Master of Business Administration

Mission Statement

The Master of Business Administration program prepares today’s students to become tomorrow’s innovative leaders through the advancement of their business skills and credentials.

MBA Program Overview

The MBA program is a 30-hour program intended for upwardly mobile professionals and recent baccalaureate graduates with exceptional academic backgrounds. Courses are offered in an entirely online format. The curriculum is divided into eight core courses and two electives. If a student wishes to obtain a concentration in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Healthcare Administration, Sport Management, or Strategic Management they are required to take eight core courses and four concentration specific electives for a total of 36 semester credit hours. The core curriculum focuses on business theory and applications by integrating case studies, research, presentations, and seminars. The objective of the program is for the student to be able to apply the principles of accounting, finance, economics, information technology, management, marketing, business analytics, business strategy, and business ethics within a contemporary global business environment. A degree from this program can lead to career advancement across all business disciplines in the private, public, or nonprofit sectors.

Expected outcomes of the MBA degree include:

MBA1 Evaluate leadership styles to determine appropriate managerial actions for changing environments.
MBA2 Evaluate investment decisions using financial theory, analytical decision-making tools, and quantitative and non-quantitative economic attributes.
MBA3 Apply marketing theories and strategies to global and domestic environments to appropriately target specified audiences.
MBA4 Integrate and apply quantitative methods for decision-making.
MBA5 Develop a comprehensive business strategy that integrates key concepts from marketing, economics, accounting, finance, and management to drive organizational success and sustainability.

Expected outcomes of the Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concentration include:

MBA AI 1: Demonstrate the ability to design and implement AI-driven strategies that enhance business decision-making, operational efficiency, and innovation across diverse industries.
MBA AI 2: Critically evaluate the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI technologies and apply governance frameworks to ensure responsible and inclusive AI adoption in organizational settings.
MBA AI 3: Effectively evaluate, select, and apply AI tools to address complex business challenges, demonstrating proficiency in using AI technologies to drive innovation, efficiency, and strategic decision-making.

Expected outcomes of the Business Analytics Concentration include:

BA1 Identify appropriate analytical methodologies and techniques to improve the effectiveness of business decisions.
BA2 Demonstrate evidence-based decision making through the relevant acquisition, analysis, and application of data.

Expected outcomes of the Digital Marketing Concentration include:

DMKTG1 Develop an integrated marketing plan to promote brand awareness among both digital and traditional consumers.
DMKTG2 Examine and apply the use of data, statistics, and technology for the purpose of driving marketing decision-making and problem-solving.

Expected outcomes of the Healthcare Administration Concentration include:

HCA1 Analyze various organizational models of healthcare businesses to develop and apply strategic and managerial methods appropriate for differing medical entities.
HCA2 Apply theories related to quality improvement within the healthcare industry in order to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control continuous improvement, patient satisfaction, and organizational livelihood.
HCA3 Analyze legal and ethical practices within the field of healthcare administration and the implications to healthcare providers.
HCA4 Analyze current issues and topics affecting the U.S. healthcare system to develop business solutions for challenges confronting Healthcare Administrators using theory, best practices, and modeling techniques.

Expected outcomes of the Sport Management Concentration include:

SMT 1 Analyze leadership and management styles appropriate for administration of athletes.
SMT 2 Evaluate marketing applications and best practices to promote collegiate, professional, and organizational sporting events.

Expected outcomes of the Strategic Management Concentration include:

STMGT1 Analyze, evaluate, and implement strategic management concepts to generate competitive advantage.
STMGT2 Evaluate the uses of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings as they apply to the creation of organizational value.

MBA Admission Requirements & Procedures

Applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including professional references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions.

International students must have a minimum score of 70 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a six (6) on the IELTS exam. In cases where a foreign student is otherwise qualified for admission to the program but his/her TOEFL score indicates the need for additional English language instruction, he/she might be admitted conditionally to the program pending satisfactory completion of the necessary courses.

If an applicant, domestic or international, has completed their bachelor’s degree in a country other than the United States, the applicant is required to submit a degree evaluation report from a reputable credentialing service (WES – World Education Services, https://wes.org/) that demonstrates degree and course equivalency. The official report for each degree evaluation report must be submitted directly from the credentialing service and provided to the School of Business; Graduate Department; 421 Park 40 North Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37923.

The admission decision is based on an evaluation of all application materials submitted by the individual. The following are criteria utilized in the decision process:

MBA Application
Previous work experience
Undergraduate GPA
Graduate GPA
Specific course work completed
Writing sample
Reference check

Conditional MBA Admission Status

Under special circumstances, a person who does not meet the requirements for MBA admission may be allowed conditional admissions status. In order to be considered for conditional MBA status, the student must have earned a cumulative bachelor’s degree GPA of at least 2.40 from a regionally accredited institution. The student must also submit all other MBA admissions documents. If granted conditional MBA status, candidates may take no more than six (6) semester hours of graduate coursework from their planned program within the conditional semester and earn no grade less than “B”. A grade less than “B” disqualifies the candidate from full graduate admission. Students will be granted full graduate admission upon earning grades of “B” or above within all enrolled courses during their first semester within the MBA program.

Combined Degree Completion Pathways - MBA Admission Requirements & Procedures

DO/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions. Additionally, to qualify for the DO/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway, applicants entering the MBA program prior to OMS-I must have cumulative and science grade point averages of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale and must have a total MCAT score of at least 500. Applicants who have successfully completed OMS-1 must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.00, with no grade below "C".

Note: This combined degree completion pathway is available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at the LMU main campus (Harrogate, TN) and LMU-Knoxville instructional site (Knoxville, TN).

DVM/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions. Additionally, to qualify for the DVM/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway, DVM students must meet the following criteria: a.) Successfully complete at least one semester in the DVM program; b.)Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 in the DVM program; c.) Have not failed any DVM courses.

Note: This combined degree completion pathway is available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the LMU main campus (Harrogate, TN).

JD/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions.

Note: This combined degree completion pathway is available to students enrolled in the full-time Juris Doctor (JD) program at the Duncan School of Law instructional site.

DMD/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions.

Note: Admission to this combined degree completion pathway is currently paused. Enrollment will resume once full accreditation is obtained from the respective professional program's accrediting body.

OTD/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions. Additionally, to qualify for the OTD/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway, applicants must achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, with no course grade falling below ‘B’, within their first semester of the OTD program.

Note: This combined degree completion pathway is available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at the LMU-Knoxville instructional site (Knoxville, TN).

DPT/MBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions. Additionally, to qualify for the DPT/MBA Combined Degree Completion Pathway, applicants must achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, with no course grade falling below ‘B’, within their first two semesters of the DPT program.

Note: This combined degree completion pathway is available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the LMU-Knoxville instructional site (Knoxville, TN).

MBA/MSBA applicants must submit the online application for admission, application essays, the $50 application fee, a current resume including references which may be checked, official transcripts showing the completion of a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA, and official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate course work from accredited institutions.

The admission decision is based on an evaluation of all application materials submitted by the individual. The following are criteria utilized in the decision process:

Combined Degree Completion Pathway - MBA Application
Previous work experience
Undergraduate GPA
Graduate GPA
Specific course work completed
Writing Sample
Reference check

Applicants pursuing a combined degree completion pathway must meet the admissions requirements for each individual program. Applicants must apply to and be accepted into each program separately. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other.

LMU limits eligibility for all Combined Degree Completion Pathways to exceptional students who meet the enrollment criteria. Students are still required to meet the student learning outcomes (SLOs) for each program, so the quality and integrity of both programs are not jeopardized.

Maximum Program Completion

Students who enter the MBA graduate program must complete their studies for their graduate degree within five
(5) years after initial registration. An extension may be requested of the Program Director for personal or professional reasons.

MBA Graduation Requirements

No student will be allowed to participate in Commencement exercises until all degree requirements have been met.

The following requirements must be met for earning an MBA degree:

Completion of the course and credit hour (30/36) requirements associated with the academic program.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B)
The receipt of no more than two course grades of ‘C’ or below.
Completion of all outcomes assessment testing and activities
The completion of the MBA degree within five (5) years
Payment of all fees

Final Evaluation for MBA Programs

As part of the outcomes assessment procedures, students are required to complete the following items prior to graduation:

LMU MBA Outbound CPC Exit Exam
An exit interview
All graduating student surveys