Master of Business Administration

Introduction

For over 30 years, Benedictine M.B.A. Programs has been preparing students to prepare for executive and managerial positions in both the private and public sectors. Leaders in the 21st century must make their way through the maze of market uncertainty, global competition, ethical challenges, and constant change. The Benedictine MBA has prepared over 5,000 students to meet these challenges.

Mission Statement

The mission of the M.B.A. Programs at Benedictine University is to provide men and women with a collaborative educational experience that imparts superior management skills and best practices while instilling a sense of responsible and personal commitment to continuously improving the leadership of organizations.

Learning Goal for the Masters in Business Administration (MBA):

Upon completion of the Benedictine's MBA program students should possess critical and creative thinking skills to solve problems, identify opportunities and make reliable decisions in domestic and global environments using the business concepts embodied in the disciplines of financial, accounting, management, operations, marketing, and economics.

Why enroll in your M.B.A. degree?

The M.B.A. is widely recognized as a powerful professional credential in business and other organizations. The MBA combines quantitative and qualitative courses to prepare you for the demands of contemporary business leadership, in a complex, uncertain environment. The M.B.A. conveys practical knowledge and competence to better run organizations in a competitive environment. Essential skills needed in management include accounting, economics, project management, finance, strategy, marketing, and ethics. The M.B.A. is an essential factor for your career growth and leadership development.

What is available to you?

Choose from Benedictine's six distinctive M.B.A. programs and contemporary certificate programs, each carefully designed and delivered to meet your specific educational and professional needs.

Our six M.B.A. programs are:

Traditional M.B.A.
Online M.B.A.
Internship M.B.A.
4+1 M.B.A. Program
Dual Degree (M.B.A./M.S.M.O.B., M.B.A./M.P.H., M.B.A./M.S.M.I.S., M.B.A./M.S.A.)

Weekend M.B.A.
Learning Team M.B.A.

Traditional (evening/weekend) M.B.A. Program:

Benedictine University's Traditional M.B.A. Program is designed for working adults with at least two years of significant professional work experience. Evening and weekend classes are ideal for those who seek flexibility in their course schedules, an academic concentration and time to complete their degrees as part-time students. Students usually complete one to two courses per quarter. Classes are conducted one evening per week per class on the main campus in Lisle or in a weekend format. Students may select from more than 17 concentrations to fulfill degree requirements. The M.B.A. program may accept up to 16 quarter credit hours in transfer toward the master's degree for graduate coursework completed at another institution. An additional 16 quarter credit hours may be waived for prior undergraduate coursework taken within the last seven years, pending department chair approval. This means that you can complete your degree in as little as one year, although most students complete the program within two years.

Online M.B.A. Program:

Benedictine University offers a high quality, fully online M.B.A. program. The interactive online format of the online M.B.A. allows you the flexibility to complete your coursework around busy work and personal schedules; and earn your master's degree from an established, reputable university.

Internship M.B.A. Program:

Our full-time Internship M.B.A. Program is developed specifically for recent college graduates and offers a professional internship experience as the M.B.A. concentration. Students complete 64 credits in 13 core M.B.A. courses plus three internship courses. The Internship experience is supervised by a faculty advisor to prepare students without significant professional career experience for their future roles and responsibilities in the workplace. Classes are conducted in evenings, weekends and on-line to allow for the demands of day time internships.

4+1 M.B.A. Program:

Well-qualified Benedictine University students who complete their undergraduate degree in accounting or business administration are eligible to complete the M.B.A. degree with one additional year of graduate study. The full-time 4+1 M.B.A. Program is developed specifically for recent college graduates. Admittance to the M.B.A. program is not automatic and an application must be completed during the student's senior year of undergraduate work. M.B.A. classes are conducted in evenings, weekends and online to meet the needs of students.

International M.B.A. Program:

Benedictine's International M.B.A. Program prepares students to enter today's dynamic global workplace with the assurance of superior personal and intellectual development, along with the important understanding of today's multi-cultural environment. Students complete 64 credits in 13 core M.B.A. courses, plus three courses focusing on international business. Those students interested in a truly international experience have the opportunity to take their concentration courses at Le Groupe Sup de CO Montpellier, France or Copenhagen Business School. Summer sessions at Montpellier or Copenhagen Business School offer coursework in an accelerated 12 to 21 day format.

The Asian M.B.A. Program is run in partnership with two universities in Shenyang: Shenyang University of Technology and Shenyang Jainzhu University (formerly Shenyang Architectural and Civil Engineering University). The M.B.A. Program is also being offered in partnership with Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) at Binh Dong University. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association approved Benedictine University to offer M.B.A. and Master of Science in Management Information Systems (M.S.M.I.S.) programs throughout China and Vietnam.

Learning Team M.B.A. Program:

Benedictine University's Learning Team M.B.A. Program offers an evening, learning team-style program to working adults. The M.B.A. degree is completed in less than two years while attending evening classes one course at a time, one time per week, at a location close to home or work. Learning Team study group sessions are conducted weekly. New learning teams start regularly throughout the year at various locations throughout Chicagoland and northern Illinois.

Dual Degree M.B.A. Programs:

Benedictine University offers four dual M.B.A. degrees with graduate programs in Management Information Systems (M.B.A./M.S.M.I.S), Management and Organizational Behavior (M.B.A./M.S.M.O.B), and Master of Public Health (M.B.A./M.P.H.)and M.S. in Accountancy (M.B.A./M.S.A.). Dual degree programs require of 96 quarter credit hours for completion. Application and admission is required to each graduate program and students must complete all requirements for the selected dual degree.

The academic calendar is organized around four 10-week academic quarters. The Benedictine M.B.A. program offers a rolling admission so students may be admitted into any of these quarters. It is possible to follow either a part-time or full-time program.

ADMISSION APPLICATION AND PROCEDURES:

An application to the Benedictine M.B.A. Program requires the following items have been received:

1.    A completed application form.

2.    A non-refundable application fee.

3.    Official transcripts from all previous colleges attended. The student should request that all transcripts, including any from Benedictine University, be mailed directly to the Graduate Admissions Office at Benedictine University.

4.    Two letters of reference from persons who know the applicant from a professional or academic perspective.

5.    A one-page statement of educational and career goals.

6.    Resume which includes chronological work history.

7.    Interview with the M.B.A. Program Director, at the director's discretion.

8.    Test scores (i.e., TOEFEL).

Applicants having a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better may be waived from the GMAT requirement. Applicants wishing to apply for a GMAT waiver, but who do not have a GPA of 3.2 or better, may be considered pending successful completion of a specified quantitative and qualitative course.

Applicants who have not completed college algebra within the past five years may be required to demonstrate math proficiency or participate in a math refresher course MBA 400 Math Review.

M.B.A. Program Curriculum:

Foundation Courses 24 quarter credit hours:

MBA 520 Leadership and Ethics in a Global Environment
MBA 541 Analytical Tools for Management Decisions
MBA 510 Economics
MBA 530 Organizational Behavior
MBA 500 Financial Accounting
MBA 539 International Business

The Managerial Process 28 quarter credit hours:

MBA 601 Managerial Accounting
MBA 611 Managerial Economics
MBA 630 Operations Management
MBA 651 Financial Management
MBA 661 Marketing Management
MBA 683 Project Management
MBA 671 Strategic Management

Plus 12 Elective credits for a total of 64 credit-hours. Elective courses should be confirmed with your academic advisor.

In each of our M.B.A. Programs, basic skills in computer software programs (such as knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint) and spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) development are required. Most classes require significant written and verbal presentations. Completion of case analysis by teams is frequently required to enhance your skills in team effectiveness and professional presentations. Ability to work in teams is required.

The M.B.A. Program:

The M.B.A. curriculum includes 16 courses, 13 required and three electives, totaling 64 quarter credit hours. M.B.A. students are required to successfully complete the 13 required courses plus twelve hours in elective coursework, at a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average. Each of the 13 required courses are offered year round. Traditional evening M.B.A. classes typically meet one evening per week, from 6:30-9:30pm and are scheduled in quarters that last ten weeks. Online M.B.A. classes are offered year round and typically run six sessions a year, with each session lasting eight weeks. Traditional, learning team and online courses require individual academic work and team projects. The Graduate Course Schedule is posted on the Benedictine University Web Site (www.ben.edu). M.B.A. students wishing to take three or more M.B.A. courses per quarter need approval from the M.B.A. Program Director.

Course Substitutions and Waivers

Course substitutions and waivers for Foundation level courses may be determined by the M.B.A. Program Director, on a case-by-case basis. Students with a graduate business degree or a professional certificate (e.g., Certified Public Accountant, Project Management Professional, etc.) may be eligible for a course substitution/waiver. Students with extensive undergraduate equivalent coursework completed at a 3.0 or higher grade point average taken within seven (7) years from the date of application to the M.B.A. program may be eligible for a course substitution/waiver.

M.B.A. Program Electives:

Students in the M.B.A. Program can select 12 quarter credit hours as electives. Electives should be chosen to advance individual professional development and career goals. Academic advisors assist students in making these important decisions. Elective courses are offered at least once a year, and advanced academic planning is recommended to incorporate preferred electives.

M.B.A. Program Concentrations:

A unique feature of the Benedictine M.B.A. Program is the option to earn a concentration in one or more of over 17 areas. A concentration is earned by completing 12 elective credits from the specific courses designated for each concentration. For example, the student choosing to complete the M.B.A. with Management Information Systems (M.I.S.) concentration must successfully complete at least 12 credits from the courses listed under the M.I.S. concentration. Earning a concentration is optional, although the majority of M.B.A. students select at least one concentration. Students must comply with all course pre-requisites when planning a concentration.

Accounting

Derivatives Trading

Entrepreneurship & Managing Innovation

Financial Management

Health Administration

Human Resource Management

Information Systems Security

International Business

Management Consulting

Management Information Systems

Marketing Management

Integrated Marketing Communications

Internet Marketing (available through Online program only)

Operations Management and Logistics

Organizational Leadership

Project Management

Sustainable Business & Leadership

Further information about concentrations can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Full-Time Faculty

Sharon Borowicz, Ph.D., E.A.

† Marvin Camburn, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

† Kevin Doyle, Ph.D., P.M.P.

John Draut, M.B.A.

Ricky Holman, J.D.

Barbara Ozog, Ph.D.

Apostolos "Toli" Xanthopoulos, Ph.D.

Tom Yu, Ph.D.

James Zoda, Ph.D.

Academic Administrators

Courtney Hatcher, B.A., Program Manager

Susan Stackley, M.S., Associate Director

The Lecturers listed are individuals who have been employed as instructors on an as-needed basis, within the last several years, to teach courses at Benedictine University. Instructors listed may not currently be employed by Benedictine University. The University is fortunate to be able to provide our students with part-time faculty whose experience, credentials and commitment to education add to the high quality of our resident faculty.

† - Deceased.

M.B.A. Certificate Programs -

Certificate Programs are designed for a concentrated focus for those professionals looking to expand their knowledge in a specific area or introduce professionals to the core M.B.A. curriculum. Courses may be taken throughout the year, in a traditional or on-line format, and may be applied toward the M.B.A. degree for students who are accepted into the degree-seeking program. Students in Certificate Programs must meet all enrollment requirements for Student At Large status. Courses must be completed at a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher to apply toward the M.B.A. degree. All students entering into a Certificate Program must schedule an advising appointment with the M.B.A. Chair before they initiate their first Certificate course. Certificates are offered in the following areas: accounting, advanced accounting, business administration, derivatives trading, entrepreneurship and managing innovation, financial management, international management, marketing, operations management and logisitics, project management, sustainable business & leadership.