Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program allows students to gain the tools necessary to navigate an ever-changing workforce. The immersive virtual curriculum matches the mission of the College by incorporating innovative professional development and career readiness.
MBA MISSION: The Master of Business Administration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College increases the management knowledge and skills of learners while providing transformative individual opportunities that embrace a global environment.
MBA VISION: The vision of the Master of Business Administration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is to be a leader of academic excellence in providing a graduate-level business administration degree in an immersive virtual format engrained with ethical values while delivering supportive and individualized global experiences to each learner.
An MBA provides individuals with the necessary tools to excel in their career field. With no residencies required, students can complete the fully online MBA from anywhere in the world in only one year.
Students will choose either the MBA or the MBA with a concentration. Concentrations are optional and will add 12 credit hours to the core program, allowing you to complete the program in as little as 18 months. Read more about each of the concentrations offered: Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance, and Health Administration.
Program Learning Outcomes
There are many aspects of this program that show a level of development to the program to support the learning outcomes and competencies.
Students who complete the core Master of Business Administration components will be able to:
- Exhibit a deep level of understanding about management knowledge and skills through interdisciplinary business competencies.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the global business community and a willingness to grow in an understanding and appreciation for world cultures.
- Participate, lead, and manage a team of diverse members in a simulated and/or experiential learning role to implement personal strengths.
- Apply leadership and management theories using critical thinking and communication skills for career preparation.
- Identify, collect, analyze, and translate empirical results through storytelling to make data-driven business decisions.
The Master of Business Administration is a fully online one-year, 36-credit hour graduate program. Additionally, students may choose from five concentrations: Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance and Healthcare Administration. Concentrations are optional and will add 12 credit hours to the core program, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 18 months. For a concentration to be financial aid eligible, the concentration must be added prior to the completion of the degree. Stand-alone concentrations are not eligible for financial aid.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Master of Business Administration program, students must have:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on any undergraduate and graduate work
- Completed application
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Official transcripts of all collegiate work
- One to two-page essay describing your interest in the MBA program and what you hope to gain from it
- One recommendation letter from an individual can assess your professional or academic experience
- Résumé
- Two years of substantial work experience (substantial means working in your field)
- GMAT Test Optional: An applicant is not required to take the GMAT test. An applicant may wish to strengthen their application if they do not meet the GPA requirement of 3.0/4.0 or the five-year work experience. Their undergraduate degree does not have to be in business. MLD/MHA students will not be required to take the GMAT. During the review of the application materials, the MBA team recommends that students who have a deficiency in statistics will be required to take a placement test.
- Additional Requirements for international students (Note: 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). If taking the Internet-based TOEFL test, applicants will need a minimum score of 80. Our TOEFL code is RA1704. As an alternative to the TOEFL, they may submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam. Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit certified transcripts in English. If they have not completed their master's degree at the time of application, they must submit a current transcript. Upon degree completion, they are required to provide official transcripts in a sealed envelope directly from the institution that awarded their degree prior to enrollment).
Admission requirements for graduate study are designed so that admitted students will have a high probability of success in graduate-level academic work. Graduate study is much more than a continuation of undergraduate work and should be considered by those students with the capacity for independent thought and investigation.
For more information about the MBA program, contact Program Director, Dr. Eric Hubbard: Eric.Hubbard@smwc.edu.
Woods Ring Requirements
Students must have 75% of coursework completed, or in progress, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to participate in the Ring Ceremony or receive the Woods Ring. Read here to learn more about the century-old tradition.
Graduation Requirements
Completion of the 36-credit hours curriculum outlined in the Course Requirements (12-course, 36 credit hours) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Up to nine hours of relevant transfer graduate credit may be accepted per Graduate Program Director approval.
MBA Curriculum
Required Courses (36 credit hours total)
| GL 584 | Strategic Leadership and Management of Global Change | 3 |
| MBA 570 | Accounting in a Global World | 3 |
| MBA 571 | Operations Management | 3 |
| MBA 572 | Contemporary Global Business | 3 |
| MBA 573 | Statistics | 3 |
| MBA 575 | Global Individualized Initiative | 3 |
| MLD 503 | Leadership Identity | 3 |
| MLD 504 | Ethical Decision-Making | 3 |
| MLD 506 | Data Visualization and Inspirational Persuasion | 3 |
| OL 551 | People and Change | 3 |
| OL 552 | Balancing Customer and Organizational Needs | 3 |
| OL 553 | Financial Management | 3 |
MBA With Concentration Curriculum (45 credit hours required)
Students must complete the 12-course (36 credit hours) in addition to selecting one concentration.
The five concentrations are delivered through the RIZE consortium. In collaboration with Rize Education, Inc. (Rize), the following five concentrations enable students to further focus their studies and provide new pathways to employment for students. Each concentration contains four individualized courses at 3 credit hours each and are facilitated by Rize and taught by fully accredited institutions.
Required Courses (36 credit hours total)
| GL 584 | Strategic Leadership and Management of Global Change | 3 |
| MBA 570 | Accounting in a Global World | 3 |
| MBA 571 | Operations Management | 3 |
| MBA 572 | Contemporary Global Business | 3 |
| MBA 573 | Statistics | 3 |
| MBA 575 | Global Individualized Initiative | 3 |
| MLD 503 | Leadership Identity | 3 |
| MLD 504 | Ethical Decision-Making | 3 |
| MLD 506 | Data Visualization and Inspirational Persuasion | 3 |
| OL 551 | People and Change | 3 |
| OL 552 | Balancing Customer and Organizational Needs | 3 |
| OL 553 | Financial Management | 3 |
Concentration: Artificial Intelligence
The concentration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is designed to provide students with both the technical knowledge and strategic vision needed to become leaders in the digital age. Students gain insight into the capabilities and limitations of generative AI, learn to identify and apply appropriate AI models to business challenges, and develop strategies to foster innovation within organizations.
| AI 551 | Generative AI for Managers | 3 |
| AI 552 | Business Use Cases for AI | 3 |
| AI 553 | AI Governance and Ethics | 3 |
| AI 554 | Managing AI Projects | 3 |
Concentration: Finance
The concentration in Finance provides the essential tools for impact. Financial expertise and strategic decision-making determine how organizations grow, compete, and innovate in today’s interconnected markets. This program prepares leaders to master both traditional financial principles and emerging technologies while navigating a complex financial landscape.
| FIN 551 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| FIN 552 | Capital Markets and Investing | 3 |
| FIN 553 | Financial Statements Analysis and Valuation | 3 |
| FIN 554 | Frontiers of Finance | 3 |
Concentration: Business Analytics
The concentration in Business Analytics emphasizes more than tool proficiency; it fosters the development of professionals who serve as the link between raw data and transformative business strategies. In a data-driven business environment, insights and analytics shape how organizations make decisions and compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace. This concentration prepares leaders to harness the power of data, combining advanced SQL and Tableau skills with strategic thinking, all within a context of ongoing technological innovation and business complexity.
| BA 551 | Storytelling with Data | 3 |
| BA 552 | Spreadsheet Modeling for Decision-Making | 3 |
| BA 553 | Python for Business Analytics | 3 |
| AI 551 | Generative AI for Managers | 3 |
Concentration: Healthcare Administration
The concentration in Healthcare Administration equips professionals to address pressing industry challenges, including workforce retention, technological advancement, and data-informed decision-making. This program is designed for individuals who aim to improve healthcare delivery, develop innovative health tech solutions, or expand access to care. No prior healthcare experience is required.
| HCA 551 | Structure and Economics of the US Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCA 552 | Management of Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 553 | Data Analysis for Healthcare Management | 3 |
| FIN 554 | Healthcare Finance | 3 |
Concentration: Cybersecurity
The concentration in Cybersecurity prepares students to address digital threats with a strategic mindset and to develop the leadership capabilities needed to safeguard organizational assets, reputation, and long-term success. The program equips students to bridge the gap between technical teams and executive leadership, transforming cybersecurity challenges into opportunities for competitive advantage.
| CYS 551 | Information Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance | 3 |
| CYS 552 | Network Architectures for Cyber Managers | 3 |
| CYS 553 | Cyber Risk Management and Strategy | 3 |
| CYS 554 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |