The Foundational MBA Path for Career Changers

The foundational MBA path is designed for professionals who need to build a comprehensive foundation in the fundamentals of business. Through this well-rounded curriculum, you will gain the quantitative and managerial skills to:

  • Advance in your field or transition into a different industry.
  • Move from a small business or nonprofit organization to a more corporate environment.
  • Move into a leadership role within your current industry.

Through MBA@Dayton, you will earn your degree from UD’s AACSB-accredited School of Business Administration and network with faculty and students who bring diverse business insights to the online classroom.

Program at a Glance

18–22
courses

36–45
credits

2
immersions

18–24
months to complete

Who Should Pursue the Foundational MBA Path?

The 45-credit online MBA program will help you build foundational business skills like finance, accounting, and marketing, in addition to gaining the advanced skills and servant-leadership focus offered by MBA@Dayton. The foundational MBA path is ideal for people who fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • Are looking to move into a leadership role within their company, but lack a traditional business background
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in a non-business related field, such as communications, computer science, engineering or education
  • Have limited quantitative experience

Foundational MBA Curriculum

The 45-credit online MBA curriculum provides a background in all areas of business and culminates with a strategic capstone project. You will prepare to make a difference in your career and community by building practical business skills and developing an understanding of servant leadership.

You may be eligible to have one or two foundational courses waived, depending on your prior work experience.

Foundation courses

10.5–15 credits

Core courses

12 credits

Elective courses

6–9 credits

Integrated Strategy

6 credits

Integrated Ethics

3 credits

Immersions

3 credits

If you choose to pursue a concentration, you will take three elective courses instead of two. Explore the MBA@Dayton curriculum and course descriptions.

Get Started

Learn how MBA@Dayton can help you become a well-rounded leader in your field.

How Flexible Is the Foundational MBA Path?

If you take between 7.5 and 9 credits per semester, you can complete the online MBA program in as few as 18 months. However, you can complete the program at a slower pace, if needed, to fit your schedule. Typically, the foundational MBA program path is completed in about 24 months.

Example 24-Month Course Sequence

Term 1:
6 credits

  • Principled Organization: Integrating Faith, Ethics and Work
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Managerial Accounting

Term 2:
4.5 credits

  • Principles of Finance
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Statistical Techniques for Decision Analysis

Term 3:
6 credits

  • Principles of Operations Management
  • Principles of Economics
  • Information Technology and Systems
  • Principles of Organizational Behavior

Term 4:
4.5 credits

  • Managerial Economics
  • Performance Measurement and Control Systems Perspective
  • Operational Effectiveness

Term 5:
4.5 credits

  • Business Analytics
  • Information Systems and Business Decisions
  • Corporate Finance

Term 6:
3 credits

  • Organizational Behavior
  • Marketing Management

Term 7:
6 credits

  • Leadership, Strategy, and Stakeholder Management
  • Elective Course*

Term 8:
6–9 credits

  • Integrative Project
  • Elective Course*
  • Elective Course*

* If you choose to pursue a concentration, you will take three elective courses instead of two.

Admission Overview and GMAT Waiver Policy

UD accepts applications to MBA@Dayton on a rolling basis. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission, but there is no work experience requirement. To apply, you will need to submit the following materials:

  • Current resume
  • A statement of purpose
  • One professional letter of recommendation

The GMAT/GRE requirement can be waived if you have three years or more of relevant full-time work experience or an undergraduate GPA above 3.0. See our application requirements for more information.

Take the Next Step

Request information about MBA@Dayton today to see how you can make a difference in your career and community in as few as 18–24 months.