Department website: https://business.wvu.edu/academics/business-administration/business-administration-mba
Degrees Offered
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy
Nature of the Program
The John Chambers College of Business and Economics Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program is accredited by the AACSB. The program is offered in two formats. An accelerated full-time, day-class program on the WVU-Morgantown campus can be completed in 12 months. The online program can be completed in one-to-two years. The online program, referred to as the Online M.B.A. (O.M.B.A), is designed for working professionals. The standards of excellence that support accreditation by the AACSB are maintained across both formats of the program.
The M.B.A. degree program recognizes the need for future managers to be able to anticipate and recognize change and then to manage resources advantageously in that environment. Thus, the curriculum emphasizes a general, broad-based approach to graduate education in management which provides the student with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for a manager to succeed in such an environment. The program develops a managerial perspective that is primarily line-oriented as opposed to staff-oriented and is relevant to those in both private and public organizations.
Academic Standards
In addition to the University’s academic and professional standards, students enrolled in a John Chambers College of Business and Economics master’s degree program must also abide by the following standards:
- Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to earn a degree from their graduate program, without exception.
- A student who cannot mathematically meet the 3.0 GPA requirement to successfully complete the degree, within a reasonable period of time (as defined by the Program Coordinator or designee), will be dismissed from their academic program. Visit the Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal section of the University’s Graduate Catalog for more information about this topic.
- Students must follow the professional standards established by their college, degree program and/or department. A student who violates the established professional standards may be placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed from their program.
- A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.75 will automatically be placed on academic probation.
- A student will be suspended from their program, for up to one year, if their GPA is not raised to 2.75 by the end of their subsequent semester of enrollment. The program will reevaluate the student after the term of suspension to determine whether they may return to the program or be dismissed.
- A student will be suspended from their program if they earn a letter grade below C- in more than one required course.
- A student who earns a letter grade of D or F in any required course must repeat the course and earn a minimum letter grade of C-.
- Any grade earned in a repeated course at the graduate level is included in the calculation of a student’s overall and major GPA, along with the original grade earned in the course. Additionally, the original grade earned in the course will remain on the student’s academic transcript/permanent record. Visit the Grades section of the University Graduate Catalog for more information about this topic.
Any exceptions to the above standards must be approved in writing by the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and the Program Coordinator.
Full-Time M.B.A. Program
The M.B.A. program is a full-time, on-campus program beginning in June with graduation the following May. This program prepares students for business leadership and administration primarily through three developmental avenues. First, at the core of the M.B.A. program is its unique implementation of an experiential learning orientation. Students engage in consulting activities with actual businesses throughout the State, the region, and, in some cases, internationally. Consulting engagements are sometimes arranged in conjunction with the Encova Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and typically involve teams of four to six students deployed on each engagement. Second, the program also incorporates seminar sessions where guest speakers are invited to relay professional and practical experiences, and/or practicum events where students interact with executives and administrators in solving case problems based on actual events at a given organization. Third, business theory, practice, and implementation tools are provided through traditional in-class delivery (eight-week courses). The program is designed for individuals with varying educational and professional backgrounds.
Online M.B.A. Program
The Online M.B.A. plan of study requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. Students also have the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in a specialized area by taking two additional courses. The program is designed for working professionals with varying educational and professional backgrounds. Students may enter the O.M.B.A. program at the start of the fall or spring semester, completing the program one-to-two years later.
Approved Dual Degree Programs
The John Chambers College of Business of Economics offers a number of dual degree programs through the Online M.B.A. programs.
Dual degree programs in conjunction with the O.M.B.A.:
- M.B.A./J.D.
- M.B.A./Pharm.D.
- M.B.A./M.S.N.
- M.B.A./D.D.S.
Admissions
Full-Time M.B.A. Program
To gain admission to the full-time M.B.A. program, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Admissions decisions are based on an assessment of expected success in the program shown by the application materials and on space available. The Admissions Committee considers grade point average in all previous college-level work, as well as the grade-point average in the last 60 hours of coursework. Applications for admission to the M.B.A. program and official transcripts of all prior academic work should be submitted to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment as early as possible. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 to be considered for admission. Applicants who have attended institutions other than WVU must request the registrar or records office of those institutions to forward a complete official transcript directly to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment. Each applicant must also submit a resume, statement of purpose, and one letter of recommendation with the application. The priority deadline for the full-time M.B.A. program is March 1st of each year. For full admissions consideration, all applications must be completed by May 1st. This accelerated program begins in the summer of each year.
Please visit the full-time MBA's webpage to learn more about the specific application deadlines and other important information. Students may also contact the John Chambers College of Business and Economics Graduate Programs Office for assistance at (304) 293-5505.
Online M.B.A. Program
To gain admission to the Online M.B.A. (OMBA) program, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of two years of full-time work experience post bachelor’s degree. Admissions decisions are based on an assessment of expected success in the program shown by the application materials and on space available. Each applicant must submit a resume showing prior work experience. For applicants with less than five years of work experience, the undergraduate record provides the strongest indicators of success. For applicants with five or more years of experience, the Admissions Committee will place greater emphasis on the work history. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and a letter of reference.
The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, and students admitted to the program may begin in the fall or spring semester. The priority deadline for receipt of applications and transcripts in the College’s Office of Graduate Programs is July 1st for the fall intake and December 1st for the spring intake. Admission to the program is competitive and subject to space being available. Students applying for admission into the OMBA program as a dual degree student are not required to have work experience.
Please visit the OMBA program's webpage to learn more about the specific application deadlines and other important information. Students may also contact the John Chambers College of Business and Economics Graduate Programs Office for assistance at (304) 293-5505 or BeGradPrograms@mail.wvu.edu.
*Note -International Students interested in either MBA program are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. Applicants must have a TOEFL-ibt score of 79. If you have taken the IELTS, the minimum score must be 6.5, and the minimum Duolingo score is a 105. English language exam scores should be sent to the Office of Admissions, West Virginia University, PO Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009.
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
Major Code: 2110
Major Code: 2188
Masters in Business Administration
The Masters in Business Administration offers the following majors:
- Masters in Business Administration
- Online Masters in Business Administration
For specific information on these programs, please use the links to the right.
Doctor of Business Administration
Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. in Business Administration offers the following majors:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
For specific information on these programs, please use the links to the right.
Major Learning Outcomes
Full-time Master of Business Administration Program
Learning goal #1: Students will be able to integrate and apply the functional areas of business to experiential business problems
Learning goal #2: Students will be able to identify problems, collect appropriate data and analyze the data to make informed management decisions
Learning goal #3: Students will be able to articulate a succinct business analysis and make recommendations
Learning goal #4: Students will be able to make management decisions in an ethical and socially responsible manner
Learning goal #5: Students will be able to effectively manage teams and work units and implement strategies to achieve organizational goals
Online Master of Business Administration Program
Learning goal #1:: Students will be able to integrate the functional areas of business into management decisions in a global environment
Learning goal #2: Students will be able to identify problems, collect appropriate data and analyze the data to make informed management decisions
Learning goal #3: Students will be able to articulate a succinct business analysis and make recommendations
Learning goal #4: Students will be able to make management decisions in an ethically sensitive and socially responsible manner
Learning goal #5: Students will be effective team members in a virtual environment
Learning goal #6: Students will be an effective leader who influences people toward the attainment of organizational goals