Master of Business Administration

At the Gordon Ford College, we take pride in preparing our students for productive and rewarding careers in a wide variety of business and nonprofit organizations. Students are not only exposed to the latest theories and technologies of all the business disciplines, but they learn how to actually apply them to the competitive advantage of the organization. Many Ford College students work on actual business issues under the guidance of experienced professors, most of whom have significant business experience themselves. It is the unique combination of classroom and real-life application that makes the Gordon Ford College of Business so different than other business schools. Our graduates are highly recruited by international business organizations and have stated that their education has prepared them well for the challenges of the real world. There is no greater measure of success for today's business schools than the success of its graduates.

Admission Requirements

The Online MBA option, WKU Connect, can be a part-time or full-time program allowing working students to take up to 3-12 hours per semester.

The admission process for the MBA program at Western Kentucky University involves the following steps and requirements*:

1. Completion of graduate application form, a current resume with two references listed, submission of an official undergraduate degree transcript from each university attended and an official copy of a GMAT score taken within the last five years.
2. Applicants seeking admission must meet the following criteria: Minimum undergraduate overall grade point average(GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, a minimum overall GMAT score of 500, and a written GMAT score of 3.5.
3. Applicants for the Professional MBA option may use substantial professional work experience ( five years minimum of professional or mid to upper level management experience) to substitute for other admission criteria
4. Applicants who have limited prior academic background in basic business are required to demonstrate proficiency in eight major areas by:
• Successfully completing one or more preparatory courses as specified by the MBA Director,  OR
• Successfully completing BA 502 MBA Foundation Modules, OR
• Successfully completing one or more core area proficiency exams( fees required).

*These minimum requirements establish eligibility for admission, but do not guarantee acceptance

Applications must be completed online on the Graduate Studies website under the Prospective Students Tab(http://www.wku.edu/graduate/prospective_students ). Please submit all other admission materials to the Office of Graduate Studies via email(graduate.studies@wku.edu) or mail to the below address:

Office of Graduate Studies,

Western Kentucky University,

1906 College Heights Blvd. #11010

Bowling Green KY 42101-1010

Please Note: International students have a somewhat different application since international admissions require additional coordination and interpretation of materials which are often in a foreign language. Admission deadlines are also earlier for this reason

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Fall Application Deadline (applies to Full-time, Professional, and Online options):

Domestic students, March 15*

International Students: March 1

Spring Application Deadline (applies only to the Online MBA option):

Domestic students, October 15*

International students, October 1

We cannot process your application until you have furnished ALL of the information above required for admission to MBA option you have selected. This includes your official GMAT scores and transcripts.

*We have flexibility in Online admissions due to the nature of the course offerings. Feel free to contact our office anytime about Online seat availability if the above deadlines have passed.

Application Forms

Domestic (US) Students: Fill out the Online Admission Application.

International Students: International students have a different application process due to international student admissions requiring additional coordination and interpretation of materials which are often in a foreign language. Admission deadlines are also earlier for this reason. Visit the Office of Graduate Studies website for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and language information.

Program Requirements

Students pursuing an MBA are required to complete 33 hours of business courses to complete the degree. Courses needed to complete the degree (in addition to admission requirements) include:

BA 510 – Organizational Theory

BA 511 – Applied Microeconomic Theory

BA 512 – Problem Solving, Data Modeling & Managerial Decisions

BA 513 – Information Technology & Strategy

BA 515 – Managerial Accounting Concepts & Applications

BA 517 – Advanced Marketing

BA 519 – Advanced Managerial Finance

BA 580 – Contemporary Issues in Business

BA 590 – Strategic Business Concepts & Applications

BA Elective

BA Elective

Students are required to complete two contemporary issues courses, or may substitute a three-hour elective. Electives may be chosen from BA 592, 560, 551, 552, or other 500 level business courses. Up to 6 hours of approved graduate level courses may be transferred into the program with the approval of the MBA office. If these courses are graduate level business courses, they must be from an AACSB accredited institution. If job-related, graduate level course electives other than business may be accepted from a regionally accredited institution.

Recommended Sequence of Courses

BA 590 must be taken in the final semester.

Please note: Certain courses may offered on a rotating basis, so please plan your program of study carefully. Contact April Schleig, the academic advisor for the program for additional information on course offerings at april.schleig@wku.edu.

Department Contact Information

Gordon Ford College of Business

MBA Office

Western Kentucky University

1906 College Heights Blvd. #11056

Bowling Green, KY 42101-1056

Telephone: 270-745-5458
Email: mba@wku.edu
Website: www.wku.edu/business/