Michael Magro, MBA Program Director
Halpin-Harrison Hall, Room 211; (540) 535-3537; mmagro@su.edu

This interdisciplinary certificate exposes students to issues in management, social policy and decision analysis that are unique to the health care industry. Upon the successful completion of the required 12 credit hours, students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program are also eligible to receive the Certificate of Healthcare Management by taking two additional elective courses. The four-course certificate consists of three management courses (MGT 525 , MGT 527 , and MGT 571 ) and one course in economics (ECN 571 ). ECN 501 Foundations of Economics – or equivalent is the prerequisite for ECN 571 . This certificate can be completed simultaneously with the MBA degree or as a stand-alone certificate.

• MGT 525 Current Issues in Healthcare Management  
• MGT 527 Healthcare Management  
• MGT 571 Healthcare Law and Compliance  
• ECN 571 Topics in Healthcare Economics  

Specialized Admissions Requirements

The certificate is available to all graduate students from Shenandoah University. It is also available to the general public, in which case a bachelor’s degree is required. Institution requirements can be found below.

Admission Process

The minimum requirement for admission to the MBA program at Shenandoah University is a bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a regionally or, in the case of international students, nationally accredited institution. Students applying from non-accredited institutions will be required to demonstrate that their academic preparation is equivalent to that obtained from an accredited institution. Other factors involved in the admission decision include one’s professional attainment, potential for growth and cumulative grade point average in undergraduate and graduate studies.

Deadlines for applications are as follows. In order to be fully considered, applicants are strongly encouraged to supply all required documents to the admissions office by the designated deadlines:

Fall admission: May 1st (International Applicants – April 15th)

Spring admission: November 1st (International Applicants – October 15th)

Summer admission: March 1st (International Applicants – February 15th)

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a completed Graduate Application for Admission with the required $30 fee.

International students are required to submit the International Application for Admission with the required $30 fee.

Applicants are required to provide official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.

Applicants are required to provide two letters of recommendation from former professors or business colleagues who can attest to the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue graduate study in business administration.

Applicants are required to provide a brief narrative (2 or 3 pages) of one’s career, professional development and professional goals as they relate to the completion of the Master of Business Administration degree. In addition, the applicant must submit a detailed resume.

As soon as the graduate application and all required documents have been received, an interview with the director of the MBA program is arranged, after which the Graduate Admissions Committee of the School of Business makes the definitive recommendation on admission. The committee indicates which foundational courses are required, as well as which graduate courses, if any, may be accepted in transfer. The decision of the committee is communicated to the applicant by the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred for credit from another institution.

Transfer credit will be awarded only when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The course is a graduate course at an AACSB International-accredited institution.
2. If taken prior to admission to the School of Business, the course was taken within three years of admission.
3. The student earned a minimum grade of “B-” in the course.
4. The course is compatible with the MBA program at Shenandoah University. The student shall be responsible for providing a detailed description of each course (i.e., syllabus or catalog entry). Final determination of the transfer of credit at the time of admission will be made by the Graduate Admissions Committee.
5. Current students must obtain prior approval from the MBA director to complete courses at other institutions; such approval for MBA core courses is to be given only in extenuating circumstances.

Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be met for the Master of Business Administration degree:

1. Successfully complete the outlined program (36 credit hours excluding any required foundation courses) as identified by the student’s advisor. Not more than six credit hours of coursework graded “C” may be included in the outlined program.
2. Attain at least a 3.0 grade point average in total work attempted in the MBA program. A student who receives a grade of “F” may be dismissed from the program.
3. Complete all degree requirements within five calendar years of initial registration of the outlined program. Students who take more than two years to complete the program and have had graduate credit transferred from another institution may have that transfer credit removed if it falls outside of the five-year time frame for the completion of the degree.

Graduation

The graduation application can be obtained from, and must be returned to, the Registrar’s Office by the application deadline.

Course Load

Upon enrolling in the MBA program, the student meets with his/her student advisor to develop a plan of study for the completion of the degree program. Part-time students normally take six credit hours per academic term, while full-time students take nine credit
hours. Other course options will be considered; however, any variation from the stated program will require permission of the director of the MBA program.

Schedule of Classes

Evening classes are held four nights a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 9 p.m. The academic year consists of two semesters and a summer session. A part-time student generally attends classes two nights per week, while full-time students attend three or four nights per week.

In addition, the MBA program is offered in a weekend format. This is a 16-month program consisting of nine credit hours per academic term, not including any required foundational courses. Classes meet on alternating weekends from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and from 8:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.