Master of Business Administration

As one of the most affordable MBA programs in the country, a Master of Business Administration at Wheeling University offers opportunities to gain or enhance the knowledge and skills essential to effective leadership in organizations, from start-ups and small enterprises to large corporations. Founded in 1978 and now based entirely online, it is the most established graduate business program in the Wheeling area.

The program examines, from a general management perspective, the function and interrelationships of the various elements of a typical business organization, including product or service development, human resources and strategic planning, customer service, marketing, finance, accounting, and quality assurance. The ultimate objective of the program is to help students develop the capacity to make and implement successful leadership decisions in an increasingly complex, varied, and fast-changing business environment.

Wheeling University’s MBA program is designed for professionals who want to excel in their current careers, and the online program caters especially to students who wish to complete their master’s degree while continuing to handle work and family responsibilities. 

For more information, contact grad@wheeling.edu, or call WU Graduate Admissions at 1-800-624-6992 or 304-243-2359.

Program & Courses

Offered completely online, the MBA program at WU is comprised of 36 credit hours, with nine required classes and three elective classes at three credit hours per course. Classes are all seven weeks long, with two start terms available during the fall, spring, and summer semesters (six start terms total). By taking two courses each semester, students can complete the program in two years, and with a full time schedule (nine credits), students can complete the program in one year.

The program explores the internal and external forces which strengthen or limit businesses, as well as the ethical implications of organizational behavior. The core curriculum of the MBA program is where students will experience the various aspects of business through applied learning. The course numbers listed below are for identification purposes only and are not the sequence in which they are taken:

• MBA 500 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• MBA 502 Marketing Management
• MBA 503 The Ethical Environment of Business
• MBA 505 Quantitative Business Analysis
• MBA 508 Management of Financial Resources
• MBA 520 Management Policy and Strategy for Decision Making
• MBA 531 Effective Managerial Communications
• MBA 539 Management of Information Systems
• MBA 547 Contemporary Economic Challenges

Available electives include operations management and management of human resources, but other courses are offered based on student interest. Internships and independent study may also be counted toward elective credits.

Eligibility & Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated by the Graduate Admissions Committee according to the following criteria:

• 2.80 cumulative undergraduate GPA. Students below a 2.80 will be reviewed under other credentials and admitted at the discretion of the committee.
• One (1) letter of recommendation from a former professor, employer, etc.
• A score of at least 650 on the TOEFL exam for students whose native language is not English.

Upon meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants can complete the admission process by:

• Completing a free application by going to applygrad.wju.edu/apply/. Early application is recommended.
• Requesting official transcripts from all colleges and universities they have attended, and having them sent electronically to grad@wju.edu or mailed directly to: Wheeling University – GPS Admissions, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003
• Submitting one completed recommendation via the online application.
• Submitting a copy of your resume via the online application.
• Applying for federal student loans and grants by completing the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov if qualifying. School Code is #003831.

Upon evaluation by the Graduate Admissions Committee, the applicant will be notified as to the status of the application and whether or not a personal interview is needed. Students may be admitted in one of the following categories:

• Full Admittance – Students who meet all the qualifications listed above.
• Special Admittance – Students who are interested solely in specific courses for personal development. Normally, no more than twelve (12) credit hours may be taken by a special admittance student.