Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
Your Path. Your Future. Your Success.
If you are beginning your career, the FMU MBA program provides the necessary management and leadership skills to expand your career opportunities. If you are an experienced professional, the FMU MBA enhances your ability to identify, analyze and solve executive issues within your organization. For all, the FMU MBA provides you with the skills and abilities needed for today’s challenges.
For the student with a business undergraduate degree, the program’s focus upon the application of analytics, ethics, innovation and global awareness will improve your executive management expertise.
Students with diverse undergraduate degrees such as; math, nursing, biology, engineering, and sociology will expand their knowledge and understanding of business concepts and the application of these concepts for executive decision making.
With the goal of stimulating interactive learning and relationship-building, each course is designed by professors who are committed to providing you with an excellent learning experience. All courses are hybrid.
The program is 30 hours and you may start in the spring, summer or fall.
Testimonials
M.B.A. Requirements
To receive a Master of Business Administration Degree from FMU, a student must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the foundation course, BUSI 605, or appropriate undergraduate course(s) with a grade of C or better. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the M.B.A. Admission Committee.
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Required courses – 30 hours
- MBA 700 – Accounting Analysis
- MBA 705 – Economic Analysis
- MBA 710 – Business Analytics
- MBA 715 – Systems Design
- MBA 720 – Contemporary Issues in Business
- MBA 725 – Applied Marketing
- MBA 730 – Leadership and Management
- MBA 735 – Operations Management
- MBA 740 – Applied Corporate Finance
- MBA 745 – Strategic Planning
- Although there is no specified order for these courses, there is a strongly recommended course sequence that students should follow to ensure that they possess the entry-level knowledge and understanding assumed by certain M.B.A. courses.
- The student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on all graduate courses applicable to the particular program and a 3.0 grade point average for all graduate courses.
- The student must successfully complete all steps and meet all requirements as outlined for graduate students.
- The student should make application for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which the last course(s) will be taken.
M.B.A. in Healthcare Executive Management
The Francis Marion University Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Executive Management offers the foundation for the healthcare career. This 30-hour program provides an excellent foundation for those who want to enter the field of hospital administration and for those who are currently working in the healthcare field. The AACSB-International accredited Francis Marion University School of Business and the ACEN accredited FMU Department of Nursing provides the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenges of healthcare management.
This program has the same admissions requirements as the regular Master of Business Administration program and requires 30 hours of graduate courses. The 18 hours required in business subjects are taught by graduate faculty of the FMU School of Business. The 12 hours of healthcare courses are taught by the graduate faculty of the FMU Master of Science in Nursing.
The FMU MBA-HEM program is structured for the working professional. Online instruction gives you the flexibility to balance your career, personal life, and an advanced degree program. Students are required to come to campus for no more than three Saturdays each semester for MBA classes. This allows for more opportunities for interactive learning and relationship building among students and faculty. All APRN courses are online and do not require classroom instructions.
REQUIREMENTS
Required courses – 30 hours
- MBA 700 – Accounting Analysis
- MBA 705 – Economic Analysis
- MBA 710 – Business Analytics
- MBA 720 – Contemporary Issues in Business
- MBA 730 – Leadership and Management
- MBA 740 – Applied Corporate Finance
- APRN 503 – Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- APRN 504 – Health Policy and Leadership
- APRN 506 – Health Systems and Risk Management
- APRN 713 – Executive Practicum
To receive a Certificate of Healthcare Executive Management from FMU, a student must:
- Have completed a MBA degree from an AACSB-accredited institution
- Achieve a minimum average of 3.0 in the following courses:
- APRN 503
- APRN 504
- APRN 506
- APRN 713
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applications are accepted throughout the year. However, it is recommended that all information be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start of a semester.It is the applicant’s responsibility to gather all materials to compete his/her application. Only those completed (with all materials) will be reviewed by the School of Business MBA Admission Committee.
The applicant must submit specific information to the FMU School of Business Office. The information may be submitted on-line or by print. The on-line application process is available by using the appropriate links.
The MBA Admission Committee reviews all application material for evidence of preparation for graduate education in business and for promise of success as a graduate student. Personal interviews with the Director and/or the MBA Admissions Committee may also be required.
The MBA Admission Committee will review each applicant’s admission material for evidence of competency in the areas of foundational accounting, applied statistics, finance, and business software applications. Competency is typically demonstrated by academic course(s) or professional certificates. Upon review of the student’s admission material, the MBA Admission Committee may require the graduate foundation course, BUS 605 or appropriate undergraduate course(s) to be completed.
Required Documents
- Official transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate work from accredited institutions indicating having received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
- An official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Records Examination (GRE) score. At the discretion of the MBA Admission Committee, this GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for applicants with advanced degrees and/or professional qualifications/certifications (such as CPA, RN). You must contact the Director of the MBA program to request the waiver process. Waivers are not typically provided for work experience.
- At least one, but preferably two or more, letters of recommendation. One letter should discuss your academic abilities.
- A personal statement, 500 to 700 words in length, indicating one’s career goals and reasons for seeking admission to the MBA program.
- Resumé.
- A Test on English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for all international applicants for whom English is not their native language. International students must complete the Certificate of Financial Support.
All application materials may be submitted to:
MBA Program
School of Business
Francis Marion University
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502-0547
FAQs
The MBA program consist of 10 courses/30 credit hours. Students typically take two courses each semester for four consecutive semesters, including two summer terms. No electives are required, and no concentrations are provided.
For some students, the FMU Accelerated MBA schedule is an option. This program allows for four courses per semester and completion of the program within 15 months. Permission must be received from the MBA Admission Committee for the accelerated option.
YES! Each class has a minimum of two on-campus Saturday meetings. Some classes require three on-campus Saturday meetings.
The typical schedule for on-campus Saturday meetings for the Fall Semester:
- First Saturday of the semester
- Second Saturday of October
- Last Saturday of the Semester
The typical schedule for the on-campus meetings for the Spring Semester:
- First Saturday after FM classes begin
- Second Saturday of March
- Last Saturday of the semester
The typical schedule for the on-campus Saturday meetings for the Late Spring-Summer 1 semester:
- Second Saturday of May
Please consult the University calendar for specific dates. The specific times and dates are available from the MBA Director.
No. All courses are not offered every semester. It is very important that you consult with the MBA Director concerning your schedule. The following courses are scheduled.
Fall
MBA 700 – Accounting Analysis
MBA 705 – Economic Analysis
MBA 735 – Operations Management
MBA 740 – Applied Corporate Finance
APRN 504 – Health Policy and Leadership
Spring
MBA 710 – Business Analytics
MBA 715 – Systems Design
MBA 730 – Leadership and Management
MBA 745 – Strategic Planning
APRN 713 – Executive Practicum
Summer
BUS 605 – Business Tools for MBA
MBA 725 – Applied Marketing
MBA 720 – Contemporary Issues in Business
Summer I
APRN 503 – Advanced Research and Evidence-based Practice
Summer II
APRN 506 – Health Systems and Risk Management
The School of Business continues to integrate interactive technology into the business curriculum and therefore requires the use of a laptop computer by full-time MBA students at Francis Marion University.
Specifications
We do not recommend a specific laptop for our students. However, we do recommend a PC rather than a Mac. Some courses require the use of Microsoft Excel for Windows. The add-ins used for these courses will NOT work in Microsoft Excel for Mac.
Note: If you are a MAC user, due to compatibility issues, you will need to purchase additional software so you can run the PC version of Microsoft Excel 2010 or higher. The easiest way to run Microsoft Excel 2010 or higher for the PC on your Mac is to purchase and install VMware Fusion for the Mac OS/X. VMware Fusion 4 will allow you to run a dual boot setup on your Mac computer. Thus, you will be able to choose to boot into your Mac OS/X or Windows OS. Thus, once you have installed VMware Fusion 4, you will be able to install Windows 7 and then install Office 2010 for the PC.
The following laptop specifications are recommended for 2014-2015 academic year:
- Windows 7 or later version
- CPU – Core i3 or equivalent, minimum, Core i5 or equivalent, recommended
- RAM- 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
- Hard Drive – 7200RPM SATA or SSD hard drive (with at least 30GB of free space available)
- External Storage – Flash Drive internal or external USB
- Ethernet – Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (a wired connection to the Internet is still faster and more stable)
- Wireless – 802.11 b,g,n
- USB 2.0 or 3.0
- Ability to run Microsoft Office 2010 Professional or higher
- Anti-virus software
- 2 year on-site warranty service (this is critical)
- Insurance coverage for both damage and theft (suggested)
- Must have high speed connection.
- Must have a headset with noise cancelling microphones
MBA graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the core concepts in business and the application of these concepts for executive decision making.
Learning outcome: MBA graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of business concepts and the application of these concepts for executive decision making.
MBA graduates will demonstrate skills in identifying, analyzing and solving of executive issues.
Learning outcome: MBA graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
- identify and understand the managerial question/issue/problem,
- select the appropriate methodology for understanding and analyzing alternative solutions, and
- provide a viable solution.
MBA graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate to appropriate audiences.
Learning outcome:
- MBA graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate executive managerial issues verbally to the appropriate audience.
- MBA graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate executive managerial issues in written form to the appropriate audience.
MBA graduates will demonstrate innovation in the executive decision making process.
Learning outcome: Within executive decision making, MBA graduates will demonstrate innovative thought in identifying issues, analyzing situations and developing of viable solutions.
MBA graduates will demonstrate awareness of ethical issues and incorporate ethical perspectives within the executive decision making process.
Learning outcome: MBA graduates will be able to identify ethical issues, understand the ethical implications of decisions upon stakeholders and utilize ethical standards within managerial decision making.
MBA graduates will demonstrate comprehension of global influences upon executive business decisions.
Faculty
Dr. Hari Rajagopalan
Dean of the School of Business
Eugene A. Fallon Jr. Professor of Management
Office: FH 259A
Phone: 843-661-1420
HRajagopalan@fmarion.edu
Dr. Ben L. Kyer
Benjamin Wall Ingram III Professor of Economics
Office: FH 265
Phone: 843-661-1436
bkyer@fmarion.edu
Dr. Neil Riley
WBSC Professor of Financial Management
Area Coordinator of Finance
Office: FH 232
Phone: 843-661-1415
nriley@fmarion.edu
Dr. Fred R. David
Emeritus Faculty of Business Administration
Years at FMU: 1988-2022
fdavid@fmarion.edu
Dr. Hubert H. Setzler III
Associate Professor of Management
Nellie Cooke Sparrow Professor of Business
Area Coordinator of Management
Office: FH 263 B3
Phone: 843-661-1433
hsetzler@fmarion.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Sharer
Associate Professor of Management
Office: FH 266
Phone: 843-661-1808
esharer@fmarion.edu
Dr. Kay Lawrimore-Belanger
MBA Director
N.B. Baroody Professor of Marketing
Area Coordinator of Marketing
Office: FH 267
Phone: 843-661-1424
klawrimore@fmarion.edu