School of Business

Wanda Lester, Dean (Interim)
C.T. Willis Commerce Building, RM 223
Department Telephone: (919) 530-6458
Fax: (919) 530-6163
E-mail: wanda.lester@nccu.edu
Website: http://mba.nccu.edu

The School of Business offers programs leading to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, the joint Master of Business Administration/Juris Doctor (JD/MBA) degree, and the joint Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Science (MBA/MIS) degree.

The Master of Business Administration program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in business, industry, and government by developing their understanding of complex strategies, tactics and their execution.  While opportunities exist for specialization, program emphasis has been placed on breadth. Classes are structured to enrich analytical and decision-making skills through opportunities to practice problem definition, problem analysis, and problem solution creation.  Students with any undergraduate major can be successful in the MBA curriculum; however, to properly prepare for MBA core classes they are required to complete a group of foundation business courses.

The graduate program in the School of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Students can obtain a concentration in a particular area by completing a specific sequence of elective courses.  Most students choose elective courses of personal interest from multiple disciplines and do not declare a concentration.  At the moment, an MBA concentration is available in Entrepreneurship.  Other concentration areas are under development.  The MBA Program Office can provide detailed information about pursuing an MBA with a concentration.

The joint degree programs allow students to simultaneously pursue a degree in Law or a degree in Information Sciences while enrolled in the MBA program.  Both joint degree programs allow students to earn two degrees in less time than it takes to earn them traditionally.

The joint Master of Business Administration/Juris Doctor degree program can be completed in four calendar years. The degree of Juris Doctor (JD) is granted by the School of Law upon successful completion of a minimum of 88 semester hours of required and elective courses.  Nine semester hours of graduate level business courses will meet the electives for the law degree and nine semester hours of law school courses will meet the electives requirements for the Master of Business Administration degree.

The joint Master of Business Administration/Master of Information Science degree program can be completed in two calendar years.  The School of Business and the School of Library and Information Sciences grant Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Information Sciences (MIS) degrees upon completion of a minimum of 48 semester hours of required and elective courses.

MBA Admissions

Director of Graduate, Professional and Executive Programs

C.T. Willis Commerce Building, Room 212

Telephone:  (919) 530-7390

Fax:  (919) 530-6163

Website: http://mba.nccu.edu

Admission to the MBA Program is based on a qualitative and quantitative assessment of those factors deemed relevant for successful graduate study.  The following factors are considered in the admission decision: 1) scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); 2) prior academic record (official transcript); 3) employment history (applicant’s resume); and 4) two recommendations of instructors, employers, or others who know the applicant well.  A personal interview is recommended for admission. Applicants for the MBA Program may seek admission with a variety of undergraduate majors but it will take those without undergraduate course work in Business a little longer to complete the degree requirements.

The GMAT is designed to measure aptitude for graduate study in business administration and management and is not a measure of knowledge in specific business subjects.  All MBA applicants must have the results of their GMAT submitted directly to the MBA Program (use the NCCU MBA GMAT Code: 5495).  Information regarding registration for the GMAT and the times and places for its administration may be obtained by calling 1-800- GMATNOW or from the website at http://www.mba.com.

International Applicants

For admission purposes, all applicants who are either non-citizens of the United States or are graduates of institutions of higher learning located outside the United States are defined as international applicants.  In addition to providing GMAT results, academic credentials, letters of recommendation, international applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  A minimum score of 173 should be obtained.  The scores must be submitted directly to the Director of the MBA program.  Proficiency may be demonstrated instead by passing a full academic year of college level freshman English (i.e., the equivalent of ENG 1110, ENG 1250) with a grade of “C” or better at an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.
2. International applicants with academic credits from institutions outside the United States should have academic documents submitted directly by the institution to the World Educational Service (WES).  After review by WES, the transcripts should be sent directly to the MBA program office.
3. International applicants are required to submit documentation certifying their capacity to meet the financial requirements necessary to complete the MBA program.   International students must meet all applicable immigration requirements.
4. Finally, an interview is recommended for admission.

Academic Policies and Regulations

Grading Standards

The following grades are awarded by the School of Business for graduate courses:

 A = highly superior;

 B = clearly satisfactory;

 C = low pass; and

 F = failure.

Grades of incomplete (I) and withdrawal (W) are awarded where appropriate.

Quality points are assigned for purposes of determining the cumulative GPA as follows:

A = 4 credit points

B = 3

C = 2

F = 0

No points are assigned for I or W.

Grade-Point-Average Requirements for MBA

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 overall is required for graduation. Students must complete all courses (undergraduate and graduate) with a grade of “C” or better. Any required foundation courses must be completed with a cumulative grade-point- average of at least 3.0. Students failing to complete required foundation courses with an average of at least 3.0 may be asked to withdraw from the graduate program.

Grade-Point-Average Requirements for Joint MBA/JD and MBA/MIS Programs

Students enrolled in the Joint MBA/JD and MBA/MIS Programs must complete the requirements of each program simultaneously in order to receive both degrees jointly and to take advantage of any reciprocal credits offered by the joint programs.  If a student does not meet the joint degree requirements, the student will not receive the benefit of the reciprocal credits and will have to meet the separate degree program requirements.  Hence, the joint degrees may not be awarded separately, only jointly.  The GPA for the joint programs, however, must be met separately and cannot be combined because there is no joint degree GPA requirement.  Hence, a student will not receive the benefit of a high MBA GPA to increase their JD GPA in order to meet the Law School’s GPA requirement and vice versa.  A cumulative grade-point-average of at least 3.0 in the MBA courses is required to complete the graduation requirements of the MBA portion of the Joint Degree Program.  Students must complete all courses (undergraduate and graduate) with a grade of “C” or better.  Any required foundation courses must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Students failing to complete required foundation course with an average of at least 3.0 may be asked to withdraw from the MBA program.

Semester Load

A maximum academic load for full-time graduate students in the MBA program is 12 graduate credit hours.  Full-time graduate students enrolled in all undergraduate foundation courses may enroll in a maximum of 18 credits, provided all credits are undergraduate courses.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

At the time of admission, a maximum of six (6) semester hours may be transferred from another graduate business program, subject to the following restrictions:

1. The course(s) was completed at a regionally accredited institution.
2. The course(s) was restricted to graduate students.
3. A minimum grade of “B” was received in the course.
4. The content of the course corresponds to that of a course required or permitted in the program at North Carolina Central University.

Once enrolled in the School of Business, a student may not pursue courses of any type at another institution for transfer credit toward a degree from the School of Business without obtaining, in advance of registration for such courses, written approval from the Director of the MBA program of the School of Business.  Courses taken without such written approval will not be accepted.  In general, transfer credits presented at the time of admission or after enrollment at North Carolina Central University are limited to a maximum of 6 credits.

Continuous Registration

Following admission as a degree-seeking student in the graduate program, students are generally required to register each semester, exclusive of the summer sessions, until the degree is awarded.  Students not maintaining their admitted status will be required to seek readmission and adhere to prevailing program requirements if readmission is granted.

Time Limits

All requirements for the Master’s degree must be completed within six years from the beginning of the term for which admission into the master’s program was initially conferred.

Special Graduate Students

The School of Business restricts its graduate-level business administration and management courses to the University’s degree-seeking students.  Students admitted to one of the University’s other graduate-level degree programs may enroll in School of Business graduate-level courses, as “special students” (provided of course, that they have completed the required prerequisite course(s)).

Academic Standing

Graduate students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 are considered to be in good academic standing.

Probation

A graduate student in the MBA program is on academic probation for the duration of the next term (exclusive of summer terms) in which she/he is registered following the one in which she/he failed to maintain a “B” (3.0) average.  She/he is also on academic probation whenever the cumulative grade point average is less than “B” (3.0).

Dismissal

A graduate student will generally be dismissed permanently from the School of Business if she/he 1) fails to earn at least a 3.0 average for all required foundation courses, or 2) earns grades of “F” in at least two different courses, or 3) remains on academic probation for at least two consecutive terms (exclusive of summer terms) and has a cumulative grade-point-average less than 3.0.

Grade Appeals Process

The following is the grade appeal process for students in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the School of Business at North Carolina Central University.

Grade Appeal

1. A student who believes that he or she has been graded unfairly or improperly must first schedule a conference with the concerned faculty member in an attempt to arrive at a mutual understanding and to resolve any differences in an informal, cooperative manner.  The student must express the appeal clearly and listen to the instructor’s rationale.  The meeting should be scheduled within ten (10) business days after the student could reasonably be expected to know of the situation.
2. If consultation with the instructor is impractical, or if the student is dissatisfied with the results of the initial conference with the instructor, the student should seek the assistance of the Director of the MBA program within five (5) business days of meeting with the instructor.  (If the instructor involved is the Director of the MBA program, the student should seek the assistance of the Dean.  This contact should be made within five (5) business days of the meeting with the Director.)  The Director’s role is to guide the student through the remaining steps of the appeal process.  In no way is the role of the Director to be construed as that of advocate for either the student or the instructor.
3. Upon conferring with the Director, the student may choose to file a formal grievance.
4. To file a formal grievance, the student must submit four (4) copies of the formal written statement to the Director.  This statement should be submitted on the form designated for that purpose.  This statement must be filed with the Director within twenty (20) business days of the initial meeting with the instructor or within fifteen (15) business days of meeting with the Director.  The statement must include the following: (a) date of event, (b) date of first meeting with instructor or Director, (c) details of argument for changing grade or taking other corrective action, (d) copies of pertinent examinations, papers, and other relevant materials.  Failure to meet these deadlines forfeits right of appeal under this policy.  Furthermore, it is understood that only issues documented in the grievance statement will be considered at the hearing which follows.  (In case of doubt concerning time limits, the Director will determine whether proper procedures have been followed.)
5. After a formal appeal has been filed, the Director must, within two (2) business days forward a copy of the student’s appeal statement to the instructor, the Dean of the School of Business, and the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee.
6. The Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee shall convene a meeting of the committee not later than ten (10) business days after receipt of the grievance statement.  The committee will then request a conference with the appealing student within ten (10) business days of this meeting.  In a closed hearing, the student shall present the grievance, including any supporting evidence and pertinent arguments.  The decision of the committee will be determined by a secret majority vote by both faculty members and student members separately; each group shall meet for voting purposes only.  An appeal fails if either group fails to support it.  A tie vote shall be considered a vote in favor of the appeal.
7. If an appeal is determined to be unfounded at the hearing, the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee shall provide written notification of the fact to the student and the faculty member, as well as a recommendation of denial of the appeal to the Dean of the School of Business within ten (10) business days of the decision.

 

• If an appeal is deemed valid, within ten (10) business days of the decision, the committee shall forward a written account of its deliberations, including recommendations for redress, in its recommendation that the Dean of the School of Business uphold the appeal.  The Dean shall take whatever action is deemed appropriate.
• Should either the student or the faculty member be dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, a formal written appeal may be made to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who will review all written materials and make final disposition of the appeal.  This final appeal must be filed within five (5) business days of notification of the decision of the Dean.

Exception to the Procedure

1. If a student is unable to file an appeal because of the end of the classes for the spring or a summer session, the student must, within twenty (20) business days of the end of the session, notify the concerned instructor and the Associate Dean, in writing, of an intention to appeal a grade when classes resume in the fall.  The timetable described in the above process is initiated by the beginning of classes in the fall.

2. In the event that the appeal is from a graduating student, a separate process, designed to expedite the matter, will be followed.

   Step 1.  Conference with instructor
   Step 2.  Conference with the Director (or Dean)
   Step 3.  Meet with Graduate Programs Committee.  To expedite the matter, the committee will establish a time to hear any grievance for which redress is sought.  Such a time for hearings should be set no less than 24 hours before the graduation ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Student Members of the Graduate Program Committee

The Graduate Program Committee shall have one student member.  This student shall have the responsibility of involvement in the grade appeal process, and shall have voting rights on all grade appeals.

General Requirements for the MBA Degree

1. Time limits on financial aid eligibility for all graduate programs require completion within six calendar years.
2. Satisfactory academic progress will be reviewed annually.  A student whose enrollment begins during the spring term will be reviewed at the end of the subsequent fall term.
3. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4. A financial aid recipient is required to complete satisfactorily the following ratio of semester hours required for graduation.
5. Students must have completed this portion of the required hours:

1 yr.  2 yrs.  3 yrs.  4 yrs.  5 yrs.  6 yrs.

 1/12   1/6   1/3      1/2      3/4    12/12

Incompletes, Withdrawals, Repeating Courses, Non-Credit Remedial Courses, and Transfer Credits

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy reflects the University’s academic regulations with respect to incomplete, repeated, and remedial courses.  Transfer credits will not count toward the student’s grade-point-average, but the credits will be included in the determination of the satisfactory progress quantitative measure (earned hours).

In regard to withdrawals, the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled on the day following the published last day to add a class, will be used as official enrollment for financial assistance purposes.  If a student withdraws from classes after the date cited, the student may not meet the minimum number of hours to be earned in one academic year.  The deficit hours may be made up in the summer sessions in order to continue financial assistance eligibility.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Students with Financial Aid

Students receiving Title IV financial aid administered through the North Carolina Central University Office of Scholarships and Student Aid must also meet the requirements of this policy, as well as the requirements of the School of Business’s policy for all of its students as outlined above.

Students who are placed on probation may lose their financial aid eligibility.  After financial aid has been withdrawn, students may re-establish satisfactory academic progress by attending subsequent semesters at their own expense and improving their hours and/or GPA to meet the required standards.  Students who comply with this method should submit to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid a written request that their eligibility for financial assistance be reinstated.

Business Graduate Faculty

Programs

• •  Business Administration, M.B.A.

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