The 30-credit MBA program is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis and uses a hybrid format of 75 percent online instruction and 25 percent in-class instruction. Each course meets four times—either on the Behrend campus in Erie or at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township, near Pittsburgh, depending on whether the student has chosen the Erie program or Pittsburgh program. 

MBA students are required to complete 21 credits of Advanced Required coursework. Nine elective credits allow students to pursue in-depth study in areas of special interest. 

MBA Course Descriptions

All MBA courses are 3 credits.

Advanced Required Courses

B ADM 510 Cost Management for Decision Making and Control: The study and use of accounting information for cost management, product costing, planning and controlling operations, and managerial decision making.

B ADM 512 Managing Effective Organizations: Understanding the critical and changing role of management in contemporary organizations.

B ADM 513 Quantitative Methods for Business: Effective management of the flow of goods, services, and information through the supply chain.

B ADM 514 Strategic Planning and Business Policy: Formulation of objectives and implementation of programs to promote long-range success of the organization in a changing environment. Prerequisites: B ADM 510, B ADM 512, B ADM 513, B ADM 554

B ADM 526 Leadership and Ethics: A multi-perspective review of leadership theory and research with special emphasis given to the ethical dimensions of leadership.

B ADM 532 Corporate Finance: Application of modern corporate finance theory to corporate practice.

B ADM 554 Marketing Strategy: An application of marketing theoretical principles from popular press publications.

Elective Courses

Students may select three courses from the University list.

Typically, five electives are offered annually, four of which are summer courses. Most elective courses are offered fully online.

To increase their degree-specialization options, MBA students may take up to two 400-level undergraduate Penn State courses to satisfy 6 of the 9 required elective credits. 400-level electives are subject to prior approval by Dr. Al Warner, academic program chair, and cannot be courses previously taken to satisfy an undergraduate degree requirement.

For more information on electives, contact Dr. Warner at [email protected] or 814-898-6509.

Suggested Course Schedule

Most full-time MBA students complete the degree in three semesters, beginning either in fall or spring. Part-time students often take two courses per semester, completing the degree in five semesters. 

The Graduate School allows eight years to complete a graduate degree. A 3.0 minimum GPA is required to graduate. 

Semester dates can be found on the Academic Calendars page. Course registration dates can be found on the Registration Timetable page.

Typical Full-Time MBA Course Schedule

Fall
B ADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
B ADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
B ADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Elective 

Spring
B ADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control    
B ADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy
B ADM 526: Leadership and Ethics
B ADM 532: Corporate Finance

Summer
Two electives 

Note: A typical course schedule for full-time students starting in a spring semester is B ADM 510, B ADM 526, and a 400-elective in spring; B ADM 512, B ADM 513, B ADM 554, and an MBA elective in fall; and B ADM 514, B ADM 532, and a 400-level elective the next spring.

Typical Part-Time MBA Course Schedule

Fall
B ADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
B ADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business

Spring
B ADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control
B ADM 526: Leadership and Ethics

Summer
Two electives
 
Fall
B ADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Elective

Spring
B ADM 532: Corporate Finance
B ADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy

Note: A typical course schedule for full-time students starting in a spring semester is B ADM 510 and B ADM 526 in spring; two electives in summer; B ADM 512 and B ADM 513 in fall; B ADM 532 and B ADM 514 the next spring; and B ADM 554 and an elective the next fall.

Spring 2023 MBA In-Class Meeting Schedule

Erie Program

  • BADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control
    Mondays: January 16, February 13, March 20, April 24
  • BADM 532: Corporate Finance
    Tuesdays: January 10, February 14, March 21, April 25
  • BADM 526: Leadership and Ethics
    Wednesdays: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 26
  • BADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy
    Thursdays: January 12, February 16, March 23, April 27

Cranberry Program

  • BADM 532: Corporate Finance
    Mondays: January 9, February 13, March 20, April 24
  • BADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control
    Tuesdays: January 17, February 14, March 21, April 25
  • BADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy
    Wednesdays: January 11, February 15, March 22, April 26
  • BADM 526: Leadership and Ethics
    Thursdays: January 19, February 16, March 16, April 27