MASTERS of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) HANDBOOK

(April 19, 2010)

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Table of Contents
I. Overview...................................................................................................4
A. Purpose and Mission.............................................................................4
B. Implementation....................................................................................4
C. Educational Objectives.........................................................................4
D. Accreditation........................................................................................5
E. Policy Changes.....................................................................................5
II. Curriculum.................................................................................................6
A. Foundation (Leveling) Courses..................................................................6
B. Core Courses and Prerequisites............................................................6
C. Design Elements Common to All Core Courses....................................7
1. Course Syllabus.................................................................................7
2. Course Learning Objectives...............................................................7
3. Course Evaluations and Grade Inflation............................................7
4. Student-Faculty Interaction...............................................................8
D. Areas of Concentration.........................................................................8
E. Course Scheduling...............................................................................9
F. Transfer, Waiver, and Substitution of Courses:.......................................9
G. Proposals for Curriculum Change.........................................................9
III. Admission................................................................................................9
A. Application Package.............................................................................9
1. Students with English as a Native Language (Domestic Students)...9
2. Students with English as a Second Language (Normally International
Students).................................................................................................10
3. The MBA program does not accept Non-English-Speaking Students
10
B. Timing of Application Submission.......................................................10
C. Admission Criteria..............................................................................10
D. Classification of Students...................................................................10
IV. Student Policies and Information..........................................................10
A. Registration Priority............................................................................10
B. Costs and Fees...................................................................................11

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 C. Satisfactory Academic Performance...................................................11
D. Incompletes ("I")................................................................................11
E. Advising and Mentoring......................................................................12
V. Administrative Duties and Responsibilities..............................................12
A. MBA Committee.................................................................................12
B. Participating Faculty (Teaching in the MBA Program).........................13
C. MBA Graduate Coordinator................................................................13
D. Department Heads.............................................................................14
E. Dean of College of Business and Leadership......................................14
F. MBA Graduate Faculty (As a Group)......................................................14
G. Alumni Association.............................................................................14
VI. Academic Qualification..........................................................................15
A. Academically Qualified and Professionally Qualified..........................15
B. Qualifications to Teach in MBA Program.............................................15
VII. Assessment and Improvement..............................................................16
A. Background and Introduction.............................................................16
B. Program Entry Assessment (Benchmark)...........................................16
C. Program Exit Assessment...................................................................16
1. Comprehensive Exams....................................................................16
2. Assessment Case............................................................................17
3. Graduate Survey.............................................................................17
D. Student Evaluation of Instruction.......................................................17
E. Post-Graduate Assessment (Alumni Survey)......................................17
F. Comprehensive Exam Administration...................................................18
1. Exam Time-Line and Duties.............................................................18
2. MBA Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site....................................19
3. Comprehensive Exam Retakes........................................................20
G. Assessment Case Administration.......................................................20
H. Assessment Analysis..........................................................................21
1. Initial Analysis.................................................................................21
2. Curriculum Review Team.................................................................21
I. Corrective Actions and Improvement Initiatives...................................21
VIII. Forms.................................................................................................22
Case Peer-Evaluation Form.........................................................................23

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Sample Notification Letter..........................................................................25

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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

Graduates of the MBA program will:

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1. Demonstrate an understanding of the functional areas of business:
accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing.

2. Demonstrate effective group collaborative skills in the accomplishment

of tasks.

3. Demonstrate the ability to use current information technology.

4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both in written and

oral form.

5. Demonstrates the ability to think critically.

By critical thinking, we mean:

"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)"

6. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment and of social

responsibility and ethical issues facing businesses today.

7. Demonstrate an understanding of global business issues.

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.

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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.

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

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 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 instructors name, office hours, and contact information.
c. A brief summary of the MBA program objectives to be covered in the
course.
d. A brief summary of the course learning objectives.
e. A statement of how student-faculty interaction will occur.
f. A list of course pre-requisites, if any.
g. Detailed description of course materials required.
h. A detailed schedule of assignments, due dates, and points.
i. An explanation of grading procedures and standards.
j. An explanation of how feedback will be provided.
k. A statement about academic honesty.
l. A statement of disabilities, which should read as follows:

"If any of you has a disability that should be brought to my attention, please
do so, and I will make every effort to ensure that you are on a level playing
field with your peers in the class."

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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:

a. Class discussions
b. Opportunities for students to ask for clarification
c. Faculty feedback on student work
d. Discussion boards
e. E-mail or telephone correspondence

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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. 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.

F. 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.

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G. 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:

1. 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:
o Reason for seeking an MBA at FHSU.
o Professional or career goals.
o Description of prior work experience.
o A statement of whether student is applying as an On-Campus or
On-Line Student.
Other requirements as specified by the FHSU Graduate School.

2. 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

3. The MBA program does not accept Non-English-Speaking Students

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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.

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B. Costs and Fees

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

Classification Residence Status

Kansas Resident Contiguous State Other
(Colorado,
Nebraska,
Missouri,
Oklahoma)
On-Campus Graduate Graduate Graduate Non-
Resident Tuition Contiguous State Resident Tuition
for on-campus Tuition for on- for on-campus
classes; On-Line campus classes; classes; On-Line
Tuition for virtual On-Line Tuition Tuition for virtual
classes for virtual classes classes
On-Line On-Line MBA On-Line MBA On-Line MBA
(May not take on- Tuition for all Tuition for all Tuition for all
campus classes) classes classes 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 at
http://www.fhsu.edu/mba/costs/.

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.

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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:

o Consider and recommend changes in MBA policy and procedure.
o Review and update this MBA handbook.
o Review and update the MBA Web Page.
o Review and update the MBA Course Catalog.
o Maintain an up-to-date MBA affinity diagram.
o Help prepare and evaluate MBA Program marketing materials.
With respect to Curriculum
o 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.

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 o Approve all requests for waiver or exemptions of the curriculum
or foundation courses submitted by individual MBA students.
o Approve any non-FHSU course to be used as credit toward the
MBA degree, including transfer and substitute credits.
o Determine the course rotation schedule sufficient to allow
graduation from the program within a two-year period.
With respect to Admission
o Design an admissions policy and an administrative procedure to
handle admissions to the MBA program.
With respect to Student Policies and Information
o 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
o Annually review the vitae, transcripts, and other documents to
determine the Academic and Professional Qualification of
participating faculty.
o Advise the Dean and Department Head of faculty non-
compliance with AACSB Academic and Professional Qualification
requirements.
o Review and approve all new faculty teaching in the MBA program
before they teach.
With respect to Assessment
o Design and conduct an effective assessment program.
o Prepare a rubric for use in evaluating the Assessment Case
components (written presentation, oral presentation, and group
work).
o Prepare a Peer-Evaluation Form for use with the Assessment
Case.
o Appoint members to Curriculum Review Teams (CRTsee
Assessment) and take appropriate actions based on these
reports.
o Prepare, administer, and process alumni and employer surveys.
o 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.

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 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:
o Apply automatic acceptance criteria as established by the MBA
Committee.
o Forward non-conforming or marginal applications to the MBA
Committee for a decision.
o Notify applicants of acceptance or decline and any conditions of
admission such as the requirement to take foundation courses.
o Collect and process any application and assessment fees.
Maintain files or data bases containing:
o Summaries of all assessment exam and case (scores).
o Exit Surveys and Alumni Surveys.
o Obtain from the Alumni Association, a list of MBA graduates and
their contact information (To be used for Graduate Alumni
Survey).
o Current vitae and transcripts of faculty teaching in the MBA
program.
o The minutes of all MBA Committee meetings and summaries of
MBA Committee decisions, whether made in committee or on-
line.
o Student applications.

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 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

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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 MBA 800): MBA-AQ and MBA Graduate
MBA 811 (Advanced Managerial Faculty
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 800 (Success Lab) AQ, PQ, or MBA-AQ and MBA
Graduate Faculty
MBA Foundation Courses: AQ or PQ, or MBA-AQ and MBA
GBUS 801 (Survey of Economics) Graduate Faculty
GBUS 802 (Management and Mktg.
Concepts)
GBUS 803 (Accounting Theories
and Practice)
GBUS 804 (Financial and Quant.
Methods)

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 Summary of Required Teacher Qualifications
Course(s) Teaching Qualification
MBA Concentration (Elective) Courses: AQ or PQ or MBA-AQ and MBA
Leadership Studies Graduate Faculty
International Business
Information Assurance
Human Resource Management
Finance
Management Information Systems
Hospitality Management
Health Care Management
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 timeto
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

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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 examsthe 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 participate in the

group preparation, write-up, and presentation of a short case. Both the
written and oral presentations will be evaluated by a Case 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
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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

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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

Early Jan/Aug Assessment Schedule Lab for On-Campus exams
coordinator for Friday of 2nd week of
April/November
Mid Jan/Aug MBA Coordinator Prepare list of students who intend to
graduate (categorized by on-line or on-
campus) and send to Assessment
Coordinator
Mid Jan/Aug Assessment Send student count to Dean's office so
Coordinator MFT and PP exams can be ordered
from ETS
End of Jan/Aug Dean's Office Order appropriate number of on-line
(secretary) MFT and Proficiency Profile exams from
ETS
End of Jan/Aug Assessment 1. Enroll all MBA students taking the
Coordinator exams in the MBA Comprehensive
Exam Blackboard site
2. 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 As soon as the exam order is filled,
Coordinator 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

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 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 MBA Coordinator Send warning e-mail to all students
who have not yet faxed in their Proctor
forms
Early Mar/Oct MBA 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 Assign user name and password for on-
Coordinator 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 Find Proctor and exam setup
Chair volunteers for on-campus exams and
send instructions via e-mail (See MBA
Comprehensive Exam Blackboard site)
to all volunteers
Exam Day Proctors, set-up Set up, proctor, and take exams as
personnel, and outlined in instructionson-line
students 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:

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a. Information for Students

Descriptions of all exams (MFT, PP, and MBA Post Test)

Sample questions for all exams
Study aidspower 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

b. 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.

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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

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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.

VIII. Forms

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 Case Peer-Evaluation Form
(I am leaving this so we have something to start withvery
preliminary)
1. Considering the members of your group, please complete the following
table:

Name Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

Contributi Contribut Contributi Contribut Contributi
on to Case ion to on to ion to on to
Analysis Case Presentati Case Oral Leadershi
Writing on Presentat p of
Preparatio ion Group
n
1.
2.
3.
4.
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Comments:

2. Of the members of your group, who would you most like to work with
again? Who would you least like to work with again?

3. Considering the assigned case, please tell us how you feel about the
following:

Case Length:

Case Complexity:

Case Relevance:

Case Content:

Comments:

4. Do you feel that the courses you have taken in the MBA Program
prepared you to (circle all that apply)

Analyze the case (Yes/No)

Write effectively (Yes/No)

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Prepare a case for presentation (Yes/No)
Make an oral presentation (Yes/No)
Work effectively in a group (Yes/No)
Assume a leadership role in a group (Yes/No)

5. In your opinion, what changes should be made in the MBA program or

the courses to better prepare you for this activity (Use back if necessary)

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 Sample Notification Letter

To: Candidate's Name

From: MBA Committee
Subject: Comprehensive Exams
Date: Date of letter
Jan:
You have previously been informed verbally that you failed the MBA
Comprehensive Exams. Your scores on the various components of the exam
are as follows:

SUMMARY OF YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS

Major Field Test (MFT); Score = 231; Percentile = 10th
Proficiency Profile
Total Score Skill Dimension Subscores Context-based Subscores
400 to 500 100 to 130
Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Humanities Social Natural
Thinking Sciences Sciences
427 106 109 105 118 105 106 112
14th 14th 8th 2nd 64th 2nd 7th 26th
Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile Percentile
Reading and Critical Thinking Writing Mathematics
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
N N N N N N N P M
FHSU Post Test
Marketing Accounting Finance Strategic Info. Sys. Org. Quant. Economics
Mgt. Behavior Mthds.
20% 40% 80% 40% 40% 20% 40% 20%

The above scores are very low, and combined with your grades, suggest to
members of the committee that you are deficient in English reading and
writing and may be deficient in other core areas.

You will be allowed to retake a comprehensive exam one time only (it will not
be the same exam you failed before). If you fail the retake, you will be
suspended from the MBA program and will not receive your degree. You
have until (enter date) to retake the exam. You will be required to retake
the exam on campus under the supervision of FHSU personnel. The
committee strongly recommends (enter recommendations, following is
a sample) that you utilize your full year to prepare yourself for your second
attempt at your comprehensive exam. This preparation would include
repeating courses and/or taking new courses that will increase your
knowledge in those areas that require improvement. The committee
particularly recommends that you take some English as a Foreign Language
(EFL) courses prior to retaking the comprehensive exams.

You must provide the MBA Coordinator with at least 3 weeks notice prior to
the retake.

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Sincerely,
Members of MBA Committee

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