Masters of Business Administration

Masters of Science in Organizational Effectiveness, Development & Change

(MBA/MS in OEDC) Dual Degree Program

Revision Date January 6, 2009

Part I. Program History

The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has since 1954 offered the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree. In 2002-2003 a proposal was developed to deliver a Masters in Science degree in Organizational Effectiveness, Development and Change (MS in OEDC). The MS in OEDC was developed in response to inquiries from the people in the business community seeking focused graduate training in the area of Organizational Effectiveness. That proposal was approved by the University Faculty Senate on December 1, 2003. The program will be operational by fall 2004.

The MS in OEDC combines a subset of the required courses in the MBA program focused on management with existing electives in the MBA program and specialty courses. Whereas some students may wish to combine the broader MBA degree with the focused training of the MS in OEDC, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has developed a joint MBA/MS degree in Organizational Effectiveness, Development and Change. This program is jointly administered by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Graduate and Executive Programs office and the Department of Business Administration.

We believe that the best practitioners of organizational development and change are those with a thorough understanding of the science of management and human behavior. We are strongly committed to the scientist-practitioner model. This means that effective practitioners must have a deep understanding of the theory and empirical evidence that provides the basis for their practice. They must also be scientist, in that they must be able to test their models and applications through the practice of evidence based management. Thus we expect our students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills to understand, apply and test models of management, organizational development and change practices.

Part II. Admission

Students desiring to pursue the joint MBA/MS in OEDC must apply directly to the degree program and must meet the admissions requirements of both the MBA and MS in OEDC programs (See the University catalog for those requirements). The admissions directors for each program will evaluate the application separately and will apply the same criteria as specified in their respective programs. The prospective student is encouraged to see the admissions policies for both programs in the graduate catalog. Whereas the MS in OEDC program accepts both the GMAT and GRE exams, scores for the GMAT will be accepted by both programs. Applications and letters of recommendation are to be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Studies http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants/ or via mail at:

234 Hullihen Hall

University of Delaware.

Newark, Delaware 19716 U.S.A.

The MBA/MS in OEDC is a joint degree program. As such, the joint programs must be completed and the dual degree is conferred simultaneously. Students admitted to the MBA/MS joint degree program who later decide they only want to complete one of the degrees must apply separately to the desired program for admission as a candidate in that program. Students who complete the single degree (MBA or MS in OEDC) may not at a later date be admitted to the dual degree program. In such case the student would be required to complete all requirements for the second degree. A student who is initially admitted to either degree and who decides to pursue the dual degree must apply for change of degree to the MBA/MS dual degree prior to receiving the first degree and must complete the requirements for the dual degree prior to any degree being granted.

Part III. Academic

The MBA/MS in OEDC program combines the require courses for the MBA program with the additional required courses of the MS in OEDC program. The MBA core and required courses make up 30 credits of the program. An additional 21 credits of courses from the MS in OEDC, including 6 credits of thesis or professional project are required. The total 60 credit program is completed with the addition of 9 elective credits. The following table identifies the MBA and MS required courses. The column labeled “sequence” indicates the approximate sequence in which courses should be taken

MS/MBA Dual Degree Curriculum

REQUIRED COURSES	CREDITS	SEQUENCE*
MBA CORE & REQUIRED COURSES***
ECON 503 - Economic Analysis for Business Policy	3	First
ACCT 800 - Financial Reporting and Analysis	3	First
FINC 850 - Financial Management	3	Second
ACCT 801 - Management Control Systems	3	Third
BUAD 820 - Data Analysis and Quality Management**	3	First
BUAD 831 - Operations Management and Management Science	3	Second
BUAD 840 - Ethical Issues in Domestic & Global Environments**	3	Third
BUAD 870 - Understanding People in Organizations**	3	First
BUAD 880 - Marketing Management	3	Second
BUAD 890 - Corporate Strategy	3	Third
MS REQUIRED COURSES***
BUAD 800 - Strategic Thinking for the Executive Leader	3	Second
BUAD 877 – Skills For Change Agents	3	Second
BUAD 872 - Organizational Development & Change	3	Third
BUAD 875 - Strategic Human Resources	3	Fourth
BUAD 878 - Leadership in International Business Cultures	3	Fourth
BUAD 869 or BUAD 868 Thesis or Professional Project	6	Fourth/fifth
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS	51
ELECTIVES	9
Electives may be taken from either the MBA program or from recommended electives in the MS in OEDC program. Students choosing the Thesis option should take additional statistics or research methods courses.		Fourth/fifth
TOTAL DUAL DEGREE CREDITS	60

*Recommended semester (full-time) or year (part-time). Program can be accelerated by taking courses in summer or winter terms.

**Serves both MBA and MS program required courses.

***Required courses cannot count toward a concentration or specialization in the MBA program.

MBA/MS in OEDC students must complete a Professional Project or Thesis and complete the comprehensive examination under the same rules as apply to the MS in OEDC students. Students are encouraged to review the MS in OEDC Program Policy Statement for rules and guidelines for the Professional Project, Thesis, and comprehensive examination.

Students may apply for the MBA/MS in OEDC on either a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time students are expected to complete the program in two years. Part-time students are expected to complete the program in approximately four years.

Transfers of coursework earned elsewhere, and waivers of courses are allowable under the same provisions as the MBA and MS in OEDC programs separately except that none of the coursework specific to the MS program may be waived on the basis of undergraduate coursework. Dual degree students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of coursework at the graduate level.

Students must maintain continuous enrollment in every regular semester (fall and spring) throughout their program unless by approved leave of absence. This can be accomplished by registering for thesis or professional project credit during the time the thesis or project is underway, or by registering for sustaining status. See the catalogue for the university policy on sustaining status at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/current/policysustaining.html, and regarding Leave of absence at http://udcatalog.udel.edu/general/grad/gradregs.html#leave.

Part IV. Financial aid

Students in the MBA/MS in OEDC program may compete for the same sources of financial assistance as available to MBA or MS students. See the MBA program or MS in OEDC policy statements for specifics. The same criteria for financial assistance apply. Financial assistance may come from either the MBA or MS programs. To apply for a financial aid package, simply check the appropriate box(es) on the graduate application.

Other Financial Aid Opportunities

Other Fellowships and Internship opportunities are occasionally available through the University. Interested students should check the Office of Graduate Studies website at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants and the Lerner College Graduate and Executive Programs website http://www.gep.udel.edu/ for the most current opportunities.

Residence Hall Directorships

In addition, the University hires Residence Hall Directors from among the ranks of its graduate students. Candidates are chosen for their superior leadership and communication skills, as well as the capability to provide guidance to undergraduates. Hall Directors are eligible for room and board, and full tuition waivers. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (302) 831-8423 for additional information as soon as possible. Applicants are usually interviewed around mid-April.

Part V. Departmental Operations

Occasionally student’s graduate assistantship or other assignments may require the use of departmental laboratories or other facilities. Keys to laboratories, etc., are maintained in the Department office and will be issued based on faculty and Department Chair approval.

Any assignments that require the expenditure of departmental funds (e.g. data collection activities) require departmental approval in advance and are processed through the Department of Business Administration Administrative Assistant located in 236 MBNA America Hall.