Community Economic Development (M.B.A.)

The School’s Research, Policy & Management offerings include advanced interdisciplinary Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Policy and a PhD Program. The Master of Business Administration is an Advanced Practitioner Program created in response to increasingly rigorous expectations for professional management practice in CED organizations. The focus of the MBA is organizational management of nonprofits, with emphasis on analytical and practical skills for managers. 
 
The MBA in CED is attuned to professionals in program and organizational administration who seek formal preparation in management. Its emphasis is on management of community nonprofits, public agencies, and complex development organizations that may include profit ventures, and rely on a double or triple bottom line (e.g., social, financial, environmental). 
 
Admission requires a Bachelors degree from an accredited institution, and 5 years of progressively responsible experience that involves CED management. MBA candidates must complete 44 credit hours of coursework, including 5 advanced doctoral level courses in management. Students with limited backgrounds in Accounting also take a foundations course. 
 
MBA students typically work while in school. The MBA is a 20-month academic program over 4 semesters. Two semesters of classes are on location over 4 extended weekends per semester, enhanced by Internet distance-learning. Two semesters of classes are held online, which affords substantial savings on travel and lodging. A capstone paper acts as a thesis.

Students must complete all required courses, 44 credits total with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a capstone paper based on a management activity (thesis). Masters courses are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated.