• How long does it take to complete the MBA Program?
  The MBA program is designed to be completed in as little as 12 months.  
  
  
• What concentrations are offered for the MBA program?
  Philander Smith University currently offers two concentrations for the MBA Program.
  
  • Management
    The Management Concentration offers a wide variety of courses that examine the many challenges facing modern business organizations and provide the tools to meet those challenges. Specific areas of study include entrepreneurship, leadership and decision-making, conflict resolution, human resources and managing employees. Students who graduate with a concentration in management often pursue careers in consulting or as leaders in the private or public sector.
    
    
  • Project Management
    The Project Management Concentration offers courses for managing teams of people and resources throughout a project’s life cycle of defining, planning, executing, evaluating, and closing to ensure projects are completed within cost, schedule, and quality to meet customer expectations. This concentration applies methodologies, techniques and tools to effectively manage projects with cross-functional teams. Completion of courses, along with industry experience, will prepare students to further credentials in the project management area. 
    
    
• How long are the classes?
  6 hours (two classes) per 8-week sessions 
  
  
• When are the classes held?
  Each 3 hour course meets one night a week per 8 sessions from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm CST. For example, you would take one class on Monday and one on Tuesday or you will take one class on Wednesday and one on Thursday depending on when you begin the program.
  
  
• Can I complete the program entirely online?
  Both concentrations can be completed online via face-to-face using an online video conference platform of the instructor’s choice. Some classes are taught online and in-person simultaneously. 

Please review the following admissions requirements to apply for the degree.

If you have questions about the program or the admissions process, please contact Director of Graduate Admissions, Ms. Karen B. Hunter at MBA@philander.edu or MBA Program Director, Dr. Sharon L. Anthony at santhony@philander.edu 

Application Submission requirements:

• Complete online Application and attach supporting documents - Professional Statement of Interest, two letters of recommendations, resume.
• Have official transcript sent from the registrar of the college/university attended to mba@philander.edu, or to Karen Hunter, Philander Smith University, Graduate Admissions, Academic Affairs 900 W. Daisy L. Gaston Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202

Admission Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 in the last 60 hours (undergraduate, graduate or combination of both) on a 4.0 scale. 
• Conditional Admittance:  If you have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours, you must make a grade of B or better in each course during the first 12 hours of graduate work at Philander Smith University as part of a conditional admission status.
• Complete the following general business prerequisites with a minimum grade of C
  • Accounting Principles I
  • Accounting Principles 2
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Information Systems (or proficiency in Microsoft Excel)
  • Business Statistics
  • Managerial Science

Philander Smith University (PSU) has prepared an admission friendly practice for all applicants in the condition that someone does not meet all the requirements for admission into the MBA program.

PSU has provided an alternative solution to assist potential students with being accepted into our program. Interested applicants will have the opportunity to take supplemental course through Peregrine Global at the affordable cost to the applicant of $49 per module (course).  Through this collaborative effort Peregrine Global is offering leveling modules which provides the foundational knowledge and skills in a broad range of business education topic areas.

PSU encourages all applicants to apply whether your undergrad GPA was less than a 2.75, if you are a non-business major seeking entrance into the MBA program, and/or if you need to refresh your knowledge of business education fundamentals. Peregrine Global leveling modules will provide you with the foundational information to assist you with meeting the course requirements for our program.

After an evaluation of the applicant’s transcripts, the MBA Program Director will determine if there are additional courses that need to be taken through Peregrine Global. The MBA Program Director will assign the leveling modules for the applicant to complete.

Here’s how the process works.

1. The applicant will take a pre-test. If they receive an 70% on it, then they will test out and receive a certificate of completion that can be submitted to the MBA Program Director. 
   
   
2. If the applicant doesn't receive the desired pre-test score of 70%, then they will proceed with completing the assigned module. The applicant can complete a module in 4 to 6 hours and then take a post-test.
   
   
3. The applicant will have two attempts to pass the post-test with the desired pass rate of 70%.

Good luck and we look forward to reviewing your application!