Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University MBA Programs
Tuition, ROI, Graduate Salary, GMAT Requirements

Why Choose Fitchburg State

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Fitchburg State University! With a long-standing commitment to providing quality education, Fitchburg State offers a flexible and affordable online MBA designed to help you achieve your career aspirations. Tailor your degree to your interests with eight in-demand concentrations.

• Affordability: Total tuition as low as $13,080 (Accounting MBA), far below the national average of $42,573.
• Flexibility: Choose from 8 concentrations, 100% online courses, and accelerated 7-week terms (complete in 12 months).
• No GMAT Required: Holistic admissions prioritize professional experience and academic potential.
• ROI-Driven: Graduates pursue high-growth roles like Financial Manager (19% job growth) and Healthcare Administrator.

Fitchburg State MBA Program at a Glance

Executive Summary Online MBA Programs

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Fitchburg State University is designed to fit the life and career aspirations of individuals seeking leadership roles, career advancement, or a change in industry. The fully online MBA program offers the flexibility and quality education needed for success.

Program Overview

The MBA program is designed with the busy professional in mind. Delivered 100% online, individuals can pursue their business education without disrupting their work or personal life. The asynchronous coursework allows students to learn at their own pace, while still benefiting from engaging online class discussions and collaborative learning groups. Completion of the MBA is possible in as few as 12 months or over a longer period, depending on individual needs and schedules. The program requires 30 credit hours. With no mandatory campus visits, the MBA can be earned from anywhere in the world.

Curriculum, Concentrations and Faculty

The MBA curriculum at Fitchburg State University is built upon a foundation of core business principles, allowing you to then specialize your studies in a concentration of your choice.

The 30-credit hour program provides a strong foundation in core business principles, followed by the opportunity for students to specialize in their chosen area.

Students can tailor their MBA to their specific career interests by choosing from one of eight in-demand concentrations:

Core Courses (All Concentrations)

Core Courses (18 Credits):

Organizational Behavior and Development: Explores the dynamics of individuals, teams, and organizations, focusing on strategies for effective change management. This course also examines individual behavior, as well as group and social behavior, in organizational life, encouraging discussion of methods for changing behavior through organizational behavior and development.

Management Information Systems: Teaches how information technology can be used to support business operations and strategic goals. This course provides insight into identifying an organization’s informational requirements to facilitate the decision-making process.

Marketing Management: Develops a comprehensive understanding of marketing principles and strategies for creating and capturing customer value. This course delves into forms of marketing and communication related to advertising, promotion, public relations, and publicity. It also deepens knowledge of market research, analysis, communications, and strategies.

Corporate Finance: Covers the tools and techniques for making sound financial decisions within an organization. This course examines principles of decision analysis in the management of current assets, estimation of requirements for short-term funds, and valuation of capital budgeting and merger proposals.

Accounting Practices for Managers: Provides a strong understanding of accounting principles and how to use financial information for managerial decision-making. This course also explores the functions of managerial and cost accounting in planning with budgets, controlling by assessing financial performance, and decision-making using results of financial performance.

Strategic Management: Focuses on developing and implementing strategies to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. This capstone course studies administrative processes dealing with policy formulation, the role of the general manager, and the design of strategic planning systems. It emphasizes problem identification, problem-solving, and decision-making using case studies.

Specialized MBA Concentrations and Tracks

Maximize your career potential by specializing your MBA in one of these high-demand areas.

• Accounting: Develops a deep understanding of financial reporting, auditing, and taxation.
• Business Analytics Management: Focuses on learning how to leverage data for strategic decision-making.
• Finance: Provides expertise in financial management, investment analysis, and corporate finance.
• Healthcare Management: Centers on the unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry.
• Human Resource Management: Masters the strategies for managing and developing talent within organizations.
• Management: Builds a broad foundation in key management principles and practices.
• Marketing: Develops skills in marketing strategy, branding, and digital marketing.
• Supply Chain Management: Teaches the intricacies of managing the flow of goods and services.

In addition to these core courses, students have the opportunity to choose one elective to further tailor their learning. Each concentration also has its own set of required courses.

Dual Concentrations: Complete 39 credits (e.g., MBA in Management + Accounting).

Concentrations (12 Credits Each):

Accounting	Healthcare Management	Management
Advanced Managerial Accounting	Healthcare Policy & Law	Project Management
Taxation for Managers	Healthcare Financial Management	Strategic Planning

Sample Accelerated Schedule (12 Months):

Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Organizational Behavior	Corporate Finance	Strategic Management
Marketing Management	Accounting Practices	Elective Course

Student Learning Experience

Fitchburg State believes in active learning. The online MBA program fosters a collaborative and engaging environment through online class discussions where students can interact with faculty and peers, sharing insights and perspectives from diverse backgrounds. Collaborative learning groups provide opportunities for students to work on projects and case studies, applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. The curriculum has a strong focus on practical learning and the application of knowledge to current business challenges.

• 24/7 Online Access: Balance work and study with self-paced coursework.
• Support Services: Academic advising, tech support, and military/veteran resources.
• Cohort Model: Collaborate with peers in structured, 7-week terms.

Faculty

Students learn from experienced faculty who bring real-world expertise to the online classroom. These faculty members are dedicated to providing a high-quality learning experience and are actively engaged in research and their respective industries.

Dr. Beverley Hollingsworth: Dr. Beverley Hollingsworth is Professor and Program Chair of the SGOCE MBA at Fitchburg State University. She holds a Ph.D. from Walden University, an MBA from St. John’s University, and a B.S. from the City University of New York.

Dr. Hollingsworth brings extensive expertise in accounting, financial reporting, and auditing, and is a published researcher in auditing and pension topics. She teaches a wide range of courses, including Advanced Financial Accounting Issues, Accounting Theory, and Taxation for Managers.

Dr. Hollingsworth is dedicated to helping students look beyond the numbers, understand the ethical foundations of accounting, and develop the analytical skills needed to protect organizational assets. She is known for her commitment to student learning and her active engagement in both research and the accounting profession.

Professor Renee Scapparone: Professor Renee Scapparone is a Professor of Business Administration at Fitchburg State University, where she also serves as Chair for Undergraduate Business Administration and SGOCE Evening Program Manager for Business.

She earned her D.B.A. from the University of Phoenix and her MBA from Fitchburg State College. Professor Scapparone’s teaching portfolio includes Principles of Management, Fundamentals of Marketing, Sales Management, and Healthcare Management. Her areas of expertise span management, marketing, and healthcare administration.

Professor Scapparone is passionate about providing students with practical applications they can use in their personal and professional lives, and she is recognized for her student-centered approach and dedication to high-quality business education.

Graduate Program Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Fitchburg State MBA program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate strategic-level knowledge of the fundamental activities of business management.
• Apply critical-thinking skills to managerial decisions.
• Demonstrate competencies in effective change management that drive measurable business results.
• Identify and analyze the ethical obligations and responsibilities of business, the opportunities and challenges of globalization, and apply managerial skills to global business issues.
• Demonstrate well-developed problem-solving skills, including the ability to recognize problems, analyze uncertain situations, interpret and use data and evidence in drawing conclusions, develop alternative solutions, and adapt and innovate in new settings.¹

Career Outcomes

Prospective students will be encouraged by the strong career outcomes reported by Fitchburg State MBA graduates. According to the university’s data:

• A high percentage (87%) of graduates report a positive return on their investment.
• A significant majority (85%) experience increased earning power.
• An impressive 85% feel prepared for leadership roles.
• A substantial 76% report developing their professional network through the program.
• Alumni Success: Graduates lead at companies like UMass Memorial Health and Amazon.

Student Testimonials

“Fitchburg State allowed me to become a good business owner because those skills I learned: managing employees… learning how to basically take care of your employees. Fitchburg State allowed me to do that and I’m grateful for that.” – Calvin Hudson, MBA in Human Resources Management

“I thought Fitchburg State was flexible and able to accommodate the things that I needed. Because it is an online program, the tuition was cheaper. Also, I was able to do it in one year, which was the reason I chose to go there.”² – Jasmine Steele, MBA in Management

Career Services

• Career Counseling
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing
• Interview Skills Development
• Job Search Strategies
• Networking Opportunities
• Alumni networking
• Internship partnerships

Admissions & Application Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (GPA ≥ 2.8).
• Professional resume.
• Official transcripts.
• Test-Optional: No GMAT/GRE required. Applicants with GPAs < 2.8 may submit a recommendation letter.

Admissions Requirements

• A completed online application
• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• A personal statement or essay

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Take the Next Step

Ready to lead in today’s dynamic business world? Apply Now or Request Information.

Data sourced from Fitchburg State University’s official pages and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.