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 students can also add a specialization to their degree by completing one of our graduate certificates:
- Financial Analysis (no additional credits required)
- Financial Engineering (no additional credits required)
- Organizational Leadership (no additional credits required)
- Project Management (one additional course)
See the MBA Student Handbook (PDF Format) | (Word Format)
MBA Course Descriptions
All MBA courses are 3 credits.
Advanced Required Courses
BADM 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.
BADM 512 Managing Effective Organizations: Understanding the critical and changing role of management in contemporary organizations.
BADM 513 Quantitative Methods for Business: Effective management of the flow of goods, services, and information through the supply chain.
BADM 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
BADM 526 Leadership and Ethics: A multi-perspective review of leadership theory and research with special emphasis given to the ethical dimensions of leadership.
BADM 532 Corporate Finance: Application of modern corporate finance theory to corporate practice.
BADM 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
BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Elective
Spring
BADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control
BADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy
BADM 526: Leadership and Ethics
BADM 532: Corporate Finance
Summer
Two electives
Note: A typical course schedule for full-time students starting in a spring semester is BADM 510, BADM 526, and a 400-elective in spring; BADM 512, BADM 513, BADM 554, and an MBA elective in fall; and BADM 514, BADM 532, and a 400-level elective the next spring.
Typical Part-Time MBA Course Schedule
Fall
BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
Spring
BADM 510: Cost Management for Decision Making and Control
BADM 526: Leadership and Ethics
Summer
Two electives
Fall
BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Elective
Spring
BADM 532: Corporate Finance
BADM 514: Strategic Planning and Business Policy
Note: A typical course schedule for full-time students starting in a spring semester is BADM 510 and BADM 526 in spring; two electives in summer; BADM 512 and BADM 513 in fall; BADM 532 and BADM 514 the next spring; and BADM 554 and an elective the next fall.
Fall 2024 MBA In-Class Meeting Schedule
Erie Program
- BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Mondays: August 26, September 30, November 11, December 9 - BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
Tuesdays: August 27, October 1, November 5, December 10 - BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
Wednesdays: August 28, October 2, November 13, December 4
Cranberry Program
- BADM 554: Marketing Strategy
Tuesdays: August 27, October 1, November 12, December 10 - BADM 512: Managing Effective Organizations
Wednesdays: August 28, October 2, November 6, December 11 - BADM 513: Quantitative Methods for Business
Thursdays: August 29, October 3, November 14, December 5
Fall 2024 Mandatory Orientation
Students must attend one of the following orientation sessions. They can choose the location that works best for their schedule.
- Thursday, August 22: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., on Penn State Behrend campus in Erie
- Saturday, August 24: 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township
Questions about mandatory orientation? Contact Dr. Al Warner.