is validated by the Graduate School of Business Administration.

MBA Standards of Performance

Course Repeat Policy
Any grade below C (2.0) is not a passing grade for graduate students. A student may repeat a course once for which he or she has received a grade below C. Both the original grade and the grade for the repeated course count in the computation of the grade point average.

Grade Point Average
No individual grade below a C will count towards MBA requirements. To be in good standing, students must have an overall grade point average of not less than 3.0 for all degree program course work attempted.

Probation and Suspension
The academic performance of each student will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Any student who has a cumulative grade point average less than 3.0 in MBA coursework will be placed on probation. In general, students will not be placed on probation until a minimum of nine semester hours has been completed. After a student has been placed on probation, the student has a maximum of one calendar year to raise his or her grade point average to 3.0. Courses taken to raise the cumulative grade point average must be applicable to the degree, and must be taken in the three semesters (including summer) immediately following the semester in which the cumulative grade point average fell below 3.0. Failure to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.0 in the time period outlined will result in immediate suspension. While on academic probation, failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, (meaning the cumulative GPA must improve each semester that classes are taken), towards an MBA degree may result in academic suspension. In the event a student attains probationary status more than one time, the same time limits shall apply. If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below a 2.0, they may be suspended immediately. A suspended MBA student is eligible to petition for readmission after one calendar year.

Transfer Policy
A maximum of 6 semester hours of appropriate coursework from another AACSB accredited graduate program may be considered for transfer to the degree program. Transfer work may be no older than 5 years at the time of graduation from the MBA program.

Graduate Internships
At the graduate level, internships are 1-3 credit hours, pass/fail only and may be used as business elective credit. Internships are approved through an application process, which can be obtained through the Internship and Career Placement Center. Students must apply prior to beginning their internship duties and should register for credit during the semester in which the internship is being completed. A maximum of 6 credit hours of internship may be applied to a business degree.

MBA Academic Advising
Each graduate student must meet with an MBA advisor during the student’s first term of attendance to prepare a degree plan. Distance MBA students will have a degree plan emailed to them, which must be signed and returned to the MBA advising office. The foundation courses which the student must complete (if any), and the student’s area of emphasis will be discussed at that time.

MBA Graduation Requirements

Graduation Audit
All students graduating from the MBA program must contact the MBA office for a complete academic evaluation DURING THE SEMESTER PRIOR TO THEIR FINAL SEMESTER. Failure to request an audit or failure to complete audit documents in a timely manner may delay a student’s graduation.

Commencement
Students seeking to participate in commencement and other academic ceremonies will need to complete ALL academic requirements in advance. Participation in academic ceremonies that recognize or honor students for the completion of an academic program or specific academic accomplishment is based on the understanding that all requirements have been completed. Every effort will be made to determine eligibility in advance, and only students who have met requirements will be permitted to participate.

Distance MBA Foundation Requirements

The Graduate School of Business Administration provides the following series of business foundation courses as required background courses for the graduate study of business. These courses, which are open only to admitted MBA degree students, may be waived on a course-by-course basis with prior academic coursework or successful scores on designated achievement tests.

Foundation Course Information

These foundation classes are graduate level courses that—if required—are taken in addition to the 36 semester hours required for the MBA degree. Graduate students who are interested in waiving one or more of the MBA foundation courses based on related prior coursework must consult with an MBA advisor. Waivers of foundation courses are based on a number of criteria, including the age of the prior coursework, the grade earned, and other considerations determined by the faculty. Prior coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution. Foundation course waivers are made at the discretion of the Graduate School of Business Administration and are recorded on the student’s degree plan.

Distance MBA Degree Requirements

Credit Hours

In addition to any foundation courses which may be required (see previous section), students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework for the MBA degree. This coursework consists of 21 hours of core competency courses, 3 hours of an MBA global perspective elective, and 12 hours of elective courses. With the 15 combined elective hours, students may choose to earn a general MBA or choose to concentrate in a functional or interdisciplinary area of emphasis as listed below.

Choice of Emphasis

Students may choose to complete an area of emphasis through the distance program in Finance, Health Care Administration, Innovation Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, or Project Management.

Distance MBA Core Requirements (21 Hours)

MBA Global Perspective Elective (3 hours)

The UCCS MBA program believes that our graduates’ success in the global business environment will depend on their ability to recognize, appreciate and respect diversity and cultural differences. These skills are developed throughout our curriculum and by way of a required global perspective elective course. Global perspective electives can also be counted toward a student’s area of emphasis. Students choose one (1) course from the following list to fulfill their global perspective requirement.

MBA Electives (12 hours)

Electives may be selected from any Area of Emphasis providing prerequisites have been met.

Distance MBA Areas of Emphasis

(Distance) Finance MBA—9 Hours

All organizations, large and small, must effectively invest and manage their capital. The finance function is critical in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Job opportunities exist for finance graduates in almost all industries including the financial services industry and positions within the finance area of corporations. Finance graduates manage capital for large organizations and their independent business units as well as small organizations.

Students who choose an area in Finance will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective, 9 semester hours of Finance (FNCE) elective courses, and 3 semester hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete the following courses:

(Distance) General MBA –15 Hours

An MBA is a broad degree that prepares students for a variety of career paths from climbing the corporate ladder to launching an entrepreneurial venture to work in non-profit organizations.

The General Business Area of Emphasis is intended for students who desire to customize their own MBA. It allows maximum flexibility by allowing students to choose any 6000-level business elective courses for their area of specialized study. This area works best if students have a general goal in mind when choosing course.

Students who choose a General MBA will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 hours of semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective and 12 hours of 6000-level business elective courses based on individual educational goals and interests for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

(Distance) Health Care Administration MBA –12 Hours

The many changes in government laws and regulations, technology, societal needs and insurance plans have created a large need for administrative and business education for health care professionals.

Students who choose an area in Health Care Administration will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective and 12 semester hours of Health Care elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete the following courses:

(Distance) Innovation Management MBA—9 Hours

Innovation has become a critical driver of business success in today’s economy. Innovation can be defined as successfully implementing a new idea in an organization. An innovation can be based on new technology, but it can also simply be a new way of doing something. Innovation can take place anywhere – in new startup firms, established corporations, or nonprofit organizations. Students completing the Innovation Management emphasis will learn how to manage the process of innovation to create value in their organizations through new products, new processes, or new business models.

Students who choose an area in Innovation Management will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective, 9 semester hours of Innovation Management elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete any three of the following:

(Distance) International Business MBA—9 Hours

An MBA with emphasis in International Business will prepare students to excel in the emerging field of International Business. This field of study is becoming more relevant and important as the global economy expands. Various opportunities for study abroad exist for MBA students. These are coordinated through the business advising office. Students are encouraged to take a foreign language in order to strengthen this area of emphasis.

Students who choose an area in International Business will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective, 9 semester hours of International Business elective courses and 3 semester hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete any three of the following Courses:

(Distance) Management MBA—9 Hours

In today’s highly competitive global environment, a premium is placed on skilled managers who know how to motivate and lead people. This area of emphasis addresses these issues and other contemporary issues in management. Additionally, the changing roles of managers and leaders at management levels within the organization are explored. The Management emphasis also focuses on the development and maintenance of effective relationships between employers and employees.

Students who choose an area in Management will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective, 9 semester hours of Management (MGMT) elective courses and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete the following courses:

(Distance) Marketing MBA—9 Hours

An effective marketing program is necessary to the success of any business organization. Through the marketing efforts of a firm, products and services are designed and delivered that maximize customer satisfaction. Students choosing the marketing area of emphasis may find exciting careers in such diverse fields as product management, professional selling, customer support, advertising and marketing research. The marketing curriculum is designed to give the student hands on marketing experience through applied classes and projects.

Students who choose an area in Marketing will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective, 9 semester hours of Marketing (MKTG) elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete the following courses:

(Distance) Project Management MBA—12 Hours

Companies are turning to a project structure to manage the increasingly complex, cross-functional tasks present in today’s business climate. As the number of both “successful” and “unsuccessful” projects continues to grow, the impact of project management on an organization is more visible. Students completing this area of emphasis can expect to master traditional project management skills and be prepared to manage in complex multiple project environments with a global reach.

Students who choose an area in Project Management will take 21 semester hours of MBA core courses, 3 semester hours of an MBA global perspective elective and 12 semester hours of Project Management (OPTM) elective courses for a total of 15 combined elective hours.

Complete the following courses:

Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificates are available to students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in a business field) at a regionally accredited institution and have demonstrated their admissibility to the graduate certificate program. Certificates are also available to students with a graduate degree from any field. The application process will vary based on the student’s academic background. Students in the graduate certificate program are subject to the same Standards of Performance as all admitted MBA students. For additional information or an application for the certificate program, please contact the MBA advising office, or see the MBA web site: www.uccs.edu/mba.

Graduate certificates consist of 12 hours of coursework beyond any prerequisites. Certificates are offered in accounting, finance, health care administration, innovation management, international business, management, marketing, operations management, project management, and service management. Certificates are available both on-campus and online, but all certificates may not be available in both formats.