Cleveland State University’s Accelerated MBA (AMBA) program is a fast-paced weekend program for management tract 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 within one calendar year.

The program curriculum emphasizes general management skills, and provides balanced coverage of the major business disciplines: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Computer and Information Science, Management, Labor Relations, and Production Management. 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 have the opportunity to begin the program at two start dates each year–January or August–and 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.

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, regulatory bodies, and government. 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

The 2007-2008 cost of the AMBA program is $489.25/credit hour (for Ohio residents) which includes tuition and parking.

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 MBA Special Programs Office
• Request official undergraduate transcripts be mailed to the MBA Special Programs Office
• Request official transcripts from any college attended be mailed to the MBA Special Programs Office
• Or apply online at:  http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admit
• Pease note:  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 that begins each year in both January and August. Application deadline for the January program is November 1. Deadline for the August program is June 1. Applications received after the stated date will be considered on a space-available basis. Notification of admissions decisions will normally be made by December 1 and July 1 respectively. 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 total points based on the following formula:
  GMAT score + (200 x overall undergraduate GPA) = total points

Degree Requirements - Accelerated MBA

The AMBA degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of 31 - 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.