What is an accelerated MBA?
When do the classes for the AMBA meet?
How are the classes in the AMBA different from the traditional MBA classes?
Why should I choose ETSU for my MBA?
How many courses are there in the AMBA program?
Exactly what courses are required for the AMBA?
What is AMBA 5800, Strategic Experience?
What electives can an AMBA students take?
What if I do not have an undergraduate major in business?
What are the foundation courses?
How do I know if I need foundation courses?
How do the foundation courses relate to undergraduate business courses?
If I have to take several of the foundation courses, is there any way I can receive more than just academic credit for them?
How do I apply to the AMBA program?
What do I include in the personal essay?
What are the deadlines for applications?
What are the admission criteria for the AMBA?
Do you require the GMAT for the AMBA?
What if I have an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 2.5?
What does the AMBA program cost?
What if I need financial aid?
Are Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships available in the AMBA program?
What if I have more questions?

What is an accelerated MBA?
An accelerated MBA is an MBA program in which the traditional two–year program is offered in twelve months. The AMBA is designed for students who have at least three years of professional managerial experience and who desire a rapid–paced, alternative delivery of MBA courses. ETSU's accelerated MBA has the same courses, taught by the same faculty, as the traditional MBA, but the time frame of the course offerings is consolidated into one year.

When do the classes for the AMBA meet?
The accelerated MBA classes will meet every third weekend on Friday night (6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.), Saturday morning (8:00 a.m. – noon), and Saturday afternoon (1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.). The program is divided into four terms of twelve weeks each. In each of the terms an AMBA student will take three courses. In total, a student will attend four weekends in each term. Each of the four weekend sessions will be divided between the three courses.

How are the classes in the AMBA different from the traditional MBA classes?
The courses offered in the AMBA are the same courses offered in the traditional MBA. However, the delivery system will be different. The AMBA classes will use a combination of on–ground instruction and on–line instruction.

Why should I choose ETSU for my MBA?
ETSU's MBA program not only is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), but also is accredited by the premier business school accrediting agency, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Less than 5% of business schools world wide meet the rigorous standards of AACSB International.

How many courses are there in the AMBA program?
The AMBA program includes 10 core courses (30 credit hours) and two electives (6 credit hours) for a total of 12 courses or 36 semester credit hours.

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Exactly what courses are required for the AMBA?
Twelve courses are required to complete the MBA. Ten of the courses (30 hours) are required core courses, and two of the courses (6 hours) are electives. The required core courses are as follows:

What is AMBA 5800, Strategic Experience?
AMBA 5800 is the capstone course for the MBA. In the course, teams of MBA students conduct a real world consulting experience. In order to enroll in AMBA 5800, a student must have taken all of the core courses or be taking them concurrently with AMBA 5800 and have a grade point average of at least 3.0.

What electives can an AMBA students take?
AMBA students will determine the elective courses that will be offered. In general, graduate business students may take any business courses that are offered at the 5000 level. However, only one course may be taken that ends in a "7." Students who want to take a non–business elective must receive prior permission from the College of Business and Technology's Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

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What if I do not have an undergraduate major in business?
Non–business undergraduate majors may need to take up to eight foundation courses. Which, if any, foundation courses you need will be determined by the AMBA advisor based upon an analysis of your transcripts and the courses you have taken previously.

What are the foundation courses?
In order to help non–business undergraduate majors successfully complete the AMBA, foundation courses are required in the areas in which a student does not have adequate preparation. The foundation courses cover the areas of accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, statistics, quantitative methods, and legal and social environment.

How do I know if I need foundation courses?
The AMBA advisor will determine the number of foundation courses you need after an analysis of your transcripts.

How do the foundation courses relate to undergraduate business courses?
ACCT 5000, Essentials of Accounting, is the equivalent of two undergraduate accounting courses – principles of financial accounting and principles of managerial accounting.
ECON 5000, Essentials of Economics, is the equivalent of two undergraduate economics courses – microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 5010, Essentials of Statistics, is the equivalent of two undergraduate statistics courses.
FNCE 5000, Essentials of Finance, is equivalent to an undergraduate course in business finance.
MGMT 5010, Essentials of Management, is equivalent to an undergraduate course in business management.
MKTG 5010, Essentials of Marketing, is equivalent to an undergraduate course in business marketing.
MGMT 5020, Legal and Social Environment, is equivalent to an undergraduate course in legal and social environment. (It is not equivalent to a business law course.)
MGMT 5030, Quantitative Methods, is to two undergraduate courses in decision science and production and operations management.

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If I have to take several of the foundation courses, is there any way I can receive more than just academic credit for them?
The College of Business and Technology offers a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. To receive the certificate, a student must apply for the GCBA program, be accepted, and complete five approved foundation courses.

We encourage students who did not major in business as undergraduates to apply for the GCBA in addition to the MBA. The GCBA does not require a GMAT score for admission. For more information about the GCBA, call us at (423) 439-5314 or e-mail Pointer@etsu.edu.

How do I apply to the AMBA program?
All applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

You will need to complete an official application. The form may be found on the ETSU web site, or a paper copy may be obtained from the Graduate School or the College of Business and Technology Graduate Office in room 214 of Sam Wilson Hall.

• A completed official application (can be completed on-line)
• A personal essay of 150 to 300 words (can be completed on-line)
• A Residency Inquiry Form if claiming Tennessee residency
• One official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, except previous coursework taken at ETSU
• Payment of the required nonrefundable application fee of $35 for domestic students ($45 for international students)(can be completed on-line)
• A letter of support from your supervisor
• A current resume indicating at least three years of professional managerial experience
• Three letters of recommendation

All materials should be submitted to the ETSU Graduate School at the following address:
East Tennessee State University
School of Graduate Studies
P. O. Box 70720
Johnson City, TN 37614-1710

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What do I include in the personal essay?
In your essay, tell us about yourself, why you want to earn an AMBA, and your plans for the future. The essay should be about one page long.

What are the deadlines for applications?
The AMBA program begins in August of each year. Applications will be processed as they are received. To assure acceptance, early application is recommended. The preferred application date is April 1. However, applications will be considered as received through August 1st.

What are the admission criteria for the AMBA?
An applicant must meet the following admission criteria:

• A completed official application (can be completed on-line)
• A personal essay of 150 to 300 words (can be completed on-line)
• A Residency Inquiry Form if claiming Tennessee residency
• One official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, except previous coursework taken at ETSU
• Payment of the required nonrefundable application fee of $35 for domestic students ($45 for international students)(can be completed on-line)
• A letter of support from your supervisor
• A current resume indicating at least three years of professional managerial experience
• Three letters of recommendation

Do you require the GMAT for the AMBA?
No, the GMAT is not required for the AMBA program. The AMBA admission committee will use the interview and other application materials to assess each student's ability to succeed in the program.

What if I have an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 2.5?
The ETSU School of Graduate Studies requires that all applicants have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to be admitted into any masters level program. There are no exceptions.

What does the AMBA program cost?
The total cost of the AMBA program is $20,000. This amount includes tuition, fees, books, and a laptop computer. Additionally, the AMBA students will have an advisor to help facilitate registration and to address other problems as they arise.

What if I need financial aid?
Financial aid is handled by the ETSU Financial Aid Office. You may contact them at (423) 439–4300.

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Are Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships available in the AMBA program?
No, there are no Graduate Assistantships or Tuition Scholarships available to AMBA students. The program is intended for working professionals.

What if I have more questions?
Please contact Pete Cornett, the MBA Coordinator. He may be reached at 423-439-4622 or by e-mail at Cornette@etsu.edu.