Master of Business Administration

Interim Dean, School of Business Administration: Harvey B. Lermack. 215.951.2818 Phone, 215.951.2652 FAX, lermackh@PhilaU.edu

Assistant Dean, Graduate Business Programs: MarySheila E. McDonald, J.D., 215.951.2950 Phone, 215.951.5300 FAX, mcdonaldm@PhilaU.edu

Campus Location: Main Campus

Degree Program

Master of Business Administration

Options

• Business Administration

• Finance

• International Business

• Marketing

• Retail

• Taxation

M.B.A. in Health Care Management

One-Year Day M.B.A.

Combined Degrees

M.B.A./M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies

M.B.A./M.S. in Taxation

B.S. in Architectural Studies/M.B.A.*

B.S. in Business/M.B.A.*

B.S. in Textile Technology/M.B.A.*

*See undergraduate catalog for curriculum details.

Certificates

Pre-Master’s

• Pre-M.B.A. Foundations

Post-Master’s:

• Finance

• Health Care Management

• International Business

• Marketing

• Retail

• Taxation

The M.B.A. program provides students with the skills and abilities employers are looking for in the leaders of corporate America in the 21st century — a global perspective, competence in leading-edge technology and innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.

The curriculum addresses these global and managerial skills needed for success. It is constantly updated to meet the needs of individuals with previous business academic backgrounds, as well as the needs of students with diverse backgrounds pursuing formal business education for the first time. Students will analyze important and challenging issues in an active learning and team-building environment, while sharpening decision-making, communication, managerial and entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, students will develop the ability to interact and communicate with diverse groups, in order to function effectively in a competitive business environment.

The program is taught by a unique combination of faculty with practical experience in industry and academically oriented professors who are involved in research and who consult with domestic and international corporations. Small class sizes allow for personal attention. The incoming fall class is limited to under 100 students, with the average class size at about 16 students.

Every M.B.A. candidate will select from one of the five options offered or the Health Care Management programs. All prerequisites must also be met.

The Business Administration option allows students the flexibility to customize their education with nine elective credits. They select those courses that will be the most meaningful to them. The International Business option requires students to participate in a two-week overseas trip, exposing them to a number of foreign cultures and businesses as they meet with business leaders, politicians, labor leaders and academicians in European or Asian countries. The trip is also open to other students as an elective.

The separate M.B.A. in Health Care Management was developed specifically to respond to the current health care environment.

For more information about the combined degree programs, students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Business Programs Office at 215.951.2950.

Foundation Courses

The foundation courses provide a comprehensive general business education and serve as the foundation for advanced study. These courses are often referred to as the common body of knowledge that graduates of a business program are expected to possess.

Note: Foundation course requirements have been streamlined to afford easier access to the M.B.A. program, particularly for individuals entering formal business education for the first time. In any given semester, the graduate foundation MBF courses may only be offered in an online format. 

Waiver of Foundation Courses

Students with satisfactory equivalent undergraduate or graduate records may have some or all of these foundation courses waived. To be exempt from the foundation courses the following criteria must be met:

1. A grade of “C” or better in undergraduate equivalents. Students may not waive more than five courses in which they have received grades of “C.” Waived courses are to be determined by the assistant dean for Graduate Business Programs.

2. Seven-year time limit between date of matriculation into the M.B.A. program and time when undergraduate course was taken.

3. Undergraduate equivalents must be from an accredited university or college.

Individuals without an undergraduate degree in Business Administration:

Many individuals are eager to pursue an M.B.A. but have not studied the above courses. For this reason, these foundation courses are offered at the graduate level, but may be completed in several ways:

1. Completion of the necessary M.B.A. foundation or undergraduate equivalents.

2. Satisfactory completion of a proficiency examination offered by the University.

3. Satisfactory performance in the appropriate College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey.

Business Administration Option

Core Courses (24 Credits)

Electives (9 Credits*)

* Up to six credits may be taken outside the School of Business Administration with permission of program directors.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS (33 Credits)

Finance Option

Core Courses (24 Credits) 

Option Area Courses (9 Credits)

Select two of the following:

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS (33 Credits)

International Business Option

Core Courses (24 Credits)

Option Area Courses (9 Credits)

Select one of the following:

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

Marketing Option

Core Courses (24 Credits)

Option Area Courses (9 Credits)

Select two of the following:

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

Retail Option

Core Courses (24 Credits)

Option Area Courses (9 Credits)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

Taxation Option

Core Courses (24 Credits)

Option Area Courses (9 Credits)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

M.B.A. Core Specialization Option

The M.B.A. Core Specialization enhances the Evening M.B.A. program through the existing core courses and without adding cost or time to the program. Part-time M.B.A. students may declare their own customized academic specialization in a particular industry (e.g., healthcare, financial services). By completing four assignments in their chosen specialization (one assignment in four of seven core courses, excluding MBA642), students can earn a certificate and develop a professional portfolio in order to better market their expertise. The M.B.A. Core Specialization is optional; students who choose not to participate or do not meet the requirements below can still earn the degree of M.B.A., as specified in the Philadelphia University Catalog. Curriculum and assignment guidelines are presented below.

Curriculum Guidelines:

1. Students must submit their plan (chosen specialization and list of four core courses) to the assistant dean for Graduate Business Programs no later than their second semester in the program. Specializations must be approved by the assistant dean.

2. Students will explore the chosen specialization in an assignment in four of seven core courses, excluding MBA642. (Choose from MBA625, Management Communications and Negotiations; MBA626, Global Managing in the 21st Century; MBA627, Management of Information Through Technology; MBA628, Accounting for Management Decisions; MBA629, Financial Policy and Planning; MBA630, Quantitative Methods in Decisions; MBA632, Strategic Marketing Management.)

3. A grade of “B” or better in each of four assignments must be received in order to earn the certificate.

4. The student will be responsible for delivering a copy of each graded assignment to the assistant dean for Graduate Business Programs. The assignments will be kept on file as part of the student’s specialization portfolio.

5. If a student receives a grade lower than a “B” in an assignment designated for the specialization in any core course(s), the student may substitute another core course (or courses) — up until the student has completed all seven core courses listed above.

6. Since the M.B.A. Core Specialization applies only to core courses, it does not preclude declaration of a concentration.

Assignment Guidelines:

1. Each assignment is to reflect the student’s approved specialization within the context of each chosen course and set of course requirements. For example, a student in MBA626 (Global Managing in the 21st Century) whose core specialization is the healthcare industry can complete an assignment that addresses an issue (or issues) in healthcare management.

2. At the discretion of the instructor, required assignments may be adapted to fulfill the core specialization assignment. However, in some classes, a student may be required to do an additional assignment, if a core specialization assignment does not fit into the regular class assignments.

3. The instructor must approve each assignment and has discretion with respect to specifics (e.g., appropriateness for the course, assignment parameters, etc.).

4. Each assignment must be an individual effort and not part of a group project.

5. Each assignment will demonstrate the student’s ability to find, analyze, apply and integrate business research within the chosen specialization.

6. Each assignment will demonstrate the student’s professional communication skills.

7. Each assignment must constitute a graduate-level contribution and result in output suitable for inclusion in the M.B.A. specialization portfolio [e.g., paper or detailed oral (PowerPoint) presentation with significant support documents and references].

8. Each assignment must be worth at least 15 percent of the final grade.

M.B.A. in Health Care Management

Health care leaders who are highly skilled in managing change, strategic planning, finance, communication and quality assurance are in great demand today due to the combined effects of an aging population, advancing medical technology and the increasing complexity of the health care delivery system.

To prepare individuals to meet this challenge, the M.B.A. in Health Care Management provides a thorough education in the organization, management, and delivery of health care services, as well as an intense focus on the organizational changes in the industry.

Students will become well versed in the most current issues, concerns, practices and principles in health care administration, as well as develop leadership and analytic skills applicable to the diverse health care entities, including public health departments, nursing homes and managed-care settings.

Core Courses (24 Credits) 

Health Care Management Courses (9 Credits)

Select two of the following:

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits

One-Year Day M.B.A.

• Summer start

The full-time day M.B.A. program responds to the needs of recent college graduates. The program format allows students to share their learning experiences with students who have similar goals and needs. A small, select group of students will proceed through the program together while taking all of their classes during the day.

All M.B.A. prerequisites must be completed before beginning the program. The program begins in late July with intensive daily class meetings. Fall and Spring classes follow a Tuesday/Thursday format, with students completing a two-semester, faculty-guided business internship on Mondays and Wednesdays. A highlight of the spring semester is the International Business trip. Students are exposed to top-level decision makers in business, labor and government through meetings in the corporate headquarters of financial institutions and production companies.

Day M.B.A. Summer Start

Complete any outstanding Foundation Courses

Late July and AUGUST

FALL SEMESTER

Tuesday/Thursday

Monday/Wednesday

SPRING SEMESTER

Tuesday/Thursday 

Monday/Wednesday

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33 Credits