What is the Professional MBA? |
Bowling Green State University’s Professional MBA Program is designed to meet the educational needs of experienced business professionals and future business leaders. This program allows the convenience and flexibility for professionals to earn an MBA in 23 months while limiting interruptions to work and family responsibilities. The cohort design is a significant benefit of this program where students enter the program, complete classes, and graduate as part of the same close-knit group. This design has proven to greatly increase student success and networking. Unlike most area MBA programs, you will only have experienced working professionals in your classes, no full-time students or people without professional business experience. Being part of a cohort of experienced students significantly impacts the quality of your education. |
Is the program limited to “professionals” only? |
Yes. We generally require candidates to have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in a business environment. Many of the applicants have significant management experience. However, we consider each applicant on an individual basis and take a candidate’s future leadership potential into consideration when evaluating applicants. Students in the program are expected to be able to comment meaningfully on business issues and provide insight into class discussions based upon their professional experience. |
How does Bowling Green’s Program rank relative to other MBA programs in the area? |
Our program has the prestigious honor of being accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world’s premier accrediting agency for business education. Fewer than 20 % of all MBA programs nationwide have earned this unique distinction. BGSU is also the only university in northwest Ohio named to Princeton Review’s list of Best Business Schools every year of publication. Currently, we have the second highest rating in the Best Business Schools for "Academic Experience" and "Admissions Selectivity" among MBA programs in Ohio. The PMBA program is also ranked among the best part-time MBA program by US News & World Report. |
| Where are classes located? |
We have two convenient locations for easy access to students across Northwest Ohio - Perrysburg and Findlay. Perrysburg - The Perrysburg location is at Levis Commons (1655 N. Wilkinson Way, Perrysburg, OH 43551). Click here for a Map. Findlay - Classes are offered at the Community Education and Wellness Center at the Owens Community College Findlay Campus (3200 Bright Road, Findlay, OH 45840). Click here for a Map. |
How is the PMBA program similar to the executive or full-time MBA? |
As a student in BGSU’s PMBA program you will learn from the same faculty who teach in our full-time and executive MBA programs. BGSU only issues one diploma, the MBA, regardless of which format you attend. The PMBA program covers much of the same curriculum as our full-time and executive programs; however, the content is approached from a very different perspective in the professional program. |
How is the PMBA program different than the executive or full-time MBA? |
While the PMBA program covers much of the same content of our traditional full-time MBA, the subjects are covered from a managerial perspective. In the PMBA we are preparing experienced students for careers in middle and upper management. More class time is spent analyzing alternatives and management decisions as opposed to focusing on the basic concepts. Classes are interactive and students learn from the experiences their classmates bring from their own organizations. No electives are required because the typical PMBA student already has a significant understanding of a functional area. They are interested in gaining the knowledge required for success in general management. |
Does BGSU use case studies, projects, or exams? |
Students are likely to encounter individual and group work, projects, case study analysis, presentations, homework, take-home exams, and in-class exams. How students are graded and assessed will vary between courses. |
Who teaches the courses? Are the faculty respected in their fields? |
BGSU has some of the country’s most respected full-time faculty members in their fields of study. They are active in research, service, and consulting with a wide variety of leading organizations and companies. Most faculty members hold Ph.D.’s and they provide interactive class discussions that foster student engagement and learning. PMBA classes are taught “in-load” as part of our faculty members’ regular teaching responsibilities and not in addition to their regular work load. |
What type of student support service is provided? |
Our ”one-stop shop” is a significant advantage of being enrolled in the PMBA program. Students receive comprehensive administrative support from the Graduate and Executive Programs in Business staff. Our “one-stop shop” handles much of the administrative work and details of your registration so you can focus your valuable time on coursework. Our staff will register you for classes, handle billing issues, tuition deferral, and assist you with any issues you may have related to your enrollment at BGSU. |
Who will be my classmates? |
By enrolling in BGSU’s PMBA program, you will be surrounded by the region’s most experienced and motivated professionals. You will be learning from and with the area’s current and future business leaders. On average, a student in our program has eight years of professional work experience and many have some managerial experience. Ages generally range from the mid twenties to the mid forties. Students come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and types of organizations. Most students in a given cohort do not have an undergraduate degree in business. |
What is the typical class size? |
We believe in keeping classes small, so students can get a more personalized education to meet their specific needs. Each cohort has between thirty and thirty-five students. |
Are classes offered on-line? |
Students tell us that both class interaction and discussion with their colleagues and faculty are too valuable to substitute with on-line content, so our classes all meet face-to-face. We do utilize an on-line course management system called Canvas. Faculty use Canvas to keep students connected between class sessions. Class notes, assignments, and supplemental course materials are posted so students can access them anytime, anywhere. Canvas also allows for threaded discussions and study group chat rooms. |
What is the time commitment to complete the program in 23 months? |
Completing an AACSB accredited MBA program in 23 months while working full time is an aggressive schedule. On average students will spend between fifteen and twenty hours per week on course work. Of course, this will vary based on test schedules, a person’s educational and work background, and his/her expectations. |
What if I cannot take a full load of courses and complete the program in 23 months? |
It is strongly encouraged for students to complete the program as scheduled. If students are unable to do so, we will work with them to design a completion plan that fits their needs. Students may need to take courses at the Perrysburg or Findlay campus for this completion plan. The program must be completed within six years from date of start. |
What is the class schedule on a typical evening? |
The classroom and break room are available starting at 5:30 p.m. We provide drinks and snacks in the classroom and break room so students often arrive early and eat dinner while studying or socializing with classmates. A cohort will have classes on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday nights throughout the entire 23 months. One class meets from 6:00-9:00 pm one night per week. The professor will usually give a break every hour or 90 minutes. BGSU is on semesters, so a term is usually 15 weeks long. In the summer, each term is 6 weeks long, so one course meets two nights per week. There are two 6-week summer sessions. |
Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in business administration |
No, typically less than half the students in our program have had a significant amount of undergraduate coursework in business administration. |
Are there required prerequisite courses for students without a prior business degree? |
No. The PMBA program consists of 12 courses. A student may waive up to two of the four required foundation courses if she/he already has taken prior undergraduate or graduate level courses in those fields. A student may waive one of the two required accounting courses (MBA 6000 or MBA 6030) and may waive one of the required quantitative courses (MBA 6010 or ECON 6000). An academic advisor can determine a prospective student’s qualification for course waivers before or after application. |
Does BGSU accept applications from candidates without a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent? |
No. BGSU requires all applicants to have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. If you hold a degree from a non-U.S. school, please contact Graduate and Executive Programs in Business for an evaluation. |
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What is the total cost for the program? |
For Fall 2013, in-state PMBA tuition and fees are $656 per credit hour or $1,968 per course. The program consists of 30-36 credit hours or 10-12 courses depending on course waiver eligibility. Fees are subject to change each semester based upon changes in the University’s graduate tuition. Students are billed each term based upon the number of courses they are enrolled in that term. Fees include parking and tuition deferral if applicable. Books generally cost approximately $150-$200 extra per course. |
Does BGSU offer tuition deferral for students who receive financial assistance from their employer? |
Yes. Qualifying student’s bills are deferred until 30 days after the end of each term enabling students to submit their grades to the employer for payment of tuition. There is no extra charge to defer tuition for PMBA students. |
Is financial aid available to PMBA students? |
Many PMBA students qualify for the federal government’s subsidized student loan program. There are also a variety of unsubsidized loans available for PMBA students through BGSU’s office of Student Financial Aid. Please contact our office or the office of Student Financial Aid for more information. |
Are career placement services available for PMBA students? |
Yes. We have a placement specialist available for students who may be interested in assistance with their job search during enrollment or upon completion of their studies. |
Is a laptop computer required? |
Perrysburg - No. Many students choose to bring a laptop to class, but one is not required. Our classrooms offer wireless internet service and laptop computers are available for student use during class. Findlay - Yes, it is necessary that the student provide their own laptop with a Windows based operating system such as XP, Vista, or 7. |
Are areas of specialization offered through the PMBA program? |
No. However, PMBA students can take additional courses in our on-campus program if they are interested in taking more courses after they complete the PMBA requirements. |
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I’ve been out of school for a long time, how will I adjust? |
For many of our PMBA students the anxiety of returning to school after many years is one of the biggest obstacles to starting the program. Students soon find that their classmates are in the same situation and the support they get from their colleagues is invaluable. Our faculty also realizes what the students are experiencing and work with them as much as possible to ease their concerns and help them manage the work. |
When can I start the program? |
Perrysburg - Students can start our program in August or January each year. Please contact our office for more information on the next opportunity to start. Findlay - Students can start our program in January. Applications are currently being accepted for both locations. |
Do I need to take the GMAT exam for admission? |
We require the GMAT exam as part of the application process for the PMBA program. Applicants with a graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university (e.g., a university accredited by the North Central Association) may be eligible for an exemption from the GMAT. Please contact Graduate and Executive Programs in Business for more information on this. |
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