- About
- Program Details
- Admission Requirements
- Curriculum
- Concentrations
- International Students
- Tuition and Fees
About the Program
The iMBA is a year-long fully online program that was developed for business professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their interpersonal, managerial, and leadership skills in preparation for mobility, advancement, and promotional opportunities.
The program consists of three modules leading to a Master of Business Administration degree (Financial Strategy Module, Emphasis Module, and Operational Strategy Module). Modules vary, but generally cover a subject for several weeks before moving on to another subject; at the conclusion of the semester, a project that integrates all of the materials is generally assigned.
You can start the program at the beginning of any semester. In total, the three modules contain 10 courses (30 hours). The fall module is the Financial Strategy Module; it contains 3 courses (9 hours)—ACC 600, FIN 600, & CIS or MGT 601. The spring module is the Emphasis Module. It contains 4 courses (12 hours). These courses vary based on your emphasis (General Business, Human Resource, Healthcare Administration, Nonprofit Management, Information Systems Management, or Entertainment Industry Studies). The summer module is the Operational Strategy Module; it contains 3 courses (9 hours)—MGT 605, MKT 600, & ECO 612.
To graduate from the program, you must have passed the 10 classes in these modules with a 3.0 or higher GPA. See the curriculum page for a detailed list of classes in each module.
Delta State University offers one of the most affordable MBAs in the marketplace. Additionally, we do not charge out-of-state tuition, and international students pay the same tuition rate that a Mississippi resident pays for full-time study. For more information about our tuition, click here.
Concentrations Available:
- General Business
- Human Resource Management
- Nonprofit Management (Graduate Certificate Available)
- Healthcare Administration
- Information Systems Management
- Entertainment Industry Studies




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iMBA Program Details
- 30 Credit Hours
- 100% Online
- 3 Modules
- Completed in as little as 1 year
- Competitive Tuition Rates
- ACBSP Accredited
Concentrations in: General Business, Human Resource Management, Nonprofit Management, Health Care Administration, Information Systems Management, and Entertainment Industry Studies
Admission Requirements
Full admission to the Integrated Master of Business Administration (iMBA) program may be granted to an applicant who:
- Has earned a baccalaureate degree which is fully accredited by one of the recognized accrediting agencies, and meets all other requirements for admission to Graduate School.
- 3.0 GPA or 4 years of professional experience (GMAT Waived)
- Applicants lacking undergraduate preparation in business courses (with a grade of “C” or higher) will be required to take the MBA Foundation courses below and earn at least a grade of “B”.
MBA Foundation Course | Undergraduate Courses |
MBA 515: Managerial Accounting/ Finance |
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MBA 525: Management Theory/ Business Law |
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MBA 535: Economics/ Marketing Theory |
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MBA 545: Statistics/ Information Systems |
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Admission with Academic Conditions. An applicant with a minimum undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 or work experience may be admitted conditionally with an academic hold. The applicant must earn at least a “B” in each of the first 3 courses in order to continue in the program.
*Note: Years of experience should be managerial/supervisory or professional-level work experience.
Curriculum
Total required credit hours: 30 hours
To graduate, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The program consists of 3 modules: Financial Strategy Module, Operational Strategy Module, and Emphasis Module.
Financial Strategy Module (9 hours) – Fall Semester
In this module, students are introduced to various quantitative tools, techniques, and models used in making investments in capital budgeting decisions.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | ACC 600: Managerial Accounting | Analysis and interpretation of financial data; use of accounting information in managerial planning and decision making. |
3 | FIN 600: Financial Management | Financial principles and cases dealing with decision-making at various levels in the financial line organization. |
3 | MGT/CIS 601: Survey of Business Analytics | This course provides an introduction to Business Analytics including the application of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics to support and improve managerial decision making. |
Operational Strategy Module (9 hours) – Summer Semester
In this module, students develop marketing strategies integrated with critical financial decision-making that emphasize the interrelationship of the firm and society. Students learn how to market their product or service to domestic and international markets and perform the financial analysis necessary to ensure market viability. This module allows students to focus on managing the physical operations of the business, information technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the business.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 605: Human Resource Management | A survey course of the technical and legal aspects of human resources management and employment relations. Topics include human resources planning, recruitment, selection, job design, performance evaluation, training and development, compensation, labor relations, occupational safety and health, and evaluation of personnel. |
3 | MKT 600: Strategic Marketing | Analytical approach to strategy formulation as it relates to marketing management and decision-making activities of business enterprises. Emphasis on product, price, distribution, promotional activities and research approaches to improve marketing practice. |
3 | ECO 612: Managerial Economics | Application of micro-and macro-economic theory to managerial policy decisions. Use of tools of economic analysis in optimizing the allocation of resources available to a firm. |
Emphasis Module (12 hours) – Spring Semester
Select either General Business, Human Resource Management, Healthcare Administration, Information Systems Management, or Entertainment Industry Studies (see concentration tab for details on each of these concentrations along with a specific list of courses in each module).
Concentrations
General Business
This module integrates the concepts of strategic planning such as visioning and adapting to internal and external environmental changes, managing the physical operations, and the utilization of information technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the business. In an organization setting ranging from a small business to a global corporation, students develop goals, strategies, and timetables to implement a strategic planning process. This module focuses on developing the managerial and leadership skills critical for success in the twenty-first century.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 695: Strategic Project Management | An integrative approach to strategy formulation and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives using cases analysis and projects. |
3 | MGT 640: Managing in a Global Environment | An analysis of the global environment and its implications for managerial decision making with an emphasis on gaining an understanding of the factors that lead to changes in the pattern of world production and trade, technology, the political-legal environment, exchange rates, and trade policy; analyzing problems in a global sense. |
3 | MGT 625: Production/Operation Management | Examination of the design, operation, and control of the operations functions in business enterprises. Topics include forecasting, production planning and control, materials management, and quality control of the operations functions, applications of management science tools to analyze and control production methods and processes. |
3 | CIS 600: Managing Information Systems | The role of computers and communications technology as resources in the managerial planning and control process including personal, workgroup, and organizational information systems; TPS, MIS, and DSS; productivity software. |
Human Resource Management
This module integrates human resource concepts through an examination of the characteristics and design of performance appraisal systems and the development of effective systems for selecting, classifying, and placing personnel. It covers the theory and practice of compensation management and the effect of alternative wage and salary systems on employee performance. This module includes content on current legislation and issues in human resource management.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 695: Strategic Project Management | An integrative approach to strategy formulation and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives using cases analysis and projects. |
3 | MGT 620: Recruitment, Selection, and Performance Appraisal | This course examines the characteristics and design of performance appraisal systems and the development of effective systems for selecting, classifying, and placing personnel. Topics include recruitment, job analysis, job design, validation, interviewing, placement, the design of performance appraisal systems, the strengths and weaknesses of different appraisal systems, understanding different appraisal techniques, guidelines for effective practice of performance appraisal in organizations and program administration are covered. Legal impact on selection, placement, testing, appraisal, diversity, equal opportunity, and affirmative action programs, and reporting requirements are examined. |
3 | MGT 655: Wage and Salary Administration | This course examines the theory and practice of compensation management and the effect of alternative wage and salary systems on employee performance. Topics include job analysis, job evaluation, determination of wage and salary structure, different systems of pay delivery, executive compensation, and the effective administration of compensation. |
3 | MGT 660: Human Resource Legislation and Current Issues | Current legislation and issues in Human Resources Management. |
Health Care Administration
This module integrates the concepts of strategic planning such as visioning and adapting to internal and external environmental changes within the health care industry. Core business principles and practices of health care issues are taught to prepare students to effectively manage health care organizations.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 695: Strategic Project Management | An integrative approach to strategy formulation and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives using cases analysis and projects. |
3 | MGT 622: Health Care Risk Management
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Introduces the concepts of health care risk management, including the role/scope of a risk manager and a risk management plan. This course will focus on identifying both real and potential risk exposures in a health care setting and teach risk management tools to help minimize, avoid, and/or mitigate these exposures by implementing loss prevention and loss control techniques. |
3 | MGT 650: Health Care Law and Ethics
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A study of the legal and regulatory environment related to health care law, including an introduction to the legal system, tort law, and liability of healthcare institutions for administrators or executives. Covers additional reimbursement programs, medical records, and confidentiality relevant topics such as fraud, antitrust, consent, federal reimbursement programs, medical records, and confidentiality with an analysis of relevant case law. |
3 | MGT 670: Health Care Management and Policies | This course provides students with an overview of concepts and issues related to healthcare management and policies which impact the health care industry. Through the examination of management topics and healthcare situations, the student will explore the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in a diverse healthcare environment. Topics include healthcare leadership, organizational design as it relates to the uniqueness of healthcare organizations, and the complexity of policy problems and the policy-making process. |
Information Systems Management
This module integrates the knowledge and skills in data warehousing and data mining technologies required for solving complex problems of data and information management, information retrieval, and knowledge discovery facing modern organizations. It includes the conceptualization, design, and implementation of supply chains in dynamic global markets that strategically utilize information technologies to improve decision-making regarding resources, logistics, procurement, and supply contracting; product and process design; and revenue management, inventory, risk management, mining of corporate data warehouses, and the concepts of enterprise resource planning (ERP) to provide for effective data-driven decision-making for the formulation and execution of business strategies.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | CIS 606: Enterprise Data Warehousing | Development of knowledge and skills in data warehousing and data mining technologies required for solving complex problems of data and information management, information retrieval, and knowledge discovery facing modern organizations. |
3 | CIS 618: Business Intelligence | The concepts, analysis techniques, data cubes, mining of corporate data warehouses, and manipulation of extracted information to enable effective data-driven decision-making for the formulation and execution of business strategies. |
3 | CIS 624: Enterprise Resource Planning | Introduction to enterprise resource planning (ERP) concepts, software, and practices; Data integration and redesign of processes in organizations including managing supply chains and customer relationships. |
3 | CIS 630: Information Technology Strategy | A study of the decisions that determine the future directions of information technology, intensive organizations, and the effective implementation of managerial choices, organization structure, resources and capabilities, and strategic positioning will be addressed. The management issues of the creation and implementation of the value information technologies and the effect on the structure of competition will be explored. Skills will be developed in understanding how firms gain and sustain competitive advantage, analyzing strategic business situations, formalities and implementing strategy, and organizing the firm for strategic success. |
Entertainment Industry Studies
Entertainment Industry Studies encourages exploration and embraces the entrepreneurial spirit. This module integrates a variety of professional areas in the entertainment industry, including tour management and event production, the recording, publishing, and film/tv industries, business and legal principles, and marketing of entertainment goods and services.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 695: Strategic Project Management | An integrative approach to strategy formulation and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives using cases analysis and projects. |
3 | MGT/DMI 603: The Business of Entertainment | An overview of the business practices of the entertainment industry. Concentration is on the legal, marketing, and financial aspects of different areas of the industry, focusing primarily on the recording, publishing, and film/television industries, exploring the roles of interrelated areas within the entertainment industry. |
3 | MGT/DMI 635: Managing Live Entertainment | An introductory course designed to give students an overview of tour management and event production in the live entertainment industry. Students become familiar with various artist, client, production, vendor, and facility contracts and agreements commonly used in the industry. |
3 | MGT/DMI 665: Entertainment Legal Issues | Basic entertainment business and legal principles in the areas of music publishing, recording contracts, booking agreements, artist management, touring, and merchandise. Course material will include contracts, intellectual property licenses, copyright registration, trademark information, and practical checklists. |
Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit Management examines issues within the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits have the 3rd largest payroll in the U.S. economy, yet approximately 30% of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) fail to exist after 10 years. This program helps to prepare students with a better understanding of how to run a successful NPO. This module integrates the theory and practice of philanthropy, nonprofit financial resource management, nonprofit strategic human resource and volunteer management, with strategic project management.
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 695: Strategic Project Management | An integrative approach to strategy formulation and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives using cases analysis and projects. |
3 | MGT 606: Nonprofit Strategic Human Resources and Volunteer Management | A comprehensive overview of tools to address the challenges of managing human resources (paid staff and volunteers) in nonprofit organizations to effectively carry out the mission of the organization. |
3 | MGT 667: Theory and Practice of Philanthropy | An examination of the role of philanthropy in today’s society from the perspectives of the nonprofit practitioner, the philanthropist, and the public. |
3 | FIN 624: Nonprofit Financial and Resource Management | A review of fiscal management and accounting procedures and exploration of financial tools used by nonprofit managers. Students will also acquire knowledge around a basic framework for evaluating the financial performance of a nonprofit organization and fundraising practices. |
Nonprofit Graduate Certificate:
Students may opt to complete two additional courses to receive a certificate in Nonprofit Management. These courses include Nonprofit Program Planning and Evaluation and Nonprofit Impactful Board Governance (to receive the Nonprofit Certificate, all 6 Nonprofit Management Courses must be completed).
Additional Nonprofit Certificate Courses
Credits | Course | Description |
3 | MGT 607: Non-profit Impactful Board Governance | A comprehensive overview of board governance, which includes the core roles and responsibilities of board members, as well as the board’s relationship to the CEO and staff. Participants will learn how to develop effective, motivated boards whose members are accountable for the organization’s assets while being committed to serve as advocates for the organization among its various stakeholders. |
3 | MGT 608: Nonprofit Program Planning and Evaluation | An exploration of program planning and evaluation systems, from design and implementation, that produce valid, credible, and useful information to access program impacts within nonprofit organizations. |
International Students
Non-US citizens that wish to enroll in DSU and require an F1 visa for US entry/study will need to go through the F1 international admissions process, https://www.deltastate.edu/admissions/international/.
If you are a non-US citizen and wish to enroll fully online and/or do not need an F1 visa for US entry/study, you will be eligible to go through the general admissions process and have a link that goes directly to the online application for Grad Studies, https://apply.deltastate.edu/Graduate/Pages/welcome.aspx.
For more information about our tuition and fees, click here.
Contact
MBA/iMBA Office
P: (662) 846-4200
cobagrad@deltastate.edu
Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Lisa Cooley
P: (662) 846-4234
lcooley@deltastate.edu
Address and Mailing
Graduate Business & Aviation Programs
College of Business and Aviation
DSU Box 3294 Broom 141
Cleveland, MS 38733
