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Graduate Programs
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.
The undergraduate and graduate business programs of Wheeling University are candidate for accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This distinction means that, in addition to university-wide accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the Business department programs have met the high standards of this international business-specific, professional accreditation association. We have sought and achieved this accreditation in order to ensure that our curricula, faculty, facilities and internal evaluation processes meet or exceed recognized national standards.
Program & Courses
Offered completely online, the MBA program at WU is comprised of 30 credit hours, with nine required classes and one elective classes at three credit hours per course. Classes are all fifteen weeks long, with two start terms available during the fall, spring, and summer semesters (six start terms total). As an applied, online program, the WU MBA program is designed for busy professionals who want to excel in their current careers. The skills that are necessary in today’s corporate world are varied. The MBA program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to complete their master’s degree while continuing to handle work and family responsibilities.
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. Student can choose either the Management Concentration or the Healthcare Management Concentration to support their individual professional development goals. Students then customize 9 credits by choosing either the Management Concentration or the Healthcare Management Concentration. Please note that the course numbers listed below are for identification purposes only and are not the sequence in which they are taken.
Master of Business Administration Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)
- Integrate concepts within and across business disciplines to promote strategic goals and solve complex problems by applying theoretical and practical models.
- Manage projects and teams using innovative leadership and communications skills through negotiating conflict and by using effective leadership skills
- Integrate ethical, evidence-based decisions to solve complex business problems leveraging a variety of quantitative, qualitative, and information technology tools.
- Demonstrate written and oral forms of effective business communication
Management Concentration
The Management Concentration is targeted for business professionals who wish to acquire, develop, and apply top strategies, techniques and skills resulting in improved personal and organizational performance. Through customized coursework, students can model management solutions intended to mitigate and resolve problems and challenges specific to their workplaces or those they aspire to join.
MBA 500
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
3 cr
This course is concerned with the understanding, prediction and control of human behavior in an organizational setting. The primary emphasis is from a psychological perspective although concepts from other social sciences may be included.
Course Offered: Fall Session I
MBA 502
Marketing Management
3 cr
An analysis of marketing problems and concepts from a management viewpoint. The course stresses the relationships between overall corporate strategy and the marketing function. Topics include: market structure; distribution policies; pricing; sales management; product development; promotion and advertising; demand analysis and measurement; and consumer behavior. Managerial decision-making and the formulation of a formal marketing plan are the central focus of the course.
Course Offered: Spring Session II
MBA 503
The Ethical Environment of Business
3 cr
Philosophical study of the nature, types and criteria of human value with a study of ethical principles and major philosophies in the area. Special emphasis will be paid to the analysis of contemporary ethical problems in the world of work. Discusses the importance of management decisions in a business-centered society, such as the United States; the desire of businessmen to do what is right; the difficulties they sometimes encounter in acting ethically; and the complexity of their ethical dilemmas. Case studies will be extensively used.
Course Offered: Summer Session I
MBA 505
Quantitative Business Analysis
3 cr
A computer-aided introduction to the broad range of topics in the field of management science. Topics include: linear programming; model design; transportation model; inventory models; queuing theory; probability; decision analysis; sensitivity analysis; network analysis; computer simulation and project management.
Course Offered: Fall Session I
MBA 506
Managerial Economics
3 cr
A course dealing primarily with the application of economic concepts and analysis to managerial decision-making. Topics include: demand analysis and forecasting; price determination and marketing policy, production and output decisions; capital investment decisions; profitability and cost analysis. The computer will be employed to illustrate the application of quantitative and economic techniques to real business problems.
Prerequisite: MBA 496, 498.
MBA 508
Management of Financial Resources
3 cr
A study of the financial decision-making process within the business firm. Analyzes the problems, policies and functions involving financial management. Topics include capital market theory, cost of capital and capital budgeting decisions, capital structure and dividend policies and financial planning models.
Course Offered: Spring Session I
MBA 520
Managerial Policy and Strategy
3 cr
This capstone course is concerned with the development of approaches for defining, analyzing, and resolving complex strategic problems of profit and nonprofit organizations. Cases are used to place students directly into managerial roles with the responsibility of defining problems, developing solutions, and defining these solutions. At the option of the instructor, the course may involve the use of computer management simulation games.
Prerequisite: Completion of 75% of 500 level courses. Course Offered: Spring Session I, Summer Session II
MBA 531
Effective Managerial Communications
3 cr
Successful communication is frequently a causal factor in organizational effectiveness. This case-oriented course examines the fragile nature of the communication process. Opportunities for students to learn and practice techniques for improving their communications skills are provided.
Prerequisite: MBA 500. Course Offered: Fall Session II
MBA 539
Management of Information Systems
3 cr
This course provides the manager with a conceptual framework for using computer technology to meet strategic business goals. The latest information technology is discussed in the context of how if affects business operations and human resources. Primary focus is on the organizational and managerial aspects of information systems. Information systems development methods are evaluated. Other topics include internal controls, electronic data interchange, ethical issues and global information systems. Student performance is primarily based on case studies; projects and classroom involvements.
Prerequisites: MBA 500, MBA 512 Course Offered: Spring Session I, Summer Session II
MBA electiveOne course
3 cr
Total
30 cr
Healthcare Management Concentration
The Healthcare Management concentration is one of two concentrations in the MBA that students can enter to specialize further in the business management of healthcare services, companies, hospitals, and other services/insurance provider organizations. This concentration is composed of MBA Core courses that provide students with graduate-level business management knowledge and skills, along with MSN Core courses, which focus broadly on health care management knowledge required to lead services-delivery units in healthcare organizations. The new concentration allows post-graduate Nursing professionals to capture an MBA as the MSN is increasing less preferred by hospitals and care provider organizations for achieving a higher level of management knowledge, skills and performance development especially related to multi-departmental and diversified employee-base administration.
MBA 500
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
3 cr
This course is concerned with the understanding, prediction and control of human behavior in an organizational setting. The primary emphasis is from a psychological perspective although concepts from other social sciences may be included.
Course Offered: Fall Session I
MBA 502
Marketing Management
3 cr
An analysis of marketing problems and concepts from a management viewpoint. The course stresses the relationships between overall corporate strategy and the marketing function. Topics include: market structure; distribution policies; pricing; sales management; product development; promotion and advertising; demand analysis and measurement; and consumer behavior. Managerial decision-making and the formulation of a formal marketing plan are the central focus of the course.
Course Offered: Spring Session II
MBA 503
The Ethical Environment of Business
3 cr
Philosophical study of the nature, types and criteria of human value with a study of ethical principles and major philosophies in the area. Special emphasis will be paid to the analysis of contemporary ethical problems in the world of work. Discusses the importance of management decisions in a business-centered society, such as the United States; the desire of businessmen to do what is right; the difficulties they sometimes encounter in acting ethically; and the complexity of their ethical dilemmas. Case studies will be extensively used.
Course Offered: Summer Session I
MBA 508
Management of Financial Resources
3 cr
A study of the financial decision-making process within the business firm. Analyzes the problems, policies and functions involving financial management. Topics include capital market theory, cost of capital and capital budgeting decisions, capital structure and dividend policies and financial planning models.
Course Offered: Spring Session I
MBA 520
Managerial Policy and Strategy
3 cr
This capstone course is concerned with the development of approaches for defining, analyzing, and resolving complex strategic problems of profit and nonprofit organizations. Cases are used to place students directly into managerial roles with the responsibility of defining problems, developing solutions, and defining these solutions. At the option of the instructor, the course may involve the use of computer management simulation games.
Prerequisite: Completion of 75% of 500 level courses. Course Offered: Spring Session I, Summer Session II
MBA 531
Effective Managerial Communications
3 cr
Successful communication is frequently a causal factor in organizational effectiveness. This case-oriented course examines the fragile nature of the communication process. Opportunities for students to learn and practice techniques for improving their communications skills are provided.
Prerequisite: MBA 500. Course Offered: Fall Session II
MBA 539
Management of Information Systems
3 cr
This course provides the manager with a conceptual framework for using computer technology to meet strategic business goals. The latest information technology is discussed in the context of how if affects business operations and human resources. Primary focus is on the organizational and managerial aspects of information systems. Information systems development methods are evaluated. Other topics include internal controls, electronic data interchange, ethical issues and global information systems. Student performance is primarily based on case studies; projects and classroom involvements.
Prerequisites: MBA 500, MBA 512 Course Offered: Spring Session I, Summer Session II
MSN 503
Health Care Policy and Politics
3 cr
The study of political, social, economic and ethical influences within the health care delivery system. Special attention is given to how change occurs and to how government (local, state, federal, global) regulations, stakeholders, consumerism, and court, agency and legislative actions impact on health care. Interprofessional collaboration is explored in achieving policy change. Incorporating research findings into policy change with the masters prepared nurse in a leadership role is explored.
MSN 525
Health Care Delivery Systems & Economics
3 cr
Explores the impact of managed care on the healthcare system. Emphasis is on understanding and implementing aspects of managed care and includes the financial, political, legal and ethical issues. Changes related to health care reform will be covered including: quality processes, health care reform, technology, and patient safety. The student will develop an understanding of how health care delivery systems are organized, financed, and changed.
MSN 533
Health Promotion
3 cr
Current research, theory, and practice trends of advanced nursing in health promotion, genomics, patient safety, and disease prevention across diverse populations will be examined. Population based health outcomes will be addressed across the continuum.
Total
30 cr
Eligibility & Requirements
- Complete an online application free of charge at https://applygrad.wheeling.edu/apply/
- Admission to the MBA program is open to qualified graduates of colleges or universities accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or by a comparable agency in another country. In general, an undergraduate GPA of 2.80 is required.
- Request official transcripts from any college/university you have attended and have them sent electronically to grad@wheeling.edu or mailed directly to:
Wheeling University – Graduate Admissions
316 Washington Avenue
Wheeling, WV 26003
- Submit one completed recommendation.
- Submit a copy of your resume.
- If applicable, apply for federal student loans and grants by completing the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. School Code is #003831
International students presenting transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by WES (or comparable service) and must submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Generally, a score of at least 650 is required; however, otherwise exceptional applicants with a score of 550-600 may be accepted conditionally. Please note: this program is entirely online, therefore students in the US on an F1 Visa are not eligible to enroll.