Business Administration, Master of (M.B.A.) with a concentration in brand leadership

Program accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Program goal

The purpose of the Master of Business Administration program at VCU is to prepare individuals for the responsibilities of management. As students at VCU, individuals will learn the functions and techniques of effective management. The student also will come to understand the environmental and economic factors that affect decision-making in organizations. In short, the student will know what to do as future events unfold that affect his/her firm or organization.

An M.B.A. from VCU benefits students at various points in their careers. Individuals who have recently received their baccalaureate degrees may choose to refine their business skills while their undergraduate training is fresh. Individuals with work experience often find that an M.B.A. is the key to rapid promotion or a career change. Finally, an M.B.A. from VCU meets the needs of students who recognize that the best preparation for an uncertain future is continuous learning.

Student learning outcomes

M.B.A. core outcomes

1. Leadership and teamwork: Students will develop abilities to influence others and collaborate in teams.
2. Communication: Students will recognize the importance of and effectively demonstrate strong communication skills.
3. Analytical thinking: Students will demonstrate the ability to organize and interpret qualitative and quantitative information to make effective decisions.
4. Strategic thinking: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate conceptual frameworks to lead the organization in setting and meeting its goals and objectives.

Brand leadership concentration-specific outcomes

1. Creative problem-solving: As a skill that can be used both as a marketer, but also in life, students will learn how to use creativity to approach business challenges — and find innovative solutions to those challenges.

2. Brand management: By applying practical frameworks to brand marketing and integrated marketing communications, students will learn how to successfully manage a modern brand.

3. Business of branding: Students will learn how to manage the delicate balance between art and commerce as they study the impact that creativity can have on a brand.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Other information

School of Business policies and procedures for graduate students are available on the school’s website.

Apply online today.

Admission requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants to the master’s program in business administration must submit an up-to-date resume.

International applicants may be required to submit an approved English proficiency score and/or course-by-course international transcript evaluation.

All applicants may opt to submit a GMAT or GRE score for consideration. Additional information can be found on the Graduate Studies in Business webpage.

Degree requirements

In addition to the VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students in the M.B.A. program must complete a minimum of 45 graduate credit hours. In addition, a prerequisite course in precalculus is required. This prerequisite may be waived for students who present satisfactory equivalent preparation. Applicants who have not met this prerequisite may take the course after admission.

Students are expected to enter the program with basic computing proficiency. Specific expectations will be provided by the Graduate Studies in Business Office. Specific means of evaluating and correcting any deficiency also will be identified.

Curriculum requirements

The curriculum for the M.B.A. program is flexible and is designed for students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. Students may elect an M.B.A. without a concentration or may choose an M.B.A. with a single or double concentration.

Most classes are held in the evening to accommodate working students’ schedules. Classes typically meet one evening a week from 7 to 9:40 p.m. or twice a week in the early evening from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. For additional information about the program, visit the School of Business website.

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 45.

Electives and concentrations

Project courses (693), topics courses (691) and guided studies (697) may be available for use toward concentration electives. These courses must be preapproved by the director of graduate studies.

Courses at the 500- or 600-level taken outside of the School of Business may be used with the permission of the director of graduate studies in business. Students must satisfy the necessary prerequisites for all electives.

Contact
Austen Gouldman
gouldmana@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622

Additional contact
Graduate Studies in Business
gsib@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622

Program website: business.vcu.edu/academics/mba-options