Student Handbook: Simmons Schools

Degree Requirements for the MBA Program

Math Competency Requirement for the MBA Program

All students entering the MBA program who have scored below 25% on the quantitative section of the GMAT are required to take and pass a math competency test prior to the first full week of classes in the MBA program. This test will be administered by the MBA Program Office. Students have three attempts to pass the math competency exam. If a student does not successfully pass the math competency test with a grade of 80% or higher in each section, and has taken the test three times, she will be required to slow down her program of study until she passes the test and will be withdrawn by the MBA program office out of any quantitative course(s). If her program of study is slowed down, it also may delay a student's expected graduation date. She will not be required to withdraw from the MBA program, but she will not be permitted to enroll in any MBA quantitative courses, e.g. GSM 411 Economics, GSM 420 Financial Accounting, or GSM 415 Quantitative Analysis, until the math competency exam is passed. Passing the math competency is not a contingency in a student's admissions decision.

MBA Program Courses

Prerequisite and/or co-requisite courses are *)

GSM 411 Economic Analysis for Managers
GSM 412* Business Government and the Global Economy-prerequisites GSM 411, GSM 455
GSM 415 Quantitative Analysis for Managers
GSM 420 Financial Reporting and Analysis
GSM 421* Managerial Accounting - Prerequisite GSM 420
GSM 425* Marketing Management - Prerequisite or co-requisite; GSM 415
GSM 426* Strategic Decision Making - Prerequisites: GSM 415, GSM 420, GSM 421, GSM 425, GSM 430, GSM 455
GSM 430 Technology and Operations Management
GSM 435* Finance - Prerequisites: GSM 411, GSM 415, GSM 420
GSM 440* Strategy and Leadership - Prerequisites: GSM 411, GSM 412, GSM 415, GSM 420, GSM 421, GSM 425, GSM 426, GSM 430, GSM 435, GSM 441, GSM 450, GSM 455, GSM 460, GSM 465, GSM 470; to be taken year of graduation
GSM 441* Leadership, Governance and Accountability - Prerequisites: GSM 411, GSM 412, GSM 415, GSM 420, GSM 421, GSM 425, GSM 426, GSM 430, GSM 435, GSM 455, GSM 460, GSM 465Prerequisite or co-requisite: GSM 450 and GSM 470
GSM 450 Career Strategies
GSM 455 Leading Individuals and Groups
GSM 460 Communication Strategies
GSM 465* Organizations and Their Environment - prerequisite GSM 455
GSM 470* Negotiation and Conflict Management - Prerequisites: GSM 455, GSM 465
 GSM 5XX Electives (8 credits in total; many have prerequisites)

Prerequisite course requirements must be satisfactorily completed before a student begins the course. Co-requisite courses will be identified during registration periods.

Repeat Courses

Only courses offered at accredited AACSB graduate schools of business may be taken when repeating a course. Students must submit the school catalog and course description to the appropriate instructor for approval. With the instructor's written approval, the director of the MBA program may grant the use of the course toward degree requirements. The student must earn a grade of B or better. Only two courses may be repeated. Any course retaken outside of Simmons will not be counted toward a student's GPA at the SOM.

Withdrawal from Courses

Any student wishing to withdraw from a GSM course must submit an add/drop form to the MBA Program Office before the last class of that course. If this is done, a "W" will be recorded on her transcript. If the student does not make a formal withdrawal before the deadline, an "F" will be recorded on her transcript. For the Tuition Refund Policy, please refer to the most recent SOM registration materials.

Recipients of financial aid must notify the Office of Student Financial Services upon withdrawing from any course. Any change in status may result in the loss of eligibility for certain loan/aid programs.

International students (non U.S. citizens) must maintain full-time enrollment to remain in status for immigration purposes. Before dropping any course, international students must consult with the MBA program office and international student advisor in the Office of Student Life .

Independent Study Courses and Internships

Independent Studies must have a SOM faculty advisor and an approved outline for course completion before the student will be allowed to register for the course. Students are only allowed to enroll in one independent study for credit. Internships are not available for credit. Internships are available for 2 credits.  Currently, one internship is allowed and students can do an independent study or an internship.

Transfer of Credits

A maximum of 9 credits may be allowed to transfer upon review of the syllabi of the courses.  This policy applies to students trying to transfer credit from another school into Simmons or transfer credit back to Simmons to apply toward our MBA degree requirements.

Grade must be a B or better and taken at an AACSB school or equivalent.  Courses must have been taken within 3 years, must be graduate level, and the course work cannot have been applied to an earned degree at another school.

Incompletes

Incompletes are given only where exceptional extenuating circumstances beyond a student's control occur. If a faculty member does assign an Incomplete, the student must complete all the required work for the semester by the following deadlines:

 

If the course for which an Incomplete is being granted is a prerequisite for a course in which the student is registered in the following semester, the student must complete all outstanding work for the Incomplete by the end of the first week of classes in the following semester. All work must be delivered to the MBA Program Office. If the student is going on a Leave of Absence or is not taking a sequential course that requires the course as a prerequisite, students will have until October 15 for summer semester, February 15 for fall semester, and June 15 for spring semester to deliver all outstanding work. If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date for completing required work will be the first business day following the due date.

 

Normally, if work is not completed within this time frame, the grade of Incomplete will be replaced by a grade of Failure. If a student is enrolled in a course for which the incomplete course is a prerequisite, the student may be withdrawn from the current semester course.

Completing the Degree

Students must complete all degree requirements within five years of being admitted to the SOM. This limit includes time spent on a leave of absence.

Formal Audits

Formal audits must have the approval from the faculty member and the MBA program director. This approval must be obtained before the first class. Students auditing a course are expected to attend all classes, and participate fully in class discussions and activities. There is a 15% tuition discount for formal audits. Formal audits appear on a student's transcript. Informal audits are not allowed.

One-Credit Courses

No student will be allowed to take a one-credit option as part of a two-credit course.

Course Waivers

Courses eligible to be waived included GSM 411 Economics, GSM 420 Financial Reporting and Analysis, and GSM 415 Quantitative Analysis.  Students must obtain a grade of B+ or better on the waiver exam to be waived from a core course.  The waiver exam will be administered by the MBA Program Office.  A maximum of two course waivers can be obtained.  For each petition to waive, the student must demonstrate prior relevant coursework in the subject and take the waiver exam within the first three weeks of the term.

Course Substitutions

If the associate dean approves a course substitution, then the student must complete approved advanced electives for the equivalent number of credit hours. The petition process involves writing a letter to the director of the MBA program outlining why a course substitution is being requested. If approved, it will go to the associate dean for approval.

Class Time Conflicts

No student will be allowed to register for two courses that have any classes scheduled at the same time.

Course Sequencing

Students are expected to take courses in the sequence outlined in the tracks of study. If a student misses a course in sequence, she must wait until the course is offered again.

Adding Courses/Switching Sections

After the first class, a student needs written permission from the faculty member to add or switch sections. This form should then be brought to the MBA Program Office. No switching of sections will be allowed after 25 percent of the course has been completed.

Attendance in the MBA Program

The principal teaching method at the SOM is the case method. In order to learn by the case method, students must not only prepare case material, but they must also be present in class to participate in the case discussion. Preparation and participation are important parts of a learning process that is not confined to simplistic recitation of case facts. Developing the ability to listen, to think on one's feet, to respond intelligently to unexpected challenges, to concede error with some grace, and to see contradiction not as criticism but as a potential expansion of one's habitual way of thinking are primary goals.

Students are expected to attend all classes on time and to participate actively in the classroom. Poor attendance will be reflected in a student's final grade.

Examinations in the MBA Program

All students are required to take their exams at the scheduled times. Students should read their schedules and syllabi carefully, planning business trips, and other professional obligations for times other than the time of scheduled exams. Under extenuating circumstances, a student may request to take an exam at a different time. Extenuating circumstances are defined as deaths in the family, personal illness, and professional obligations that are demonstrably beyond the student's control. In cases of bereavement leave or personal illness, the student must notify both the MBA director and her professors of the need to reschedule an exam. When the exam is administered, it may be a different version of the exam originally given on the scheduled date.

If a student wishes to take the exam on a different date, she must get permission from her professor. If permission is granted, the MBA Program Office will make arrangements with the student for an alternative testing date and time. Students will have an opportunity to see and discuss their graded examinations. Faculty may, however, at their discretion, require that all graded examinations be returned and kept in the faculty office.

Deliverables

Faculty expect all students to take exams and submit deliverables at the scheduled time according to the syllabus. Students are expected to turn in all assignments on or before their due date. If the assignments are turned in late, the course instructor has the option not to accept the assignment, to accept it with a penalty, or to accept it without penalty. The faculty member's policy should be included in the course syllabus or in written assignment instructions.

Students with Learning Disabilities or Physical Limitations in the MBA Program

Students with learning disabilities or physical limitations that require individual accommodations should identify themselves to the Center for Academic Achievement prior to matriculation and provide documentation as to the nature and extent of the disability. The Center for Academic Achievement will make the decision about the accommodation request in a manner consistent with the disability. Appropriate documentation will be given to the student to be submitted to her respective professors. Only students with documented learning disabilities or certain physical limitations will be permitted special accommodations.

Classroom Norms in the MBA Program

Faculty expect standards of classroom behavior that enhance the learning experience for all students. Students should make every effort to arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class. Cell phones and other portable communication devices should be turned off. Students should show tolerance for the point of view of others and express their opinions respectfully. We ask every student to help ensure that the best learning process possible is achieved in every course.

MBA Program Honor Code

The relationship between instructors and students requires cooperation and trust in maintaining the ideals and spirit of an honor code. Academic and community violations will be referred to the Simmons College Honor Board. Integrity and honesty in the performance of all assignments and examinations both in the classroom and outside are essential. A student who cheats or submits work that is not her own violates the principle of high standards and jeopardizes her right to continue in the Simmons MBA program. See pages Honor System and Judicial System for more information on the honor code.

Policy on Valuing Diversity

See Policy on Valuing Diversity.

 

Last Updated: Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:14 10:14 AM   |   Content Editor:

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