Aris Kaplanis Master of Business Administration Program

Mission Statement

The Aris Kaplanis Master of Business Administration (Kaplanis MBA) program supports Hei­delberg University’s mission by educating and preparing future managers to create value for any organization through 1) mastery of a broad framework of general knowledge and skills, and 2) integrating the impact of, and contributions to, business, community, and leadership development (BCALD) that foster successful outcomes for all stakeholders.

Our BCALD focus reinforces the lifelong development of Heidelberg graduates as “individu­als with high moral and ethical standards who are productive in their life’s work, engaged in their communities, and responsible citizens of the world.” (Source: www.heidelberg.edu/about/history-mission)

Characteristics of the Aris Kaplanis MBA Program

The Aris Kaplanis MBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) through 2026. ACBSP accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improve­ment model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want. (Source: acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview)

The Aris Kaplanis MBA program consists of 30 credit hours distributed over ten courses at 3 hours each. Full-time students complete their MBA degree in one year (three semesters: fall, spring, summer). Part-time students typically take fewer courses per semester over two or more years (see “Time Limitations”). Required courses build mastery of accounting, finance, marketing, economics, ethical communications, decision-information systems, innovation and change, and management and leadership knowledge applicable to any organization to enhance a general manager’s awareness of the integrated impact of BCALD for successful outcomes. The curriculum reflects Heidelberg’s commitment to the professional liberal arts tradition by emphasizing ethical, cultural, global, and career issues throughout.

Program Goals

The Aris Kaplanis MBA program educational goals focus on qualities of mind and of person and the ability to apply general concepts and knowledge to specific situations. Students will develop mastery of leading-edge knowledge and skills, context, and abilities to:

1. Develop a leadership framework for ethical decision making and designing effective solutions that integrate successful outcomes for all stakeholders.
2. Understand how successful managers and leaders evaluate effectiveness of decisions beyond short-term financial criteria to assure sustainability, diversity, agility, and corporate responsibility in a global economy.
3. Leverage awareness from their personal strengths and challenges as leaders in business and their communities.
4. Demonstrate they can successfully work with diverse groups and teams toward a common goal.
5. Show they can respond to, and work to understand, other people’s questions, perspectives, and solutions and empower others to contribute and develop as effective leaders.
6. Gain insight and practical application in building and actively adding value to professional relationships/connections, business/non-profit/community networks of stakeholders and resources, and career transitions/progressions.

PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA Scholarship

Heidelberg’s PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA Scholarship offers all students (regardless of undergraduate major) the opportunity to add value to their undergraduate education by adding a Master of Business Administration degree. Business skills help majors stand out and become more marketable in their own career path. Any student who completes a bachelor’s degree (in any major) at Heidelberg within four years, including the five prerequisite courses for MBA admission, with at least a 3.0 GPA will be eligible to stay and earn a Master of Business Administration in one year (three semesters, entry in fall).

Eligibility - Fall 2024 and Later
Students entering Heidelberg as an undergraduate in Fall 2024 or after, and who graduate with at least a 3.5 GPA are eligible for the PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA tuition-free scholarship. Students who enter as an undergraduate in Fall 2024 and graduate with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.4999 will receive a PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA 50% tuition discount scholarship. Students who qualify may begin the PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA Scholarship Program within two years after completing their undergraduate degree at Heidelberg. Students who do not complete the program in 1 year (3 semesters) can continue in the program at the qualified alumni rate of 50% tuition.

Eligibility - Fall 2023 and Earlier  
Students who entered Heidelberg as an undergraduate student in Fall 2023 or prior, and graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA, are eligible to receive a PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA tuition-free scholarship. Students who qualify may begin the PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA Scholarship Program within two years after completing their undergraduate degree at Heidelberg. Students who do not complete the program in 1 year (3 semesters) can continue in the program at the qualified alumni rate of 50% tuition.

The PlusOneAdvantage^® MBA scholarship is available to all Heidelberg undergraduates who started at Heidelberg as a 1st year student and matriculates directly from high school. Students who transfer to Heidelberg after attending a community college or another university may enroll in the MBA program at the alumni rate of 50% tuition. 

Heidelberg graduates who enroll in the MBA program longer than 2 years after their undergraduate graduation date can receive a 50% tuition discount.

Application and Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission into the Aris Kaplanis Master of Business Administration program, prospective students must submit each of the following to the Coordinator of the MBA Program.

A. Applicants who did not complete their undergraduate degree at Heidelberg or who are Heidelberg Undergraduates who are applying to attend the program within 2 years of completing their undergraduate degree must have:

1. Earned a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Achieved a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
3. Completed the prerequisites or their equivalent. (See “Prerequisite Requirements”)

B. Applicants who did not complete their undergraduate degree at Heidelberg or Heidelberg alumni who are applying more than 2 years after they completed their undergraduate degree must have an undergraduate degree in any major and ONE of the following:

1. GMAT score of 500 or better (or GRE overall score of 300 or better with at least a 160 in Quant Reasoning) and at least 3 years of work experience beyond entry-level positions, or
2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and at least 3 years of work experience beyond entry-level positions, or
3. Undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0  and at least 5 to 10 years of work experience beyond entry-level positions.  

C. In order to ensure each transfer student’s academic success, the program coordinator reserves the right to place students on probationary status upon admission. In addition, any transfer student who has been dismissed from another university’s graduate program and is admitted to one of Heidelberg’s graduate programs will be admitted on probationary status.

Items required for Admission:

1. The completed Graduate Studies Application for Admission.
2. Transcripts will be accepted from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission or other regional accrediting commissions which have been recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Official transcripts sent directly from all previously accredited colleges or universities are only accepted.
3. All applicants are required to submit a written statement describing how the MBA program will help with their career goals and objectives. Students must also include a copy of their resume/CV and a copy of their undergraduate transcript.
4. Attendance in the MBA Orientation Workshop (GSB 500). Students must register for GSB 500 MBA Orientation Workshop in their first semester. This course is a transcripted 0 credit hour requirement in which students are oriented to the commitments and expectations of the Aris  Kaplanis MBA Program. The course will meet on a Saturday prior to the start of the fall semester. All students must participate.
5. International applicants must complete the above requirements in addition to the International applicant requirements explained in the Graduate Catalog.

Prerequisite Requirements

Students applying for admission to the Aris Kaplanis MBA program must complete required prerequisite coursework in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and statistics with a grade of C- or better (as part of an overall minimum GPA of 3.0). The five prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to admission are:

• MTH 119 Statistics I (or higher level statistics course)
• ACC 190 Principles of Accounting (or ACC 201 and ACC 202)
• MGT 200 Skills for Managers and Leaders
• MKT 200 Marketing
• FIN 200 Corporate Finance

If students do not complete these courses at Heidelberg, they must complete them at an accredited institution with approved course equivalency, or demonstrate other equivalency through a combination of academic preparation, proficiency, and professional experience as determined by the MBA Coordinator. The MBA Coordinator will assess acceptability of all coursework taken previously prior to enrolling into the Aris Kaplanis MBA Program.

Admission as a “Coursework Only” Student

Students who do not wish to enroll in the graduate program but wish to take courses for credit, may enroll as “Coursework Only” provided they hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete the graduate application form (indicate Coursework Only). A $25 application fee is due unless the applicant uses the online application process. The Program Coordinator reserves the right to make the final decision with regard to granting permission for “Coursework Only” students.

Students with a Bachelor’s degree are only allowed to take up to 19 semester hours without being formally admitted to a degree program, and still have the hours count towards a Master of Business Administration degree, if approved by the Program Coordinator. “Coursework Only” students must follow the prescribed application process.

Average Course Load

Students enrolled full-time will generally take three to four courses in each semester. Part-time students will generally take one to two courses per semester.

Time Limitations

The Aris Kaplanis Master of Business Administration degree and all coursework must be com­pleted within 6 calendar years. Coursework and/or transfer credit outside of the 6-year time limitation must be repeated.

Leave of Absence

A student that is not enrolled for one calendar year will have his or her student account categorized as inactive. To register for courses, the student must reactivate his or her student account by contacting Graduation Admissions.

Extended Leave of Absence

A student may for whatever reason choose not to enroll in classes for up to two full calendar years and remain on the catalog with which he or she entered the program. Any student not enrolled in classes for a time period longer than two full calendar years must apply for readmission to the Aris Kaplanis MBA program. If readmitted, degree requirements that must be fulfilled will be those of the new catalog that is in force at the time of readmission. Completed eligible courses will be held to the 6-year time limitation.

Transfer Credit

Heidelberg University may accept up to 9 hours of graduate transfer credit to the Aris Kaplanis Master of Business Administration Program. Several factors should be noted concerning transfer credit:

1. Coursework must be comparable with the Heidelberg University Aris Kaplanis MBA program coursework. Students must submit course syllabi and catalog course descriptions along with official transcripts with any request for graduate transfer of credits.
2. All transfer credit must have been completed within 6 calendar years of the first Heidelberg class taken. Once accepted, these classes will be counted toward graduation.
3. The grade(s) in the course(s) to be transferred must be “B” or better.
4. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the academic advisor and approved by the Dean.
5. Transfer credit does not affect the cumulative grade-point average established with Heidelberg University.

Transient Student Policy

Only students enrolled in the graduate degree program or admitted for coursework only will be permitted to take GSB courses for credit.

Registration

Students must register for class(es) prior to the start of each term. Class schedules can be found on the Heidelberg website in OASIS. Students should note that the prerequisites with the GSB designation are not intended to be identical with the undergraduate prerequisites. Switching from a GSB prerequisite to an undergraduate sequel to that prerequisite may not be possible and will, in any case, require permission of the instructor. Students should also note that prerequisite courses may, themselves, have prerequisites.

MBA Academic Year

The MBA Academic Year is divided into three semesters each year; fall, spring, summer. Full-time (one-year) MBA students start in fall. Part-time students may start the MBA program in other semesters, but the fall start is recommended to ensure the best sequence and availability of courses needed to complete the program.

MBA Student Handbook

Additional policies and procedures concerning the Aris Kaplanis MBA program are disclosed in the MBA Student Handbook. Copies of the handbook are reviewed during program orienta­tion. The handbook is available on the MBA web site and additional copies may be obtained from the Aris Kaplanis MBA Program Coordinator.