Program Details

MCLA's Master of Business Administration offers a blend of classroom experience and practical hands-on fieldwork and academic instruction. The curriculum is designed as a part-time advanced business degree for working adults.

Students will gain knowledge and skills immediately relevant to their work, and as graduates of the MBA program they will be prepared to assume increased responsibilities in their current places of employment and also possess capabilities to move into leadership roles.

Curriculum

The core required courses are those considered vital to the necessary development of the managerial and leadership skills and knowledge of the student. Core courses cover the major functions of marketing, finance, product and service operations, and management. Core courses also introduce significant external factors impacting business decision making: competing in global economies and markets, and sustainability and social responsibility. 

A capstone course in strategic management addresses integration among business functions and connections between internal operations and developments in the external environment, recognizing that management problems in the real world most often require integrative solutions.

The elective courses recognize the unique needs of the dominant private and public industry clusters in the Berkshires and allows for students from various organizations to customize the program to their interests and needs.  The Special Topics in Business course will allow for the incorporation of unique local expertise or interest into the program.

Goals

The student profile of an MBA graduate will include the following areas of knowledge and skills:

• Graduates will analyze and synthesize information across key functional business areas and make sound business choices.
• Graduates will apply effective communication skills.
• Graduates will demonstrate the ability to use technology to analyze complex management problems by applying qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Graduates will recognize the importance of ethical and corporate social responsibility principles in the business environment.
• Graduates will develop frameworks for analyzing both opportunities and risks when operating in the global business environment. 

In addition, it is the goal of the program to provide knowledge and skills immediately relevant to their work. Students will gain an all-encompassing business perspective and networking system to advance in a career. Most will complete their coursework within two years.

Local & Global Networking

MCLA's department of Business Administration and Economics has strong connections to both the local business community and its network of alums; these connections are already providing a wealth of field-based learning opportunities for undergraduate students, and will serve as the basis for providing similar opportunities for you, our graduate student.

Delivery

Designed as a part-time program to meet the needs of the working adult learner, the courses will meet through a combination of online and face-to-face instruction one course at a time. Online learning will take place using MCLA's state-of-the-art classroom management system.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements include the completion of 30 credits of graduate business courses. 

The 30 credit program consists of seven (7) required courses and three (3) elective courses.  

A minimum grade point average of "B" must be maintained throughout the life of the program.  Students with undergraduate degrees in areas other than business will complete (5) five foundation courses prior to matriculation unless proficiency can be demonstrated.