STEM Business Administration MBA
Program Director: Tianning Li, Ph.D.; li@hood.edu; 301-696-3688
The STEM MBA at Hood College prepares students for leadership roles in today’s technology-driven economy. Combining a strong foundation in business with advanced STEM coursework in data analytics, finance, operations, and information management, the program equips graduates to solve complex problems with creativity, ethics, and innovation.
Designed for working professionals and full-time students, the flexible format offers asynchronous online and synchronous online evening courses. Students with a business background may complete the degree in as few as 36 credits, while others can build a foundation through additional coursework.
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the STEM MBA develops the analytical, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills needed to bridge business and technology, preparing graduates for impactful careers in high-demand fields such as finance, data analytics, life sciences, and technology management.
Application Requirements
Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Students applying for the MBA program must complete an essay of 250 words or less that includes background experience and future goals. Students whose cumulative GPA from their conferring institution is below 3.0 must also submit a résumé and two letters of recommendation, which can be emailed to the Graduate School at gofurther@hood.edu.
For additional admission information, see Graduate Admission.
NOTE: Course substitutions are not permitted. A student may be exempted from these requirements by petition to the program director. The petition must be in writing and, if approved, written evidence of the exemption must be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar by the program director. The exemption is made a part of the student’s record. When a course is formally exempted, another course must be taken. Exemption from a course does not constitute credit towards the MBA degree.
Program Requirements
Foundation Courses
Five foundation courses (15 credit hours) are designed to provide a background for students who did not take courses in business administration at the undergraduate level. Students who have completed appropriate undergraduate coursework may be exempted from foundation courses. Students who have taken appropriate undergraduate coursework over an extended period (5 years or longer) may be required to take foundation courses. The MBA director will make the decision on a case-by-case basis. It is expected that students meet the foundation requirements before they enroll in core requirements. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the MBA director. Any foundation courses required are in addition to the 36 (thirty-six) credits required for program completion.
Core Requirements
Ten core courses (Thirty credit hours) provide a common body of knowledge and are required of all students in the STEM MBA program. These courses provide a solid foundation in the functional areas of business, such as finance, marketing, and accounting and expose students to the environmental factors affecting business operations. Included in the core is a capstone course,
MGMT 590 Strategy and Competitive Advantage, which is taken by STEM MBA students in their final semester of study after all other core courses have been completed. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements before enrolling in a class. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the academic adviser.
| ECON 560 | Managerial Economics | 3.0 |
| MGMT 560 | Leadership & Organizational Behavior | 3.0 |
| MGMT 561 | Financial Management | 3.0 |
| MGMT 562 | Financial & Managerial Accounting | 3.0 |
| MGMT 563 | Marketing Management | 3.0 |
| MGMT 564 | Production & Operations Management | 3.0 |
| MGMT 565 | International Management | 3.0 |
| MGMT 566 | Information Management & Technology | 3.0 |
| MGMT 567 | Organizational Sustainability | 3.0 |
| MGMT 590 | Strategy & Competitive Advantage | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30.0 |
Electives
Students are required to complete two STEM-focused elective courses (3 credits each) from the list below.