Master’s of Business Administration
This program is now offered at Adena Health’s PACCAR Medical Education Center, giving southern Ohio professionals a flexible, affordable path to graduate-level business education. Learn more about SSU & Adena
Move from doing the work to leading it. Shawnee State's hybrid M.B.A. is built for working professionals — 30 credit hours, 7-week courses, mostly online with a few in-person sessions each course. Finish in as little as 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time.
Program Overview
Shawnee State University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is tailored for professionals aiming to lead and innovate within their organizations and communities. Emphasizing practical application, our MBA integrates real-world business challenges with academic rigor, preparing graduates to drive growth and development, particularly within the Appalachian region.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the program accommodates working adults and international learners through a hybrid format that combines online learning with periodic in-person sessions. Whether you’re seeking to climb the corporate ladder, launch your own venture, or contribute to regional economic initiatives, Shawnee State’s MBA equips you with the necessary tools and experiences to succeed.
As part of the College of Business & Engineering Technology, our MBA offers small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, and hands-on projects that reflect current industry needs. Faculty members bring a wealth of experience from corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors, allowing you to learn from professionals who understand the real-world demands of business leadership.
Our curriculum includes advanced study in areas such as strategic decision-making, financial management, operations, and organizational leadership—developed to build not only technical knowledge but also the strategic mindset required in today’s global economy. Students are encouraged to apply what they learn directly to their current roles, making the degree immediately impactful in their day-to-day careers.
Shawnee State’s MBA program is also distinguished by its regional mission. Rooted in a commitment to the economic and social vitality of Appalachia, our program provides opportunities for students to engage with local businesses, startups, and public sector partners—creating pathways to meaningful work and long-term professional success close to home or anywhere their careers may lead.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Contact Graduate Admissions
gradadmissions@shawnee.edu
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Submit your online application before the deadline.
Submit your application before the deadline of your specific beginning term.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision & aid
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Master’s of Business Administration
Degree
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Program Length
12 months full-time (when starting in Autumn)/24 months part-time
Credits
30
Course Length
7 weeks
Transfer Credits Accepted
9
Why Study Master’s of Business Administration at Shawnee University
The schedule actually works around your job. Courses run in 7-week blocks, mostly online, with three in-person sessions per course.
You can keep working — that's the whole design. You'll apply what you learn at work, as you learn it. Coursework is built around real business challenges, so you can take what you do on Tuesday and put it to use on Wednesday.
The program is rooted in Appalachian economic development. You'll have access to local businesses, startups, and public-sector partners through the C. H. Lute School of Business and the Kricker Innovation Hub.
Faculty come from corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Your professors have run the kinds of organizations you're learning to lead.
The capstone is something you can show. Whether you choose a portfolio project or an internship, you finish with concrete evidence of what you can do.
The M.B.A. is a 30-credit-hour program with 7-week courses covering strategy, leadership, finance, operations, marketing, ethics, analytics, and entrepreneurship — capped by a real-world capstone.
- Entrepreneurship & Growth (3 credits)
- Information Systems for Management (3 credits)
- Innovation & Leadership (3 credits)
- Integrative Marketing Management (3 credits)
- Regulation & Ethics in Business (3 credits)
- Risk & Financial Management (3 credits)
- Strategic Data Analytics (3 credits)
- Strategic Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
- Strategic Profitability Analysis (3 credits)
- Capstone Experience (3 credits) — Portfolio Project or Internship
The program ends with a Capstone Experience that gives you two options: a Portfolio Project that demonstrates achievement of the program's learning objectives through a comprehensive piece of work, or an Internship — minimum 70 documented hours of supervised professional experience with an area business or organization.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge across marketing, finance, operations, and strategy
- Apply analytical and critical thinking to complex business problems
- Lead organizations with innovation and ethics at the center
- Use data-driven decision-making to improve performance
- Understand the economic and cultural landscape of the Appalachian region
The M.B.A. follows a hybrid model. Most coursework is online, with three in-person sessions per 7-week course held at Shawnee State's Main Campus in Portsmouth, Ohio. International students can complete the same program by attending the required in-person sessions.
This program is now offered at Adena Health’s PACCAR Medical Education Center, giving southern Ohio professionals a flexible, affordable path to graduate-level business education.
Graduates of the M.B.A. move into roles like:
- Senior or executive manager
- Director of operations or strategy
- Founder or business owner
- Financial manager or controller
- Marketing director
- Consultant
- Nonprofit or public-sector leader
Hiring sectors include corporate management, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, nonprofits, government, and entrepreneurial ventures — including the regional businesses and startups SSU's MBA is closely connected to.
May 1 - deadline for applying for MBA starting in Autumn Semester
May 1 - deadline for submission of Graduate Assistantship application
July 15 - final decisions on acceptance for MBA applicants for Autumn Semester
Aug. 1 - deadline for a guaranteed seat in Autumn courses; registering for courses after this date is not guaranteed
Nov. 1 - deadline for applying for MBA starting in Spring Semester
Nov. 15 - final decisions on acceptance for MBA applicants for Spring Semester
Dec. 1 - deadline for a guaranteed seat in Spring courses; registering for courses after this date is not guaranteed
March 1 - deadline for applying for MBA starting in Summer Semester
March 15 - final decisions on acceptance for MBA applicants for Summer Semester
April 1 - deadline for a guaranteed seat in Summer courses; registering for courses after this date is not guaranteed
Contact MBA Program Director to learn more: mba@shawnee.edu
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Master’s of Business Administration Frequently Asked Questions
No — it's hybrid. Most work is online, but each 7-week course includes three in-person sessions held on the Portsmouth campus.
Yes. The program is designed for working professionals, with flexible scheduling and 7-week course blocks.
Yes. International students can enroll in the hybrid M.B.A. and attend the required in-person sessions on campus.
Academic advising, career services, and resources like the Kricker Innovation Hub for entrepreneurial support.
Program handbook
For detailed information about program expectations, policies, and requirements, contact:
Dr. Jason Lovins
M.B.A. Program Director
(740) 351-3356.
Accreditation
Shawnee State University's M.B.A. program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
