Why North Carolina State University?
North Carolina State University recruits applicants for its online Master of Business Administration degree program. This very large public research University in Raleigh, North Carolina administers the program through its Poole College of Management.
There is no set admission criterion regarding prior job experience; nonetheless, the applicant’s professional experience and the applicant’s potential for commercial success will be taken into account. Submission of GRE or GMAT results is optional. There is no needed GPA to apply, but your academic potential and past achievements will be taken into account if you are accepted. The applicants are evaluated as a whole person.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | North Carolina State University |
| Location | Raleigh |
| State | NC |
| Niche.com Grade | A |
| Name of Degree | Master of Business Administration |
| School or Department Administering Program | Poole College of Management |
| Credits | 40 |
| Cost per credit | $2,344.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $93,760.00 |
| Test Requirements | GRE or GMAT optional |
| Minimum GPA | none |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | none |
| Campus Visit Required? | yes |
| Typical Time to Complete | 3 years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Fall, Spring |
| Program Concentrations |
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| Synchronous classes | no |
| Required Courses |
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| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | yes – capstone residency (other residency is at beginning of program) |
| Does the program include a practicum or internship? | yes |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | option to take courses in person at NCSU campus if desired; 2 in person residencies; study abroad programs, networking events and volunteer opportunities; highly ranked for business analytics; online since 2011 and faculty have lots of online teaching experience; active duty may replace required residency with additional online courses; global experiences available; Product Innovation Lab and Sustainability in Business Practicum; online students can also apply to McLauchlan Leadership Series, a non-credit in-person leadership development program; coaching, company visits and networking events; substantial tuition reduction for NC residents |
| Program Description | This degree requires 40 credits of coursework. All students are required to complete both an orientation residency and a capstone residency. An internship is also required. Most students complete the program within 3 years. They choose one of the following 8 concentrations: finance; operations and supply chain management; marketing; technology entrepreneurship and commercialization; business analytics; business leadership; SAP software |
What will I Learn?
A distinctive feature of the NCSU MBA curriculum is the option to choose a concentration in SAP software, a leading software platform used to manage business processes and operations. In addition to this concentration, students can choose from concentrations in finance, operations and supply chain management, marketing; technology entrepreneurship and commercialization, business analytics, or business leadership. The technology commercialization and entrepreneurship concentration offers a unique opportunity to learn how to take a technology innovation from idea to market.
Alongside 14 credits of electives, which include concentration courses, students at NCSU take a streamlined core curriculum. The curriculum is built on foundational courses in Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting and Essential Economics for Managers. Students take a substantial tranche of courses related to decision-making: Data Driven Managerial Decisions I and I, and Critical Thinking for Managers. Advanced topics are covered in Financial Management of Corporations, Principles of Operations & Supply Chain Management and Marketing Management and Strategy. Creating Value in Organizations teaches students how to build sustainable operations, while a required MBA Analytics/Quantitative Course builds these key data competencies.
All students are required to complete a practicum partnering them with a business or other organization. A capstone residency is also required.
How much will the program cost?
The program costs $2,344.00 per credit, and 40 credits are required. The total cost of the degree is just under $94,000.00 for the entire degree. Most students take 3 years to finish their studies. A substantial tuition reduction is available for all North Carolina residents.
How does the program fit into my life?
Coursework in this program is conducted using the asynchronous learning model. Students do not attend live online classes. Instead, they complete online activities on their own schedule, and meet with instructor and peers in one-on-one or team meetings. With start dates in both Fall and Spring semesters, the program is accessible to students wishing to begin their studies quickly. Students are required to complete 2 in-person residencies.
Students complete the program within 3 years. Some students choose to take an accelerated pace through the program, focusing intensely on their studies. Alternately, they can choose to complete the program at full-time pace, with more time to devote to paid employment, or part-time, offering even more work-life balance.
Summary
This higher-cost program offers several unique opportunities to students willing to make an investment. Required practicum experience expands workplace marketability, while distinctive concentration options allow students to specialize in SAP software or technology commercialization, among other choices. Global travel experiences are available, and all students must complete 2 in-person residencies. Applicants should explore further the Product Innovation Lab and Sustainability in Business Practicum.
NCSU online students have access to several in-person opportunities if they wish to take advantage of this option. Students can take classes on the NCSU campus if they desire. They can also apply to the McLauchlan Leadership Series, a non-credit in-person leadership development program involving coaching, company visits and networking events.
