MBA Program Policies
It is not necessary to have completed any prior coursework in Business to apply for the MBA. However, students with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration or related majors may be eligible for advanced standing waivers (XU) in the Basic MBA courses (Categories I & II), reducing the degree requirements by up to 5 courses (15 SH).
Students also may qualify for advanced standing through graduate transfer credits (SG). Please click here for a detailed explanation of our advanced standing policies.
Occasionally, students may be eligible for advanced standing in a subject, but not for a credit reduction: this may be the case with the Advanced required courses (Category III). In such cases, the student may be eligible for a Substitute Elective (SE) option.
Eligibility for advanced standing is determined after your acceptance to the program, and all your waivers will be noted on your personalized MBA program worksheet.
Substitute Electives (SE) waivers
If you have been determined to be eligible for advanced standing in one or more of the Advanced required MBA courses (Category III), there is no reduction of your total credit requirements: you will be granted a Substitute Elective (SE) option.
This will be noted on your MBA program worksheet, and means you may replace the waived course(s) with an equivalent number of elective credits, as follows:
• ACCT 502 : substitute with any MBA elective.
• ECON 505: substitute with any MBA elective.
• INBS 501: substitute with any International business elective [or any elective course cross-listed with INBS].
Occasionally, students may be eligible for a Substitute Elective in another specified subject: this will be noted as such on your program worksheet. For example, SE: MKTG elective would mean you may substitute any course from the Marketing electives list [or any elective course cross-listed with MKTG] for the waived course.
Please note:
• Substitute elective (SE) waivers will not show in the Analysis of Academic Progress screen in WESS until the substitution has been entered into the system by an MBA advisor. If you do not recall whether you have been granted such a waiver, review your personalized program worksheet or contact us!
• If the waived course is a prerequisite for a class you want, contact us about a permit when you're ready to register. For example: if you see SE: INBS elective, you were waived from INBS 501, but that's a prerequisite for all advanced INBS electives, and you can't make this substitution without our help.
• Even if you don't need a permit, it's best to notify us that you've exercised your SE option: we'll put the adjustment into the system that eventually will make this visible in the Analysis of Academic Progress view of WESS.
For a detailed explanation of our advanced standing policies, including examples of how to interpret your program worksheet , please click here.
Eligibility for advanced standing is determined after your acceptance to the program, and all your waivers will be noted on your personalized MBA program worksheet.
Under certain circumstances, a student may have the opportunity to satisfy an academic requirement by sitting for a challenge examination. The School of Business faculty set the conditions under which a student may sit for a challenge exam, which is an option only in these Basic MBA courses (Categories I & II):
If a graduate faculty member who teaches the MBA course agrees to administer a challenge exam, you will need to take the following steps:
• Agree upon a date and time for the administration of the exam (please notify the MBA Office of this arrangement).
• Before that date, submit the challenge exam fee of $125 to the Bursar's Office. You will receive two copies of a receipt for the payment: retain one for your own records.
• Present the other receipt copy to the faculty member: this will serve as a release for the examination to be given. Under no circumstances should funds be transferred directly from a student to a faculty member, and faculty may not administer a challenge exam without being given a Bursar's receipt.
The faculty member will notify the MBA Office whether you have successfully passed a challenge exam, in which case your MBA program worksheet will be revised to reduce your degree requirements, and this adjustment will be entered in the Analysis of Academic Progress in WESS. If you don't pass the challenge exam, you will have to successfully complete that course.
With permission, students may transfer up to 6 SH (2 courses) in the Basic MBA Categories I & II from another AACSB-accredited School of Business.
All Advanced MBA courses (Categories III-V) and minimum of 33 SH must be taken at MSU: students who already been waived from the maximum 15 SH may not transfer in any additional credits.
To obtain permission take a course at another institution and transfer the credits into the MBA Program, you must take the following steps:
• Provide a catalog description of the course(s) you wish to take, which must be similar to the MSU course(s) offered at MSU, to the MBA Office, along with
• an Application to Take a Course at Another Institution and Transfer the Credits, which may be downloaded here.
Please do this well in advance of the start date of the course you wish to take, as this requires not only approval by Jonida Dervishi, but by the Graduate School. You will not be given retroactive approval for transfer credits.
In some cases, when a course at another university has not previously been evaluated by our graduate faculty as an equivalent to our MBA course, you may be asked to provide a more detailed course description or course syllabus.
A college-level (undergraduate) calculus course is an MBA Program prerequisite. However, if your prior studies did not include this prerequisite, you may apply to and be accepted to the MBA program on a deferred or conditional matriculation basis.
Such a special matriculation status, which will be discussed after you are admitted to the program, may require you to take the calculus course prior to starting your MBA Program - or, in certain cases, to take certain MBA courses while you are completing the prerequisite.
You must complete the calculus course (with a minimum grade of B, or 3.0) before you enroll in INFO 501 or ECON 501 , or in any Advanced MBA courses (Categories III-V) , and within 3 semesters of admission (excluding Summer sessions, which is voluntary for students and faculty).
If taken at another institution (see a list of authorized equivalents to MATH 114 - Calculus for Business), this must be in the form of an official transcript sent to the MBA Office.
This admission status is for students who do not meet the MBA Program prerequisite, which is a college-level calculus course, or who may be determined to need other preparatory coursework before beginning MBA courses (this may include any ESOL courses into which the applicant is placed by the MSU English as a Second Language proficiency test).
Requirements for full matriculation will be specified by the MBA Advisor and approved by the Graduate School, and will be discussed in your preliminary interview or after you are admitted to the MBA Program. The terms of the Deferred Matriculation must be completed within 3 semesters of admission (excluding Summer sessions).
It is your responsibility to notify the MBA Office when you have satisfied the requirements of your Deferred Matriculation: see Re-Classification of Matriculation.
In assessing an application for our MBA program, we look for a solid undergraduate record and GMAT scores of 500 or better, with a balance on the quantitative and verbal components. In some cases, applicants who otherwise seem promising candidates for the MBA may have one or more of the following weaknesses:
• a prior academic record with marginal grades overall, or in specific courses that are relevant to preparation for graduate Business studies;
• scores on the GMAT or other required examinations (e.g., TOEFL) that are below our minimum expectations overall, or in one or more sections;
• The applicant's personal statement, references, and/or professional resume raise concerns about the ability to successfully navigate the challenges of graduate Business study;
• The student was dismissed from another graduate program at Montclair State University.
If such questions arise during the review, you may be invited to be interviewed, and/or to submit additional information to supplement the application. In such cases, the decision may be made to admit with Conditional Matriculation status.
The requirements for achieving full matriculation will be discussed in your preliminary interview, or after you are admitted to the program.
Reclassification from conditional admission to full matriculation requires that you fulfill all conditions specified by the MBA Advisor. Typically, this will include (though not necessarily be limited to) the following conditions:
• Completing a specified number of the Basic MBA courses (Categories I & II ), within the first 3 semesters (excluding summer session), with
• a minimum 3.2 GPA earned in these courses.
It is your responsibility to notify the MBA Office when you have satisfied the requirements of your Conditional Matriculation: see Re-Classification of Matriculation.
Re-Classification of Matriculation
When you have satisfied the requirements of your Deferred or Conditional Matriculation, it is your responsibility to notify the MBA Office so that you can be re-classified as a fully matriculated student. You will do this by filing a "Petition for Reclassification" online, by clicking here.
The Graduate School will review your academic record to determine whether you have in fact satisfied all the terms of your special status, and will notify Jonida Dervishi when that review is completed.
Upon review and approval by Jonida Dervishi, your status will be converted to full matriculation. You'll be sent an updated MBA program worksheet with our congratulations.
Upon arrangement with a School of Business graduate faculty member, and with the approval of Jonida Dervishi, an MBA student may be given permission for one (1) Independent Study project during the program.
The Independent Study Application Form should be completed, and signed by the student, the instructor, the department chairperson, and Jonida Dervishi before registration. This form must describe the project, its intended outcome, and how the project will be evaluated by the sponsoring faculty member.
International students should be familiar with the Office of International Services (OIS), in the Global Educational Center at 22 Normal Avenue, and should consult an advisor in the OIS well in advance of any deadlines or changes that might affect their immigration status in the U.S.
Students who have applied for permanent residency (green card) should not travel abroad without consulting with the OIS or an immigration attorney.
Do not rely on the MBA Office or the Graduate School for guidance in any matter affecting your visa status: contact the Office of International Services (OIS).
Office of International Services (OIS)
Global Education Center
22 Normal Avenue
Montclair, New Jersey 07043 U.S.A.
Phone: 973-655-6862
Fax: 973-655-7726
E-mail: intserv@mail.montclair.edu
Website: www.montclair.edu/international
Official Montclair State University transcripts may be requested from the Registrar's Office by mail, by fax, in person, or online (please note that those enrolled before 1989 cannot take advantage of the online ordering option). There is no charge for regular processing of a transcript request, but if you need to expedite delivery, click here for information about Same Day Processing and the associated fee(s).
To submit a transcript request via WESS: log in, select "Student Records" and then select "Official Transcript Request", and follow the instructions.
For students enrolled prior to 1989 or for Same Day request: go to www.montclair.edu/transcript/ to access a printable request form. Complete, print and sign the form, and submit it to the Registrar's Office via mail, fax, or in-person: click here for complete contact information and instructions.
Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty
We're committed to helping you acquire the skills and knowledge you need in order to be successful in your careers and personal lives. Above all, we believe this means having a clear understanding of the importance of ethical and honest behavior in all your work, and the ability to exercise good judgment.
Before you devote time and energy to the MBA program, you should understand the standard of work and the standard of honesty you are expected to maintain. Please click here for the School of Business Statement On Academic Integrity.
The SBUS graduate faculty particularly want to emphasize that plagiarism in any papers, reports, and research submitted by MBA students will not be tolerated.
You are expected to understand and conscientiously implement appropriate rules of citation and annotation in all works which you submit for credit, and if you are guilty of plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty in your coursework, you may be subject to dismissal from the MBA Program.
Sprague Library offers a number of guides and resources for effective and well-documented research, including specific links to guides for the accurate citation of online sources. We urge you to clarify any questions you may have with your MBA faculty, to avoid any misunderstanding that may threaten your academic standing.
Please note as well that teamwork and team projects are a significant component of the Montclair State University MBA Program. We draw your attention to the following remarks in the Statement On Academic Integrity:
Failing to do your fair share of work on group assignments is cheating. If you are supposed to work with others, integrity requires that you do your part.
Accept a reasonable proportion of the work; do it to the best of your ability; meet the deadlines agreed upon; and communicate actively with the members of your work group.
Don't expect others to shoulder the responsibility for getting the job done. Putting your name on a project or paper for which you did little or no work is cheating.
A student who falls below the required 3.0 cumulative GPA (B average) in any semester in the MBA Program will be placed on academic probation by the the Graduate School, and we will be notified. You may be asked to schedule a phone advising appointment with Jonida Dervishi, the MBA Coordinator, to discuss your options, and a plan for your continued progress in the MBA.
If you are placed on academic probation, you will have 2 semesters to achieve the GPA of 3.0 or better that is required for your continuing matriculation as a graduate student.
Although it is not necessary to file a formal leave of absence request if you know you will be skipping a single term, it may be wise to do so in any case where you are unsure of your timeline for future registration. An official leave of absence suspends your degree matriculation, 'stopping the clock'.
You may file a Request for Graduate Leave of Absence form by mail, fax, or e-mail to the MBA Office (mba@mail.montclair.edu). You are asked to indicate the probable duration of your time out, and a brief statement of the reason for the leave.
A leave of absence is granted for a period of one year (or 2 semesters, not including Summer); this may be extended. If you find you can return to your studies more quickly than you expected, it is easy to request re-activation of your matriculation.
Once your form is reviewed and signed by Jonida Dervishi, it will be forwarded to the Graduate School for review and approval. Generally, a request for a leave of absence request will be honored, unless there are other problems with your academic standing in your graduate studies.
Please note that filing a leave of absence form does not cancel your course registrations: it is your responsibility to verify your withdrawal from any courses in which you are registered, by contacting the Registrar's Office (973-655-4376).
As soon as you know that you may be able to return to your MBA studies, you will need to request re-admittance or reactivation of your matriculation, in writing, to The Graduate School. This can be done by e-mail to Graduate.School@montclair.edu and we recommend that you copy the MBA Office on your request (mba@mail.montclair.edu).
If your leave of absence has run for a year or longer, we strongly recommend that you schedule an MBA Advising appointment before registering for classes: there may be changes to the program that have become effective since you were admitted, which will now apply to you. Please call Ms. Marilyn McAllister in the MBA Office, at 973-655-4306, to set up this session, which may be a phone advising appointment.
If you don't file a leave of absence form, and subsequently are unable to register for any courses at all for a full academic year, you will automatically be placed into inactive status. To be permitted to register again, you will need to request re-admittance or reactivation of your matriculation, in writing, to The Graduate School.
This can be done by e-mail to Graduate.School@montclair.edu and we recommend that you copy the MBA Office on your request (mba@mail.montclair.edu).
Reactivation may be granted so long as you have not been away from MSU for more than three (3) years (without official leave), and your original matriculation has not yet expired (your matriculation in the MBA program extends for 8 years from the time of acceptance).
We recommend that you schedule an MBA Advising appointment before registering for classes, once you are re-activated: there may be changes to the program that have become effective since you were admitted, which will now apply to you.
Please call Ms. Marilyn McAllister in the MBA Office, at 973-655-4306, to set up this session, which may be a phone advising appointment.
Changing Your Graduate Degree Program
To change from the MBA Program to another degree (for example, the MS degree in Computer Science) you will have to file the online Application for Change of Program.
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