MBA Studies

About the Program

The MBA program at Tennessee Tech University includes a practical and an interactive student learning approach. The interactive teaching methods encompass cases, competitive computer simulation, field research, experimentation, applied problem solving, team building exercises, cross-functional activities, scenario planning, business mentoring, workshops, field trips, role playing, primary data collection, feasibility projects, and/or consulting assignments. The MBA program provides a sound business theoretical foundation–including the latest and most progressive intellectual thinking. Moreover, the theories and tools are applied so as to be relevant to current and futuristic business applications. The program is designed to serve both short-term and long-term needs of all types of private and public organizations. The MBA program recognizes the impact of our global economy, the entrepreneurial demands of society and ethical expectations. In essence, it takes a normative approach that will serve MBA students both today and in the future.

The MBA program and the accounting programs are fully accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business ( AACSB International ) the highest attainable level of accreditation. In addition, the program includes four specific concentrations, accounting, international business, management information systems (MIS), and Risk Management and Insurance. The MBA courses are taught through campus-based and distance-based delivery. The MBA student can take a combination of campus-based and distance-based courses.

The distance-based MBA has the same admission requirements and the same program of study as the on-campus MBA. The distance-learning approach features faculty lectures on CD-ROM combined with Internet communication among students and faculty to facilitate the learning process. Case discussions, virtual project teams, and other active-learning approaches are used to make a strong connection between academic subjects and the issues facing managers in today's global, highly technological business environment. Not all of the same courses will be available to distance-based students as to campus-based students. Consult the offerings for each semester to determine which courses will be offered.

The general program consists of seven 3-hour common courses (21 hours) and 9 hours of electives. It is intended that the full-time student can complete the 30-hour program in one calendar year. With permission of the Director of MBA Studies and the appropriate academic department chair, a student with 18 hours in the appropriate academic area may omit the common course from that area and substitute another approved course. This will allow accounting track students to meet the 12-hour AACSB track requirement as well as allow other track students to further concentrate their courses of study.

Each common course in this group will be required of all MBA candidates. As many as 9 semester hours may be transferred from other AACSB accredited schools. Credit will not be allowed for courses taken more than five years prior to application to Tennessee Tech. Enrollment in required common courses requires the permission of the MBA director. All core courses should be completed prior to any 600-level work.