Business for good. The MBA with a Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis at Southern Arkansas University is designed for professionals seeking to drive social impact through innovative business practices. This track combines a rigorous core business curriculum with specialized training in sustainable ventures and non-profit management.
Program Format & Flexibility
We understand the demands of today’s workforce. Our MBA with Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis is built for versatility:
- Online: Access 100% of your coursework from anywhere in the world.
- On-Campus: Join us in Magnolia for evening classes that facilitate face-to-face networking.
- Hybrid: Mix and match formats to create a schedule that works for you.
Program Duration & Start Dates
- Duration: Can be completed in as little as 12–24 months depending on course load.
- Start Dates: Rolling admissions with intakes for Fall, Spring, Summer
- Deadlines: * Fall: July 20 | Spring: December 1
- Accelerated Master’s Option: SAU undergraduates can fast-track their education by starting MBA with Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis courses during their senior year.
Why Choose Social Entrepreneurship?
- Purpose-Driven Career: Align your professional success with meaningful social impact.
- Economic Value: Learn to build “double bottom line” organizations that are both profitable and socially responsible.
- Global Recognition: Your AACSB-accredited degree carries weight with both corporate HR departments and international NGOs.
Skills You Will Gain
- Sustainable Business Models: Learn how to create ventures that support long-term social goals.
- Grant Writing & Philanthropy: Master the financial side of non-profits and social enterprises.
- Ethical Leadership: Navigate the intersection of commerce and community impact.
- Strategic Management: Apply high-level business analytics to solve systemic social issues.
Curriculum
MBA with Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis Program Requirements (36 Hours)
Core Courses (24 Hours)
- ACCT 6003 – Accounting for Decision Making
- ECON 6003 – Managerial Economics
- FIN 6003 – Managerial Finance
- MGMT 6003 – Strategic Planning & Analysis
- MGMT 6013 – Human Behavior in Organizations
- MGMT 6043 – Business Analytics
- MKTG 6023 – Strategic Marketing
- SCM 6003 – Enterprise Resource Planning
Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis Courses (12 Hours)
- SE 6263 – Social Entrepreneurship
- SE 6113 or SE 6983 – Professional Project or Field Experience
Select 6 hours from the following:
- SE 6013 – Project Management
- SE 6033 – Creativity, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship
- SE 6043 – Environmental Economics
- SE 6053 – International Business
- SE 6063 – Special Topics in Social Entrepreneurship
- SE 6133 – Nonprofit Organizations
- SE 6143 – Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices
- SE 6253 – Civic Engagement in Public Administration
- SE 6273 – Grant Writing & Implementation
- MGMT 6101 / MGMT 6102 – International Studies & Field Experience
Admissions
- Online Application: Fill out the Graduate Studies Application
- Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
- GPA Requirement: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. (Conditional admission may be available)
Prerequisites:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university regardless of the undergraduate field of study.
Undergraduate degree other than business, prerequisites would include:
- Six hours Principles of Accounting (or three hours of Survey of Accounting)
- Three hours of upper-level Business Finance or Financial Management
- Three hours of upper-level Statistics
- Three hours of upper-level Microeconomics
Note: In many cases students can be conditionally admitted and complete the prerequisites while beginning the Master’s classes.
Career Outcomes
Graduates with this emphasis are uniquely positioned for leadership in the growing “Fourth Sector,” including:
- Executive Director of a Non-Profit
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
- Social Enterprise Founder
- Impact Investment Analyst
- Community Development Director
The ROI of Purpose: As corporations increasingly prioritize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics, the demand for business leaders who understand social impact is at an all-time high.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is "Social Entrepreneurship"?
Do I need the GMAT?
Is this only for non-profit work?
Can I switch from the Traditional Track to this one?
Accreditation
The MBA in Social Entrepreneurship Emphasis is offered by the Rankin College of Business at SAU and is fully accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting body for colleges and schools of business. Fewer than 6% of all business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB, which indicates the quality of our program.
