Next Generation MBA (MBA)
Meet the future of MBA programs.
The Next Generation MBA prepares you to be a data-driven business leader with the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. You'll also build a strong set of values to drive your business decisions and career.
The Quinlan School of Business offers four MBA programs. Learn which one best fits your needs through our MBA guide.
The Next Generation MBA (MBA) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Two program tracks are offered:
- Students with a bachelor's degree in business or meeting program prerequisites can complete the Next Generation MBA program in one year of full-time study.
- Students with an undergraduate degree in any field or students who opt for a flexible pace can complete the MBA program in two years of part-time study.
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Next Generation MBA (MBA) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
FLEX MBA Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisite Knowledge 1 | ||
| INFS 400N | Quantitative Methods I | 0 |
| INFS 402N | Quantitative Methods II - Statistics Primer | 0 |
| Introductory MBA Courses 1 | ||
| ACCT 400 | Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| ECON 420 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FINC 450 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MARK 460 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| SCMG 480 | Intro to Operations Management | 3 |
| Next Generation Coursework | ||
| ENTR 480 | Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities | 3 |
| or IBUS 455 | International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises | |
| ETHC 441N | Business Ethics | 3 |
| or ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics | |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| INFS 596N | Data Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| or MARK 470N | Research, Insights and Storytelling | |
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Electives (Select three) | 9 | |
| Through electives, you can shape your education for your personal career path and interests. Electives can be concentrated in a particular area of study (e.g., finance, marketing, human resources management, etc.) or selected across several areas of interests. | ||
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Upon admission, students may be granted a waiver of prerequisite and introductory MBA courses (indicated in blue), based upon academic work completed in the last 5 years with students earning the grade(s) of “B” or higher within a discipline. Advanced means an elective course from the same area of study may be completed. ‘Substitution means any course in any area may be used to fulfill the introductory course
1 Year MBA Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBA Requirements | ||
| ENTR 480 | Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities | 3 |
| or IBUS 455 | International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises | |
| ETHC 441N | Business Ethics | 3 |
| or ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics | |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| INFS 596N | Data Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| or MARK 470N | Research, Insights and Storytelling | |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Electives (Select four) | 12 | |
| Through electives, you can shape your education for your personal career path and interests. Electives can be concentrated in a particular area of study (e.g., finance, marketing, human resources management, etc.) or selected across several areas of interests | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Tracks(Electives)
You can choose to have a track by taking three courses in any one of the twelve disciplines through elective options (four courses needed for accounting). The tracks available within the Next Generation MBA program are:
Accounting
The MBA with an accounting track paves the way for an exciting career in financial management, consulting, or your own business.
The MBA accounting track includes fundamental courses in ethics, leadership, and international business. Students may choose to customize their studies by focusing on select accounting concepts, procedures, and applications.
Elective Courses
Choose four of the following elective courses in order to complete the accounting track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 404 | Financial State Analysis | 3 |
| ACCT 424 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 425 | International Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 432 | State, Local and International Tax | 3 |
| ACCT 436 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud | 3 |
| ACCT 437 | Advanced Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 412 | Special Topics in Accounting | 3 |
| LREB 445 | Entrepreneurship Law | 3 |
Artificial Intelligence
The MBA with artificial intelligence track positions you to lead at the forefront of business innovation.
Quinlan’s AI track combines technical fluency, strategic insight, and ethical leadership to help you turn intelligent technologies into smarter decisions and stronger performance. Through applied coursework and industry engagement, you will build the skills to identify AI opportunities, guide responsible implementation, and drive meaningful transformation across your organization.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the artificial intelligence track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 491 | Managerial Statistics with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| INFS 494 | Applied Data Mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| INFS 495 | Forecasting Methods with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| INFS 798 | AI Product Management | 3 |
| ETHC 499 | Special Topics in Business Ethics | 3 |
| ENTR 499 | Special Topics in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| XXXX 499 | AI-centric Special Topics Courses | 3 |
Business Ethics
The MBA with business ethics track emphasizes the importance of having a moral code and behaving ethically in the business environment.
Loyola's business ethics courses are designed to help you meet all challenges head-on. Our practical curriculum based on responsible leadership aims to make you accountable, ethical, and trustworthy. You will learn the business imperative for treating all stakeholders—including customers, employees, and the community—with respect and integrity.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the business ethics track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ETHC 441N | Business Ethics (If ETHC 446 taken for MBA Core) | 3 |
| ETHC 443 | Global Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics (If ETHC 441N taken for MBA Core) | 3 |
| ETHC 499 | Special Topics in Business Ethics | 3 |
| INFS 795 | Ethics and Data Analytics | 3 |
| MGMT 444 | Introduction to ESG - Expectations & Opportunities | 3 |
| MGMT 445 | ESG in Practice-Business Leadership in Times of Change | 3 |
| MGMT 485 | Social Enterprise | 3 |
Entrepreneurship
The MBA with an entrepreneurship track lays the groundwork for your future as a successful business owner. Experts predict that entrepreneurial opportunities will continue to grow in virtually every field of business. A solid knowledge of entrepreneurship principals, laws, and applications will enable you to hit the ground running.
Loyola's entrepreneurship courses provide you with complete hands-on training, often in partnership with local businesses. We offer a global perspective and a practical curriculum that prepares you to exercise sound judgment in recognizing lucrative entrepreneurial opportunities.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the entrepreneurship track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENTR 480 | Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities | 3 |
| ENTR 481 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENTR 482 | Entrepreneurial Marketing | 3 |
| ENTR 483 | Strategic Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management | 3 |
| MGMT 472 | Leading Change in Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 485 | Social Enterprise | 3 |
| LREB 445 | Entrepreneurship Law | 3 |
- 1
Required
Finance
The MBA with a finance track is one of the most popular areas in business studies today. Interest is driven by professional opportunities in business, investment, and finance.
Loyola's MBA with a finance track is well known for its practical curriculum, hands-on application, and partnered delivery with established Chicago businesses. In addition to studying relevant trends and current issues, you will employ a global perspective and gain a solid understanding of international and emerging financial systems.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the finance track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FINC 452 | Investment Management | 3 |
| FINC 453 | Topics in Advanced Financial Management | 3 |
| FINC 455 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| FINC 456 | Management of Financial Institutions | 3 |
| FINC 553 | Applied Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FINC 556 | Investment Banking | 3 |
| FINC 599 | Special Topics | 3 |
| FINC 628 | Valuation | 3 |
Human Resources Management
The MBA with human resources track can bolster your ability to manage and motivate a company's most valuable asset—it's employees.
Loyola's professors demonstrate the application of key practices in developing, managing, recruiting, and leading staff. Our strong focus on examining and understanding current issues impacting HR from a global perspective will put you at an advantage in the marketplace.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the human resources track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HRER 413 | Compensation | 3 |
| HRER 418 | Human Resources Law | 3 |
| HRER 422 | Global HR Management | 3 |
| HRER 429 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| HRER 430 | Leading Change in Organizations | 3 |
| HRER 433 | Group Process and Facilitation | 3 |
| HRER 453 | Incentive Pay and Employee Benefit Programs | 3 |
| HRER 462 | Employment Relations | 3 |
| HRER 463 | Staffing | 3 |
| HRER 490 | Analytical Problem Solving | 3 |
| HRER 500 | Special Topics in Human Resources and Employment Relations | 3 |
| HRER 501 | Performance Management | 3 |
Information Systems
The MBA with an information systems track will advance your career in the arena of information technology. Every business relies on IT processes to stay competitive, improve efficiency, and enhance communication. Loyola's practical curriculum helps you develop advanced skills for improving organizational performance and consequently, profitability, allowing you to naturally progress into leadership or managerial roles.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the information systems track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 443 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| INFS 492 | Database Systems | 3 |
| INFS 493 | Database Analytics | 3 |
| INFS 494 | Applied Data Mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| INFS 495 | Forecasting Methods with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
| INFS 592 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| INFS 691 | Principles of Analytic Programming | 3 |
| INFS 791 | Programming for Business Decision Making | 3 |
| INFS 796 | Data Warehousing | 3 |
| INFS 797 | Applications of Visualization | 3 |
| INFS 798 | AI Product Management | 3 |
International Business
The MBA with an international business track gives you the competitive edge in a distinctly global economy. A growing number of businesses are competing in the international market; advanced knowledge of global practices enhances your opportunities significantly at home and abroad.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the international business track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 425 | International Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 432 | State, Local and International Tax | 3 |
| FINC 455 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| IBUS 455 | International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises (if ENTR 480 taken for MBA Core) | 3 |
| IBUS 499 | Special Topics in International Business | 3 |
| HRER 422 | Global HR Management | 3 |
| MARK 465 | International Marketing | 3 |
| ETHC 443 | Global Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics | 3 |
| SCMG 486 | Global Logistics | 3 |
| Graduate Business Study Abroad | ||
Management
The MBA with a management track will give your career the boost needed to secure leadership, managerial, or executive positions. Our program provides you the advanced knowledge necessary for successful career advancement. A practical curriculum enhanced with a global perspective and strong business ethics foundation affords you a distinct competitive edge.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the management track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENTR 480 | Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities (If IBUS 455 taken for MBA Core) | 3 |
| ENTR 481 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENTR 482 | Entrepreneurial Marketing | 3 |
| ENTR 483 | Strategic Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management | 3 |
| ETHC 443 | Global Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ETHC 446 | International Business Ethics | 3 |
| IBUS 455 | International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises (If ENTR 480 taken for MBA Core) | 3 |
| MGMT 472 | Leading Change in Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 477 | Family Business | 3 |
| MGMT 485 | Social Enterprise | 3 |
| MGMT 573 | Business Strategy | 3 |
| MGMT 574 | Corporate Strategy | 3 |
Marketing
The MBA with a marketing track equips business managers with solid marketing skills to lead and grow brands and companies naturally.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the marketing track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MARK 461 | Research Methods in Marketing | 3 |
| MARK 463 | Sales and Strategic Leadership | 3 |
| MARK 464 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
| MARK 465 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MARK 467 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MARK 468 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MARK 561 | Comparative Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MARK 562 | Database Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MARK 564 | Brand Equity and Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MARK 566 | Integrated Media Planning | 3 |
| MARK 568 | Social Media & Content Marketing | 3 |
| MARK 569 | Special Topics | 3 |
| MARK 660 | Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
Supply Chain Management
The MBA with an supply chain management track teaches you advanced strategies to improve business performance and output. Our practical curriculum and hands-on approach contribute to effective and enhanced learning for you.
Elective Courses
Choose three of the following elective courses in order to complete the supply chain management track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCMG 481 | Performance Improvement in Business Processes | 3 |
| SCMG 482 | Lean Production Concepts and Practices | 3 |
| SCMG 483 | Management of Service Operations | 3 |
| SCMG 486 | Global Logistics | 3 |
| SCMG 487 | Purchasing Management | 3 |
| SCMG 488 | Inventory Management | 3 |
| SCMG 489 | Supply Chain Analytics | 3 |
| SCMG 589 | Supply Chain Management Consulting | 3 |
| INFS 495 | Forecasting Methods with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Traditional Master's Program
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Two Year Completion
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| INFS 400N | Quantitative Methods I | 0 |
| INFS 402N | Quantitative Methods II - Statistics Primer | 0 |
| ACCT 400 | Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| FINC 450 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 420 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MARK 460 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| MARK 470N or INFS 596N |
Research, Insights and Storytelling or Data Driven Decision Making |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| SCMG 480 | Intro to Operations Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Business Electives (2) 1 | 6 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Consult with Academic Advisor when choosing elective courses.
One and a Half Year Completion
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| INFS 400N | Quantitative Methods I | 0 |
| INFS 402N | Quantitative Methods II - Statistics Primer | 0 |
| ACCT 400 | Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| FINC 450 | Financial Management | 3 |
| SCMG 480 | Intro to Operations Management | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 420 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| MARK 460 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| MARK 470N or INFS 596N |
Research, Insights and Storytelling or Data Driven Decision Making |
3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Consult with Academic Advisor to select an elective course.
One Year Completion
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| INFS 400N | Quantitative Methods I | 0 |
| INFS 402N | Quantitative Methods II - Statistics Primer | 0 |
| ACCT 400 | Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| MARK 460 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| FINC 450 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 420 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENTR 480 or IBUS 455 |
Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities or International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises |
3 |
| INFS 596N or MARK 470N |
Data Driven Decision Making or Research, Insights and Storytelling |
3 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| SCMG 480 | Intro to Operations Management | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Consult with Academic Advisor to choose elective courses.
1 Year MBA Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| MARK 470N or INFS 596N |
Research, Insights and Storytelling or Data Driven Decision Making |
3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ENTR 480 or IBUS 455 |
Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities or International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises |
3 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Consult with Academic Advisor when selecting elective courses.
Accelerated Master's Pathway
Students can take up to 12 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
Sequence of Courses for Students with a BBA
Students with a BBA are admitted into the 36 credit hour program.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MARK 425N | Business Communication 1 | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development 1 | 1.5 |
| Business Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics 1 or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Fall | ||
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| MARK 470N or INFS 596N |
Research, Insights and Storytelling or Data Driven Decision Making |
3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENTR 480 or IBUS 455 |
Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities or International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises |
3 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| Business Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
This course was chosen for the purposes of creating a suggested sequence of courses. Students choose from among required MBA courses without pre-requisites (MARK 425N, MGMT 426N, HRER 417N, INFS 596N, ENTR 480, IBUS 455, ETHC 441N or ETHC 446).
- 2
Consult with Academic Advisor when choosing elective courses.
Sequence of Courses for Students with Non-BBA
Students with a non-BBA are admitted into the 48 credit hour program.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| INFS 400N | Quantitative Methods I | 0 |
| INFS 402N | Quantitative Methods II - Statistics Primer | 0 |
| ACCT 400 | Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| FINC 450 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| MARK 425N | Business Communication | 1.5 |
| MGMT 426N | Leadership Development | 1.5 |
| SCMG 480 | Intro to Operations Management | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Summer | ||
| ECON 420 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FINC 470N | Business Finance | 3 |
| HRER 417N | Managing and Motivating in the Workplace | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fall | ||
| ENTR 480 or IBUS 455 |
Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunities or International Strategies for Multinational Enterprises |
3 |
| MARK 460 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Winter | ||
| ETHC 441N or ETHC 446 |
Business Ethics or International Business Ethics |
3 |
| MGMT 431N | Business Consulting Course | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MARK 470N or INFS 596N |
Research, Insights and Storytelling or Data Driven Decision Making |
3 |
| MGMT 430N | Strategy and Leadership | 3 |
| Business Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Consult with Academic Advisor to select elective courses.
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Goals for Master of Business Administration Program (MBA)
- Integrative Business Knowledge: Graduates will be proficient in integrating the techniques, processes, and procedures of the fundamental business disciplines. They will be able to apply theory, skills, and knowledge from these disciplines to business practice.
- Critical Decision Making: Graduates will demonstrate their capacity for critical analysis in processing, interpreting, and managing the quantitative and qualitative information necessary for effective managerial decision making.
- Ethics and Responsible Leadership: Graduates will understand how to be a leader in business who exhibits personal integrity, ethical awareness, and an ability to apply ethical principles to business practice.
- Global Perspective and Awareness of Diversity: Graduates will have a global perspective by recognizing international business issues and appreciating diversity, including culture, race, religion, and gender.
- Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate effectively, orally. Graduates will be able to communicate effectively, in writing.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Graduates will anticipate the challenges of leading and managing evolving business and markets and demonstrate an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to strategy and decision making.