The MBA program with Business Leadership emphasis consists of 24 hours of core courses, 6 hours of emphasis courses, and 3 hours of electives. A student can choose to complete courses in a traditional night program, through online delivery, or through a combination of the two.
Core Courses (24 hours)
ACCT 6003 – Accounting for Decision Making
ECON 6003 – Managerial Economics
FIN 6003 – Managerial Finance
MGMT 6003 – Strategic Planning and Analysis
MGMT 6013 – Human Behavior in Organizations
MGMT 6043 – Business Analytics
MKTG 6023 – Strategic Marketing
SCM 6003 – Enterprise Resource Planning
Emphasis Courses (6 hours)
MGMT 6083 – Leadership Development
MGMT 6093 – Leadership Action Project
Elective Course (3 hours)
Select 3 hours from the following:
MGMT 6033 – Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
SCM 6013 – Project Management
IS 5323 – Information Systems Analysis
IS 6023 – Research Project
MGMT 6102 – International Studies and Field Experience and MGMT 6101 – International Studies and Field Experience
Admission Requirements
GMAT and GRE scores are accepted for admission to the MBA program as long as the GRE to GMAT conversion score meets the existing admission formula guidelines. The admission test requirement is waived for a student who is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or had a 3.5 GPA or higher from an AACSB accredited business college.
Undergraduate Requirements
A student may be admitted into the MBA program if they hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university regardless of the undergraduate field of study. Should a student have an undergraduate degree other than business, prerequisites would include:
- 6 hours of Principles of Accounting
- 3 hours of Microeconomics
- 3 hours of Statistics (upper-level)
- 3 hours of Principles of Marketing (upper-level)
- 3 hours of Business Finance or Financial Management (upper-level)
- 3 hours of Organization Theory & Behavior or Principles of Management (upper-level)
Additional Pathways
- 4+1 option for eligible SAU undergraduates—including BBA and BBS Engineering students—to earn the BBA/BBS + MBA in approximately five years.
| Department: | |
| Hours Required: | 33 (24 core + 9 emphasis) |
| Categories: | Graduate |
| Completion Time: | 2–3 years at two classes/term (including summer) * |
| Delivery: | Hybrid, On-Campus, Online |
* Based on 2 classes per semester including summer
About the program
The SAU MBA with Business Leadership Emphasis is designed for professionals seeking to enhance leadership skills and business acumen for organizational impact. Offered by the AACSB-accredited David F. Rankin College of Business, the program equips students with practical skills in finance, strategy, analytics, marketing, operations, and leadership development. Courses are offered online, on campus in evenings, or in a hybrid format to accommodate working professionals. The 33-hour curriculum (24 hours core + 9 hours emphasis) prepares graduates to lead effectively in diverse business environments.
Three key selling points about the program
- AACSB-accredited business school (reaffirmed 2025)
- Flexible format — online, on-campus evenings, or hybrid
- Leadership-focused — graduates gain practical skills in leading teams, projects, and strategic initiatives
Career outlook
Graduates step into leadership roles such as Project Manager, Operations Manager, Business Consultant, Organizational Development Specialist, and other managerial positions. The emphasis equips professionals to drive strategic initiatives and influence organizational growth.
Learning Goals
- MBA students will be effective communicators, using information technology to enhance decision-making through better communication.
- MBA students are prepared to be socially responsible, effective business leaders with an awareness of cultural and diversity issues and the ability to make ethical decisions.
- MBA students will be critical thinkers who are able to use concepts from strategic management to integrate relevant information, decision-making techniques, and concepts from multiple business disciplines to make decisions in new or unfamiliar circumstances.
- MBA students can effectively and legally access and use information to prepare an effectively written report that supports decision-making.
- MBA students will be competent in the business discipline.
