Master of Business Administration

The Bertolon MBA program provides students with diverse undergraduate degrees and work experiences the opportunity to attain a graduate business degree. This degree program enables students to expand existing competencies, achieve professional goals, realize intellectual pursuits, and serve their communities. The program focuses on serving working adults from businesses, non-profit organizations and communities in northeastern Massachusetts. The curriculum blends the student’s professional experience with core business concepts and skills. Through a set of core courses and a variety of electives, the curriculum permits flexibility. The pedagogical approach emphasizes learning by combining experience, business concepts, comprehensive analysis, and communication and team skills. This approach is achieved through lectures, experiential exercises, cases and field-based studies. Using cross-functional techniques, the program provides an integrated examination of the implications of an interconnected global economic environment, technological change, ethical and social responsibility, racial and ethnic diversity, and organizational transformation towards managing a business. The MBA Graduate Faculty is committed to teaching and learning as their primary responsibility with secondary emphasis on research, scholarship and instructional development.

 

Admissions Requirements  

Additional Admission Requirements

Students applying for the MBA will be required to have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and either a GMAT score of at least 400 or a GRE score of at least 290. Furthermore, as a general rule, students will be required either 1) to attain a total score of at least 1,000 points when their GPA and GMAT score are substituted into the following formula: (GPA * 200) + GMAT or 2) to attain a total score of at least 900 points when their GPA and GRE score are substituted into the following formula: (GPA *200) + GRE. These minimal standards are not the only factors considered in making a decision.

The following materials are required for the MBA admissions process:

• Two letters of reference (A student who has been admitted into any of the certificate programs will not be required to resubmit three letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation used to gain acceptance into the certificate program will count for admissions into the MBA or any of the other graduate certificate programs).
• Official copy of GMAT or GRE scores taken within the past five years. See exceptions section below for applicants for whom the GMAT or GRE may be waived.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (550 computer/213 written or above) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (6 with no score below 6 in any band) if English is not a first language and/or degree(s) earned at an institution outside of the United States.
• Resume

 Exceptions:

• GPA: If an applicant has less than a 2.5 GPA, factors such as date other degree(s) earned, competitiveness of undergraduate institution or educational system, GMAT/GRE score, strength of letters of reference, and work experience may be taken into consideration.

Waiver of GMAT/GRE:

1.  A student who has been awarded a master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in a business related field is not required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores. In those cases, additional emphasis is placed upon the GPA. The minimum score for admissions is 600 when the GPA is substituted into the following formula: (GPA * 200). If the master’s degree or higher is in a non-business field, the Dean of the Bertolon School of Business and MBA program coordinator may make the determination regarding the waiver of the GMAT/GRE.
2. An applicant who has passed at least one section of the CPA examination, OR level one of the CFA examination, OR CMA examination, OR the CFP examination, OR holds the CFM certifications OR other professional certifications such as the PMP, CAP and other relevant professional certifications in a business-related field, is not required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores.
3. If the undergraduate GPA is at least 3.0 at an AACSB-accredited school or from Salem State’s BSBA program, the applicant is not required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores.
4. If the undergraduate degree is at least 3.5 from a non-AACSB -accredited school, the applicant is not required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores.
5. A student who has successfully completed at least five of the foundation courses as part of the BSB Graduate Certificate in Business and has a graduate GPA at or above 3.0, with no less than a 3.0 in all courses, is not required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores and may be admitted to the MBA program.

MBA COURSE:  Undergraduate Coursework required, with grades of 3.0 (“B”) or better

ACC 720: At least two courses in accounting (SSU equivalent = ACC106 + ACC202)
ECO 710: At least two courses in Micro and Macroeconomics (SSU equivalent ECO201 + ECO202)
FIN 720: At least two courses in Corporate Financial Management (SSU equivalent = FIN301 + FIN309
MGT 780: A course in Management and a Business Policy/Strategy course (SSU equivalent MGT231 or MGT332, plus BUS470)
MKT 720: A course in Marketing and a Business Policy/Strategy course (SSU equivalent = MKT241 plus BUS470)
ODS 710: A course in Business Statistics or Quantitative Methods in Business (SSU equivalent = MAT247 or ODS262)

Graduating MBA students are required to take and pass a comprehensive exam that covers the major themes covered in the program.

Program Requirements

Upon acceptance into the program, you will complete a tentative Plan of Study in consultation with the program coordinator. You must request that any transfer credits be considered at this time. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO MORE THAN THREE COURSES TAKEN AT SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY BEFORE ADMISSION CAN BE COUNTED TOWARDS THIS PROGRAM. You should meet regularly with the program coordinator to discuss your progress and revise your plan of study as needed.