School of Business Administration

Dean: Dr. Marianne Ward-Peradoza

Drawing upon the resources of its unique location, the School of Business Administration educates and prepares students to become ethical business and technical professionals who think critically and communicate effectively in a diverse, dynamic, and global environment.

Marymount's premiere location near the nation's capital affords the university the opportunity to work with selected senior officers of various multinational corporations and government agencies who serve as executives-in-residence for undergraduate and graduate business degree programs. These executives assist the faculty by acting as technical and teaching resources. They also act as mentors for students by providing information for career planning.

As affirmation of its mission, the school commits to the students

• a quality undergraduate education combining a foundation in the liberal arts with a professional education that provides a sound knowledge base, basic analytical skills, and solid values for successful career preparation;
• a quality graduate education that increases knowledge, hones analytical skills, reinforces ethical values, and augments academic and professional development through an advanced program of study;
• a student-focused learning environment where the curriculum builds on both the scholarly world and the real world of business activities;
• a challenging interactive learning experience in small class settings with enthusiastic and skilled faculty; and
• a respect for ethical responsibilities in how we teach, what we teach, and how we work.

The school commits to the business community

• an ongoing dialogue and interaction among the community, the faculty, and students;
• graduates who understand the relevance of professional education to professional practice; and
• graduates who understand the changing complexities and globalization of the world marketplace and the social responsibilities these create.

The school commits to its faculty

• the recognition of the importance of excellence in teaching and learning;
• the confirmation of scholarly and professional development that strengthens teaching and learning; and
• the affirmation of the importance of service that creates and reinforces linkages with the business, professional, university, higher education, and student communities.

Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: In addition to universitywide requirements, graduate programs in the School of Business Administration may have program-specific admission criteria. See each program for additional information. In general, graduate student applicants must submit a satisfactory standardized test score. This requirement is waived for students who have earned a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students with a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA and five or more years of post-baccalaureate work experience that demonstrates career progression may apply for a waiver of the standardized test requirement. The School of Business Administration strongly recommends that candidates have at least two years of work experience before applying.

Application Deadlines:

Completed applications must be received by the following priority deadlines for admission to graduate degree programs in the School of Business Administration:

Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Graduate Provisional Acceptance: The School of Business Administration will admit students who do not meet minimum admission requirements but have the potential to do well as a graduate student on a provisional basis. Students who are admitted under provisional acceptance terms must take six (6) credits identified by the school and receive a grade of B or better in each course in order to be considered for degree status.

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: Because of the sequencing of courses in some graduate programs, international students enrolling for the first time in either the spring or summer semester may find it difficult to maintain their full-time student status taking only courses required by the program. International students who want to begin a graduate business program in the spring or summer should consult with the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services first and/or the program director about potential scheduling challenges.

Admission and Enrollment for Dual-Degree Programs: Students seeking admission to a dual-degree program must meet admission requirements for both programs. Those who wish to pursue a dual degree are encouraged to apply when they first enroll in the university; however, students can elect to enroll in a dual-degree program after they have begun their graduate studies at Marymount.

Students enrolling in any of the School of Business Administration’s dual-degree programs may not substitute any courses specified in the programs. Furthermore, the degrees specified in a dual-degree program must be awarded simultaneously.

Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs: In addition to universitywide requirements, graduate certificate applicants must submit a current résumé. Additional information is available from the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services or the program director. Students who wish to continue graduate study beyond certificate status must apply and meet the admission requirements for the degree program to which they are applying.

Admission Requirements for Nondegree Studies: Graduate nondegree admission is limited to six (6) credits and two consecutive semesters in the School of Business Administration. Students who wish to continue graduate study as a degree- or certificate-seeking student must apply for program admission and meet all regular admission requirements for the program.

Graduate Student Orientation Requirement: The School of Business Administration requires new graduate students to attend a Graduate Student Orientation. Orientation sessions are held in August and January for the fall and spring semesters, respectively. Students will be notified about the date and time of their orientation session, after their acceptance into a program. Admitted students are encouraged to register for classes before the orientation dates.

Minimum Grade Requirements: All graduate students in the School of Business Administration must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. According to university policy, no course may be repeated more than once. These requirements apply to all degree, dual-degree, and certificate programs. See individual programs for additional requirements.

Transfer Credits: Students who have completed an equivalent graduate course within five (5) years at an accredited college or university, and received a grade of B or better, may be permitted to transfer those graduate credits at the discretion of the program director. No transfer credit is given for internship or practicum experience at the graduate level. Ordinarily, no more than 12 graduate credit hours may be transferred. The maximum number of credits transferred may vary by program.