Business Administration (M.B.A. Program)
Admission (M.B.A.)
Admission to any graduate program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants to the M.B.A. program must comply with the following:
Admission to the Master of Business Administration program is limited to holders of baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited institutions who demonstrate high promise of success in graduate business study. Several measures of probable success may be included in the evaluation of an applicant; criteria which may be considered are:
- Performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); see below.
- Undergraduate grade point averages and the trend of grades earned during undergraduate education.
- Other indicators of promise of success in the graduate study of business, such as relevant employment and leadership experience.
Appeals to an admission denial may be made in writing to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Mike Ilitch School of Business. Guidelines for formal appeals are available in the Mike Ilitch School of Business Graduate Programs Office.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT must be taken prior to admission to graduate study. This test is a three-hour aptitude test designed to measure certain mental abilities and skills important in the study of management. The GMAT includes verbal, quantitative analytical writing and integrated reasoning sections administered by a computer.
The GMAT is offered on a continuous basis by appointment at computer-based testing centers throughout North America and at selected international sites. Candidates can schedule a testing appointment by calling 1-800-717-GMAT (4628). A list of test centers is provided in the GMAT Bulletin and on GMAT’s website.
Most prospective graduate business students will take the GMAT for admissions, although the School of Business does offer GMAT/GRE waivers to highly qualified applicants. This is generally defined as those applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- Acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) entrance exam.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher from an AACSB-accredited business program (or GPA of 3.2 or higher from a regionally-accredited university in any major) OR at least three years of relevant professional experience that shows increased responsibility over that period.
Please contact the Graduate Programs Office for more information on GMAT waivers or equivalency requirements
Application
A completed Application for Graduate Admission, the application fee, and an official transcript from each college or university attended are required before a student can be considered for admission to graduate status.
Program Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Business Administration degree must complete thirty-six credits of core and elective/concentration course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Additional foundation course work may be required prior to beginning these thirty-six credits.
Degrees are granted upon the recommendation of the faculty of the Mike Ilitch School of Business. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the Mike Ilitch School of Business governing graduate scholarship and degrees.
M.B.A. students who hold a baccalaureate degree in a field other than accounting and who wish to qualify to sit for the C.P.A. examination in the State of Michigan should contact their advisor in the Graduate Programs Office (313-577-4511) as early as possible. While no formal M.B.A. curriculum is offered to meet the educational requirements of the Michigan State Board of Accountancy, an individualized Plan of Work can be developed. Generally, such a Plan of Work includes more than the minimum number of courses required for the M.B.A.
Online M.B.A. Program
The M.B.A. program is available in a fully online format. Students enrolled in a fully online major are limited to registering for courses listed in the Schedule of Classes with the Instructional Methods: Online — No Scheduled Meetings or Online — Scheduled Meetings. Students who are eligible to enroll in the online program will qualify for Michigan resident tuition rates, more details are available in the Academic Regulations section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Course Distribution Requirements (M.B.A.)
The master's degree program provides a fundamental background in business administration as well as opportunities for advanced specialization in particular areas. The program beyond the common body of knowledge is broad in nature and is directed at general competence for overall business management. There are three phases of course work required:
Depending on the student's academic background, there may be no foundation courses or as many as four foundation courses required. All students must complete nine core courses. Students must also choose three elective courses which can be used as part of a general curriculum. Students in the M.B.A. program may select electives that apply toward the completion of one of the concentrations as listed on the Concentrations tab.
Foundation Requirements (M.B.A.)
The following foundation courses are open only to students who have been formally admitted to a graduate program at Wayne State University — undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and non-matriculated students are not eligible. (Analogous courses offered at the undergraduate level may be taken to satisfy Foundation Requirements prior to graduate admission. However, once a student has been formally admitted to the M.B.A. program, NO graduate credit shall be allowed for subsequent registrations in undergraduate courses analogous to the Graduate Foundation Requirements without approval of the Graduate Committee or its designee. Information regarding such courses is available in the Graduate Programs Office, 2771 Woodward Avenue, Suite 137.) A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 ('B') is required for foundation requirements and no individual grade below 2.0 ('C') is acceptable. All foundation requirements must be completed before a student begins core and elective courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BA 6000 | Introduction to Accounting and Financial Reporting | 3 |
| BA 6005 | Basics of Financial Management | 3 |
| BA 6015 | Marketing Foundations | 2 |
| BA 6020 | Contemporary Principles of Management | 2 |
In general, a baccalaureate degree in Business Administration from a regionally accredited institution fulfills most foundation requirements. However, each applicant's background will be individually examined to determine if any foundation course work is needed. If courses proposed to satisfy the foundation requirements of the M.B.A. program are over six years old, the Graduate Committee may require the applicant to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter either by interview with a faculty member, by taking an equivalent course, or by taking an equivalent course by examination.
Foundation Waivers: While all of the above foundation courses are required, students who have had equivalent course work in their undergraduate programs (except for BA 6005, see below) with a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.00 ('B') or higher may be granted waivers of certain foundation courses at the time of their admission to the graduate program.
BA 6005 Foundation Waiver Criteria:
- Students who have earned a grade of 3.00 ('B') or higher in an undergraduate course that is compatible with BA 6005 and the prior course was taken within the last three years from an AACSB accredited college or university. These students must also have quantitative GMAT/GRE scores higher than the 50th percentile.
- Students who are Finance or Accounting majors from an AACSB accredited US or Canadian university, have obtained a g.p.a of 3.00 or higher in the major, and have graduated in the last two years.
- Students who are not Finance or Accounting major but have completed FIN 3290 or an equivalent course from an AACSB accredited US or Canadian university within the last 12 months and passed the course with a grade of 3.33 (‘B+’) or higher.
- Students who do not meet any of these conditions may take and pass a waiver exam administered by the Department of Finance; however, they are strongly encouraged to take BA 6005. BA 6005 (Basics of Financial Management) is a prerequisite for BA 7020.
Core Requirements (M.B.A.)
The following nine core courses are required of all students:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BA 7000 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BA 7010 | Global Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| BA 7020 | Corporate Financial Management | 3 |
| BA 7030 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| BA 7040 | Managing Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BA 7050 | Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| BA 7060 | Understanding Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| BA 7070 | Social Perspectives on the Business Enterprise | 3 |
| BA 7080 | Strategic Management 1 | 3 |
- 1
BA 7080 is the capstone course and is to be taken in the final twelve credits of the graduate program and only after the completion of the other eight core courses. For those students with an undergraduate major in accounting, management or marketing, a more advanced course in a subject area (approved as part of the student’s Plan of Work) must replace the pertinent core course noted above.
Elective Requirements (M.B.A.)
All elective courses must be at the 7000 level or higher and must be offered by the Mike Ilitch School of Business. The written approval of the Dean or his/her designee is required to take any course as an M.B.A. elective outside the Mike Ilitch School of Business. (Only students holding a bachelor's degree in business administration are eligible to take elective courses outside the Mike Ilitch School of Business.) Students may select any combination of elective courses from the following set of courses.
Accounting
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 7100 | Financial Accounting for Decision Making | 3 |
| ACC 7115 | Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| ACC 7120 | Introduction to Taxation: Individuals | 3 |
| ACC 7122 | Advanced Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC 7130 | Intermediate Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 7145 | Accounting Systems: Design and Controls | 3 |
| ACC 7148 | ERP Systems and Business Integration | 3 |
| ACC 7155 | Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 7165 | Internal Audit I | 3 |
| ACC 7170 | International Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 7180 | Auditing | 3 |
| ACC 7188 | Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 7190 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACC 7280 | Accounting Data Analytics | 3 |
| ACC 7300 | Accounting and Tax Research and Professional Communications | 3 |
| ACC 7310 | Business and Professional Ethics for Managers and Accountants | 3 |
| ACC 7320 | Introduction to Taxation: Business Entities | 3 |
| ACC 7325 | Advanced Tax Research and IRS Procedures | 3 |
| ACC 7335 | Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders | 3 |
| ACC 7340 | Taxation of Pass-Through Entities | 3 |
| ACC 7400 | Taxation of International Business and Multinational Transactions | 3 |
| ACC 7410 | Tax Accounting Methods and Accounting for Income Taxes | 3 |
| ACC 7420 | Taxation by State and Local Jurisdictions | 3 |
| ACC 7450 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACC 7998 | Seminar in Tax and Accounting Policy | 3 |
| ACC 7990 | Internship in Accounting or Tax Practice | 1-3 |
| ACC 7995 | Directed Study in Accounting | 1-3 |
Business Law
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLW 7220 | Business Law II | 3 |
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Course List
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EI 7000 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| EI 7400 | Management and Leadership for Entrepreneurs | 3 |
| EI 7600 | Marketing New Ventures | 3 |
| EI 7800 | Special Topics in Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| EI 7850 | Directed Study in Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| EI 7900 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation Capstone | 3 |
Finance
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIN 7000 | Applied Financial Analysis | 3 |
| FIN 7090 | Money and Capital Markets | 3 |
| FIN 7200 | Startup Financing and Profitability | 3 |
| FIN 7220 | Advanced Managerial Finance | 3 |
| FIN 7229 | Corporate Valuation: Techniques, Models and Strategic Applications | 3 |
| FIN 7230 | Investment Policies | 3 |
| FIN 7270 | Entrepreneurs' Ecosystem | 3 |
| FIN 7280 | Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital | 3 |
| FIN 7290 | Topics in Finance | 3 |
| FIN 7340 | Futures and Options | 3 |
| FIN 7870 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN 7890 | Internship in Finance | 3 |
| FIN 7900 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 3 |
| FIN 7990 | Portfolio Management/Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) | 3 |
| FIN 7995 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
Global Supply Chain Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GSC 7010 | Manufacturing and Supply Chain Analytics | 3 |
| GSC 7260 | Theory of Constraints: Breakthrough Solutions | 3 |
| GSC 7620 | Global Logistics Management | 3 |
| GSC 7670 | Special Topics in Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| GSC 7650 | Strategic Procurement | 3 |
| GSC 7680 | Manufacturing Planning and Control | 3 |
| GSC 7890 | Internship in Global Supply Chain | 3 |
| GSC 7910 | Managing Automotive Supply Chains Sustainability | 3 |
| GSC 7920 | Supply Chain Process Analysis and Costing | 3 |
| GSC 7930 | Customs Administration and High Tech Purchasing | 3 |
| GSC 7950 | Auto Industry Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| GSC 7960 | Lean Six Sigma | 3 |
| GSC 7991 | Principles of Quality Management | 3 |
| GSC 7992 | Methods of Quality Management | 3 |
| GSC 7995 | Directed Study in Global Supply Chain | 1-3 |
Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 7620 | Complex Organizations | 3 |
| MGT 7630 | Organizational Change and Development | 3 |
| MGT 7640 | Management of Human Resources | 3 |
| MGT 7650 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGT 7660 | Entrepreneurial Management | 3 |
| MGT 7700 | Leadership and Management of Innovation and Technology | 3 |
| MGT 7730 | People Analytics | 3 |
| MGT 7750 | Managing Employee Relations | 3 |
| MGT 7780 | Workplace Negotiations | 3 |
| MGT 7815 | Strategic Leadership | 3 |
| MGT 7816 | Leading Self and Others | 3 |
| MGT 7850 | Management through Constructive Persuasion | 3 |
| MGT 7895 | Internship in Management | 3 |
| MGT 7900 | Project Management | 3 |
| or TIS 7900 | Project Management | |
| MGT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | 3 |
| or MKT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | |
| MGT 7995 | Directed Study in Management | 1-3 |
| MGT 8000 | Seminar in Management | 3 |
Marketing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 7150 | Global Automotive Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 7430 | Advertising Management | 3 |
| MKT 7450 | Business Research and Methodology | 3 |
| MKT 7460 | International Business | 3 |
| MKT 7470 | Consumer and Industrial Buying Behavior | 3 |
| MKT 7500 | International Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 7700 | Management of Retail Enterprises | 3 |
| MKT 7860 | Social Media and Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKT 7870 | Seminar in Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 7890 | Internship in Marketing | 3 |
| MGT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | 3 |
| or MKT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | |
| MKT 7995 | Directed Study in Marketing | 1-3 |
Sport and Entertainment Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEM 7100 | Sport & Entertainment Management | 3 |
| SEM 7110 | Sport & Entertainment Marketing Communications | 3 |
| SEM 7120 | Event Planning and Management | 3 |
| SEM 7130 | Managerial Finance in Sport & Entertainment | 3 |
| SEM 7140 | Sports & Entertainment Economics | 3 |
| SEM 7995 | Directed Study in Sport and Entertainment Management | 3 |
| SEM 8000 | Special Topics in Sport and Entertainment Management | 3 |
Technology, Information Systems and Analytics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TIS 7290 | Blockchain: An Accounting and Business Perspective | 3 |
| TIS 7505 | Information Analytics: Inbound Information Technology | 3 |
| TIS 7507 | Application Development with Swift | 3 |
| TIS 7520 | Information Systems Design | 3 |
| TIS 7530 | Societal and Ethical Issues in the Information Age | 3 |
| TIS 7560 | Survey of E-Commerce | 3 |
| TIS 7570 | Advanced Business Analytics | 3 |
| TIS 7575 | Corporate Computer Networks and IT Security | 3 |
| TIS 7680 | Information Visualization for Business | 3 |
| TIS 7900 | Project Management | 3 |
| TIS 7994 | Digital Content Development | 3 |
| TIS 7996 | Principles for Customer Relationship Management | 3 |
Concentration Requirements (M.B.A.)
The purpose of the concentration is to provide depth in a specialization that will contribute to the student's attainment of his or her professional objectives. The Mike Ilitch School of Business currently offers eleven areas of concentration. The following are the areas of concentrations and the list of courses that must be completed to fulfill the concentration requirement.
Accounting Systems Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Financial Accounting for Decision Making | ||
| Intermediate Managerial Accounting | ||
| Accounting Systems: Design and Controls | ||
| ERP Systems and Business Integration | ||
| Accounting Data Analytics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Digital / Business Analytics
Students must complete at least three courses from the following.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Principles | ||
| TIS 7505 | Information Analytics: Inbound Information Technology | 3 |
| TIS 8000 | Seminar in Information Systems and Management | 3 |
| Insight Generation | ||
| TIS 7510 | Database Management | 3 |
| TIS 7570 | Advanced Business Analytics | 3 |
| TIS 7680 | Information Visualization for Business | 3 |
| Delivery (Web/Mobile) | ||
| TIS 7507 | Application Development with Swift | 3 |
| TIS 7994 | Digital Content Development | 3 |
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EI 7000 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| or MGT 7660 | Entrepreneurial Management | |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Management and Leadership for Entrepreneurs | ||
or MGT 7700 | Leadership and Management of Innovation and Technology | |
| Marketing New Ventures | ||
| Special Topics in Entrepreneurship and Innovation | ||
| Startup Financing and Profitability | ||
| Entrepreneurs' Ecosystem | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital | ||
| Leadership and Management of Innovation and Technology | ||
| Business and Sustainability | ||
| Social Media and Digital Marketing Analytics | ||
| Information Analytics: Inbound Information Technology | ||
| Survey of E-Commerce | ||
| Digital Content Development | ||
| Principles for Customer Relationship Management | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Financial Accounting Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 7100 | Financial Accounting for Decision Making | 3 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Financial Statement Analysis | ||
| Advanced Accounting I | ||
| Accounting Systems: Design and Controls | ||
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| International Accounting | ||
| Auditing | ||
| Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting | ||
| Advanced Auditing | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Finance Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIN 7230 | Investment Policies | 3 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Financial Analysis | ||
| Advanced Managerial Finance | ||
| Corporate Valuation: Techniques, Models and Strategic Applications | ||
| Entrepreneurs' Ecosystem | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital | ||
| Topics in Finance | ||
| Futures and Options | ||
| Money and Capital Markets | ||
| International Finance | ||
| Mergers and Acquisitions | ||
| Portfolio Management/Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Global Supply Chain Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GSC 7620 | Global Logistics Management | 3 |
| GSC 7650 | Strategic Procurement | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| ERP Systems and Business Integration | ||
| Consultative Analysis and Executive Presentation | ||
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Analytics | ||
or DSB 6200 | Manufacturing & Supply Chain Analytics | |
| Study Abroad | ||
| Special Topics in Supply Chain Management | ||
| Manufacturing Planning and Control | ||
| Supply Chain Process Analysis and Costing | ||
| Customs Administration and High Tech Purchasing | ||
| Lean Six Sigma | ||
| Healthcare Supply Chain Management | ||
| Principles of Quality Management | ||
| Business and Sustainability | ||
or MGT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Healthcare Supply Chain
Students must complete at least three courses from the following.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GSC 7960 | Lean Six Sigma | 3 |
| GSC 7980 | Healthcare Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| ERP Systems and Business Integration | ||
| Consultative Analysis and Executive Presentation | ||
| Manufacturing and Supply Chain Analytics | ||
or DSB 6200 | Manufacturing & Supply Chain Analytics | |
| Study Abroad | ||
| Global Logistics Management | ||
| Strategic Procurement | ||
| Special Topics in Supply Chain Management | ||
| Supply Chain Process Analysis and Costing | ||
| Customs Administration and High Tech Purchasing | ||
| Principles of Quality Management | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Human Resources Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 7640 | Management of Human Resources | 3 |
| Select two of the following (ELR are Employment and Labor Relations courses): | 6 | |
| Health Care, Retirement, and Employee Benefit Plans | ||
| Employment Relations Law in North America | ||
| Strategic Human Resource Management | ||
| People Analytics | ||
| Managing Employee Relations | ||
| Workplace Negotiations | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
International Business Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 7460 | International Business | 3 |
| MKT 7500 | International Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Global Logistics Management | ||
| International Finance | ||
| Business and Sustainability | ||
or MGT 7950 | Business and Sustainability | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Management Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least three of the following: | 9 | |
| Complex Organizations | ||
| Organizational Change and Development | ||
| Management of Human Resources | ||
| Entrepreneurial Management | ||
or EI 7000 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation | |
| People Analytics | ||
| Workplace Negotiations | ||
| Strategic Leadership | ||
| Leading Self and Others | ||
| Management through Constructive Persuasion | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Business and Sustainability | ||
| Seminar in Management | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Marketing Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 7450 | Business Research and Methodology | 3 |
| MKT 7470 | Consumer and Industrial Buying Behavior | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Marketing New Ventures | ||
| Global Automotive Marketing Strategy | ||
| Advertising Management | ||
| International Business | ||
| International Marketing Strategy | ||
| Management of Retail Enterprises | ||
| Social Media and Digital Marketing Analytics | ||
| Business and Sustainability | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Sport and Entertainment Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEM 7100 | Sport & Entertainment Management | 3 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Sport & Entertainment Marketing Communications | ||
| Event Planning and Management | ||
| Managerial Finance in Sport & Entertainment | ||
| Sports & Entertainment Economics | ||
| Directed Study in Sport and Entertainment Management | ||
| Special Topics in Sport and Entertainment Management | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Technology, Information Systems and Analysis Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least three of the following: | 9 | |
| ERP Systems and Business Integration | ||
| Blockchain: An Accounting and Business Perspective | ||
| Database Management | ||
| Information Systems Design | ||
| Societal and Ethical Issues in the Information Age | ||
| Survey of E-Commerce | ||
| Advanced Business Analytics | ||
| Corporate Computer Networks and IT Security | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Principles for Customer Relationship Management | ||
| Seminar in Information Systems and Management | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |