Academic Catalog

Master of Business Administration

All degree programs offered by the Foster College of Business, Bradley University, are accredited by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The MBA program is open to full-time and part-time students, who take classes together. Students may enter the program in August or January and complete their degree in two years, though accelerated progress is possible with modified course sequencing and load. All of the required courses are offered in the evenings. The combination of students from different undergraduate disciplines, with varying levels of work experience, results in a dynamic educational environment beneficial to all.

The curriculum is primarily geared toward deepening business acumen, but also to build competencies in integrative thinking, change management, and leadership. It stresses the theoretical basis of management disciplines as well as practical applications of theory and current management practices. The curriculum focuses on improving managerial performance in the problem-solving environment and conceptualizing elements for policy formulating activity.

The study of management approached in this manner is appealing to those interested in the administration of all types of enterprise: business. health, government, and non-profit organizations, as well as the traditional large and small manufacturing and service firms.

The practical application orientation of the curriculum necessitates the use of a wide variety of pedagogical approaches. Problem-solving situations are used, calling for individual attention, group interaction, computer analysis, and formulation of assumptions to deal with uncertainty. Case analysis is extensively used, focusing both on problem-solving and presentation of conclusions using appropriate oral and written communication skills.

Admissions Information

The entire application package, including the application form, GMAT score, undergraduate GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, experience, essay responses, and other materials, is considered in an application review for student admission.

The required documents are the following:

  1. Application form. All applicants must submit an Application for Graduate Admission, signed and dated by the applicant. Applications for Graduate Admission are submitted online. All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee, payable online to Bradley University. The fee for domestic applicants is $40 and $50 for international applicants.
  2. Transcript(s). Official transcripts, sent directly from all post-secondary institutions attended, are required. Transcripts can be sent electronically or mailed to:
    Graduate Education
    Bradley University
    1501 W. Bradley Ave.
    Peoria, IL 61625
    USA

    Additional transcripts may be required at the discretion of Graduate Education. Applicants who have completed graduate-level coursework or post-baccalaureate coursework should submit all transcripts reflecting graduate coursework.
  3. Letters of recommendation. Two current letters of recommendation are required from persons who can comment meaningfully on the applicant’s capability for graduate-level study. Character references are not appropriate. Faculty members under whom the applicant has studied and supervisors are appropriate references.
  4. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). The GMAT is a standardized test designed to measure aptitude for graduate study in management. Applicants must arrange to take the test in sufficient time to permit processing of the application with the test results prior to the application deadline. For reporting the test results, the Bradley University GMAT institutional code is 1070. Information about the GMAT may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Education Office or by visiting www.mba.com.

    The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be substituted for the GMAT exam. The GMAT exam (or GRE) may be waived if the applicant (1) has significant professional work experience and either an undergraduate degree in a business discipline from an AACSB accredited institution or an undergraduate degree in a non-business discipline from a regionally accredited institution (e.g. Higher Learning Commission), (2) has earned a terminal degree in his/her profession (e.g. JD in law or a PhD in some field), or (3) the candidate has a master's degree in an analytically rigorous discipline (e.g. mathematics, engineering, etc.) with a master's GPA of at least 3.4 or better.

    The decision on the waiver of the GMAT rests with the Associate Dean. To request a waiver, the applicant must include a written request with the application materials. Requests of a GMAT waiver due to work experience must include a detailed description of managerial responsibilities associated with that experience and how they demonstrate the necessary analytical and critical thinking abilities to succeed in the MBA program.
  5. Essays. Answers to essay questions must be complete with meaningful and well-developed answers to the questions on the goals of the applicant.
  6. A current resume. Since the evaluation includes analysis of work experience, a current resume is very helpful to the admissions committee.
  7. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Applicable only to international students whose native language is not English. The test measures proficiency in oral and written English. The IELTS is an acceptable substitute for TOEFL.

A link to the online application site can be found at www.bradley.edu/mba. For additional information, please contact the:
Graduate Program Coordinator
Foster College of Business
Bradley University
1501 W. Bradley
Peoria, IL 61625
E-mail: mba@bradley.edu
Phone: (309) 677-2914.

The final admission recommendation rests with the Associate Dean.

Progress Toward the Degree

Course Enrollment

Graduate courses in the Foster College of Business are restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to the MBA program or another degree-granting or certificate-granting program in Graduate Education. Enrollment in courses is on a space-available basis.

Leave of Absence

Please refer to the Graduate Education Step-Out Policy.