Cleveland State University’s Accelerated MBA (AMBA) program is a fast-paced weekend program for management track professionals. The AMBA program offers the same courses as the traditional MBA, however it is structured to enable graduates with a recent bachelor's degree in Business—or those candidates with the necessary first-year MBA prerequisites—to complete the MBA degree in 11 months.

The program curriculum emphasizes strategic management skills, and provides balanced coverage of the major business disciplines including Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Labor Relations, Production Management, and International Business. Graduates of Nance’s AMBA program find themselves significantly more marketable than those without a graduate business education.

Program Structure

Class size is limited to 40 students. Participants progress as a cohort group to the completion of their degrees. Each class moves through the program in a “lock step” sequence to facilitate the assimilation of a large body of knowledge over a brief 11-month time span. The cohort class structure provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen your professional network.

Classes are held in Monte Ahuja Hall on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some Friday evenings from 6-10 p.m. The calendar provides for normal holiday breaks - including a three-week break over the December/January holiday season.

The Global Accelerated MBA

This program focuses on global business and includes specialized courses in international trade, a global entrepreneurship practicum, and an international business study tour to Spain. The Global AMBA will begin March 12, 2010 and end March 2011.

Faculty

The AMBA Program is taught primarily by College of Business Administration graduate faculty, who are selected for expertise in their disciplines and related experience in business, government, and the not-for-profit sectors. They are actively involved in the community as business consultants, members of professional organizations, and community leaders bringing a richness of practical application to every course they teach.

Program Cost for the Global AMBA

The total cost of the Global AMBA program is $20,500. The fee includes tuition, parking, and the international trip.

Financial Assistance

The University provides a budget payment plan, a deferred payment plan for students who receive company reimbursement and a direct billing option for third party, company billing. For more information go to the bursar’s website. Financial Aid is available to all graduate students, mostly in the form of student loans. Some graduate assistantships may also be available.

How to Apply

Students applying to the AMBA program must meet both the Admission Requirements for the Graduate College as well as the Admission Requirements for the AMBA program.

Applicants must:

• Submit graduate application including a $30 application fee to the AMBA Program Office, BU 308. Or apply online at:  http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admit
• Request official undergraduate transcripts be mailed to the AMBA Program Office
• Request official transcripts from any college attended be mailed to the AMBA Program Office
• Submit GMAT(or GRE) scores to the AMBA Program Office
• Please note "Global Accelerated MBA" on your application

The GMAT test is given continuously throughout the year. Information and application forms may be obtained from the CSU Testing Center, Rhodes Tower, Room 1237, (216) 687-2272. Alternatively, you may contact GMAT at 1-800-GMAT-NOW or visit their web site at http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT. GMAT test registration forms and fees must be received by the Educational Testing Service at least three weeks before the testing day selected.

Application Deadlines

The AMBA program is a lock-step 11 month program. Application deadline for the Global AMBA is January 11, 2010. Applications received after the stated date will be considered on a space-available basis. Notification of admissions decisions will normally be made by February 1. However, because the AMBA program uses a rolling admission policy, the majority of participants are accepted earlier. As a result, candidates are encouraged to submit applications as far ahead of the deadline as possible, to avoid being closed out.

Admission Requirements - Accelerated MBA

In addition to meeting the Admission Requirements for the Graduate College, Candidates for admission will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Completion or waiver of Level I and Level II MBA courses, or their equivalent.
• Candidates must have a total of at least 1,000 points based on the following formula:
  GMAT/GRE score + (200 x overall undergraduate GPA) = 1000 points

Degree Requirements - Accelerated MBA

The AMBA degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of 32 - 33 graduate semester credit hours of coursework. All students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

View the sample AMBA program schedule to get a sense of the program’s pace and curriculum.