College	Business
Academic Award	MBA
Credits Required	36 semester credits
Faculty Lead	Rowlanda Cawthon
Concentrations	Leadership, Project Management
CIP Code	52.0213, 52.0211

Northwest University’s MBA prepares graduate students for higher levels of responsible leadership. Our students learn how to make a difference in the organizations they serve. Students take courses in accounting, finance, marketing, organizational management, and ethics. In alignment with our core value of integration of faith and learning, students also take a course in faith, ethics and business. Students can complete elective courses related to management consulting, risk management agile project management, and leadership. Our cohort model provides opportunities for students to learn and interact with others from different cultural backgrounds and experiences.  

MBA graduates will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of the functional areas of business.
2. Develop strategic solutions to address business problems and challenges.
3. Create an innovative product, process or service to optimize business.
4. Construct persuasive communication to positively influence organizational outcomes.
5. Use project management tools and techniques to manage projects from beginning to end.
6. Evaluate issues in business through the framework of faith and ethics.

Leadership Concentration

1. Create a project plan that appropriately utilizes all the necessary agile elements for successful implementation.

Project Management Concentration

1. Develop an authentic leadership philosophy that builds on personal values and promotes ethical principles.  

Admission Requirements

• A Bachelor of Arts or Science (or equivalent degree) from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale on all previous college work.
• A qualifying score on the Graduate Admissions Test (GMAT)
  • Northwest University’s Institutional Code is #4541
  • The GMAT is WAIVED for applicants with a master’s degree or a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
• A completed application.
• International students whose native language is not English must submit a minimum score of 580 (or equivalent) on the TOEFL exam as part of the application process.
• Applicants without an undergraduate course in finance or accounting must take an online tutorial prior to their first MBA finance or accounting course at the start of their second year.
• MBA students may transfer up to 9 credit hours of eligible graduate level coursework (subject to Program Director’s approval) from an accredited institution towards their degree.

Readmission Policy

A student who leaves the MBA program for any reason is required to complete the standard Application for Admission to the program and meet with the Graduate Enrollment Counselor to initiate the readmission process. A formal letter requesting readmission must be submitted with application. The letter and application are subject to review by the Department Chair and Dean of the College of Business. Students will be required to meet both program and academic performance requirements of the cohort to which they are readmitted. Readmission to the MBA program is subject to space availability.

Finance and Accounting Prerequisite for Non-Business Undergraduate majors

All non-business undergraduate students seeking the MBA degree must demonstrate a basic understanding of marketing, management, finance, accounting, economics, and the legal environment of business. The requirement can be met by prior work experience or satisfactory completion of BUSM 5001 - Introduction to Finance and Accounting  or an online tutorial. 

Work Experience

Work experience as a business professional is necessary for successful completion of the MBA degree. Admitted students without such experience will satisfy this curricular requirement with an internship or graduate practicum.

Academic Progress

Students whose academic histories reflect a GPA below 3.0 (“B” level) may be admitted to the program on academic probation. Students may also be placed on probation if their GPA falls below 3.0. Students are given one academic term to show improvement and to raise their GPA to at least 3.0, at which point they are removed from probationary status. If the student’s GPA has been below 3.0 for two or more terms, he or she is placed on academic suspension (disqualification). Students must earn at least a 3.0 overall grade point average to graduate.