The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an included program in the University's accreditation by AACSB International.

The MBA program develops the skills of management, the tools of problem-solving, the capacity for decision-making, and the knowledge about formal organizations and their economic environment. The curriculum is designed to provide both a general view of business and a specialized focus through development of a portfolio and selection of an area of emphasis.

Areas of Emphasis

With ten Areas of Emphasis from which to choose, the MBA program prepares graduates for leadership positions in a variety of managerial and organizational settings. 

• MBA General Business
• MBA with Accounting emphasis
• MBA with Aviation Economics emphasis
• MBA with Business Analytics emphasis
• MBA with Cybersecurity Management emphasis
• MBA with Entrepreneurship emphasis
• MBA with Finance emphasis
• MBA with Hospitality and Tourism Leadership emphasis
• MBA with Human Resources Management emphasis
• MBA with Supply Chain Logistics Management emphasis

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MBA program does not require an undergraduate business degree; a number of successful MBA graduates started the program with little to no previous business coursework. However, foundational proficiency in the major functional areas of business is required to be successful in the program. These foundational proficiencies can be completed quickly through accelerated courses.

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• A record of appropriate employment at increasing levels of responsibility via resume.
• Academic achievement as demonstrated by undergraduate institutional grade point average (GPA).
• Accreditation of degree-granting institution.
• Business course academic preparation.
• Graduate-level motivation and writing abilities as noted in essay responses.
• Other qualifications that illuminate future MBA potential.

Primary consideration will be given to the applicant’s academic record.

The credentials of applicants who do not meet these requirements are reviewed further to determine if other factors are sufficient to warrant admission. A student needing prerequisite foundational courses for the MBA program may take them as a non-degree student. However, only students who have been fully admitted to candidacy in the MBA program will be permitted to enroll in the required core courses of the MBA degree.

Foundational Proficiencies

Admission to the MBA program is gained by demonstrating proficiency in the major functional areas of business: accounting, business communications, business ethics, economics, finance, management, management information systems, marketing, and statistics. 

Candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of the UWF BSBA Core courses with a grade of 'B' or higher within the last 10 years. For candidates with no prior undergraduate business core coursework, or those who are lacking select prerequisites, the College offers graduate-level Accelerated MBA Foundation Courses, which allow candidates to quickly meet the foundational proficiencies needed to begin the MBA Core Courses. The Accelerated MBA Foundation option is a series of 1.5 semester hour, intensive courses that cover the essential foundational knowledge in each of the prerequisite business subjects.

Additional Foundational Proficiencies

In addition to the foundational proficiencies, some areas of emphasis have further requirements. For the Accounting area of emphasis, proficiency in upper-level undergraduate Accounting coursework is required. For the Supply Chain Logistics Management and Aviation Economics areas of emphasis, at least one undergraduate course related to supply chain logistics is required. For the Human Resources Management area of emphasis, an undergraduate course in human resources management or GEB 5816 MBA Foundations: Principles of Human Resources Management is required.

Application and Advising

Inquiries should be addressed to the MBA Office, which will assist in all matters of application, admission, degree planning, and graduation. All students planning to enter the MBA program must meet with an advisor to develop a degree plan. Transcripts and résumé should be submitted to the Graduate School at the time of application. The program is jointly administered by the MBA Office in partnership with faculty members who specialize in the areas of accounting & finance, marketing, economics, management, and management information systems.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the MBA degree must meet the following degree requirements.

Candidates are required to complete all courses with a grade of 'C' or better and maintain a minimum overall graduate and MBA GPA of 3.0. The University's Time to Degree policy applies to the completion of all MBA coursework. Noncompliant courses must be reviewed to determine proficiency.

Transfer Credit Policy

The University's Transfer of Credit regulation applies to the MBA program. Further, the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business will accept transfer credits as equivalent to UWF master-level business-related courses from institutions accredited by AACSB International.

MBA Portfolio

The MBA portfolio provides an opportunity to focus in-depth research in an industry, which the student will select upon starting the core curriculum. Four of the MBA Core courses require projects that are included in the student’s portfolio.

In the final semester of the program, the student will submit their portfolio for review by the program director and participate in an exit survey. Portfolio submission and exit survey participation are required for graduation.

MBA Program of Study

​The program of study leading to the MBA degree is a 33-36 semester hour program, depending on the area of emphasis. All students will complete 27 semester hours of MBA Core courses and 6-9 additional semester hours, dependent upon the selected area of emphasis. Enrollment in MBA courses is generally limited to MBA candidates.

MBA General Additional Required Courses

Accounting Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Accounting Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

For the Accounting emphasis, in addition to proficiency in the major functional areas of business, candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of the following UWF courses. Courses that are not compliant with UWF's time-to-degree policy must be reviewed to determine proficiency.

Aviation Economics Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Aviation Economics Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

For the Aviation Economics emphasis, in addition to proficiency in the major functional areas of business, candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of one of the following UWF courses. Courses that are not compliant with UWF's time-to-degree policy must be reviewed to determine proficiency.

Business Analytics Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Business Analytics Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

Cybersecurity Management Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Cybersecurity Management Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

Entrepreneurship Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Entrepreneurship Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

Finance Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Finance Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

Hospitality and Tourism Leadership Area of Emphasis Required Courses

Human Resources Management Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Human Resources Management Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

For the Human Resources Management emphasis, in addition to proficiency in the major functional areas of business, candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of one of the following UWF courses. Courses that are not compliant with UWF's time-to-degree policy must be reviewed to determine proficiency.

Supply Chain Logistics Management Area of Emphasis Required Courses

All Supply Chain Logistics Management Area of Emphasis courses are offered exclusively online.

For the Supply Chain Logistics Management emphasis, in addition to proficiency in the major functional areas of business, candidates are expected to have completed the equivalent of one of the following UWF courses. Courses that are not compliant with UWF's time-to-degree policy must be reviewed to determine proficiency.

Certificates

For the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business graduate certificates:

• Candidates are required to complete all certificate courses with a grade of "C" or better, and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Normally, transfer courses cannot be used to satisfy requirements for completion of graduate certificates.
• The University’s six-year policy on “Time to Degree: Master’s” applies to completion of coursework for graduate certificates.

Business Analytics Certificate

This certificate program teaches students the role of analytics as a data-driven decision support toolbox for managers in various business environments. Students will be able to communicate to management the appropriate types of data mining to apply in a business scenario given the data set and organizational context. The importance of data integrity and data privacy will be emphasized.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics is available online.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics is not available to students pursuing the MBA with the Business Analytics emphasis.

QMB 6305 Quantitative Methods for Business must be completed prior to starting the certificate.

Graduate Business Foundations Certificate

This certificate offers business foundation courses for participants interested in developing or renewing skills and knowledge in basic business foundations. The program primarily targets working professionals with non-business undergraduate degrees who desire formal business education to support existing or anticipated responsibilities in their career tracks. The certificate also provides the foundation for further graduate study in business and administration.  

The Graduate Business Foundations Certificate is available online and face-to-face.

Graduate Cybersecurity Management Certificate

This certificate teaches students to develop policies and procedures that ensure the safety of an organization's information assets without harming the productivity of the organization. Students will perform risk assessment to identify potential threats and design mitigation plans and identify the ethical dilemmas that occur in the context of cybersecurity. Conceptual and technical aspects of cybersecurity management solutions are discussed including the design, development and building of an information security management solution.

The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management is available online.

The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management is not available to students pursuing the MBA with the Cybersecurity Management emphasis.

Graduate Entrepreneurship Certificate

This certificate program engages participants in the processes necessary to convert business ideas into well-structured plans for new business ventures. Participants will develop and present new venture ideas, develop a comprehensive new venture business plan, and consult with small businesses to develop solutions to real business problems.

Core Certificate:

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship is available exclusively online.

The Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship is not available to students pursuing the MBA with the Entrepreneurship emphasis.

Hospitality and Tourism Leadership Certificate

This certificate teaches students how to analyze key elements of a complex global hospitality and tourism problem/opportunity and present a defensible recommendation. Students will then create an effective written analysis report and oral presentation of their findings. The curriculum covers strategic leadership, financial analysis, and a service marketing experience all within the context of the global hospitality industry.  

Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Leadership must have completed a bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Tourism, or the equivalent.

The Graduate Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Leadership is not available to students pursuing the MBA with Hospitality and Tourism Leadership emphasis.

Human Resources Management Certificate

This certificate develops the student’s ability to describe the relationship of Human Resources Management and organizational strategy. Students will evaluate the bases of pay, including incentives and pay for performance systems. Ethical issues related to compensation and benefits will be discussed. Students will demonstrate how to conduct an effective interview and design and develop a training program. 

The Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management is available online.

The Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management is not available to students pursuing the MBA with Human Resources Management emphasis.

MAN 3301 Human Resources Management or GEB 5816 MBA Foundations: Principles of Human Resources Management  must be completed prior to starting the certificate.

Supply Chain Logistics Management Graduate Certificate 

This certificate exposes the student to the utilization of supply chain logistics management concepts to solve business management problems specific to domestic and global logistics and transportation operations. Students will use analytics to assist in identifying critical logistics issues and opportunities in creating and executing supply chain logistics strategies across global marketplaces.

Prerequisites

Certificate Courses

The Supply Chain Logistics Management graduate certificate is available online.

The Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Logistics Management is not available to students pursuing the MBA with the Supply Chain Logistics Management emphasis.