Business Administration, M.B.A.

A Helzberg Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Rockhurst University provides an individually tailored education with a focus on personal and professional development rooted in Jesuit values.  The prestige of this program is evidenced by our national rankings and broad network of alumni both in Kansas City and across the globe.

The Helzberg MBA strives to be the preeminent applied leadership, general management and competency-building program in the Kansas City area and beyond.  The Helzberg MBA incorporates the following six themes in the program: (1) Leadership, (2) Ethical Behavior & Corporate Social Responsibility, (3) Creative & Critical Thinking, (4) Interpersonal/Communication Skills, (5) Business Skills and Knowledge, (6) International/Cultural Understanding.

The MBA curriculum requires the completion of the certificate in Business Administration, the completion of two additional certificates offered in the MBA program, and the completion of the MBA capstone course.  A description of the Business Administration Certificate and a list of the graduate certificates included in the MBA program have been provided below.

Entry into a certificate or into the MBA program also includes completion of a required non-credit bearing onboarding program.  

All MBA students must adhere to the Helzberg School of Management  Graduate Business Programs Admission Requirements, Standards and Policies.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses are designed to prepare students for success in the MBA and certificate programs. MBA and certificate prerequisites are typically satisfied by an undergraduate degree in a field of business or a Rockhurst University undergraduate degree with a minor in business administration. For students who do not have an undergraduate degree in a business field,  the required or recommended prerequisites  are determined by the certificate program and identified during the initial credit evaluation at the time of admission.  Prerequisite courses may also be taken by individuals seeking background in basic areas of business or by those wanting to review specific subjects before moving into any of the MBA Certificates.

Students meet MBA prerequisite requirements by:

1. Earning a C or better in applicable undergraduate business courses.
2. Completing specified Rockhurst MBA or certificate prerequisite courses.
3. Or by receiving a waiver from the Dean or the Dean’s designee based on prior work experience or professional achievement. In all cases, the student is responsible for proficiency in all work discussed in those courses.

Business Administration Certificate

The MBA program requires each student to complete the Business Administration Certificate.  The Business Administration Certificate requires 14 credit hours - the list of required courses are found under Business Administration Graduate Certificate * .

Other MBA Program Certificates

Students pursuing an MBA will also need to complete the coursework for any two of the following certificates:

• Analytics and Insights Graduate Certificate *   (Data Science, Business Intelligence, Health Analytics tracks)
• Health Care Management Graduate Certificate *  
• Change Management Graduate Certificate *  
• Non-Profit Administration Graduate Certificate *  
• Organizational Leadership Graduate Certificate *  
• Advanced Leadership Graduate Certificate *  
• Data Strategy and Leadership Graduate Certificate *  

Program Goals

• Leadership – Rockhurst MBA graduates demonstrate the pursuit of personal and organizational excellence while helping others develop to their full potential.
• Ethical Behavior and Social Responsibility – Rockhurst MBA graduates demonstrate a stakeholder orientation and practice ethical and socially responsible decision making.
• Critical and Creative Thinking – Rockhurst MBA Graduates identify issues, develop alternative solutions using appropriate analytical techniques, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Internpersonal/Communication Skills – Rockhurst MBA graduates are effective communicators who possess interpersonal skills needed to promote collaboration and success within an organization.
• Business Skills and Knowledge – Rockhurst MBA graduates integrate disciplinary knowledge to effectively lead and manage organizations.
• International/Cultural Understanding – Rockhurst MBA graduates appreciate and understand the value of diverse perspectives in business decision making and organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply leadership theory and organizational behavior to organizational contexts and make suggestions for improved organizational effectiveness.
• Articulate a plan for future development as a leader.
• Analyze various business situations involving decisions from a firm’s perspective considering impact and consequences on all stakeholders.
• Apply foundational knowledge in accounting, finance, management and marketing.
• Identify forces of globalization and make recommendations on how they affect multinational corporations including potential emerging markets, cross cultural management issues, institutional (risk) factors, current fluctuations, and strategic business entry strategies.
• Analyze, interpret, and develop market assessment that includes competitive structure and rivalry, financial position, growth strategies, and external market factors.
• Analyze both primary and secondary sources to make business recommendations as well as to support those conclusions.
• Effectively communicate ideas, problems, and data through written and oral communication.

Programs

• Legacy MBA curriculum