Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Accreditation

NDSU's College of Business maintains the highest possible accreditation—a designation reserved for the top 6% of business schools in the world—awarded through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

 

Program Delivery

The MBA program is offered in two delivery methods:

On-Campus/Hybrid—Early Career

The On-Campus/Hybrid MBA program is designated primarily for individuals with limited (less than five years of) professional, post-bachelor's degree work experience. Core courses are delivered in-person, with numerous elective options offered in a variety of delivery methods. Students in the on campus/hybrid program often are enrolled full-time (9 or more credits per semester).     


Online—Professional

The Online Professional MBA (PMBA) program is designated solely for individuals with significant (five or more years of) professional, post-bachelor's degree work experience. Core courses are delivered in a synchronous online format in the evenings, with numerous elective options offered in both synchronous and asynchronous online formats. Students in the online program typically are enrolled part-time (8 or fewer credits per semester). Online-only students are not eligible to enroll in any in-person courses.

 

Curriculum

The MBA program requires 30 total credits for degree completion:
  • 16 core credits (MBA 701-708)
  • 14 elective credits

 

All courses with an MBA prefix (both core and elective) are delivered in 8-week (half-semester) sessions during the fall or spring semester.

 

Required Core Courses (16 credits)
CourseTitleCredits
MBA 701Strategic Cost Management2
MBA 702Advanced Financial Management2
MBA 703Advanced Organizational Behavior2
MBA 704Supply Chain and Operations Management2
MBA 705Strategic Marketing Management2
MBA 706Managing Information Resources2
MBA 707Microeconomics for Managers2
MBA 708Advanced Strategic Management2
TOTAL16

 

Elective Course Options (14 Credits)

MBA-prefixed elective courses are available from within three specific concentration areas, each of which may also be earned as its own stand-alone graduate certificate:

  • *Business Analytics (MBA 751-753; 722)
  • Digital Marketing and Innovation (MBA 721-724)
  • Leadership and Managerial Skills (MBA 731-736)

*The Business Analytics certificate is not currently available to Online MBA students.

Students may choose to complete all four courses within a particular concentration or to take a variety of courses from across concentrations. Additionally, students typically may use other graduate courses (600-level or higher) offered by the College of Business toward elective credit requirements. A limited number of approved courses from outside the College of Business may be used, as well (up to 10 credits).
 

MBA-Prefixed Elective Courses

Note: Course information listed below is subject to change. Courses may be offered on a rotating schedule.

CourseTitleCredits
MBA 721Creating and Marketing Innovations2
MBA 722Marketing Analytics and Customer Intelligence2
MBA 723Digital Marketing2
MBA 724Integrated Marketing Communications2
MBA 731Leading and Managing Teams2
MBA 732Managerial Leadership: Essential Competencies2
MBA 733Management Decision Making2
MBA 734Negotiations2
MBA 736Managing Conflict in Organizations2
MBA 751Business Analytics Concepts2
MBA 752Business Analytics Strategy2
MBA 753Business Analytics Methods2

 

Additional Elective Course Options

In general, any graduate-level course that is offered from within the College of Business can be considered as an MBA elective, as long as the student has not taken the equivalent 400-level undergraduate course. These may include graduate courses (600-level or higher) with any of the following prefixes (in addition to the MBA-prefixed elective courses):

ACCT (Accounting)   MIS (Management Information Systems  
BUSN (Business Administration)MRKT (Marketing)
FIN (Finance)SCM (Supply Chain Management)
MGMT (Management)TL (Transportation and Logistics)

     

    A variety of courses from other Colleges across the University have been used as electives, as well, including—but not limited to—the following academic areas:

    AGEC (Agribusiness and Applied Economics)H&CE (Human & Community Education) 
    COMM (Communication)HDFS (Human Development & Family Science)
    CED (Community Development)IME (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering)
    CSCI (Computer Science)PHRM (Pharmacy Practice)
    CM&E (Construction Management and Engineering)PH (Public Health)
    ECON (Economics)PSYC (Psychology)
    HNES (Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences)STAT (Statistics)

    *Please note that students may need a course permit and/or permission from the department or course instructor in order to register for courses outside of their home program. Permission is not guaranteed. All courses must be approved for degree audit by the MBA advisor and director, and by the Graduate School, in order to be eligible to count toward MBA degree requirements.

     

    Prerequisite Requirements

    Because the MBA degree is structured to serve students from various undergraduate disciplines, a set of foundation course requirements is needed to ensure adequate background preparation. Students should have proficiency in each of the following foundation course areas prior to enrolling in its subsequent MBA core course:

    • Accounting
    • Economics
    • Finance
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Statistics   

    Proficiency will be determined based upon academic and professional experience, contingent upon review of the applicant's transcript(s) and resume.

    If it is determined that the applicant is deficient in one or more course areas, they will be given the option to:

    1. Take an approved undergraduate course in that subject (Option 1) or
    2. Complete an online, self-paced instructional module (Option 2). 

    Foundation course completion is not required for admission, but rather should occur before the student enrolls in the MBA core course for which it serves as a prerequisite.

       

      OPTION 1

      Most Common for Current Undergraduate Students 

      COURSE     NUMBERSERVES AS A PREREQUISITE FOR:
      ACCT 200 or 102MBA 701 Strategic Cost Management
      ECON105 or 201 or 202     MBA 707 Microeconomics for Managers
      FIN320MBA 702 Advanced Financial Management
      MGMT320MBA 703 Advanced Organizational Behavior
      MRKT320MBA 705 Strategic Marketing Management
      STAT330MBA 704 Supply Chain Management

       

      OPTION 2

      Most Common for Bachelor's Degree Holders/Current Working Professionals

      Students wishing to complete an online, self-paced instructional module in order to meet proficiency requirements for one or more of the foundation course areas will be provided with a link to register for the module online. Each module has a fee of around $150. No course credit is provided for completing these modules.

      Contact elizabeth.worth@ndsu.edu for more information.

       

      Admission Requirements

      Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis using a rolling admission format. The review process is holistic and takes into account all applicable factors, such as past/current CGPA, professional experience, GMAT/GRE score, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, etc.

      An application file must be completed with all required official documents before it can be reviewed for admission. Admission decisions will not be made based upon incomplete application files and/or unofficial documentation.

      In order for an application file to be considered complete, the following items must be received by the Graduate School:

      1. Online Application
      2. Statement of Purpose + Resume
      3. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
      4. $35 Application Fee
      5. Official Transcripts (from all institutions previously attended)
      6. Official GMAT or GRE score*
      7. Proof of English Proficiency**

       

      Application Instructions

       

       

      * Official GMAT or GRE Score

      Applicants who wish to be considered for a GMAT/GRE exam waiver must make this request with the MBA admission committee.

      GMAT/GRE exam waivers are never guaranteed, but rather are considered on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are made at the sole discretion of the MBA admission committee.

      Examples of criteria that might qualify an individual for consideration of an exam waiver include the following:

      • Applicant has a cumulative post-secondary GPA of 3.5 or higher from accredited or otherwise recognized institutions of higher education
      • Applicant has successfully completed two or more post-secondary degrees (bachelor's level or higher)
      • Applicant has substantial post-baccalaureate professional work experience (typically a minimum of five years) and demonstrated leadership ability

       

       

       

      ** Proof of English Proficiency

      May be met in one or more of three ways:

      • Raised in a country in which English is the only official language
      • Earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution within a country in which English is the only official language; or
      • Official English language test score—TOEFL iBT 71 or higher, IELTS academic 6.0 or higher; PTE academic 50 or higher; or Duolingo 105 or higher.

       

       

      Cost

      2024-2025 MBA Tuition & Fee Costs
       

      Tuition & Fee Rate



       

      In-State/Online
      North Dakota Residents
      WRGP State Residents
      Online MBA Program Students

      MN Reciprocity
      Approved Minnesota Residents
      Reciprocity Application

       

      Out-of-State
      All Other U.S. Residents


       

      Non-U.S.
      International Students


       

      Per Credit

      $705.64

      $878.15

      $1025.11

      $1184.84

      Approximate Program Total 
      (30 credits)     

      $21,170

      $26,345

      $30,750

      $35,545

      Map Key

       

      Contact

      Connect with us to start a conversation about your interest in the MBA program.

      Elizabeth Worth, MEd
      Graduate Programs Coordinator
      MBA Advisor

      Dean's Office
      Richard H. Barry Hall 104B

      elizabeth.worth@ndsu.edu 

       

       

      Or fill out the form below to let us know you're interested or to request more information about the MBA program.

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