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.
See the MBA Student Handbook (PDF Format) | (Word Format)
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.
Fall 2023 MBA In-Class Meeting Schedule
Erie Program
- BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Mondays: August 21, September 25, November 6, December 4 - BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
Tuesdays: August 22, September 26, October 31, December 5 - BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
Wednesdays: August 23, September 27, November 8, November 29
Cranberry Program
- BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Tuesdays: August 22, September 26, November 7, December 5 - BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
Wednesdays: August 23, September 27, November 1, December 6 - BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
Thursdays: August 24, September 28, November 9, November 30
Fall 2023 Mandatory Orientation
Erie Program
- Thursday, August 17: 6:00–8:30 p.m., Burke Center on Penn State Behrend campus
Cranberry Program
- Saturday, August 19: 9:30 a.m.–noon, Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Township