The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the Neil Griffin College of Business is a professional degree program designed to prepare students of various educational and professional backgrounds for management positions in all types of organizations. Courses in the program stress the development of the competencies required to effectively lead global organizations  which facing complex and dynamic operating and social environments. MBA classes are offered in both a traditional face-to-face and wholly online environment. While students may enroll in the online MBA program at any time, enrollment is limited to summer session 1 or fall semester for the face-to-face MBA program. The Neil Griffin College of Business is accredited by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The Griffin Graduate Program’s MBA degree is STEM designated.

The MBA requires the completion of 33-credit hours. This degree has a 24-credit hour core that covers the functional areas of business. Students complete Graduate Business Fundamentals (MBA 5003) in their first semester. Unless given permission by the graduate program director, Graduate Business Fundamentals is a prerequisite for Accounting for Planning and Control (ACCT 6003), Business Analytics (ISBA 6543), Corporate Financial Management (FIN 6723), and Managerial Economics (ECON 6313). Graduate Business Fundamentals is also a prerequisite for advanced courses in the disciplines of accounting, business analytics, economics, and finance. The graduate program director may waive Graduate Business Fundamentals as a prerequisite based on the graduate student’s undergraduate background.

In addition, students have the flexibility to tailor their MBA program of study to their particular interests or needs by choosing a concentration in various specialty areas. Concentrations offered include agricultural business, business analytics, healthcare administration, human resource management, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), management, marketing, and supply chain management. Students complete 9-credit hours of graduate coursework focused on their chosen concentration area. Alternatively, students may opt for no concentration (and take 9-credit hours of graduate coursework).

Unconditional Admission

An applicant for the MBA degree program will receive unconditional admission by meeting the following criteria: 

1. Submitted a completed application for admission and a nonrefundable application fee  at least 30 days in advance of registration. 
2. Submitted official transcripts from each previously attended college or university. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the registrar of other institutions. 
3. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale; OR a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework (undergraduate, graduate, or combination thereof). 
4. Earned a graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree from a regionally-accredited (U.S.) institution.

Conditional Admission

Applicants that do not meet the cumulative or last 60 hours GPA criterion  may receive conditional admission. Consideration for conditional admission is given to applicants that: 

1. Earned a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale; OR a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework (undergraduate, graduate, or combination thereof); OR submitted a statement of purpose that will be evaluated by the director of graduate programs and the graduate programs admissions committee. 

The following course restrictions will pertain to conditionally admitted applicants:

• Conditionally admitted students in the traditional face-to-face MBA program can take no more than 6 graduate credit hours during a traditional length semester.
• Conditionally admitted students in the online MBA program can take no more than 3 graduate credit hours during each seven-week term.
• Conditionally admitted students will be moved to unconditional admission status upon completion of 6 hours with a grade of “B” or better in each course. While conditionally admitted, a grade of “C” or lower in any graduate-level course will result in suspension from the graduate program.

Satisfactory Progress

The Griffin Graduate Program’s standards for satisfactory progress enhance those set forth by A-State’s Graduate School.

Students are suspended and unable to re-enroll in the program upon earning a:

• “F” in any graduate course.
• “C” or below in Graduate Business Fundamentals (MBA 5003).
• “C” in two graduate courses. Students earning a second “C” in their last semester of coursework may re-take the course―or a viable course substitute―in the following semester, pending approval of the program director.

The following criteria must be met to be eligible for graduation:

• Students must earn at least a “B” in the MBA program’s capstone course (MGMT 6423 Strategic Management).
• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in graduate coursework taken in the Griffin Graduate Program.