The College of Business and Technology Graduate Programs
Lander University offers graduate business degree programs leading to the Master of Science in Management (MSM) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with micro-credentials. Students who complete the MBA degree earn two micro-credentials selected from among six available micro-credentials. The possible micro-credentials are (a) Business Analytics, (b) Supply Chain and Operations Management, (c) Digital Marketing, (d) Financial Development, (e) Organizational Leadership, and (f) Healthcare Management. Nondegree-seeking students can earn micro-credentials without completing the MBA and have the option to return to the MBA program later since these credentials are stackable toward degree completion.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Management and the Master of Business Administration degrees are accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the world’s longest-standing accrediting body for business schools. More information is available at www.aacsb.edu.
Admission
All applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Students are encouraged to apply for admission online by going to https://www.lander.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions.html. Requests for graduate application forms may also be addressed to the Office of Admissions, Lander University, 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, South Carolina 29649, 888-4-Lander, or email admissions@lander.edu.
The College of Business and Technology (COBT) conducts an assessment inclusive of all applicant credentials to make its admission decision. Admissions decisions are made using holistic evaluation of the candidate’s academic record and relevant work experience. GRE or GMAT scores may be submitted for consideration but are not required. Applicants may receive up to nine hours of transfer academic credit for previous graduate coursework from another accredited institutions on a case-by-case basis.
To be successful in the MBA or MSM programs, students will need to have earned a “C” or better in an undergraduate statistics course. If an applicant has not completed such a course, Lander University offers a variety of ways to satisfy this requirement before the commencement of coursework. University advisors will assist students who need to satisfy this requirement after they have been provisionally accepted into the program. Applicants admitted to the MBA program who have not earned a business degree will need to take BA 600 Business Fundamentals.
Applicants who have earned an advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) from an accredited institution or who have attained prior enrollment in a graduate program from an accredited institution that required submission of an acceptable GMAT/GRE score for admission are admitted directly into the MBA or MSM program.
Grade Reports - At the end of each semester, a report of grades is posted on Bearcat Web.
Grade Appeals - Lander University’s Student Handbook includes provisions for final grade appeals. After graduation, no grade can be changed or appealed.
Transcripts - Requests for official transcripts of a student’s record should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar. Procedures for requesting an official transcript can be found at:
http://www.lander.edu/Academics/Registrars-Office/Transcripts .
A transcript of a student’s record carries the following information: admissions data; current status; a detailed statement of the scholastic record showing courses pursued with credit hours carried, credit hours earned, grades, grade points, the system of grading, all failures, incomplete grades, and academic penalties such as academic probation, suspension, or other restrictions. A student’s official record concerns academic performance only. No partial record will be issued. No official transcript will be issued to or for a student who is indebted to Lander University.
Transfer Credit
Applicants may transfer up to nine (9) graduate credit hours verified by an official transcript from an accredited graduate business school and approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator/Director, Associate/Assistant Dean, or Dean of the College of Business and Technology. The transferred course credit must be commensurate with the Lander University course it is intended to replace. Only courses with grades of “B” or better can be transferred, and the courses must have been completed within six (6) years at the time of acceptance into the Lander University Graduate Business program.
Program Progress and Probation
Student progress is assessed after completing the first 6-12 MSM/MBA credit hours. Earning more than two grades of “C” or “C+” or lower in graduate courses can preclude continuation in the program. Any grade lower than a “C” or “C+” must be replaced by retaking the course and attaining a GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to earn a replacement grade of “B” or better and maintain a 3.0 GPA may result in termination from the program. Students must retake courses to replace insufficient grades at the next available opportunity and must achieve “B” or better grades in all courses taken in the interim when their GPA is below 3.0 anytime during or after their first 12 credit hours.
Program Completion
A student must complete the approved program of study and have no more than two courses with grades of “C” or “C+” and must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work. The Graduate Program Coordinator/Director, Associate/Assistant Dean, or Dean of the College of Business and Technology can restrict student course enrollments until a GPA of 3.0 or better is maintained.
To complete either degree program, MBA or MSM, candidates must earn 30 graduate credit hours and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all graduate work. Students completing the MSM can earn the MBA degree by completing 18 additional credit hours comprised of the five MBA core courses and the MBA capstone course.
Students who complete the MBA first can earn the MSM by completing the additional 18 credit hours of MSM courses not taken as part of the MBA program. All coursework for either degree must be completed within a period of six years from the student’s program start date. Nondegree-seeking students earning only micro-credentials can stack those courses toward the MBA or MSM to become degree-seeking later, but must complete their degree within a period of six years from starting their micro-credential coursework.
Graduation
Students must apply for graduation according to University procedures. Graduation applications, degree audits, and related requirements are coordinated by the Office of the Registrar. All academic and financial obligations must be satisfied prior to degree conferral.