Graduate Certificates

The Division of Business and Information Technologies offers multiple graduate certificate programs in business administration through the Johnson County and online campuses. Non-degree seeking students can take graduate courses to earn credentials and gain the practical and ethical knowledge to help them live value-centered lives and careers that contribute to the well-being of others. These certificates are stackable, meaning that the courses required for these certificates will also apply toward credit in the MBA program. Students would earn the MBA by completing the Business Administration certificate and one other certificate. Likewise, MBA alumni who wish to continue their education may take one or more of these certificates to broaden their knowledge base.

Admission Requirements

Completed application with a $25 application fee.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale). GPA in previous graduate level work, if applicable, will be considered as well.
Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work. The undergraduate transcript must show the date the degree was conferred and the GPA for all degree-related coursework.
Students who wish to apply completed courses in a certificate program toward the MBA degree do not have to reapply. Instead, they need to declare their status as degree-seeking.
Admission on probationary status may be approved by the Director of Graduate Business Programs.
- To be eligible for admission, students will be required to write an essay to the Director of Graduate Business Programs explaining any special circumstances associated with prior GPA and how their current situation is different or has changed. The letter must also include a detailed success plan outlining goals for successful completion of coursework. The letter will be evaluated as part of the application process.
- Students admitted on probation to the MBA program will be removed from probationary status after successful completion (earning a "B" or higher) of their first two classes.

Program Structure and Sequence

Courses are taught on a year-round 8-week basis with a six-term schedule: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, Summer I, Summer II.
Two courses, MGT 714 Global Management and MGT 795 Strategic Management and Ethics, are summative courses. Students who earn a grade lower than "B" in either of these courses must repeat them.
All courses completed in these certificate programs can be applied toward completion of the MBA degree.
Students who intend to complete the MBA program by taking stackable certificates must complete the Business Administration certificate and one or more of the other certificates.

Registration Policies

Students may not be enrolled in more than two classes per 8-week term.

Prerequisites

For students without an undergraduate background in business, up to three online courses in writing, economics, and statistics will be made available after the student has been admitted and accepted into the MBA program if the student feels the need for further development in these areas. The online leveling courses are self-paced and are strongly recommended before the student registers for classes.
Students will not be permitted to waive course prerequisites.

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades are granted only in highly exceptional circumstances. Incomplete grades are only issued to students in consultation with the Director of Graduate Business Programs and approval by the Division Chair. Students who are working to satisfy an incomplete grade in a class will not be allowed to register for other courses until the incomplete course is resolved and the final grade is recorded.

Academic Probation and Graduation

The Graduate Catalog states that a "student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation by the graduate program." In the MBA program, students must graduate with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA. Students who have not maintained a 3.00 by the time all coursework is completed must retake one or more courses where a "C" grade was earned. Students must then earn a "B" or higher in order to attain a 3.00 cumulative GPA.

Dismissals, Appeals, and Readmission

Students who have left or been dismissed from the MBA program and seek readmission will be required to complete a new application. Students must also provide any new transcripts if they have taken additional courses from other universities in the interim.

Students who are dismissed and would like to appeal for readmission must submit a letter to the Chair of the Division of Business and Information Technologies explaining the circumstances of their departure, a justification for readmission, and a plan to complete the degree in a timely manner. The application, letter, and transcripts will be evaluated to determine eligibility for readmission.

Students who are reinstated will not be permitted to take two classes simultaneously until they have passed the course(s) that were previously failed.