MBA Program Format and Structure
Where is Winthrop located?
Our beautiful campus is in Rock Hill, S.C.; just south of Charlotte, North Carolina,
and an hour north of Columbia, South Carolina. This is an ideal location, offering
both the benefits of a small town and close proximity to a city.
What MBA programs or options are offered?
We offer a Customized MBA, MBA with Accounting emphasis, and MBA concentrations in Finance, International Business, Human Resources, Marketing, and Strategic Leadership. The Customized MBA, Marketing, and Strategic Leadership concentrations are also
offered in an online format.
Are your MBA programs accredited?
Yes. Winthrop's MBA degrees are accredited by AACSB-International, The Association
to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier accrediting agency for degree
programs in business administration and accounting. Accreditation by AACSB-International
guarantees that curriculum and admission policies meet rigorous standards. Less than
one-third of U.S. business school programs and only 5% of programs world-wide achieve
this accreditation.
Winthrop is also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees.
How is your MBA program structured?
The MBA is a program consisting of 12 required graduate courses. The curriculum includes
a core of 9 required classes and 3 elective courses. MBA courses involve the development
of necessary business tools in the areas of accounting, organizational behavior, communications,
statistics, and management information systems. Additionally there are MBA courses
taken later in a plan of study that involve extensive study in the functional areas
of business, including strategic and international issues in management, marketing
and operations management, finance, and industrial economics and public policy. General
MBA students have a variety of subjects to choose from for the elective courses.
Students may choose to pursue an MBA with a concentration by taking the electives
in specific classes related to the area of concentration. Available concentrations
include: Finance, International Business, Human Resources, Marketing, and Strategic Leadership.
The MBA-Accounting program includes seven required core courses, a professional exam review, three business electives, and one accounting elective. The program is designed to provide the additional course work that students need to sit for the CPA exam and become licensed as a CPA*. (*Exact requirements to sit for the CPA exam and to become licensed as a CPA vary by state. Visit the Board of Accountancy in the state in which you intend to practice to get the most up to date and accurate information.)
What time of day are classes offered?
Most MBA courses are taught one night a week, 6:30-9:15 p.m. during fall and spring
semesters. Some classes meet twice per week from 5-6:15 p.m. During the summer session
classes meet one night a week, 5:30-9:55 p.m or are offered online.
Is the MBA Program a semester based program? If so, how long are the semesters?
Yes, Winthrop University's MBA program is based on semesters. The fall semester typically
starts at the end of August and continues through the beginning of December. The spring
semester begins in mid January and goes through early May. The summer session begins
in early June and ends in the beginning of August.
How many courses are required for an MBA degree?
This will depend on what program you select and if you require any prerequisites.
Provided you have completed all prerequisites, you can plan on the following:
MBA - Customized: 12 courses
MBA - Finance Concentration: 12 courses
MBA - International Concentration: 12 courses
MBA - Human Resources Concentration: 12 courses
MBA - Marketing Concentration: 12 courses
MBA - Strategic Leadership Concentration: 12 courses (5 years of work experience required)
MBA - Accounting: 11 courses
How many classes would I take each semester?
This will depend on each student's unique situation. Our MBA program is not a lock-step
program. Students have the ability to structure their schedule based on their individual
needs, taking into consideration work, family, and personal priorities and commitments.
Generally speaking, full-time MBA students will take 3 courses per semester and 2
courses over the summer. Our part-time MBA students who work full-time usually take
1 or 2 classes per semester and 1 class in the summer.
Do you offer an online MBA program?
Yes! Our online MBA program is available in Marketing and Strategic Leadership concentrations. You can also
choose electives from all three to create your own custom concentration.
When can I enter the program?
The MBA program accepts students into the summer, spring and fall semesters.
How do I apply for admission?
Your completed application and other credentials must be submitted to the Graduate
Studies office, 211 Tillman. The online application process is simple and takes just
a short time to complete. We also require your GMAT or GRE score to be sent directly
from the testing service, and official transcripts for all undergraduate and post-graduate
coursework, sent directly from the issuing institution. International students must
submit additional documentation. Visit the Graduate Studies website to submit your application and read all other admission details.
Once Graduate Studies has received all of your credentials then your file will be sent to the MBA office for an admissions decision.
Do I need to provide official transcripts?
Yes. Before you can be considered for admission we must receive official transcripts
for all undergraduate and post-graduate coursework, sent directly from the issuing
institution. Have the official transcript(s) sent to: Winthrop University Graduate
Studies, 11 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733 or gradstudies@winthrop.edu.
Do you take into account undergraduate GPAs from various universities?
Yes, if you attended more than one school we look at all of your grades when making
an admissions decision.
Do you give credit for graduate classes that could be transferred in?
If you have not already received a graduate degree, we may give credit for graduate
classes taken elsewhere. However, they must be accredited, approved by the Director
of the MBA program, and be a grade of B or higher. Further, you may only transfer
in a total of 12 hours toward your MBA.
Do I have to take the GMAT or GRE?
Yes, the GMAT or GRE is required of all applicants to be considered for admission
to the MBA program. We must receive your official GMAT or GRE score directly from
the testing service. Applicants can request a GMAT/GRE waiver if qualified.
What is the GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is the standardized test used to evaluate
candidates for admission to MBA programs. This test takes about four hours to complete
and includes a verbal section, quantitative section, and analytical writing assessment.
Visit the GMAT website for more information about the exam.
What is the GRE?
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for most schools in the United States. Created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exam aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. Visit the GRE website for more information.
Does the GMAT or GRE expire?
Yes, we only accept scores from tests taken within the past 5 years.
How do I go about taking the GMAT or GRE?
To take the GMAT, visit www.mba.com and follow the steps to make an appointment to take the test. The GRE is available
in Educational Testing Service (ETS) centers across the United States, to find a location
visit www.ets.org/gre. Be sure to have your results sent to Winthrop University.
How much does the GMAT and GRE cost?
As of May 2015, the GMAT costs $250 and the GRE costs $2055 per attempt. Please visit
the test websites for the most up to date information. GMAT:www.mba.com GRE:www.ets.org/gre
What is the cost for the MBA program?
The total cost will depend on the number of credit hours you need to take, and whether
you are eligible for in-state or out-of-state tuition. For details visit: https://www.winthrop.edu/cashiers/schedule-of-fees-landing-page.aspx. Residents of the 12 North Carolina counties in the Charlotte Regional Partnership are eligible for in-state tuition for graduate programs: Mecklenburg, Gaston, Stanley,
Cabarrus, Anson, Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan and Union.
Where do I go to discuss financial aid?
To determine your financial aid eligibility and options please visit Winthrop University's Office of Financial Aid website or call 803/323-2189.
What type of financial assistance is available?
Many of our students receive tuition reimbursement from their employer, or they receive
student loans. Discuss the possibility of tuition reimbursement with your employer. Winthrop's Financial Aid office is a good place to begin researching student loans.
**Graduate assistantship and associate positions provide a form of financial assistance available to qualified graduate students. Students who are awarded graduate assistantship or associateships are required to work on campus, and in return receive a stipend and tuition grant. See the Graduate Studies page for more details: https://www.winthrop.edu/sgco/graduatestudies/graduate-assistantships.aspx.
Why do students choose Winthrop for their MBA?
Students cite our accreditation, location, and value as some of the primary reasons
for choosing Winthrop University's MBA program. The AACSB-International accreditation
assures quality. Our beautiful campus is in the small town of Rock Hill, S.C., conveniently
located just south of Charlotte, N.C. and an hour from Columbia, S.C. As a public
school, our tuition is affordable, with in-state tuition available to residents of
the Charlotte regional partnership counties in North Carolina: Mecklenburg, Gaston,
Stanley, Cabarrus, Anson, Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan and
Union.
MBA students also appreciate our small class sizes, diverse student body, and evening class meetings that accommodate both part-time and full-time students. When asked why they would refer our MBA program to a friend or colleague, our students said:
"Great atmosphere, quality education, great location, smart professors, small class
size."
"Challenging classes."
"I have learned a huge amount of information in a short period of time."
"The instructors are knowledgeable; they are willing to work with me. I am not just
a number."
Learn more about why students choose Winthrop for their MBA.
How can I get more information about your programs?
E-mail us or call us at 803/323-2409 or 800/387-1923.
