Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Handbook

(September 22, 2011)

Overview
Curriculum
1. Foundation (Leveling) Courses
2. Core Courses and Prerequisites
3. Design Elements Common to All Core Courses
  1. Course Syllabus
  2. Course Learning Objectives
  3. Course Evaluations and Grade Inflation
  4. Student-Faculty Interaction
  5. Policy on Electronic Devices
4. Areas of Concentration
5. Internships
6. Course Scheduling
7. Transfer, Waiver, and Substitution of Courses
8. Proposals for Curriculum Change
Admission
Student Policies and Information
Administrative Duties and Responsibilities
Academic Qualification
1. Academically Qualified and Professionally Qualified
2. Qualifications to Teach in MBA Program
Assessment and Improvement

I. Overview

A. Purpose and Mission

The FHSU MBA is a rigorous program designed to help the student to:

acquire proficiency in the theory and practice of the key functional areas of business and
to develop the critical thinking and communication skills that will enable the student to become an effective business leader. (Under Review)

B. Implementation

The MBA program continues the "high-tech, high-touch" tradition of FHSU. In the finest tradition of accredited programs, students interact with academically and professionally qualified instructors in classes of twenty-five or fewer students ensuring that the student is at the center of the collaborative learning experience. All on-campus courses are offered in state-of-the-art mediated classrooms that include internet access, digital document cameras, VCR and DVD players, extensive computer applications, and high-quality digital overhead projectors. Many classrooms also feature individual computer access. The FHSU campus is fully Wi-Fi accessible and the University "laptop initiative" ensures that every student has access to and is trained in the latest computer productivity tools. Virtual courses generally use Blackboard and include a wide variety of innovative electronic delivery methodologies. The program complies with all guidelines of the FHSU Graduate School.

The program provides the flexibility of either virtual (on-line) or traditional (on-campus) formats. Both virtual and on-line options offer affordable education without sacrificing academic rigor. The MBA is an innovative program that offers specializations in several areas (see below) and is constantly pursuing new initiatives. Not all areas of specialization are available on-line.

C. Educational Objectives

Goal 1: Graduates of the MBA program will integrate concepts from the Business Disciplines
Objective: Demonstrate comprehension and application of the functional areas of business: accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing

Goal 2: Graduates of the MBA program will be effective and persuasive communicators
Objective: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in written form through reports, letters, strategic plans, etc.
Objective: Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in oral form when making presentations and proposals.

Goal 3: Graduates of the MBA program will be critical thinkers and problem solvers
Objective: Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate, analyze, and synthesize data and information to solve complex business problems. Critical thinking is defined as:

"An essential tool of inquiry; purposeful, self-regulatory judgment that results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based. … The ideal critical thinker is habitually inquisitive, well informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which are as precise as the subject and the circumstances of inquiry permit. … (from http://www.insightassessment.com/dex.html)"

Goal 4: Graduates of the MBA program will be able to work effectively with others as colleagues and as leaders
Objective: Demonstrate the capacities to manage, influence, and lead others.

Goal 5: Graduates of the MBA program will have the capacity to assess the global business environment
Objective: Demonstrate a comprehension and application of global business issues.

Goal 6: Graduates of the MBA program will understand how information technology can be a point of strength for an organization.
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of the correlation between business and information technology.
Objective: Demonstrate the critical role information technology plays in deploying enterprise initiatives to achieve broad general business goals.

Goal 7: Graduates of the MBA program will be aware of the legal, social, and ethical business environment
Objective: Demonstrate an understanding and application of the legal environment and of social responsibility and ethical issues facing businesses today.

D. Accreditation

FHSU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Business and Leadership is currently engaged in the AACSB accreditation process.

E. Policy Changes

Changes in MBA Policy must be approved by the MBA Committee, the MBA Graduate Faculty, and the Dean. All Programmatic modifications must meet the guidelines of the FHSU Graduate School and be approved by the Dean. "MBA Graduate Faculty," for this purpose are those full-time participating faculty who teach MBA-prefix classes.

II. Curriculum

The FHSU MBA Consists of 34 semester credit hours--25 hours of core and 9 hours of concentration courses or electives.

A. Foundation (Leveling) Courses

Foundation courses are designed to prepare students who lack adequate background for study in the MBA program. Only students found deficient in one or more areas are required to take a foundation course in each deficient area. The MBA Committee will determine the need for students to take foundation courses as these students apply for admission to the program. Foundation courses may be a precondition for admission into the MBA program. The Foundation Courses are:

GBUS 801: Survey of Economics
GBUS 802: Management and Marketing Principles
GBUS 803: Accounting Theories and Practices
GBUS 804: Financial and Quantitative Methods

B. Core Courses and Prerequisites

All MBA students are required to take the following MBA Core courses:

GBUS 800: Graduate Success Lab
MBA 811: Advanced Managerial Accounting

Prerequisite is completion of GBUS 803 or
Equivalent undergraduate courses

MBA 812: Marketing Management

Prerequisite is completion of GBUS 802 or
Equivalent undergraduate courses

MBA 813: Information Systems for Management
MBA 814: Business Research and Quantitative Methods

Prerequisite is completion of GBUS 804 or
Equivalent undergraduate courses

MBA 815: Managerial Economics

Prerequisite is completion of GBUS 801 or
Equivalent undergraduate courses

MBA 816: Advanced Corporate Finance

Prerequisite is completion of GBUS 804 or
Equivalent undergraduate courses

MBA 817: Strategic Management

Prerequisite is completion of all other Core Courses or
Completion of all other Core Courses concurrently with this course

MBA 831: Leadership and Organizational Behavior

C. Design Elements Common to All Core Courses

While we envision a diversity of pedagogic approaches, each customized by the expert instructor to meet specific course and MBA learning objectives, each course should contain the following basic common design elements:

1. Course Syllabus

Every core course (and every MBA course) should contain a detailed syllabus. Among other items, the syllabus should include the following:

a.         The course number and title.
b.         The instructor’s name, office hours, and contact information.
c.         Course Prerequisites, if any.
d.         A statement reserving to the instructor the right to make course changes, if necessary, and how such changes will be announced.
e.         Textbook and recommended reading. Include name, authors, and ISBN.
f.          Any other texts or reading materials and where found.
g.         Other course materials including:
            --Materials on Blackboard
            --Calculators, computers, software, or other materials
            --Internet products or services
h.         A detailed course description.
i.          A table summarizing the MBA objectives and showing if and how the course addresses these objectives.
j.          A list of course learning objectives. Every course should have a detailed list of learning objectives. This detailed list need not be included in the syllabus but should be provided as a document on Blackboard or through some other method.
k.         A list of your personal objectives.
l.          Course Delivery and Structure—describe how the course will be conducted.
m.        Course Components—Describe Exams, Homework, Cases, Presentations, Discussion Boards, Participation, etc.
n.         Rubrics to be used to evaluate student work—it is important that students understand how they will be evaluated.
o.         A table showing weekly assignments (reading, homework, etc.) and any due dates. Explain whether due dates are flexible or rigid.
p.         A section summarizing your policy on getting help.
q.         A summary of how students will be graded.
r.          An explanation of how Midterm Grades will be handled, if appropriate.
s.          A discussion of your gradesheet and if and how students can have access to their performance.
t.          A statement of Academic Integrity Policies.
u.         A statement explaining any “special needs” policy.

2. Course Learning Objectives

Each instructor must establish a list of course learning objectives. Learning objectives should be tied to course materials and assignments and should be consistent with the stated MBA program objectives. Learning objectives should be sufficiently general that they can be limited to a small number of items. Course pre- and post-tests should be tied to course learning objectives.

3. Course Evaluations and Grade Inflation

Course evaluations of individual student performance may take a variety of forms (exams, papers, projects, oral presentations, group work, etc.). Regardless of the form, all evaluations should be tied in specific ways to the course learning objectives. AACSB requires:

That there be a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the proper learning experiences occur
That course syllabi, examinations and projects should be regularly reviewed to see that learning experiences are included to prepare students to accomplish learning goals.

The MBA Committee will undertake reviews to accomplish the above monitoring function on a periodic basis.
Instructors should avoid grade inflation, ensuring that academic standards are met.

4. Student-Faculty Interaction

AACSB standards state, "A critical determinant of faculty sufficiency is opportunities [for] students to interact with faculty members as part of their educational program. Higher education is more than one-way communication from faculty members to students…." Each core course must be designed to facilitate student-faculty interaction. Key design features include student-faculty ratio (class size), ratio of degrees offered per faculty member (relative to peer institutions), etc. Student-faculty interaction could take the following forms:

Class discussions
Opportunities for students to ask for clarification
Faculty feedback on student work
Discussion boards
E-mail or telephone correspondence

5. Policy on Electronic Devices

A faculty member may, at his/her sole discretion, prohibit the use of computers, cell phones, calculators, electronic translation devices, digital cameras, or any other electronic device either during regular class sessions or during exams or both. The sole exception might be if a student is required to have some device or other special arrangements because of a documented disability. In making the determination with respect to electronic translation devices, in particular, the faculty member should consider the following:

a.         These devices will typically not be allowed during the students’ assessment exams. Therefore, to allow them in the class could create a false expectation by the student about what he or she will be required to do to graduate.

b.         One of the major objectives of the MBA program at Fort Hays State University is that students acquire the ability to communicate both orally and in writing (presumably in English). Written communication, as is true with any communication, requires that a student be competent to both send and receive information. Students who are unable to complete exams and assignments written in the English language without the assistance of a translation device may not have met this objective.

c.         These devices can be used to store course information. And, since this information can be stored in a foreign language, which the instructor may not be able to read, these devices can be used effectively to cheat on exams.

Penalties for a student’s failure to comply with the policies regarding electronic devices that are established by the instructor could result in, among other things:

a.         Loss or use of the device.
b.         Grade penalties.
c.         Failure on exams and/or other assignments.
d.         Failure in the class.

Punishments and appeals will be handled through established academic processes and procedures.

D. Areas of Concentration

A concentration consists of 9 hours in a specialized area. Besides a general MBA, the following areas of concentration (specialization) are currently available:

On Campus Only

International Business
Accounting (for undergraduate accounting majors or equivalent)

On-Line Only

Human Resource Management
Leadership Studies
Health Care Management

On-Line or On Campus

Finance
Information Assurance
Management Information Systems
Tourism and Hospitality Management

The FHSU MBA is an innovative program that consistently strives to add additional areas of concentration wherever and whenever resources and demand permit.

E. Internships

Work experience of any kind enhances the value of the MBA degree. Through work experience, MBA students can develop contacts that help them to network, learn how classroom concepts are applied to real-world problems, and gain insights into real business operations that can improve the classroom learning environment for themselves and their peers. Temporary work experiences provide an opportunity for students to exhibit their competence and can often lead to permanent work.

Students may obtain credit for short-term work experiences through formal internship arrangements. However, internship credit is available only as an add-on (which will increase the number of credit hours beyond the 34 hours required to graduate) and not as a substitute (replacement) for existing courses. There is no internship credit available in the MBA core. Any internship credit must be arranged directly with the department head of the core-area of interest. Students seeking internship credit must comply with the departmental rules and procedures required for earning internship credit in that department.

Internship credit is made available because some employers may require an internship arrangement as a precondition for making temporary employment available. Internship credit is not made available to fulfill any graduation requirements.

F. Course Scheduling

The MBA Committee will establish a course rotation schedule sufficient to allow a fully-matriculated student to complete all MBA degree requirements in no more than two-years. This two-year rotation does not count Foundation Courses.

G. Transfer, Waiver, and Substitution of Courses:

Requests for transfer, waiver, or substitution of any MBA Courses should be submitted through the MBA Graduate Coordinator to the MBA Committee for approval.
No more than nine credit hours will be considered for transfer, waiver, or substitution.
Students are expected to complete their graduate coursework using FHSU courses.

H. Proposals for Curriculum Change

Proposals for course or curriculum changes or changes in or the addition or removal of areas of concentration should be submitted to the MBA committee for approval.

III. Admission

A. Application Package

A Complete Application Package depends on the applicant's ability to speak English and will include the following:

Students with English as a Native Language (Domestic Students)
- Paid graduate application.
- Current resume
- Official transcript(s) in English for all undergraduate and graduate course work.
- Official scores for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Personal Statement from student that states:
  - Reason for seeking an MBA at FHSU.
  - Professional or career goals.
  - Description of prior work experience.
  - A statement of whether student is applying as an On-Campus or On-Line Student.
- Other requirements as specified by the FHSU Graduate School.
Students with English as a Second Language (Normally International Students)
- All material required of Domestic Students, plus
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 550 or
- Other proof of ability to speak and understand English acceptable to the MBA Committee
The MBA program does not accept Non-English-Speaking Students

B. Timing of Application Submission

Applications are accepted for admission throughout the year.
A Complete Application Package must be received by the MBA Graduate Coordinator no later than sixty (60) days prior to the commencement of course work.

C. Admission Criteria

The MBA Committee may establish automatic admission criteria and will make decisions on the admission of any student to which such automatic admission criteria does not apply. Admission is competitive and is based on grades, courses taken, GMAT/GRE, and other materials included in the Complete Application Package.

D. Classification of Students

Students are classified, upon admission, as either an On-Campus or On-Line student and as either a Kansas Resident, a Resident of Contiguous State, or a Non-Resident.

IV. Student Policies and Information

A. Registration Priority

MBA students have first priority in registering for MBA courses.

B. Costs and Fees

Students may be admitted into the MBA Program and pay fees according to the following table:

Classification	Residence Status
Classification	Kansas Resident	Contiguous State (Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma)	Other
On-Campus	Graduate Resident Tuition for on-campus classes; On-Line Tuition for virtual classes	Graduate Contiguous State Tuition for on-campus classes; On-Line Tuition for virtual classes	Graduate Non-Resident Tuition for on-campus classes; On-Line Tuition for virtual classes
On-Line (May not take on-campus classes)	On-Line MBA Tuition for all classes	On-Line MBA Tuition for all classes	On-Line MBA Tuition for all classes

All students will pay a non-refundable "Assessment Fee" upon entering the program. This fee covers the costs of Comprehensive Examinations and Assessments. A complete summary of MBA tuition and fees is provided through Student Fiscal Services.

C. Satisfactory Academic Performance

No grade below C may be applied to graduation. No more than two grades of C may be applied toward graduation. No course taken for Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit or audited may be applied toward graduation. Each student must achieve acceptable scores on the MBA Major Field Test (MFT), the ETS Proficiency Profile, and the FHSU Post Test in order to graduate.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of B (3.00) in the 34-hour program courses. If, at the end of any semester, the cumulative GPA in the 34-hour program courses is below 3.00, the student will be given one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.00 or better. If, after that semester, the cumulative GPA in the 34-hour program courses is still below 3.00, then the student may, at the discretion of the MBA Committee, be suspended from the MBA program.

D. Incompletes ("I")

A grade of "I" will be awarded only if the student is prevented from completing a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control (for example, medical emergencies, family emergencies, or military deployment). Students receiving an incomplete must have been passing the course before the circumstances arose that led to the incomplete. Poor performance is not a basis for awarding an "I." Instructors giving an "I" will complete the form provided in Lotus Notes Workflow, setting forth the time allowed and tasks to be accomplished to make up the "I." Students are expected to make up the "I" as soon as possible. Normally, an "I" must be made up within one year and one semester, although the instructor can impose a different deadline. Incompletes not made up by the required deadline will be converted into "U" grades.

E. Advising and Mentoring

All MBA students will receive academic advice from the MBA Graduate Coordinator with respect to administrative details of their program such as course scheduling and enrollment. Each MBA student will be assigned a Faculty "mentor" with whom they can discuss topics such as their area of concentration, career goals and objectives, academic difficulties and success.

V. Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

A. MBA Committee

Members are appointed to serve on the MBA Committee by the Dean of the College of Business and Leadership (Dean). The MBA Committee has the following duties and responsibilities:

With respect to Administration, Policy, and Procedure:
- Consider and recommend changes in MBA policy and procedure.
- Review and update this MBA handbook.
- Review and update the MBA Web Page.
- Review and update the MBA Course Catalog.
- Maintain an up-to-date MBA affinity diagram.
- Help prepare and evaluate MBA Program marketing materials.
With respect to Curriculum
- Meet periodically with core-course instructors to review course syllabi, examinations and projects and, as needed, recommend changes in curriculum, course syllabi, and course content.
- Approve all requests for waiver or exemptions of the curriculum or foundation courses submitted by individual MBA students.
- Approve any non-FHSU course to be used as credit toward the MBA degree, including transfer and substitute credits.
- Determine the course rotation schedule sufficient to allow graduation from the program within a two-year period.
With respect to Admission
- Design an admissions policy and an administrative procedure to handle admissions to the MBA program.
With respect to Student Policies and Information
- Determine policy with respect to grading, including what constitutes a passing grade and how incompletes are to be made up.
With respect to Academic and Professional Qualification of MBA Instructors
- Annually review the vitae, transcripts, and other documents to determine the Academic and Professional Qualification of participating faculty.
- Advise the Dean and Department Head of faculty non-compliance with AACSB Academic and Professional Qualification requirements.
- Review and approve all new faculty teaching in the MBA program before they teach.
With respect to Assessment
- Design and conduct an effective assessment program.
- Prepare a rubric for use in evaluating the Assessment Case components (written presentation, oral presentation, and group work).
- Prepare a Peer-Evaluation Form for use with the Assessment Case.
- Appoint members to Curriculum Review Teams (CRT—see Assessment) and take appropriate actions based on these reports.
- Prepare, administer, and process alumni and employer surveys.
- Add additional questions to the CourseEval for assessment purposes, as desired.

B. Participating Faculty (Teaching in the MBA Program)

Meet the requirements to be either MBA Academically Qualified (MBA-AQ) or Professionally Qualified (PQ).
Submit an up-to-date vitae to the MBA committee for review no later than September 30 of each year.
Faculty who are newly appointed to teach in the MBA program must submit both a current vitae and transcript to the MBA committee prior to teaching any course in the MBA program.
Assist the MBA Committee in implementing course, curriculum, and program changes as suggested by the assessment process.
Incorporate opportunities for student-faculty interaction into course design.
As requested, provide copies of syllabi, examinations, projects, and other course material and meet with the MBA Committee to evaluate course sufficiency.
Maintain academic standards of the MBA program when teaching MBA courses.
Complete the Incomplete form on Lotus Notes Workflow as required.
Participate in Case Assessment Teams as assigned.
Act as a secondary mentor for students wishing to discuss areas of interest, careers, etc.

C. MBA Graduate Coordinator

Serve as a member of the MBA Committee.
Take, distribute, and maintain a file of the minutes of all MBA Committee Meetings and MBA Committee decisions.
Accept requests for waivers or substitutions of MBA Core courses and forward these requests to the MBA Committee for approval.
Accept and process applications for admission to the MBA program:
- Apply automatic acceptance criteria as established by the MBA Committee.
- Forward non-conforming or marginal applications to the MBA Committee for a decision.
- Notify applicants of acceptance or decline and any conditions of admission such as the requirement to take foundation courses.
- Collect and process any application and assessment fees.
Maintain files or data bases containing:
- Summaries of all assessment exam and case (scores).
- Exit Surveys and Alumni Surveys.
- Obtain from the Alumni Association, a list of MBA graduates and their contact information (To be used for Graduate Alumni Survey).
- Current vitae and transcripts of faculty teaching in the MBA program.
- The minutes of all MBA Committee meetings and summaries of MBA Committee decisions, whether made in committee or on-line.
- Student applications.
Act as primary advisor and contact point to assist students in enrolling for classes, planning their course schedule, and similar administrative matters.

D. Department Heads

Consider teaching requirements of MBA courses in assigning faculty teaching loads.
Participate in academic appeals made by MBA students.
Assist the MBA Committee in implementing course, curriculum, and program changes as suggested by the assessment process.
Choose or provide procedures for the choice of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs).

E. Dean of College of Business and Leadership

Propose changes to and charge MBA Committee with tasks necessary to assure continuous improvements and alignment with AACSB Accreditation Standards.
Participate in academic appeals made by MBA students.
Convene meetings of the MBA Graduate Faculty as is required.
Assist the MBA Committee in implementing course, curriculum, and program changes as suggested by the assessment process.
Approve changes in MBA program policy and procedure.

F. MBA Graduate Faculty (As a Group)

Vote on all proposed changes in MBA Program Policy. Only changes approved by the MBA Graduate Faculty are official and binding.

G. Alumni Association

Maintain a current list of MBA graduates, along with their contact information.

VI. Academic Qualification

A. Academically Qualified and Professionally Qualified

A faculty member will be deemed to be Academically Qualified (AQ) or Professionally Qualified (PQ) according to the policies for such qualifications established by the College of Business and Leadership. (Under Review)

B. Qualifications to Teach in MBA Program

The following faculty qualification standards will be maintained by the MBA program:

Summary of Required Teacher Qualifications
Course(s)	Teaching Qualification
MBA Core Courses (excluding GBUS 800): MBA 811 (Advanced Managerial Acctg.) MBA 812 (Marketing Management) MBA 813 (Info. Systems for Management) MBA 814 (Bsns. Research & Quant. Mthds.) MBA 815 (Managerial Economics) MBA 816 (Advanced Corporate Finance) MBA 817 (Strategic Management) MBA 831 (Leadership and Org. Behavior)	MBA-AQ and MBA Graduate Faculty
GBUS 800 (Success Lab)	AQ, PQ, or MBA-AQ and MBA Graduate Faculty
MBA Foundation Courses: GBUS 801 (Survey of Economics) GBUS 802 (Management and Mktg. Concepts) GBUS 803 (Accounting Theories and Practice) GBUS 804 (Financial and Quant. Methods)	AQ or PQ, or MBA-AQ and MBA Graduate Faculty
MBA Concentration (Elective) Courses: Leadership Studies International Business Information Assurance Human Resource Management Finance Management Information Systems Hospitality Management Health Care Management	AQ or PQ or MBA-AQ and MBA Graduate Faculty
A minimum of 75% of all coursework taken by an MBA student in the core and concentration areas (excluding Success Lab and Foundation Courses) must be offered by AQ and MBA-AQ faculty.

VII. Assessment and Improvement

A. Background and Introduction

In concept, assessment should efficiently provide easily interpreted, objective, usable program data relevant to longitudinal and cross-sectional program effectiveness. Longitudinal effectiveness is the ability of our program to enhance the knowledge and skill of our students over time—to add value. Cross-sectional effectiveness is the ability of our program to compete with peer programs. Assessment provides benchmarks against which program changes can be measured and evaluated.

B. Program Entry Assessment (Benchmark)

Upon entry into the MBA program and in connection with the Graduate Success Lab, each student will take the undergraduate Major Field Test (2 hours), the ETS Proficiency Profile, and FHSU Pre-Test. These exams will establish a benchmark against which to compare the post assessment results in order to measure the value added in the program in the functional areas as well as in the areas of reading, writing, critical thinking, and mathematics. Results (scores) from these exams are maintained by the MBA Graduate Coordinator.

C. Program Exit Assessment

1. Comprehensive Exams

Starting at the end of Spring Semester 2010 and at the end of each semester thereafter, all graduating MBA students, both on-campus and virtual, will sit for two standardized ETS exams—the three-hour MBA Major Field Test (MFT) and the two-hour ETS Proficiency Profile. Students will, at on the same date, take the FHSU MBA Post-Test. Students must achieve a minimal acceptable score on these exams to graduate. These exams also serve as part of the assessment process. These exams will be used to assess the following areas:

MFT evaluates the students' functional knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Proficiency Profile evaluates critical thinking, reading, writing, and mathematics.
Other knowledge and skills as determined by FHSU MBA Committee.

2. Assessment Case

Each student in the Strategic Management course will be evaluated with respect to group preparation, write-up, and presentation of a preselected Assessment Activity. Both the written and oral presentations will be evaluated by an Assessment Team. Students must achieve minimal exam scores on the written and oral case presentations to graduate from the MBA program. The preparation (analysis and write-up) and presentation of a short case is intended to measure the ability of our students to work in groups and make effective verbal presentations. The Assessment Case should cover multi-functional academic disciplines. The Assessment Case will assess the following areas:

Critical thinking.
Writing.
Oral Presentation.
Group Interaction Skills.
Global Business Knowledge.

The Assessment Case will be selected by the Strategic Management Instructor using the following criteria:

The case covers multiple functional areas.
The case will require some quantitative work.
The case will be short.
The case provides teaching notes to provide to the Case Assessment Team.

3. Graduate Survey

Each graduating student will complete a survey that seeks to elicit feedback regarding how the MBA program can be improved. Results of this survey will be evaluated by the MBA Committee to determine if improvements to the MBA program can be implemented. Copies of the survey will be retained by the MBA Graduate Coordinator. The graduate survey will assess the following areas:

Student attitudes.
Teaching quality.
Mentoring and Advising.
Curriculum.
Possible areas of Program Improvement.

D. Student Evaluation of Instruction

Student evaluations of instruction will be administered in each section offered each semester. Evaluations will consist of the standard Virtual College Course Evaluation (CourseEval). The MBA Committee may choose to add up to five additional questions to the CourseEval for assessment purposes.

E. Post-Graduate Assessment (Alumni Survey)

Alumni, having gained the perspective of work experience, are in a unique position to provide meaningful feedback regarding the effectiveness of the MBA program. The MBA Committee will prepare, periodically, a survey instrument designed to elicit feedback from alumni about the MBA program, with the idea that improvements to the program can be made. The MBA Graduate Coordinator will maintain, as well as is feasible, a mailing list of MBA alumni so that the survey can be administered. The MBA Committee will evaluate the surveys. The MBA Graduate Coordinator will maintain a file containing these surveys. The graduate survey will assess the following areas:

Effectiveness of the program in preparing students for the workplace.
Potential new courses.
Program strengths and weaknesses.
Possible curriculum changes.

F. Comprehensive Exam Administration

All exams will be administered in on-line format. On campus exams will be administered on Friday of the second week of April and November. Fort Hays will appoint an Institution Administrator (typically Dean's secretary) and Proctor Administrator in accordance with ETS requirements. The duties and responsibilities of these individuals are outlined in the ETS Institution Administrator Manual and ETS Proctor Administrator Manual, both which are available at the ETS website (see admin-mapp.ets.org and admin.mft-ets.org). Off-campus virtual students will take the exams on-line under the supervision of a proctor as provided in the Virtual College guidelines. Virtual students will be responsible for finding their own Proctors. Copies of the FHSU Academic Honesty policy and FHSU Virtual College Proctor Approval Forms (Student Responsibility and Proctor Responsibility) are available at the MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site.

1. Exam Time-Line and Duties

When	Who	What
Mid Feb/Sept	Assessment Coordinator	Schedule Lab for On-Campus exams for Friday of 2nd week of April/November
Mid Feb/Sept	MBA Coordinator	Prepare list of students who intend to graduate (categorized by on-line or on-campus) and send to Assessment Coordinator
Mid Feb/Sept	Assessment Coordinator	Send student count to Dean's office so MFT and PP exams can be ordered from ETS
End of Feb/Sept	Dean's Office (secretary)	Order appropriate number of on-line MFT and Proficiency Profile exams from ETS
End of Feb/Sept	Assessment Coordinator	Enroll all MBA students taking the exams in the MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site Post announcement on MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site giving exam date, requirement for on-line students to find a proctor and fax Proctor forms to MBA Coordinator no later than end of Feb/Sept, where to find the proctor form (on MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site), etc.
Mid Feb/Sept	Assessment Coordinator	As soon as the exam order is filled, create cohorts for MFT and Proficiency Profile exams; assign virtual students to authorization codes; print authorization-code cards (one card per student) for on-campus MFT exam administration (on-campus students need not be assigned authorization codes until exam day at which time they are handed an authorization code as they enter the lab); create student sign-in sheet with student names & authorization codes for student sign-in on exam day
End of Feb/Sept	Student	Deadline for on-line students to find proctor and fax Proctor Forms to MBA Coordinator
End of Feb/Sept	Assessment Coordinator	Send warning e-mail to all students who have not yet faxed in their Proctor forms
Early Mar/Oct	Assessment Coordinator	Send names, e-mail address, and other contact information of proctors, along with student name(s) associated with each proctor to Assessment Coordinator
Mid Mar/Oct	Assessment Coordinator	Assign user name and password for on-line MFT and Proficiency profile for proctors and send e-mail to on-line proctors (see MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site) containing exam period, authorization codes for MFT, session number for Proficiency Profile, user name and password, and instructions for accessing and proctoring the exams; send e-mail containing FHSU Post-Test password to on-line students
Mid Mar/Oct	MBA Committee Chair	Chair Find Proctor and exam setup volunteers for on-campus exams and send instructions via e-mail (See MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site) to all volunteers
Test Day	Proctors, set-up personnel, and students	Set up, proctor, and take exams as outlined in instructions—on-line students have the entire second week of April/November to complete the exams. On-campus students take the exam on Friday of second week of April/November

2. MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site

A Blackboard site has been created to house important documents related to comprehensive exams and to inform students and faculty. The site contains the following information:

Information for Students
- Descriptions of all exams (MFT, PP, and MBA Post Test)
- Sample questions for all exams
- Study aids—power point slides from MBA courses
- Proctor form
- FHSU Academic Honesty Policy
- Notice to on-line students of deadlines for finding proctors
- Announcement of dates and times of exams and materials allowed
Information for Faculty
- Instructions for on-campus proctors (to be sent when proctors are assigned)
- Instructions for on-line proctors (to be sent as e-mail when virtual proctors are assigned.

3. Comprehensive Exam Retakes

Students who fail the Comprehensive Exam will be allowed one retake at their own expense. The MBA committee will determine the following:

Courses (if any) that must be taken or other recommendations to improve deficiencies.
A suspense date for the retake (last date the exam can be taken)
The type of retake (could be the entire battery of exams, a new version of the FHSU Post Test, as short case, or other type of exam).
Location and conditions of the retake (on or off campus, how proctored, etc.).

The MBA Committee will inform the candidate in writing (see Sample Notification Letter in section VIII) of their performance on the exam and all relevant conditions and determinations above. The letter will advise students that failure to successfully complete the retake will result in suspension from the program.

G. Assessment Case Administration

The MBA Committee will utilize a standardized grading rubric for use in assessing the written, oral, and group-work components of the Assessment Case.

On campus, students will be assigned to a group of no more than four students. Each group will be given a short time to read and analyze the case and prepare a written summary of the case and a short 10-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute question and answer session. Presentations will be made on a designated assessment day. Members of the FHSU MBA Graduate Faculty will be assigned to participate in the case assessment on an as-available, rotating basis as members of a Case Assessment Team. Each group member will participate in the presentation and the question-and answer phases. Group members will complete a Case Peer-Evaluation Form to assess the relative participation and effectiveness of individual members in the case preparation phase.

On-line students are generally unable to be on campus. These students will be assigned to small groups of no larger than four students and given access to an on-line collaboration tool (such as Web-Ex). Students will collaborate through an on-line collaboration tool, will jointly prepare an analysis and written document by sharing through emails or other media, and submit the written document to the Case Assessment Team by the assigned deadline. Students will make a conference-call presentation to the Strategic Management Class and the Case Assessment Team using an on-line collaboration tool at a date and time assigned to them. These students will also complete and submit the peer-evaluation form.

H. Assessment Analysis

1. Initial Analysis

An analysis of all assessment materials, comparing pre- and post-assessment outcomes and examining reports of peer institutions from ETS, case results, and surveys will be conducted under the direction of the MBA Committee with the intent of determining whether the MBA program is achieving its objectives and identifying program deficiencies and opportunities for improvement. The MBA Committee may, at its discretion, appoint a Curriculum Review Team if it deems this beneficial.

2. Curriculum Review Team

A Curriculum Review Team (CRT) is an ad-hoc team of three qualified faculty assigned to perform an in-depth evaluation of course content and quality and report its findings to the MBA Committee for action. A CRT is appointed if and when the assessment process or other evidence suggests that a program deficiency may exist that is associated with one or more courses.
Members are appointed to a CRT by the MBA Committee in consultation with the department(s) that is (are) responsible for the course(s). Members of a CRT should generally be content experts in the course(s) to be evaluated.

I. Corrective Actions and Improvement Initiatives

The MBA committee will review reports from CRTs, results from Comprehensive Exams and the Assessment Case, and Surveys and forward relevant reports along with its own recommendations for program changes and improvements, to all stakeholders, including instructors, department heads, and the Dean. We visualize these reports and recommendations as an essential part of ensuring that assessment brings continual program improvement and anticipate full cooperation from instructors, department heads, the Dean and other parties.

Changes (improvements) to the assessment process will be implemented as their availability and need become evident.

Academic Affairs