MBA Curriculum Revision

Frequently Asked Questions

Students are encouraged to visit this webpage for updates on the new curriculum.
Last update: May 29, 2008

1. Why was the curriculum changed?
2. What was the process to change the new curriculum?
3. Who is eligible to complete the new curriculum?
4. What is different about the new curriculum?
5. Will current students completing the old curriculum have access to the new elements of the new curriculum?
6. Do current students have to complete BUSN 503 and 701?
7. How do these changes impact financial aid?
8. What is the policy for course waivers / transfer credits under the new curriculum?
9. Are concentrations impacted by the new curriculum?
10. Who is the point of contact for any concerns?

The current structure of the MBA curriculum was revised in 2003, which resulted in a nationally recognized and ranked program as determined by BusinessWeek, Entrepreneur-Princeton Review and Financial Times.

The nature of business education is dynamic. Academic institutions need to recognize changes in market forces and take proactive steps to ensure that their degree programs remain relevant and competitive. This past fall, following BusinessWeek's recognition of our innovative curriculum, an ad hoc committee was formed to identify curricula enhancements that would help us maintain our leadership position for future MBA classes.

In the Fall of 2007, an ad hoc committee was formed to evaluate the MBA curriculum against benchmark institutions and propose changes. The evaluation process also included feedback from students, alumni, and recruiters. Two open-forum meetings were also held for faculty and staff in January to seek their input.

Students who are currently enrolled are required to complete the 60-credit curriculum in which they enrolled, with the following exceptions:

• Current students in the Professional MBA and Two-Year MBA who will have earned 12 credits or fewer by the end of this term (spring 2008) (200735) AND who started fall 2007 (200715) or later are eligible for the new curriculum. In accordance with University policy, all other students must complete the 60 credit curriculum program to which they were admitted, but will also be eligible to participate in the above mentioned non-credit experiences.

• The credit hours required for graduation are reduced to 51 (17 courses) from 60 (20 courses)
• The following three courses are deleted from the MBA curriculum:
  BUSN 503 – The External Environment of Business
  BUSN 701 – Industry Management Perspectives
  One of the elective course
• In place of the above courses, students will engage in mandatory co-curricular experiences to augment professional development and career management; enhance comprehensive mastery of business knowledge through participation in internal /external case and business plan competitions; and expand professional networks through contacts with leading business professionals. Specific details of these co-curricular experiences are forthcoming.

Students following the old curriculum will also be eligible to participate in the non-credit experiences mentioned above if they choose.

All students following the old curriculum may substitute coursework for BUSN 503 and BUSN 701 in order to fulfill the 60-credit requirement for graduation. Credits already earned in either / both of these classes will apply towards the 60-credit requirement.

While students can substitute these courses with any upper level business course, students must abide by the following guidelines:

1. Course substitutions must be approved by Program Managers.
2. In accordance with AACSB guidelines students cannot exceed 15 credits in their chosen concentration.
3. Students are encouraged to explore BLAW 511: Legal Options in Decision Making when the course is available.

Financial aid policy does not change. Students must continue to complete six or more credits per quarter to be eligible for federal aid.

University policy states that a minimum of 45 graduate credits must be successfully completed (with a grade of "C" or better) at Drexel University to be eligible for graduation. Newly enrolled students are permitted to petition for course waivers of BUSN 501 and BUSN 502 based on previous academic activity.

Single concentration options remain the same; however, due to the reduction in overall MBA degree credits, those pursuing dual concentrations will need to align their single general elective with two incremental advanced level courses to fulfill the second concentration.

Students may contact their program manager or academic advisor for more information. You may also contact Ron Nordone, assistant dean, graduate programs at rnordone@drexel.edu or 215.895.6899.