Ursuline offers several MBA Program options for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in business: an Evening Master's of Business Administration Program, a weekend Executive Master's of Business Administration Program, and an Online Master's of Business Administration Program. The Evening Program and the Executive Programs are 36 credit hour degree programs; the Online MBA is a 33 credit hour program. All courses in the MBA programs are three credit hour courses. A primary goal of the three MBA programs at Ursuline is to prepare students to become socially responsible managers and leaders from an ethical, values-based perspective. Convenience and flexibility for working professionals are hallmarks of Uruline's graduate business programs.

The Evening MBA Program provides students with an opportunity to complete an MBA degree within a three or four semester time frame or a longer time period according to individual student need. Students who start the program as "new" graduate level students in the "fall semester" and enroll in "four courses" per semester have an option to complete the program within three semesters (Ursuline's Fast Track - One Year Evening MBA). Students who start the program in the "spring semesters" as new students or students who enroll in less than four courses a semester have the option to complete the Evening Program in four or more semesters contingent upon the number of courses completed each semester. The Evening Program courses are offered one night per week using an accelerated five week course format. Some courses are structured as hybrid and/or as online courses to reduce the number of on campus class sessions. Students may apply to the Evening Program for fall or spring semester.

The Executive MBA Program is a three semester (11 month), cohort based program in which students are required to take four Saturday courses each semester; the courses in this program are typically offered every other Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 so a student only has to attend a maximum or "total of 24 on campus" class sessions to complete the one year program. The Executive Program courses are structured as seven week courses in which students take two courses over a seven week period or four courses each semester. Some courses are structured as hybrid and/or as online courses to reduce the number of on campus class sessions. Luncheon meals are provided for each class session. Students may apply to the Executive Program for the fall semester.

Several Concentration Options are available. Within the Evening MBA program, the concentrations are: project management; health services management; marketing and communications management; and financial planning and accounting. The Executive MBA - Saturday program offers a concentration in ethical and entrepreneurial leadership; whereas the Online MBA focuses on the integration of management and leadership. Upon completion of the required courses in each program, graduates of these program will enhance their knowledge, skills and overall marketability for potential employment and promotion opportunities related to the concentration areas.


Online MBA Program Information
Distinctive Program Features

Ursuline’s new “Online MBA Program” is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who may not have time to attend traditional face-to-face on campus course sessions. The 33 credit hour Online MBA Program focuses on the integration of management and leadership. The program consists of eleven required courses that are offered in the online environment; the MBA courses are 3 credit hour courses. All MBA course instructors are carefully chosen.  They come from all areas of the business and professional community.  They bring not only advanced degrees in their fields, but many have years of professional experience that is relevant to course concepts.

A primary strength of Ursuline’s MBA program is that its vision aims for a high level of mastery of knowledge and skills emphasizing the integrative cross-functional nature of business activities (i.e., emphasis on holistic learning and systems thinking). The integrating theme is that business organizations are complex, social and goal-oriented systems operating in a constantly changing, technology enhanced, global environment where many actions have multiple ethical and/or time lagged consequences. Dr. Debra L. Fleming, Executive Director of Business Programs, emphasizes that “the program is designed to meet a primary need of current employers which is to develop creative, adaptive problem solvers from an entrepreneurial and ethical leadership perspective”. An additional feature of the program is the balance between theory and the application of theory to solve business problems. These distinctive program attributes will prepare graduates of the program with the ability to incorporate the educational knowledge they have obtained into their workplace environment when fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

MBA courses are usually offered every five weeks using an accelerated approach, rather than a traditional 15 week semester approach. Students may elect to take only one course at a time every five weeks within each semester. Each semester (fall, spring and summer) is divided into three five week mini-terms. Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. If students enroll on a full-time basis and take three courses each semester (full-time status), then they have an option to complete the Online MBA Program in only 15 months (i.e., 4 semesters). All courses in the program are structured as accelerated sessions. These distinctive program design features not only reduce the number of on campus class sessions, but also reduces the amount of lost time and unnecessary costs associated with travel to and from campus. A reduction in commuting time also provides each student with more time to invest in completing course activities at home and at a time that is convenient for them. Ursuline’s online course delivery formats also introduce students to technology enhanced communication processes and virtual teaming activities which are highly valuable 21st century skills that all business managers and leaders should master. To succeed in an accelerated environment, students must be highly motivated and be willing to complete the demanding course requirements within a fast paced environment. As noted in the admission requirements, all students must have a computer with an internet connection throughout the duration of the program. Students may apply to the Online Program for fall or spring semester.

Online MBA Program Benefits

Ursuline College’s MBA program focuses on the integration of management and leadership development. Upon successful completion of the courses in the program, students should be able to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to become ethical and entrepreneurial leaders and managers who are empowered, informed, and dedicated to helping business organizations make a difference in their community. Students will learn contemporary professional leadership thinking, theory, and ethical practice.  In particular, the MBA program aims: to improve the practice of management through the development of critical thinking, clear and graceful expression, and free and mature judgment in emerging leaders; to prepare managers and leaders to think systematically, to lead with moral and ethical conviction, to be stewards of their organizations, and to serve the people they lead and others in society; to exemplify high standards of student service; and to focus on excellence in teaching and learning. These distinctive program features and benefits result in an Ursuline College degree that is committed to preparing ethical business leaders who will have the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and values to enhance their organizations’ future effectiveness.

Enjoy your online virtual educational experience at Ursuline College by working with knowledgeable business professors; some of these professors have been teaching online for several decades. Learn from faculty who bring real world business experience and vision to the classroom. Share your knowledge and work experience with other working adult students while developing your communication and critical thinking skills. The Online MBA Program at Ursuline College provides you with an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to actual situations from the workplace. You will also benefit from developing online relationships with other working professionals who have career aspirations to enhance their leadership abilities. The small class sizes at Ursuline provide you with a personalized learning experience -- at Ursuline you are a special individual, not just a name or a number!

Please review the Evening Program and the Executive Program pages in this web site for information about course requirements.

The Online MBA Program course requirements (and the recommended sequence for completing each course in the program) are listed below. Students should review the course descriptions for each course prior to enrolling in a course.  
MBA 501: Leadership Issues in Management
MBA 512: Economics of Strategy
MBA 554: Integrated Project Management or MBA 502: Organizations as Systems
MBA 561: Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis or MBA 511: Foundamentals of Financial Accounting
MBA 601: Marketing and E-Commerce or MBA 631: Global Marketing
MBA 602: Operations Management
MBA 632: Managing Creative People or MBA 633: Management and Marketing of Innovations
MBA 571: Management Accounting and Professional Ethics
MBA 603: International Business and Globalization
MBA 669: Ethical and Entrepreneurial Leadership
MBA 651: Strategic Management


For additional information about each program, please review the program's web pages and curriculum requirements or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

(Web site updated on -06-06-13)