Business Fundamentals (Certificate)

Description

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The Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals is designed to give students with non-business degrees a comprehensive foundation in the current body of knowledge and skills in business. This graduate certificate provides essential knowledge in the fundamental fields of business: accounting, finance, management, marketing, production and operations, economics, business law, and statistical analysis. In addition to being a stand-alone credential, the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals satisfies all prerequisites for the Detroit Mercy MBA program, which was recently ranked among the top 20 graduate Management programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This graduate certificate can be offered as a stand-alone certificate (for those who do not wish to complete an MBA) or in conjunction with pursuing an MBA. All coursework from this program may be applied toward MBA requirements, should you choose to pursue an MBA at the University of Detroit Mercy in the near future.

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    Admissions Requirements

    Admission decisions are based on an undergraduate GPA, GMAT score (if needed), work experience, and other degrees.

    • A University of Detroit Mercy Graduate Application Form, with the application fee (waived for online applications);
    • Official transcripts for all previous academic work;
    • A resume;
    • Letters of recommendation; and
    • Any other information which the applicant feels is important to the admission decision.
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    Program Requirements

    The graduate certificate consists of 8 graduate courses, up to 3 of which may be waived based on prior coursework. The Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals varies between 15 credit hours to 24 credit hours depending on the number of graduate courses requiring successful completion.

    Foundation Courses

    Foundation requirements include a set of courses designed for those applicants who have had no exposure or limited exposure to business courses in their academic background and/or limited work experience. Each applicant's program requirements are determined immediately following the admission decision. Up to 3 foundation requirements may be waived, depending upon the applicant's academic background. The mere fact that a student has completed coursework in one or more particular disciplines does not imply that any waiver will be granted. Prior academic work must be of sufficient quantity and quality as to satisfy the specific criteria established. Each student's specific requirements are determined individually with the objective of ensuring the overall quality of that student's program of study.

    • ACC 5100 Foundations of Financial Accounting (3 credits)
    • ECN 5100 Economic Analysis of Enterprises (3 credits)
    • MBA 5100 Legal Environment (3 credits)
    • MBA 5120 Statistical Analysis for Decision Making (3 credits)
    • MBA 5140 Foundations of Management (3 credits)
    • MBA 5160 Foundations of Marketing (3 credits)
    • MBA 5180 Foundations of Financial Management (3 credits)
    • MBA 5190 Foundations of Production and Operations Management (3 credits)
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    Admissions Status

    Guest Student Status

    Individuals currently enrolled in another AACSB accredited program may obtain Guest Student Status at the University of Detroit Mercy for a limited number of courses by providing a statement of good standing from their school's Dean or program director, or by applying for guest student status using a Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate School form (MIGS). The MIGS application can be obtained in the Graduate Business Programs Office.

    Conditional Entry Status

    Applicants whose admission materials do not lead to regular acceptance into the program may be considered for conditional entry status. Conditional entry status is restricted to a narrow margin of applicants and usually requires a personal interview.

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    Program Characteristics

    Several important aspects of the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals program should be noted. These include policies regarding grade point averages, class scheduling, and advising.

    Cumulative Grade Point Average

    Students in the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals program are required to achieve and maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale). A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for final completion of the program requirements.

    Academic Standing

    While an individual may be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals program on a regular-acceptance basis, it is possible that the individual's eventual cumulative GPA may fall below a 3.0 in any particular term. When this situation occurs, the student automatically is placed on "Academic Probation". This status dictates that the student's cumulative GPA must continue to improve in each consecutive term thereafter until the cumulative GPA reaches 3.0 and is then sustained at that level or higher. If, after being placed on Academic Probation, the student's cumulative GPA does not improve in each subsequent term, the student will be academically dismissed.

    Class Scheduling

    Classes are scheduled in the evening and online. Classes are currently offered on the McNichols Campus and downtown Riverfront campus. Evening classes begin at 6:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday for Term I and Term II on the McNichols Campus and evening classes begin at 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday for Term I and Term II on the downtown Riverfront campus. Terms are 15 weeks in length. Each summer session is seven weeks in length. Summer I commences in May. Summer II begins in late June. Downtown Riverfront Campus summer schedule overlaps both end of McNichols Summer I and start of McNichols Summer II.

    Full-Time and Part-Time Student Status

    An individual may undertake the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals program on a part-time basis. Full-time student status usually involves a nine or above credit-hour course load in Terms I and II. Part-time student status usually entails a 1-8 credit hour load in Terms I and II.

    Residence and Time Requirements

    Students who have not completed their required graduate certificate program within two years may be subject to re-evaluation and additional coursework. Students not enrolled for more than four consecutive terms will be required to re-apply for admission.

    International Students

    International students should consult with the International Services Office.

    Advising

    The Director of Graduate Business Programs serves as general academic advisor for all students entering the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals program. When appropriate, specific advising matters may be referred to the advisor in a particular academic discipline.

    Student Responsibilities

    Students in the College of Business Administration are responsible and accountable for knowledge of the requirements and procedures set forth by the College and University. Administrators, advisors, and faculty are available to assist students by explaining the various requirements and procedures for each program. However, the ultimate responsibility for compliance rests with the student.

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    MBA with Certificate

    MBA students requiring successful completion of 5 or more of the foundation courses for their program of study are eligible to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals. For details, a student should consult with the Director of Graduate Business Programs.

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    Accreditation

    The College of Business Administration is fully accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Organized in 1916, AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. Detroit Mercy's College of Business Administration has been continuously accredited since 1949 and is one of the oldest AACSB-accredited institutions in the United States. In 2009, the program celebrated 60 years of accreditation by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Detroit Mercy's College of Business Administration is the only private university in Michigan with AACSB International accreditation.

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    Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships

    GMAT Scholarships

    The University provides scholarships to graduate students in the College of Business Administration who score 600 or higher on the GMAT test. Information about the test and applications for it may be obtained by calling the Graduate Business Programs Office at (313) 993-1203, or by writing: GMAT, Educational Testing Service, CN6103, Princeton, NJ 08541-6103.

    Graduate Assistantships

    Graduate assistantships are available to selected full-time students enrolled in any graduate business program. A graduate assistantship is conferred upon a student with the understanding that the student will be assigned to a discipline or program to assist in research, tutoring or general activities. In return, the student receives a tuition waiver for up to nine credit hours in Term I and/or Term II. Application forms for a graduate assistantship are available in the Graduate Business Programs Office.

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    Program Contact Information

    • Graduate Admissions Counselor: Theresa Carson
    • Telephone: (313) 993-3309 or (800) 635-5020
    • Fax: (313) 993-1673
    • Email: theresa.carson@udmercy.edu

    • Director of Graduate Business Programs: Dr. Omid Sabbaghi
    • Telephone: (313) 993-1172
    • Fax: (313) 993-1673
    • Email: omid.sabbaghi@udmercy.edu

    • Coordinator of Student Services: Ms. Carrol Parris
    • Telephone: (313) 993-1203
    • Fax: (313) 993-1673
    • Email: carrol.parris@udmercy.edu