BUSINESS MASTERS PROGRAMS

Your Path.
Your Future.
Your Success.

FMU offers two 30-hour online graduate programs: Masters in Business Administration and the MBA-Healthcare Executive Management. Whether you are launching your career or already an experienced professional, the FMU graduate programs equip you with the management and leadership skills necessary for successful executive decision-making.

Both programs are online with on-campus engagement two Saturdays per semester. On-line offers the flexibility to balance your career, personal life, and the advanced degree program. The added benefit of on-campus engagement allows for interactive learning and relationship-building among students and faculty.

Guarantee of Quality

At FMU School of Business, we take pride in our prestigious AACSB International accreditation, a distinction held by less than 5% of the world’s 13,000 business instituions. This accreditation guarantees that you will be exposed to the highest quality faculty, a well-rounded curriculum, and unique learning opportunities.

Experience Personalized Attention and Guidance

With small class sizes of fewer than 25 students, you can expect personalized attention and guidance from our accomplished faculty members. They bring a wealth of practical experience and hold Ph.D.s in their respective fields, ensuring you receive the best mentorship and expertise available.

Provides Value

An FMU graduate degree offers a wide range of specialization options to choose from, catering to various interests and career goals.

Programs for Diverse Backgrounds

For students with an undergraduate business foundation and for those with a diverse field such as math, nursing, biology, engineering, or sociology, our program emphasizes the application of analytics, ethics, innovation, and sustainability-awareness, enhancing your executive management expertise.

Engaging Learning Experience

Our professors prioritize interactive teaching methods and building relationships to provide an exceptional learning experience. Project-based learning enhances business skills and decision-making. Online instruction offers flexibility for balancing career, personal life, and the degree program.

Time Commitment

Both degree programs can be completed at your pace. Some choose the accelerated pace for completion within two semesters and a summer. Most choose to take two courses per semester for a two-year completion plan.

M.B.A. Course Requirements

Required courses – 30 hours

1 – Should be taken Earlier 2 – Should be taken Later

FallSpring
MBA 700 Accounting Analysis (2)MBA 710 Business Analytics (1.5)
MBA 705 Economic Analysis (1)MBA 715 System Designs (1)
MBA 725 Applied Marketing (1)MBA 740 Applied Corporate Finance (2)
MBA 735 Operations Management (2)MBA 745 Strategic Planning (2)
Summer
MBA 730 Leadership and Management ( May and June ) (1)
MBA 720 Business Ethics ( Summer 1 ) (1)
MBA 720 Healthcare Economics ( Summer 2 ) (1)

M.B.A. in Healthcare Executive Management

The AACSB-International accredited Francis Marion University School of Business and the ACEN accredited FMU Department of Nursing collaborate to offer this 30-hour program provides an excellent foundation for those interested in entering the field of hospital administration or advancing their careers in the healthcare industry.

Combining business and healthcare expertise in a comprehensive curriculum, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenges of healthcare management. 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.
If you have a MBA degree from an AACSB-accredited institution, with just 12 hours more you can receive the Certificate of Healthcare Executive Management.

Start Your Journey
Take the next step and join us in building a solid foundation for your career growth and personal development. Apply today and unlock your potential for excellence in the dynamic world of business.

MBA-HEM Course Requirements

Required courses – 24 hours

1 – Should be taken Earlier 2 – Should be taken Later

FallSpring
MBA 700 Accounting Analysis (2)MBA 710 Business Analytics (1.5)
MBA 705 Economic Analysis (1)MBA 715 System Designs (1)
MBA 725 Applied Marketing (1)MBA 740 Applied Corporate Finance (2)
MBA 735 Operations Management (2)MBA 745 Strategic Planning (2)
DPN 802 Health Policy and Leadership
Summer
MBA 730 Leadership and Management ( May and June ) (1)
MBA 720 Business Ethics ( Summer 1 ) (1)
MBA 720 Healthcare Economics ( Summer 2 ) (1)
APRN 503 Advanced Research and Evidence-based Practice ( Summer 3, June and July)

Note: If you are required to take BUS 605, you must complete it prior to enrolling in MBA 700 and MBA 740. 

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 online or by print. An online application process is available.
  • 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

Yes! The FMU School of Business holds the AACSB-International accreditation which less than 5% of the over 13,000 schools of business in the world have. AACSB accreditation ensures you have the highest quality faculty, curriculum, and unique learning opportunities.
The professor’s use of technology to deliver content and manage the course allows the student flexibility in balancing work demands, personal life, and the academic requirements. With the goal of stimulating inter-active learning and relationship-building, each professor designs a program of study for the best delivery of the course. Each class has a minimum of two on-campus Saturday meetings. Some classes require three on-campus Saturday meetings.

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.

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. After a review of the student’s admission material, the MBA Admission Committee may require a personal interview with the Director and/or the MBA Admission Committee. Applicants are not evaluated until all application material has been submitted.
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.

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

Please contact the Director of the MBA program. The GMAT may be waived if you have another graduate degree or professional certificates.
Registration occurs 4-6 weeks prior to the new semester. The MBA Office emails students at their FMU email address with information concerning registration and payment.

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
Yes, but no more than two 3-credit hour courses may be transferred. All transient credit must be from a regionally accredited institution and must be verified by an official transcript from the institution at which the graduate study was undertaken. Only courses from AACSB-accredited schools will be considered. Courses must match our curriculum.

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. Rajagopalan Hari
    Dr. Hari Rajagopalan Dean of the School of Business, Eugene A Fallon Jr. Professor of Management HRajagopalan@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1420 Departments
    School of BusinessSupply Chain Management
    OfficeSOBE 125
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus M.S., University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus M.B.A., Delhi University B.E., Anna University

    Areas of Expertise

    Emergency Response Systems Location Analysis Supply Chain Management Complex Adaptive Systems

    Biography

    Dr. Hari K. Rajagopalan joined the Francis Marion Faculty in 2006. He is Eugene A. Fallon Professor of Management as well as Dean of the School of Business at Francis Marion University. Dr. Rajagopalan teaches management science, operations management, and statistical model building and does research in location models, supply chain management and complex adaptive systems. His research has been published in academic journals such as Journal of Operations Research SocietyEuropean Journal of Operational ResearchComputers and Operations Research and Decision Support Systems. He is also an active participant in INFORMS: Decision Sciences ConferenceEuropean Working Group in Transportation Meeting, and Mini EURO Conference.


    photo of Hari Rajagopalan
  • Dr. Poston Kay M.
    Dr. Kay M. Poston Professor of Accounting kposton@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1476 Departments
    Accounting-School of BusinessSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 250
    Additional information

    Education

    D.B.A., University of Tennessee-Knoxville

    M.Acc., University of Tennessee-Knoxville

    B.A., University of Tennessee-Knoxville

    Areas of Expertise:

    Cost Accounting

    Managerial Accounting

    Emphasis on Strategic Cost Management

    Bio

    A Certified Public Accountant, Dr. Poston has had substantial professional experience, including service on the faculties of the University of Missouri—Columbia, Drexel University and Arizona State-West.  She has focused her research upon cost and managerial accounting, with numerous presentations and publications.  She has made numerous presentations to national and regional meetings of the American Accounting Association, the national association for faculty in accounting.  Additionally, her research has appeared in several edited books as well as journals such as Advances in Management Accounting, Cases from Management Accounting Practice, Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Cost Management, and The Journal of Cost Analysis.


    photo of kay poston

  • Dr. Munn Johnathan G.
    Dr. Johnathan G. Munn Associate Dean of School of Business, Professor of Economics, Henry Booker Sparrow Chair of Economics & Economics Forecasting jmunn@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1496 Departments
    EconomicsSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 130
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., University of South Carolina

    B.S., Clemson University

    Areas of Expertise

    Regional and Urban Economics

    The Economics of Innovation

    Health Economics

    Bio

    Professor Johnathan Munn joined the Francis Marion faculty in 2008.  He teaches Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, International Economics, and Intermediate Microeconomics.  His research interests include regional economic growth and the spatial distribution of innovation. Professor Munn is the 2008 recipient of the Barry M. Moriarty Graduate Student Award, which is presented by the Southern Regional Science Association to the best paper in the area of Regional Science. Prior to entering academia, Professor Munn worked in the private sector at one of the nation’s largest commercial banks.


    photo of Johnathan Munn

  • Turner Pamela P.
    Pamela P. Turner Assistant Professor of Accounting pturner@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1804 Departments
    Accounting-School of BusinessSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 239
    Additional information

    Education

    M.B.A., Francis Marion University

    B.S., University of South Carolina

    Areas of Expertise:

    Management Advisory Services

    Bio

    Pamela P. Turner is a Certified Public Accountant with significant professional experience. She spent many years in public accounting and has continued to do various projects in public practice while teaching accounting. She received her B. S. in Accounting from the University of South Carolina – Coastal Campus and her M. B. A. from Francis Marion University. She is a member of the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and of SCACPA (South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants) where she is a past member of the Board of Directors and recipient of the President's Award. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of financial literacy. Ms. Turner currently serves as the treasurer of the Florence Symphony Orchestra, the Masterworks Choir and Southeast Case Research Association. Ms. Turner is a past president of Sidney Lanier Literary Club and a past treasurer of the Women’s Symphony Guild of Florence.


    photo of pamela turner

  • Dr. Serrano Jan M.
    Dr. Jan M. Serrano Associate Professor of Finance, Area Coordinator of Finance jserrano@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1620 Departments
    Finance-School of BusinessSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 228
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., Virginia Tech

    M.B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University

    B.B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University

    Areas of Expertise

    Financial Management

    Investments

    Financial Planning

    Bio

    Dr. Serrano joined the Francis Marion faculty in 2010. She teaches Corporate Finance and Investments. She is a Certified Financial Planner, and served as a financial advisor for a nationally recognized investment firm. Her research interests include Retirement Planning and Preparedness, Investment Selection, Issues in Financial Management and Corporate Governance, and Case Studies. Her research has appeared in The Journal of Financial EconomicsThe Journal of Financial ResearchThe Southeast Case Research JournalThe Journal of Finance Case Research, and The Journal of Business and Behavioral Science.


    photo of Jan Serrano

  • Dr. Padgett Caroliniana S.
    Dr. Caroliniana S. Padgett John Kassab Professor of Business, Associate Professor of Economics, Area Coordinator of Economics cpadgett@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1442 Departments
    EconomicsSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 235
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., University of South Carolina

    B.A., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Areas of Expertise

    Environmental Economics

    Applied Microeconomics

    Industrial Organization

    Bio

    Dr. Padgett joined the Francis Marion faculty in 2012. She teaches Principles of Microeconomics and Environmental Economics. Her research interests include environmental economics, health, education and technology. Dr. Padgett's research has been published in The Southern Business and Economic Journal.


    photo of caroliniana padgett
  • Dr. Setzler Hubert H. III
    Dr. Hubert H. Setzler III Professor of Management, Nellie Cooke Sparrow Professor of Business, MBA Director, Area Coordinator of Management HSetzler@FMarion.edu Phone843-661-1433 Departments
    School of BusinessSupply Chain Management
    OfficeSOBE 131
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus

    M.B.A., University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus

    B.A., Newberry College

    Areas of Expertise

    Supply Chain Management

    Lean Six Sigma

    Process Improvement and Quality Control

    Business Statistics and Analytics

    Leadership

    Bio

    Dr. Hubert Setzler III joined Francis Marion University in 2007. He has a PhD and an MBA from University of North Caroline at Charlotte and a BA from Newberry College. His areas of interest are Process Improvement and Quality Control, Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. He has published in multiple journals including Computers and Operations Research and is an active consultant in training and development of organizations in Lean Six Sigma and Executive Leadership.


    photo of Hubert Setzler
  • Dr. Sharer Elizabeth
    Dr. Elizabeth Sharer Professor of Management esharer@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1808 Departments
    School of BusinessSupply Chain Management
    OfficeSOBE 132
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D. University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus

    B.S. University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus

    B.F.A. University of North Carolina - Charlotte Campus

    Areas of Expertise

    Management Science

    Location Theory

    Supply Chain Management

    Evolutionary Algorithms

    Bio

    Elizabeth Sharer is Assistant Professor of Management in the School of Business at Francis Marion University. Dr. Sharer teaches operations management, manufacturing planning and control, decision support systems, and does research in optimization of location models, and purchase and contracting models. She has published scholarly papers in European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Production Economics, and other journals. She is also an active participant at INFORMS.


    Photo of Elizabeth Sharer
  • Dr. Lawrimore-Belanger Kay
    Dr. Kay Lawrimore-Belanger N.B. Baroody Professor of Marketing klawrimore@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1424 Departments
    MarketingSchool of Business
    OfficeSOBE 243
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D., University of South Carolina

    M.B.A., University of South Carolina

    B.S., Francis Marion College

    Areas of Expertise

    Marketing Management

    Marketing Principles

    Consumer Behavior

    Marketing Theory

    Bio

    Dr. Lawrimore holds the N.B. Baroody Professorship in Marketing, and served as both the Director of the MBA program and the Coordinator of the Marketing Faculty. A long-term member of the faculty, she was elected in 2013 as “Distinguished Professor,” the highest university-level accolade which can be conferred upon a member of the faculty. Her research has appeared in the Atlantic Economic Journal, Strategic Management: Ninth Edition, and the Carolinas Business Review, as well as other professional journals.


    Photo of Kay Lawrimore Bellanger