Pre-Requisite Policy

Entry into the graduate programs requires completion of pre-requisite foundation courses. The foundation coursework is designed to prepare students for advanced study in business. Foundation course requirements may be waived, on a course-by-course basis, for the applicant who has recently completed equivalent coursework at the graduate or undergraduate level or who demonstrates competency by examination. Foundation course credits and grades are not applicable to the MBA degree.

Pre-requisite Policy for 09-11 Graduate Catalog
Effective date: May 1, 2009

The policy below applies to ALL MBA students (enrolled and recently accepted). The only way the new policy will not affect you is if you have already taken and passed the 600 level courses the pre-req applies to.

Pre-requisite Courses that must be fulfilled for the MBA program:
Micro and Macro Economics
Financial and Managerial Accounting*
Statistics*
Business Law
Management Information Systems
Principles of Marketing
Principles of Finance*
Principles of Management
Operations Management

Pre-req policy for MBA students:
In order to be able to take the 600 level MBA course, students must have taken the appropriate pre-req(s) in the past 7 years with a C or better. If they have not, their pre-req can be fulfilled by either successfully completing (C or better) the appropriate 3 credit pre-req course, successfully taking a CLEP exam (score of 50/75% minimum) or, in some circumstances it can be waived if they have significant (2 + years) work experience in the specific area (must be approved by faculty member in discipline).

For the courses noted by a *, the following new policy applies:
In order to be able to take the Finance, Statistics, and/or Financial Accounting 600 level MBA course(s), students must have taken the respective pre-req(s) in the past 4 years and received a B or better. If they received less than a B, their pre-req can be fulfilled by successfully completing the 1 credit “review” course. This 1 credit review course will be a 500 level pre-req course, graded on a pass/fail scale, and not count toward their MBA degree credits and/or GPA.

Students who have taken the Finance, Statistics, and/or Financial Accounting pre-req in the past 5-8 years and received a C or better will be required to successfully complete the 1 credit “review” course. See course descriptions below.

If a student has never taken the Finance, Statistics, and/or Financial Accounting pre-req, or it has been more than 8 years, or they received less than a C when they took it, will be required to successfully complete the appropriate 3 credit pre-req course (B or better).

Notes on Finance, Statistics and Financial Accounting:
  • The accounting department will allow students to have the Financial Accounting pre-req waived if they have taken intermediate accounting I and II in the past 8 years and received a B or better.
  • The Finance, Statistics, and/or Financial Accounting pre-req’s are not allowed to be fulfilled by taking CLEP exams.
  • If a student has significant work experience in the specific area, they will still be eligible to have the pre-req course waived if it is deemed appropriate. As stated above, this is to be approved by a faculty member in the specific discipline.
  • If a student was waived out of the pre-req, but would like to take the 1 credit review course they can.

To help clarify the new policy, please refer to this summary for Finance, Statistics, and Financial Accounting pre-req's:
  • Students waived out of pre-req if:
    • Took in past 4 years with B or better, OR
    • Have significant work experience in the specific area, approved by faculty in discipline
  • Students must take 1 credit review course if:
    • Took 5-8 years ago, OR
    • Received a B-, C+ or C in past 4 years, OR
    • Took it 8 + years ago and have some work experience in the specific area, approved by faculty in discipline
  • Students must take 3 credit pre-req if:
    • Took it more than 8 years ago and have not worked in the area, OR
    • Have never taken the pre-req, OR
    • Received less than a C when they originally took it.

NEW 1 Credit Review Courses:

Note:
These courses will be added to the summer and fall schedules by the end of April for students to register, however students will need to email their advisor with the CRN and their ID to request to be registered for them as they are 500 level pre-requisites.

MBUS 501 Review of Statistical Concepts:
1 credit – summer 2 online, fall semester in person, Monday night 5:30 - 8:00, run dates 11/16 - 12/14
The purpose of this course is to review basic statistical concepts, such as descriptive statistics, probability distributions (binomial and normal), sampling distribution, inferences (point estimates and confidence intervals), hypotheses testing (one-sample tests, two-sample tests), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), as well as simple linear regression analysis. Furthermore, the course will provide students with hands-on experience in using statistical software (MegaStat) to assist in making effective decisions.

MBUS 502 Review of Financial Accounting Concepts:
1 credit – summer TBD or fall semester MW mornings 7-8:15, run dates 11/11 - 12/16
The review will begin with business transaction analysis, including both non-accounting and technical accounting treatments, leading to a discussion of the accounting cycle and the resulting major financial statements (income statement and balance sheet).  The class will then drill down and examine in more detail accounting for (1) accounts receivable and bad debt expense; (2) inventory and cost of goods sold; (3) property, plant, and equipment, and depreciation expense; (4) current liabilities and accrued expenses; (5) bonds payable and interest expense; and (6) transactions with owners.  The class will conclude with a discussion of the statement of cash flows.

MBUS 503 Review of Finance Concepts:
1 credit – fall semester, Tuesday nights 5:30 - 8:00, 11/10 - 12/8
Basic review of core principles of corporate finance. Topics will include the analysis of risk and return, the time value of money and discounted cash flow analysis, the firm's investment and financing decisions, and the management of working capital.

Please contact your advisor if you have questions.

NOTE: All accepted students MUST meet with their advisor to determine which foundation courses they still need to complete before registering for the individual core courses.