Nov 24, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Strategic Leadership (MBA)


  1. Use data-driven analytics to make sound, evidence-based decisions;
  2. Frame and address problems through the use of integrative, critical and strategic thinking;
  3. Build effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills;
  4. Learn to design and use processes for competitive advantage;
  5. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and ethical leadership.
  6. Enhance your ability to think strategically and make informed decisions that align with the long-term goals of the organization.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex business environments, identify strategic opportunities and challenges, and formulate innovative and effective strategies to achieve organizational goals.

MBA Requirements:


Program Requirements:


Candidates for the UD MBA degree must complete 38 credit hours, divided into Business Core courses (27 credits), elective courses (9 credits), and professional development seminars (two credits). The UD MBA committee specifies specialized courses beyond the core and required curriculum for the UD MBA programs.

Full-time MBA students can normally complete the program in 21 months. Part-time students normally take 3-4 years to earn their degrees. Students may accelerate their program by taking courses in the winter and summer sessions.

Elective Courses:


Nine hours of additional graduate-level coursework must be completed either within the Lerner College or across the University in other areas appropriate to the student’s academic or professional interests. Students who intend to complete a Major or a Concentration will achieve this requirement through specified coursework.

Majors and Concentrations:


Although not required, it is possible for students to obtain a major within the MBA by completing 15 credits of elective course work in one of the following six areas:

Students may instead choose to complete one or more concentration(s) by choosing nine hours of prescribed elective course work an eligible concentration. Eligible concentrations are listed in each program.

Students can complete the Business Administration MBA with a single concentration.
 

  • Students aspiring to complete the MBA degree with a double concentration may do so by taking an additional 3 credits. In this case the program will be 47* credits (27 credits of core and 2 credits of professional seminars + 9 credits for the 1st concentration + 9 credits for the 2nd concentration).
  • Students aspiring to complete the MBA degree with a major and a concentration may do so by taking an additional 9 credits. In this case the program will be 53* credits (27 credits of core and 2 credits of professional seminars + 15 credits for the major + 9 Credits for the concentration).
  • Students aspiring to complete the MBA degree with a double major may do so by taking an additional 15 credits. In this case the program will be 59* credits (27 credits of core and 2 credits of professional seminars + 15 credits for the 1st major + 15 Credits for the 2nd major).
  • A student can complete a specific concentration only one time, meaning a double concentration must consist of two unique concentrations.
    • *(the actual credit count may vary depending on course waivers and course transfers).

Students interested in a general-interest MBA (Business Administration (MBA)) need not pursue a major or concentration, and may instead select 9 credits of electives from a wide variety of academic interests.

Notes:


Dual Degrees:

There are many dual degrees options with the MBA, including:

Most dual degrees generally require at least 60 graduate credits and follow a very structured curriculum.

A dual degree requires 29-32 credits in the MBA curriculum. The 29 credits for MBA dual degrees with programs within Lerner will consist of 27 credits of the Business Core requirements plus two one credit professional development seminars: BUEC 601 and BUEC 603. The 32 credits for MBA dual degrees with programs outside of Lerner will consist of 27 credits of the Business Core requirements plus two one credit professional development seminars: BUEC 601 and BUEC 603, plus one international business course. Students interested in pursuing a dual degree should contact the MBA Program Manager to discuss the specific courses required to complete the degrees.

Course Waivers and Transfers:

A total of up to 12 credits may be waived and/or transferred. Course waivers should be assessed upon application to the UD MBA program. It is possible to finish the UD MBA degree at an accelerated pace in one year with a minimum 36 credits with sufficient course waivers/transfers. Students entering the UD MBA program with a BS, BA, or equivalent degree from an AACSB-accredited school may substitute additional elective coursework for up to six credits from the Business Core requirement. Thus, the students on this faster track will need to take a minimum of 36 credit hours instead of 44 hours.

Students in the UD MBA programs (part-time and full-time) may waive up to 12 credits of the 24 credits in Business Core if they have completed applicable courses in that subject area at the undergraduate level at an AACSB-accredited institution during the last five years with grades of B or better in each course. In general, two courses in a subject area are required to waive a Business Core course; one of those two undergraduate courses must be at the intermediate level. Some subjects require more than two courses. Students should contact the MBA Program Manager to determine if their courses meet the requirements. Coursework from related graduate degrees may also qualify as the basis of a course waiver, but only in a related academic field. For instance, a student who already holds an MS in Accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution may request a course waiver for ACCT 620; similarly, a holder of an MA in Economics may request a course waiver for ECON 503.

It is possible to transfer graduate-level coursework to the UD MBA from other AACSB-accredited schools. A maximum of nine credits may be transferred. Graduate courses are eligible for transfer only if earned at a school fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Per University regulations, courses must have been completed within the past five years and earned grades of B or better. Course transfers are not official until the student has completed at least nine credit hours as a matriculated MBA student at the University of Delaware.

Electronic Communications Requirement:

All MBA students are provided with electronic addresses and e-mailboxes and are expected to utilize email, the Internet, and electronic scholarly resources on a regular basis. The UD MBA program provides basic instruction in electronic communications for new students. Other instruction is available in short, non-credit classes that are offered by the University‚ Information Technologies staff, and the business reference librarian at Morris Library. Students wishing to use their private e-mail MUST forward their University e-mail accounts to this address. Electronic mail is the primary method of administrative information dissemination, and students are responsible for monitoring their University e-mail accounts.

Three of the following:


Only one of BUAD 641  or BUAD 678  can be used towards this requirement:

Concentration Requirements:


Students may choose to complete one or more of the following concentrations by choosing nine hours of prescribed elective course work in: Accounting, Business Analytics, Digital and Social Media, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Finance, Healthcare Management, Hospitality Business Management, Information Technology, International Business, Marketing Analytics, Public Relations, and Sports Management. 

Business Analytics Concentration (MBA):


Requirements:


Nine credits. 

Proficiency Requirement:


Prior to enrolling in the Business Analytics major or concentration, students will need to demonstrate knowledge in the expert features and functions in Microsoft Excel including:

  • If Statements
  • VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
  • Sparklines
  • Pivot Tables and Charts
  • Macro Operations

This can be done by completing an online course offered by UDEMY by passing a proficiency exam.

Digital and Social Media Concentration (MBA):


Concentration Requirements:


Complete 9 credits. Courses used to satisfy the Digital and Social Media concentration may not double count to fulfill the Public Relations MBA Concentration or MBA Major.

Finance Concentration (MBA):


Requirements:


Nine credits in one of the focus areas. Students may pursue one of the three focus areas below.

General Finance Focus:


Corporate Finance Focus:


3 of the following (9 credits):

Healthcare Management Concentration (MBA):


Hospitality Business Management Concentration (MBA):


Information Technology Concentration (MBA):


Requirements:


Nine credits.

One of the following:


International Business Concentration (MBA):


Requirements:


Nine credits.

Note:


  • International Business students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the graduate Study Abroad programs here at the University of Delaware. The Study Abroad experiences for graduate students are designed to fit into part‐time student work schedules and are much shorter than the 5‐week or semester long experiences our undergraduates have.

Marketing Analytics Concentration (MBA):


Public Relations Concentration (MBA):


Concentration Requirements:


Complete 9 credits. Courses used to satisfy the Public Relations concentration may not double count to fulfill the Digital and Social Media MBA Concentration or MBA Major.

Sports Management Concentration (MBA):


Last Revised for 2024-2025 Academic Year