Master of Business Administration

Gary E. West College of Business

Dr. Ann Saurbier, Dean

Chair - Business Programs: Dr. Sherry Rocchio, srocchio@westliberty.edu

West Liberty University offers a 30-credit hour Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree for individuals who wish to advance their professional knowledge and business skills. The MBA includes a business course core and concentrations in selected in-demand areas of business.

The Gary E. West College of Business at West Liberty University has received specialized accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300 in Overland Park, Kansas, USA.

Admissions Requirements

A student must be formally admitted to the program before taking any courses in the MBA program. For admission to WLU’s MBA, the following requirements must be met:

1. Completed admissions application.

2. Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to verify a bachelor’s degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 overall undergraduate grade point average.

3. Prior to full admission and enrollment in courses, students must take the Inbound Placement Exam.

  • To promote student success in the MBA program, applicants without a passing Inbound Placement Exam score deficiencies in one or more foundational business areas are required to complete the associated a discipline-specific online leveling/tutorial module(s).  This helps to ensure a solid foundation in the core concepts of business before starting the program. 

*All required modules must be completed successfully prior to enrolling in courses.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree and an overall GPA below the minimum 2.5 may be considered for provisional admission into the MBA program at the discretion of the Business Programs Director. These students must meet all other requirements prior to starting coursework. A student admitted under provisional status must achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each of the initial 12 credits of the program to continue.

 

Program Requirements

The 30-credit hour Master of Business Administration requires:

* 21 credit hours (7 courses) in the Business Core

* 9 credit hours in a selected concentration area

Required Business Core Courses (21 hours):

ACC 550Managerial Accounting Decision Analysis

3

CIS 530Information Technology Management

3

ECON 520Global Economics

3

FIN 540Finance Management & Theory

3

MGT 545Strategic Human Resource Management

3

MKT 535Integrative Marketing Management

3

MGT 590Strategic Management Capstone

3

FlexTrack Pathway and Specialty Concentrations:

FlexTrack Pathway

The Master of Business Administration FlexTrack Pathway is designed for professionals who want a flexible, personalized, and fully customizable graduate experience.

When a single concentration doesn't meet your career needs, the FlexTrack Pathway empowers students to select any three graduate courses from the broad portfolio and design an MBA that aligns directly with your goals and professional aspirations. Building forward from a solid grounding in executive level business fundamentals, this adaptable structure recognizes that today’s business careers often don't fit into one narrow specialty.

The MBA FlexTrack Pathway allows you to create a tailored graduate experience that aligns specifically with your schedule, your career stage, and your evolving interests. Your career isn't one-dimensional. Your MBA shouldn't be either. The FlexTrack Pathway allows maximum adaptability and flexibility to achieve your unique professional goals and aspirations.

 

Select any three of the following courses that meet your interest or career goals:

 

 

ACC 515Auditing and Attestation

3

ACC 516Financial Accounting and Reporting

3

ACC 517Accounting Regulation

3

GBUS 525Social Responsibility & Business Ethics

3

MGT 560Public & Non-Profit Management

3

MGT 561Management Internship

1-6

MGT 565Value Chain Management

3

MGT 580Principles of Project Management

3

MGT 581Project Management: Planning, Budgeting & Procurement

3

MGT 582Project Management: Execution & Control

3

MKT 536Consumer Behavior

3

MKT 537Global Marketing Strategies

3

MKT 538Marketing Data Analytics and Research

3

Accounting

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Accounting is designed for professionals seeking to advance their expertise in financial management, auditing, regulation, business analysis and controls. This program provides a strong foundation in business administration while equipping students with the specialized accounting knowledge required to navigate complex financial landscapes and regulatory environments.

Through a blend of core business courses and in-depth accounting studies, students develop the analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills essential for high-level accounting and financial management roles. The curriculum aligns with industry standards and can support students pursuing a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

This concentration is ideal for professionals looking to advance in corporate finance, public accounting, consulting, auditing, or managerial roles. Graduates are well-prepared for positions such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Financial Controller, Senior Accountant, Tax Consultant, or Audit Manager, making them valuable assets in any industry that requires strong financial oversight and strategic fiscal planning.

ACC 515Auditing and Attestation

3

ACC 516Financial Accounting and Reporting

3

ACC 517Accounting Regulation

3

Management

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Management is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their strategic decision-making, and organizational management skills. This program provides students with a strong foundation in business principles while focusing on advanced management techniques essential for leading teams, improving operational efficiency, and driving business success.

Through a combination of core MBA coursework and specialized management-focused classes, students will develop expertise in areas such as global economics, integrative marketing management, strategic human resource management, public and non profit and management and value chain management. The curriculum prepares graduates for managerial roles in diverse industries, including corporate business, government, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurship.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to take on leadership positions such as general manager, operations manager, management consultant, or executive director. Whether aiming for career advancement or transitioning into leadership roles, this MBA concentration provides the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in today’s dynamic and competitive business environment.

GBUS 525Social Responsibility & Business Ethics

3

MGT 560Public & Non-Profit Management

3

MGT 565Value Chain Management

3

Marketing

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing is a dynamic and comprehensive program designed to equip students with advanced knowledge, strategic thinking, and analytical skills essential for success in the fast-paced world of marketing. This program blends core business principles with specialized marketing techniques, preparing graduates to drive brand growth, customer engagement, and business profitability in a competitive global market. Areas of study include consumer behavior, marketing data analytics and research and global marketing strategies.

This concentration is ideal for aspiring marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders looking to drive innovation, customer engagement, and business growth in an ever-evolving marketplace. Graduates of the MBA in Marketing program can pursue careers in various industries, including technology, retail, healthcare, and entertainment, in roles such as Marketing Manager, Brand Strategist, Digital Marketing Director, Market Research Analyst, Product Manager, or Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

MKT 536Consumer Behavior

3

MKT 537Global Marketing Strategies

3

MKT 538Marketing Data Analytics and Research

3

Project Management

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Project Management is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership, strategic planning, and project execution skills in a dynamic business environment. This program equips students with advanced business knowledge while focusing on the principles, methodologies, and tools necessary for successful project management across various industries. Through a combination of core business coursework and specialized project management classes, students gain expertise in risk management, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, execution and control.

This concentration aligns with industry standards, including the Project Management Institute (PMI) guidelines, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for roles such as Project Manager, Program Manager, Operations Manager, and Business Consultant.

MGT 580Principles of Project Management

3

MGT 581Project Management: Planning, Budgeting & Procurement

3

MGT 582Project Management: Execution & Control

3

Undergraduate Fast Track Admission Requirements:

* Students must apply for conditional MBA admission through the Chair of the Business Programs (see Chair for application)

* The Peregrine entrance exam is normally completed in the MGT498 undergraduate capstone course

* Students must, at a minimum, have earned a total of 75 undergraduate credit hours

* Students must have, at a minimum, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for admission acceptance

* Students can take a maximum of four graduate course replacements, graduate courses that count backward toward completion of their undergraduate degree as well as forward toward the MBA