Frequently Asked Questions

• What questions should I ask?
• Why UW-Parkside?
• What Should I Expect From a UW-Parkside MBA?
• Where is UW-Parkside?
• How long will it take? How Do I Fit This Into My Life?
• What classes will I be taking?
• How much will it cost?
• How do I apply?
• Do I qualify for the GMAT waiver?
• What is the Admissions Criteria?
• Who do I contact for more information?

What questions should I ask?
When deciding where to get your MBA, make sure you consider the following:

• Location (How far will I have to travel? How hard is it to find parking?)
• Scheduling (How am I going to fit this into my already busy life?)
• Programs (How long will it take to earn the degree? Will I find classes that interest me?)
• Accreditation (Is the program accredited by AACSB?)
• Faculty (Who will be instructing me, full-time faculty or part-time adjuncts? How easy will it be to contact my professor?)
• Cost (How much is tuition?)

Why UW-Parkside?
Because the MBA program at UW-Parkside provides opportunities found nowhere else, with the benefit of accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).  This represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide, with less than one-third of U.S. business schools and only 15% of business schools worldwide meeting the rigorous AACSB accreditation standards.

What Should I Expect From a UW-Parkside MBA?
The MBA program offered by the College of Business, Economics, and Computing educates students in general management competencies, while also preparing candidates for successful careers in administrative and policy-making positions.  The program presumes that a manager must know

• How to obtain and evaluate relevant information
• Approach tasks logically, systematically and in teams
• Analyze problems
• Arrive at reasonable generalizations
• Act to achieve concrete results

MBA courses are typically taught by a full-time faculty with Ph.D. degrees in their areas of expertise.

Where is UW-Parkside?
UW-Parkside is conveniently located between the cities of Racine and Kenosha, with easy access from Interstate 94 and Highways 31 (Green Bay Road) and 32 (Sheridan Road). The 700 acre campus is adjacent to Petrifying Springs State Park and only one mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

How Long Will It Take? How Do I Fit This Into My Life?
The program is typically completed in one and a half to four years. Matriculating undergraduate coursework to waive some foundation requirements helps decrease the length of the program. To accommodate adults who are employed, MBA courses are offered

• In the evenings (in an eight-week format)
• Occasional weekends during the academic year and summer
• Online instruction is also available to UW-Parkside students through the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Courses are taught by faculty from member universities: UW-Parkside, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Oshkosh, all of which are AACSB accredited.

What classes will I be taking?
The UW-Parkside MBA program is structured in three components

• Foundations
• Required core courses
• Electives

Foundations include demonstrated knowledge in fundamentals through examination or course work. Eight required courses make up the core of the MBA program. The elective courses are offered on a rotating basis, and each student's program must include a minimum of 16 credits of electives.
2009-11 Catalog Guidesheet

How much will it cost?
To Apply:

• $56 non-refundable application fee

To Take the GMAT:

• $250. In certain circumstances, however, waivers may be granted
• Example is applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and strong quantitative skills are likely to be exempted
• Also individuals already holding graduate degrees or professional certifications like the CPA may be eligible for exemption

To Park on Campus:

• Annual commuter permit is $115.00
• Semester commuter permit is $60.00
• Day passes are also available for $1 per day
• These are purchased from the Campus Safety office for parking on specific dates only
• Permits may be purchased online here

Tuition for On-Campus Courses

• Fee Schedule.
• Additional information available at Fee Facts

 

Tuition for Online Courses

• $575 for foundation courses
• $600 per credit hour for advanced courses
• Foundation courses are typically 2 credits, advanced courses 1.5 credits.
• Please also see Fee Schedule.

How do I Apply?
The online application process is outlined in detail, and all required forms are available, on the web: http://www.uwp.edu/departments/business/MBA/admission.cfm. You will need to supply the following:

• Application form & fee
• Transcripts
• GMAT score
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume

Application deadlines:

• Fall admission: August 1
• Spring admission: December 15
• Summer admission: April 15
• International students have additional requirements which are detailed on the web site.

Do I qualify for the GMAT waiver?
A written request for a waiver will be evaluated by the MBA Admissions Committee. This written request must accompany the application packet. Letters of recommendation, work history, evidence of quantitative skills, and professional certifications will be used by the committee in order to make the decision, as well as other certain circumstances:

• The applicant has a cumulative undergraduate GPA >= 3.2 and evidence of quantitative skills
• The applicant has completed an advanced degree (master's level or higher)
• The applicant has a cumulative undergraduate GPA >= 2.75 (or 2.90 in the last 60 credits) and has fulfilled at least 7 of the MBA foundation requirements with a GPA in those courses >= 3.2.
• The applicant has a cumulative undergraduate GPA >= 2.75 (or 2.90 in the last 60 credits) and has a qualifying professional certification. Some examples are:
• Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Additional Information:

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees considered above are assumed to be from regionally accredited institutions
• Evidence of quantitative skills means satisfactory performance in at least one course each in algebra and statistics as determined by the MBA Admissions Committee
• Vendor or technical certifications (e.g., CISCO, Microsoft, A+) do not qualify. Certifications must be highly regarded and related to business management. Each discipline can indicate certifications that may be included.
• Meeting one or more of the criteria does not automatically result in a waiver. The MBA Admissions Committee will look at all materials before approving any waiver.

Still need to take the GMAT? For information on the GMAT or to schedule an exam time please visit http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT

Have your official score report sent directly to UW-Parkside (School Code C7N-5Q-32).

What is the Admissions Criteria?
Students will be admitted to the UW-Parkside MBA program if they meet one of the following criteria:

• GMAT score + [200*undergraduate GPA] >= 1000
• GMAT score + [200*last half of undergraduate GPA] >= 1000

The MBA Admissions Committee will evaluate applications not meeting either of these criteria, considering all materials submitted for admissions by the applicant.

Who do I contact for more information?

• Dirk Baldwin
• Associate Dean and Director, UW-Parkside MBA Program
• Contact, (262) 595-2046
• Debbie Dawdy
• Academic Department Associate
• Contact, (262) 595-2280