2024-2025 Catalog

Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Catalog

Business Administration, MBA

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is devoted to the concepts, analytical tools, and communication skills required for competent and responsible management. The management of an enterprise is viewed in its entirety and within its social, political, and economic environment. The MBA provides a broad curriculum preparing you for several options in launching your career. All majors are welcome. The MBA program meets the needs of students with or without previous business education.

Two MBA Tracks

The College of Business offers two MBA tracks:

MBA with an emphasis area (36 credit hours): Students may pursue a specialized MBA tailored to a specific career in mind. Those pursuing the MBA with an emphasis will complete 24 credits of core courses and 12 credits of specialized business electives.
MBA without emphasis area (30 credit hours): Students pursuing the General MBA program will complete 24 credits of core courses and 6 credits of business electives.

Students wishing to change their MBA track should contact the Graduate School of Business Administration at GSBA@uccs.edu. Students changing from the General MBA track to an emphasis area will take additional coursework to fulfill the requirements of the emphasis area.

Students may later return to UCCS to obtain a Graduate Certificate in a specialized business area. Credits earned from the MBA are transferable to the Graduate Certificate.

Students admitted to the MBA program may be required to take up to 9 additional credit hours of foundation coursework to help develop competencies to be successful in the program. Foundation courses may be waived by prior academic work or through passing foundation waiver examinations.

Campus and Online Options

The Graduate School of Business Administration offers an MBA program designed for working professionals that may be completed on campus, online, or through a combination of both modalities. The program is designed for students to complete their degree full-time in as little as 12 months. Students pursuing the MBA part-time may complete the MBA in up to six (6) years. Students choose their pace of completing the program to meet their personal and professional goals. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Earn your MBA with ultimate flexibility, around your schedule.

Your MBA, Your Schedule:

Extreme Flexibility: Take classes in the evening, online, or both.

The Online MBA (8-week asynchronous model) is 100% online. Students may take one course at a time. Students may choose from nine (9) online emphasis areas or pursue the General MBA.
The Campus MBA (16-week semester) is available 100% on campus. Campus courses are scheduled from 4:45 pm to 7:20 pm or 7:30 pm to 10:05 pm and meet once a week. Students may pursue the General option or choose from three (3) campus emphasis areas. Students may also choose a fully online emphasis area.

MBA Graduate Admission

Admission Criteria
The Graduate School of Business Administration seeks to admit students who show a high likelihood of success in postgraduate business study. The following basic indicators are used to evaluate candidates for admission:

PRIOR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: A 4-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent is a requirement for application. The applicant’s complete academic record from all institutions attended is examined.

MBA ADMISSION PATHWAYS: There are three (3) admission pathways for the MBA program.

Pathway 1: GPA 3.5* for an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and resume.
Pathway 2: GPA 3.0* for an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, 3 years of professional work experience and/or military experience or additional specialized education, goal statement, resume, and optional letter(s) of recommendation.
Pathway 3: GPA less than 3.0* for an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution: goal statement, resume, optional letter(s) of recommendation, and one of the following:
- 5+ years of professional work experience and/or military experience
- Personal statement that addresses academic performance, examples of persistence/commitment, and other life and professional experiences that can demonstrate your ability and motivation to complete an advanced degree.
- GMAT or GRE test scores**
- Minimum 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work at a regionally accredited institution with 3.0 GPA or higher**

*Cumulative GPA or GPA for last 60 credit hours, whichever is higher.

**If undergraduate GPA* is less than 2.75, applicants must have one of these options.

ADDITIONAL MBA APPLICATION MATERIALS: In addition to official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions attended, students must submit required documents based on MBA pathway selection. All applicants whose native language is not English must meet a minimum standard of English proficiency (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS scores). It is expected that students understand how to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to be successful in the Graduate School of Business Administration.

Provisional and Undergraduate Senior Admits
At the discretion of the admissions committee, an applicant not meeting the criteria for regular admission may be admitted as a provisional student. Students who are offered provisional admissions to the program will receive a letter from the College of Business outlining the conditions that must be met to become a regular degree-seeking student. When the student meets the conditions of their provisional admissions, the College of Business will reclassify the student’s status to be fully admitted to the program. Provisional students have all the rights and privileges and are subject to the same standards of performance required of regularly admitted students.

UCCS seniors who have satisfied the undergraduate residence requirements and need no more than nine (9) semester hours to meet their requirements for an undergraduate degree may be contingently admitted to the MBA program. They must meet regular admissions criteria, submit a completed application by the published deadline, and submit the “Undergraduate Senior Admit Eligibility’ form signed by their undergraduate advisor confirming the number of credits needed to complete the bachelor’s degree. Students may request the Undergraduate Senior Admit Eligibility form from the College of Business Advising Office by emailing GSBA@uccs.edu.

Undergraduate senior admits must complete their final undergraduate courses during their first semester as an MBA student. Students may be limited to one or two graduate courses contingent on the number of hours needed to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Application Process and Deadlines
The UCCS online application, MBA Pathway selection, one official transcript (not student copies) from each post-secondary institution attended, a resume, a goal statement, a letter of recommendation (optional), and the nonrefundable application fee should be submitted by the priority deadline. Additional fees may apply. Visit www.uccs.edu/mba for the online application and additional information for international applicants.

The Graduate School of Business Administration programs adhere to policies set by the College of Business and Administration (refer to the General Academic Policies under the College of Business and Administration section) and the UCCS Graduate School. In addition, students should understand the following guidelines and policies:

Graduate Academic Advising
It is recommended that graduate students meet with an advisor during their first semester of attendance to prepare a degree plan. Students should meet periodically with an advisor thereafter.

Degree Audit
Degree Audit is a system used to automatically check a student’s progress in their chosen degree program(s). The system produces point-in-time reports. These reports allow students and advisors to see how courses apply to requirements and what requirements are remaining to graduate. Students may access their degree audits through the MyUCCS portal.

Expected Software Skills
MBA students are expected to be proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If students are deficient in any of these skills, it is their responsibility to mitigate the deficiency before enrolling in the program.

Technical Requirements & Recommendations
The College of Business follows the technical requirements approved by the campus. Faculty may use Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor for virtual proctoring of online tests in Canvas. A webcam is required for monitoring.

Students may be unable to install Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor on some computers (i.e. work computers, library computers) due to firewalls, content filters, proxy servers, and or other security software with similar functions. For students without a personal computer, Respondus LockDown Browser is installed on every computer in open computer labs on campus.

Academic Policies

Access to Graduate Courses
Students must be officially admitted to the Graduate School of Business Administration to register for graduate-level business courses. Students who are admitted to other UCCS graduate programs may be eligible to register for College of Business graduate courses with permission from their advisor. All course prerequisites must be met. Visiting students from other universities should contact the Graduate School of Business Administration at gsba@uccs.edu for more information.

Course Load
The typical course load is 3-6 credit hours (1 to 2 classes) for a working graduate student and 9-12 credit hours (3 to 4 classes) for those attending school full-time. In the fall and spring semesters, students are limited to 15 credit hours, and 9 credit hours for the summer semester.

Completion Time Limits
Although students are normally expected to complete a master’s degree in one to three years, candidates for the MBA degree in the College of Business should complete their requirements within six years. The College of Business, Graduate School of Business Administration does not validate outdated courses that exceed the six-year timeline. Students will be required to repeat any course that exceeds the six-year timeline with the same or an approved substitute course in the Graduate School of Business Administration.

Leave of Absence
Students who need to take a leave of absence for longer than one semester should discuss their decision with the Graduate School of Business Administration Graduate Office and complete the Request for Leave of Absence Form. A leave of absence may occur for one year (3 continuous semesters including summer). Students who do not return within a year may need to reapply for admission to the MBA or MSA program. A leave of absence does not extend the prescribed time limit to complete the degree requirements (Refer to the Completion Time Limits).

A program may also place a student on an administrative leave of absence if the student is not making satisfactory academic progress in the program. An administrative leave of absence cannot be used in place of academic probation but may be used simultaneously. The program may request that students meet certain conditions before returning.

Standards of Performance

Course Repeat Policy
Any grade below C (2.0) is not a passing grade for graduate students. A student may repeat a course once for which they have received a grade below a B. The grade received in a repeated course may substitute for the original grade with approval from the director.

Cumulative GPA Calculation
As of Fall 2019, the grades for the MBA foundation courses are not included in the computation of the overall MBA GPA in the student’s degree audit. The graduate program GPA for the MBA and MSA will consist of only 6000-level courses. This GPA may differ from the cumulative GPA on the student’s transcript.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
No individual grade below a C will count towards the graduate degree requirements. To remain in good academic standing and to earn a graduate degree, a student is required to maintain at least a B (3.0) GPA in the program. This includes all 6000-level work required for the degree while taken at this University (classified and unclassified) and may differ from the University transcript GPA.

Academic Probation & Suspension
The academic performance of each student will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Any student who has a cumulative grade point average of less than a B (3.0) in their degree audit will be placed on academic probation.

In general, students will not be placed on probation until a minimum of nine (9) semester hours has been attempted. After a student has been placed on probation, the student has a maximum of one calendar year to raise their grade point average to 3.0. Courses taken to raise the cumulative grade point average must apply to the degree and must be taken in the three semesters (including summer) immediately following the semester in which the cumulative grade point average fell below 3.0. Failure to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.0 in the time frame outlined will result in immediate suspension.

While on academic probation, failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, (meaning the cumulative GPA must improve each semester that classes are taken), toward a degree may result in academic suspension. In the event a student attains probationary status more than one time, the same time limits shall apply.

Students pursuing a Graduate Certificate in the College of Business must maintain a 3.0 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Students falling below a 3.0 GPA will be placed immediately on probation regardless of the number of credits taken.

If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 2.0, they may be suspended immediately. A suspended graduate student is eligible to petition for readmission after one calendar year.

Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer credits may apply to the MBA program with departmental approval or approval from the MBA Faculty Director. A maximum of nine (9) credit hours of appropriate coursework may transfer to the MBA Program. The minimum criteria for transfer:

All transfer courses must have a minimum grade of B or above.
Courses applied toward another master’s degree (or bachelor’s degree) may not be used toward the MBA.
All work accepted for transfer must have been completed within the approved degree time limit (maximum 6 years).
Equivalent courses from AACSB-accredited business programs may be eligible to substitute core or elective courses in the curriculum.
All other coursework from non-AACSB accredited programs may be approved for transfer toward elective coursework.

Grades Received Before Admission to the College of Business Graduate Program

Grades from courses transferred from another institution or other CU campuses are not included in the program GPA calculation at UCCS.

The university grade point average does not include any courses taken while in unclassified status; however, the grade point average will include all unclassified courses taken in a business graduate certificate that is applied to the graduate degree.

Credit Earned through a Business Graduate Certificate at UCCS before Admission to the College of Business Graduate Program
Credits earned through a UCCS College of Business Graduate Certificate may be applied to the MBA. Each course must have a grade of B or better. All work must have been completed within the approved degree time limit (maximum six years). The MBA programs may accept up to 12 credits from the Graduate Certificate. Students who would like to transfer more than 12 credits will need to contact the College of Business Graduate Office to submit a petition to the UCCS Graduate School.

Graduate Internships
At the graduate level, internships are 3 credit hours, satisfactory/unsatisfactory only, and may be used as business elective credit. Internships are approved through an application process, which can be obtained through the College of Business Career Development Center. Students must apply before beginning their internship duties and should register for credit during the semester in which the internship is being completed. A maximum of 3 credit hours of internship may be applied to a graduate business degree.

Internships are not available for students pursuing College of Business Graduate Certificates.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Audit
All students should contact the Graduate School of Business Administration Office for a complete academic evaluation in the semester before graduating. Failure to request an audit or failure to complete audit documents on time may delay a student’s graduation.

Students must also complete an application for candidacy and apply for graduation through the student portal to be eligible for graduation. The deadlines for the application for candidacy and online diploma card are determined by the Graduate School and are strictly enforced.

Commencement
Students seeking to participate in commencement and other academic ceremonies will need to complete all academic requirements in advance. Participation in academic ceremonies that recognize or honor students for the completion of an academic program or specific academic accomplishment is based on the understanding that all requirements have been completed.

Foundation Requirements

The Graduate School of Business Administration provides the following series of business foundation courses as required background courses for the graduate study of business. These courses may be waived on a course-by-course basis with prior academic coursework (subject to a certain age and grade requirements) or through successful scores on internal exams.

Foundation Course Information

These foundation classes are graduate-level courses that - if required - are taken in addition to the 36 semester hours required for the MBA degree. Graduate students who are interested in waiving one or more of the MBA foundation courses based on related prior coursework must consult with a graduate advisor in the College of Business. Waivers of foundation courses are based on a number of criteria, including the age of the prior coursework, the grade earned, and other considerations determined by the faculty. Prior coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution. Foundation course waivers are made at the discretion of the Graduate School of Business Administration and are recorded on the student’s degree audit.

Students requiring one or more of the foundation courses may also elect to take a waiver examination. Admitted students may request an outline, cost and other information on the internal waivers by emailing gsba@uccs.edu.

Students must earn a C grade or better in the foundation courses. As of Fall 2019, the grades for the foundation courses will not be included in the computation of the overall MBA GPA in the student’s degree audit.

MBA Degree Requirements

Credit Hours:

To earn the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) there are two options:

A General MBA (30 credits)
A Specialized MBA (36 credits)

The General MBA without emphasis requires 30 credit hours for completion. The General MBA course work consists of:

24 hours of core competency courses
6 credit hours of business coursework 6000 level or above

The Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialized area of emphasis consists of 36 credit hours of graduate (6000-level) coursework in the College of Business. The specialized MBA course work consists of:

24 hours of core competency courses
12 credit hours of specialized business elective courses (determined by the area of emphasis/specialty)

Please note that students may be required to take up to three foundation courses (up to 9 credits) to help develop competencies to be successful in the MBA program.

Choice of Emphasis:

Students may choose to complete an area of emphasis in Accounting, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Health Care Administration, Innovation Management, Management, Marketing, Project Management, Space Cyber Enterprise Management, or Sport Management.

MBA Launch Course:

STRT 6000 is the launch course for the MBA program. Students are required to register for STRT 6000 in their first semester of study or after the completion of their foundation courses. STRT 6000 may be taken concurrently with other 6000 level courses in the first semester. Students requiring permission to register for this class should contact the College of Business Graduate Advising Office at gsba@uccs.edu.

MBA Core Requirements (24 hours)

Core courses make up the heart of the MBA Program and cover areas that are directly applicable in today’s business world. The concepts in the following courses are critical problem solving and decision-making skills that will define and shape your Master of Business Administration degree. All students complete the 8 core courses as part of their MBA degree.

General MBA (6 credit hours)

The General MBA track is intended for students who need total flexibility in their MBA program.

Students choosing a General MBA will take 24 credit hours of MBA core courses, and 6 hours of 6000-level business courses based on individual educational goals and interests for a total of 30 credits.

A student may choose to enroll in the General MBA initially and then switch to an emphasis area before completing the program.

MBA Areas of Emphasis Requirements (12 credit hours)

Students may choose to pursue an MBA with one or more emphasis areas. An emphasis will provide extensive knowledge in a particular field. Students pursuing an emphasis area will acquire applicable skills toward a specific job or industry that fulfills student’s career-focused goals.

Students choosing the MBA with an emphasis area will take 24 credit hours of MBA core courses, and 12 hours of 6000-level specialized business elective courses for a total of 36 credits.

Students may pursue more than one emphasis area. Contact the Graduate School of Business Administration at GSBA@uccs.edu to add additional emphasis areas to your degree plan.

Accounting MBA (On Campus) -12 hours

The accounting area of emphasis prepares students for careers in public accounting, business and industry, and not-for-profit and governmental organizations. Coursework in accounting at UCCS conveys a comprehensive understanding of the theory and concepts that underlie practice. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning and critical thinking to enable students to solve problems in accounting and make sound policy decisions in the context of social, legal, and political environments.

Accounting students should work closely with accounting faculty and advisors in planning a degree program that is congruent with their career goals. Information about specific state requirements for CPA licensure is available at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website: www.nasba.org.

Students who choose an emphasis in Accounting will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses and 12 semester hours of Accounting (ACCT) elective courses. Students who do not have an undergraduate accounting degree take an additional 15 semester hours of undergraduate coursework in accounting. A grade of C or higher must be earned in all coursework including undergraduate prerequisite classes.

Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting:

Take one of the following:
ACCT 6010 - Financial Accounting Theory
ACCT 6750 - Advanced Financial Accounting
Plus three of the following, for which the undergraduate equivalent was not taken:
ACCT 6110 - Advanced Managerial Accounting
ACCT 6510 - Accounting Ethics and Institutions
ACCT 6600 - Auditing
ACCT 6620 - Advanced Auditing
ACCT 6710 - Individual Income Tax
ACCT 6720 - Corporate and Partnership Taxation
ACCT 6730 - Introduction to Accounting Systems
ACCT 6740 - Accounting for Governments and Not-for-Profit Organizations
ACCT 6950 - Topics in Accounting - Graduate

Students with a non-accounting undergraduate degree also take:

ACCT 2010 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
ACCT 2020 - Introduction to Managerial Accounting
ACCT 3010 - Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 3020 - Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 3110 - Cost Accounting
Note: Graduate students who are preparing for a career as a CPA should read the legal requirements and recommendations for becoming certified in Colorado and other states as described in the Accounting Notes in the Accounting section of the Business, BS in this catalog.

Cybersecurity Management MBA (Online) - 12 hours

The Cybersecurity Management emphasis provides professionals with foundations in the fundamental business disciplines along with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity concepts and technologies. Data breaches and cyber threats create significant risks for organizations dependent on sensitive information. This area of emphasis will enhance students’ understanding of complexities involved with the adoption of security technologies, achieving regulatory compliance, and implementing cybersecurity programs to mitigate risks and secure information assets. Overall, the program will enable professionals to effectively govern cybersecurity in an organization.

Students who choose an emphasis in Cybersecurity Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses and 12 semester hours of Cybersecurity Management elective courses.

Required:
CYSM 6100 - Cybersecurity Technologies
CYSM 6200 - Enterprise Information Security
CYSM 6300 - Cybersecurity Governance
Choose one approved elective below or a business elective approved by the department:
CYSM 6400 - Cybersecurity Law and Cybercrime Investigation
BUAD 6150 - Ethics and Compliance in Business

Finance MBA (Online) - 12 hours

All organizations, large and small, must effectively invest and manage their capital. The finance function is critical in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Job opportunities exist for finance graduates in almost all industries including the financial services industry and positions within the finance area of corporations. Finance graduates manage capital for large organizations and their independent business units as well as small organizations.

Students who choose an emphasis in Finance will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Finance (FNCE) elective courses, and 3 semester hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.

Health Care Administration MBA (Online) - 12 hours

The many changes in government laws and regulations, technology, societal needs and insurance plans have created a large need for administrative and business education for health care professionals.

Students who choose an emphasis in Health Care Administration will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses and 12 semester hours of Health Care Administration elective courses.

Innovation Management MBA (On Campus and Online) - 12 hours

Innovation has become a critical driver of business success in today’s economy. Innovation can be defined as successfully implementing a new idea in an organization. An innovation can be based on new technology, but it can also simply be a new way of doing something. Innovation can take place anywhere - in new startup firms, established corporations, or nonprofit organizations. Students completing the Innovation Management emphasis will learn how to manage the process of innovation to create value in their organizations through new products, new processes, or new business models.

Students who choose an emphasis in Innovation Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Innovation Management elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.

Complete any three of the following:
BUAD 6610 - Managing Innovation for Strategic Advantage
BUAD 6710 - Transforming Technology Organizations and Employees
BUAD 6800 - Entrepreneurship and New Ventures
OPTM 6300 - Managing Projects for Competitive Advantage

Management MBA (On Campus and Online) - 12 hours

In today’s highly competitive global environment, a premium is placed on skilled managers who know how to motivate and lead people. This area of emphasis addresses these issues and other contemporary issues in management. Additionally, the changing roles of managers and leaders at management levels within the organization are explored. The Management emphasis also focuses on the development and maintenance of effective relationships between employers and employees.

Students who choose an emphasis in Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Management elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.

Complete any three of the following:
MGMT 6200 - Managing Organization Development, Change, and Transformation
MGMT 6300 - Managing Human Resources for Competitive Advantage
MGMT 6500 - Human Resource Management Analytics
MGMT 6550 - Applied Principles of Negotiation and Conflict Management

Marketing MBA (Online) - 12 hours

An effective marketing program is necessary to the success of any business organization. Through the marketing efforts of a firm, products and services are designed and delivered that maximize customer satisfaction. Students choosing the marketing area of emphasis may find exciting careers in such diverse fields as product management, professional selling, customer support, advertising and marketing research. The marketing curriculum is designed to give the student hands on marketing experience through applied classes and projects.

Students who choose an emphasis in Marketing will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Marketing (MKTG) elective courses, and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level elective courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.

Project Management MBA (Online) - 12 hours

The Project Management emphasis area prepares students to manage organizations which rely on projects for the achievement of goals. The courses focus on approaches that improve project performance from the perspective of project team members, project managers, or functional managers who rely on projects for implementing new practices and addressing organizational change. Graduates of the Project Management emphasis can pursue opportunities as project managers, project support managers, or traditional management careers as projects touch many aspects of organizational initiatives.

Students who choose an emphasis in Project Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses, 9 semester hours of Project Management (OPTM) elective courses and 3 hours of MBA 6000-level electives courses for a total of 12 combined elective hours.

Complete the following three courses:
OPTM 6300 - Managing Projects for Competitive Advantage
OPTM 6590 - Project Estimation and Risk Management
OPTM 6690 - Bridging Strategy and Tactics in Project Management

Space Cyber Enterprise Management MBA (Online) - 12 hours

Regardless of your undergraduate degree or professional background, the commercial and defense-related space sectors have many career opportunities for the skilled managerial workforce. Students choosing the Space Cyber Enterprise Management area of emphasis may find exciting careers in business, management, and leadership in the space sector by gaining knowledge of space missions, space domain awareness, space cybersecurity, space, and cyber law, and the strategic adversarial mindset for anticipating space cyber threats. This curriculum was designed for both experienced professionals and the non-technical administrative workforce, in collaboration with space industry partners, to meet workforce needs and to provide business foundations for managerial decision-making in the space industry.

Students who choose an emphasis in Space Cyber Enterprise Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses and 12 semester hours of Space Management (SPMG) courses:

Sport Management MBA (Online) - 12 hours

The Sport Management emphasis provides professionals with a strong business core focusing on leadership, strategic management, finance, and accounting together with a critical emphasis core addressing sport governance, sport development, sport marketing, revenue generation in sport, innovative organization behavior, sport law, and the ethical challenges in sport. The emphasis classes have been designed intentionally so that they are directly relevant to professionals who currently work in or have aspirations to work in Olympic and International Sport, professional sport, interscholastic and collegiate athletics, and youth sport and recreation. Ultimately, the aim of the program is to equip professionals with the key managerial tools that will enhance their ability to seek entry into or promotion within the sport industry.

Students who choose an emphasis in Sport Management will take 24 semester hours of MBA core courses and 12 semester hours of Sport Management elective courses including:

Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP)

The College of Business offers a unique opportunity for highly qualified undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Arts in Technical Communication and Information Design (TCID) and the Bachelor of Arts in Women’s & Ethnic Studies (WEST) degree programs to pursue the Master of Business Administration (MBA) through an accelerated master’s partnership.

Up to nine graduate business credit hours (three courses) earned while enrolled in the undergraduate programs can be counted toward both programs - reducing the time for earning both degrees.

Students interested in this opportunity should work with their undergraduate academic advisor on declaring their interest and intent.

Graduate Certificates (On Campus and Online) - 12 hours

The world of business is constantly evolving. Individuals frequently find themselves in new positions that require new skills to stay competitive as working professionals. Whether you already have a master’s degree and want to deepen your knowledge to apply to your job today or you are interested in just taking courses in a focused, relevant industry area, the Graduate Certificate program offered by the Graduate School of Business Administration UCCS may be the perfect solution for you.

All business certificates are designed to work well as stand-alone programs, with the ability to stack up to 12 credits toward the MBA Program (contingent on grades and time limitations). The curriculum can be completed in two years or less. Students may accelerate their completion time by taking a mix of campus and online classes. Online courses are asynchronous, allowing students to ‘attend’ class when it is convenient, as long as deadlines are met. Graduate business certificate courses are taught by full-time, doctoral-qualified faculty at UCCS.

Graduate Certificate Admissions

Graduate certificates are available to students who have completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (any field) at a regionally accredited institution and have demonstrated their admissibility to the graduate certificate program. A minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required. To apply to a College of Business Graduate Certificate, submit the following:

Online application
$60 application fee
Current resume
Official transcripts from every institution attended

The application process may vary based on the student’s academic background. For additional information, contact the College of Business Graduate Office at 719-255-3408 or refer to the Graduate Certificate website: www.uccs.edu/mba.

Policies and Procedures

Standards of Performance

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Students falling below a 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation regardless of the number of credit hours completed towards the certificate program. Students falling below a 2.0 GPA will be automatically suspended.

Time Frame for Completion

Students have 3 years from the time of admission to complete the graduate certificate. Students not meeting this time frame should contact the College of Business Graduate Office.

Internships

Internships are not available for students pursuing the College of Business Graduate Certificates.

Grade Expectations

Graduate certificates consist of 12 credit hours (4 classes) of coursework beyond any prerequisites. Although a grade of C or better is required in each course, students are required to have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better to earn the certificate.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 3 credits from a regionally accredited institution to the Graduate Certificate if approved by the department.

Earned Certificate

Students completing the requirements for a College of Business Certificate should contact the Graduate Advising Office at GSBA@uccs.edu. Completion of a College of Business graduate certificate will be noted officially on students’ transcripts.

Graduate Certificate Options

Students may pursue more than one College of Business graduate certificate. Contact the Graduate Advising office at GSBA@uccs.edu to further discuss your options and to add another certificate track to the degree audit.

Certificates are offered in the following areas:

Accounting (Campus)
Cybersecurity Management (Online)
Finance (Online)
Health Care Administration (Online)
Innovation Management (Campus and Online)
Management (Campus and Online)
Marketing (Online)
Project Management (Online)
Sport Management (Online)