The Widener MBA program prepares students for leadership positions in business. We care about and measure ourselves by the professional and career success of our graduates. Our flexible design, customizable curriculum, and innovative pedagogy provide students with a portfolio of business and managerial competencies that are relevant to their unique situation and needs. Our courses are taught by a team of full-time faculty and industry executives. Our rigorous AACSB-accredited academic program and networking support structure enable our graduates to excel at their jobs, advance their careers, and achieve their professional aspirations.
Student Learning Goals and Objectives
The MBA program has learning goals and objectives focused on enabling students to develop a portfolio of competencies needed to lead and manage organizations in the business and not-for-profit sectors. Students learn to develop viable business models that deliver desired results, and to acquire the skills to build and manage talented teams, robust structures and information systems, and effective business processes. Skill development occurs in an innovative learning-by-doing environment, characterized by a range of teaching methods that include cases, simulations, role-plays, work-based assignments, and field projects.
MBA Learning Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Social Responsibility—MBA students will have the ability to promote effective codes of ethics that meet the expectations of a broad group of stakeholders, as well as the ability to evaluate the sustainability reporting efforts of an organization.
Objective 1: Students will be able to evaluate an organization’s corporate governance principles and code of ethics to determine if these are in the best interest of multiple stakeholders.
Objective 2: Students will be able to evaluate an organization’s sustainability report and related reporting standards using criteria set by widely-recognized sustainability reporting standard setting body.
Goal 2: Innovation—MBA students will have the ability to foster an environment of creativity and to a lead a process of innovation aimed at improvements in products, services, and business processes.
Objective 1: Students will be able to identify opportunities for innovation.
Objective 2: Students will be able to articulate a process for innovation.
Goal 3: Leadership—MBA students will have the ability to position their units, teams, or firms for success by applying and demonstrating the core competencies of leadership, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, team, organizational, and strategic leadership.
Objective 1: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding relevant leadership styles and practices.
Objective 2: Students will be able to practice the core competencies of professional leadership and followership.
Goal 4: Organizational Intelligence and Analytics—MBA students will have the ability to identify, analyze, and solve organizational issues using appropriate analytical techniques.
Objective 1: Students will be able to define an organizational issue and gather information relevant to the analysis and development of solutions.
Objective 2: Students will be able to analyze and evaluate alternatives using appropriate analytical tools and approaches.
Objective 3: Students will be able to propose a solution based on analysis and evaluation.
Goal 5: Communication—MBA students will have the ability to communicate effectively and professionally within business situations.
Objective 1: Students will be able to determine whether communication artifacts are best tailored to the topic and business situation within which the information is to be conveyed.
Objective 2: Students will be able to assess the format, style, and depth of information to determine if business communication, ranging in scope from one-to-one to large group, can achieve the business objectives.
Objective 3: Students will be able to capitalize on current business technologies by matching communication channels with communication objectives.
Academic Policies and Standards
All academic policies and standards for the School of Business Administration apply to the master of business administration program. Additional policies are as follows:
Students must complete all degree requirements within five academic years from the date they matriculate into the program.
Students wishing to take a leave of absence from the program must formally notify the director of graduate business programs.
Students not taking a course in a 24-month period are considered inactive. Students who wish to return must petition the graduate program director.
MBA Concentrations
The MBA program enables students to specialize their degree program through concentrations. Each concentration consists of 9 credits of electives.
To earn a concentration, students must complete the specified requirements beyond the completion of the MBA core. These requirements are described later in this catalog.
Professional Development Workshops (Noncredit)
All MBA students are required to complete four professional development workshops (PDWs) while they are in the MBA program. These three-hour workshops are delivered by a professional coach and are designed to help students enhance their professional growth and implement a plan for launching and advancing their careers. Two PDWs are offered each semester, typically on weekends or in the evenings. The Ethics PDW is required of all students.
Residency Requirements and Degree Eligibility
A student must complete the minimum residency requirement of 27 credit hours in the MBA Core and elective courses, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all 600-level courses, and complete all credit and noncredit requirements to qualify for the MBA degree.
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