** This concentration is effective for Fall 2023 and will be included in the 2023-2024 graduate bulletin**
2023-2024 Graduate Bulletin
Appalachian State University
Business Administration - Cybersecurity Concentration, MBA
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Program Code: MBA_305J
CIP Code: 52.0201
Program of Study for the Master of Business Administration
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Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete
application to the Graduate School; official general GMAT or GRE exam scores; evidence of knowledge in
statistics, financial accounting, economics, corporate finance, marketing, and organizational behavior
through course work, work experience or completion of the accelerated prerequisite program before
taking graduate course work in those subjects.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School.
Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.
Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GMAT or GRE) requirement may be waived
for applicants who:
- Have five or more years of full-time, professional work or military experience; OR
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher; OR
- Hold verified membership in Beta Gamma Sigma.
The GMAT waiver is only available to candidates who have not taken the GMAT within the past five years.
Location: On Campus and Online. Online cohorts follow a part-time extended format.
Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information
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Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian
State varies by program, but requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of
3.0 or higher in their last earned bachelor’s degree or 3.3 or higher in an earned graduate degree. No
exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the program and by the Graduate School
upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance
into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the
program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. More
complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements
section of this Bulletin.
Accelerated Master’s Program
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This program offers an Accelerated Master’s option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at
Appalachian State University.
Course Requirements for the Master of Business Administration
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Total Required (Minimum 36 Hours)
Required Coursework (24 Hours)
- MBA 5110 - Economics for Decision-Making (3)
- MBA 5200 - Problem Analysis and Quantitative Methods (3)
- MBA 5220 - Operations and Supply Chain Management (3)
- MBA 5230 - Fundamentals of Business Analytics (3) [CL]
- MBA 5320 - Managerial Accounting (3)
- MBA 5420 - Marketing Strategy and Applications (3)
- MBA 5600 - Managerial Finance (3)
- MBA 5750 - Strategic Management (3)
- MBA 5820 - Executive Skills (0) Students must enroll in their final semester.
Concentration Requirements (12 Hours)
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Choose 9 hours from the list below; one other elective may be chosen with approval of the program
director.
- CIS 5620 – IS Strategy, Policy, and Governance (3)
- CIS 5760 – Global Blockchain for Business (3)
- FIN 5850 – FinTech / InsureTech (3)
- MBA 5660 - Web Analytics, Data Privacy and Security (3)
Additional Elective Options
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With approval of the program director, the following courses can count in any concentration provided that the course content fits with the concentration theme.
- MBA 5060 - Executive Seminar (1-3)
- MBA 5500 - Independent Study (1-6)
- MBA 5800 - Business Practicum (1-6)
- MBA 5900 - MBA Internship (1-6)
- MBA 5998 - Thesis Preparation (1-3)
- MBA 5999 - Thesis (1-6)
Other Requirements for the MBA
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- Thesis: Optional
- Proficiency: Not required
- Candidacy: Required
- Comprehensive: Not required
- Product of Learning: Not required
Note on Candidacy
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Students must demonstrate knowledge and exposure to international business and culture before
completion of the degree program, through approved activities such as short term study abroad,
completion of a course with an international theme, international internship, practicum with an
international theme, or other activities as approved by the program director.