Watson Graduate School

Watson Graduate School of Management provides support for several collegewide and departmental graduate programs.  Links to all the program options are provided below, but the collegewide programs are described first.

Many of our Masters programs have dual degree agreements to let prospective students pursue two graduate degrees. In addition, many programs have "4+1" options so that OSU undergraduate students can apply for a  Masters degree while pursuing their undergraduate degree and begin work towards their graduate degree to be able to accelerate completion of the masters degree coursework. Program websites identify these arrangements and steps. 

The Master of Business Administration Degree

The Master of Business Administration program provides graduate professional education for individuals preparing for administrative careers in either the private or public sectors. It is a comprehensive yet flexible program providing the knowledge and analytical tools to cope with the complexities of management within diverse environments. There are a number of delivery options for the MBA:  full-time, part-time and online.

Full-Time MBA

The full-time MBA is a 36-credit-hour semi-lockstep program designed for individuals who want a cohort-based experience. Applicants must have earned a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited university and have competitive GPA and GMAT/GRE scores. Full-time students may choose between a general MBA and an in-depth specialization. Students choosing a general MBA are free to select 9 hours of electives in functional areas of business such as marketing, finance or management. Students seeking a more in-depth area of study may embed a graduate certificate program into their MBA elective coursework.

Part-Time MBA

The part-time MBA is a 33-credit-hour program designed for individuals who wish to enroll on a part-time basis. The self-paced program allows students to take classes as their schedules permit. Applicants must have earned a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited university and have competitive GPA and GMAT/GRE scores if significant post-completion work experience hasn't yet been established.  See program website for more details.

Online

The MBA part-time program can be completed through a distance-learning format. Distance learning is an ideal educational format for individuals seeking an alternative to the traditional on-campus classroom experience. Classes are delivered via video streaming on the Internet. Interaction with faculty and other students occurs through a web-based environment.

Regardless of the delivery option, admission is granted on a competitive basis to those students whose potential for successful graduate study is clearly indicated by the undergraduate grade-point average, the scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test or GRE, letters of recommendation from two sources, past work experience, extracurricular and community activities and stated career goals.

The required number of credit hours for the MBA degree and consideration of a waiver for GMAT/GRE scores for admission under exceptional circumstances are subject to changes after approval by the OSRHE. 

MS BAnDS

The MS in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS) is a STEM designated program that develops the next generation of analytics and data science professionals to tackle real-world challenges. We use state-of-the-art enterprise level analytics software from multiple vendors such as Alteryx, Azure, Power BI, Tableau, SAS, Snowflake as well as open source software such as Google Colab, Python and R which provide great advantages in the competitive job market.

The MS BAnDS program requires 37 credit hours (check our Plan of Study page for core course details, electives and software used in each core course) and graduates typically find employment as data scientists, data/business analysts or consultants, or statistical analysts. It is a 21-months program (for full-time on campus students) of which up to 7 months may be used for internships. Beyond core courses, all students have the choice of specializing in various pre-approved options or, creating a completely customized set of electives to fit their career goals.

Admissions

Admissions are decided on a holistic approach with successful candidates meeting the following preferences:

  • GMAT or GRE are required with minimum recommended scores above the 51st percentile in each of the test areas.
  • Work experience is considered during the application review process and is strongly encouraged for all candidates.

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The PhD in business administration is an interdepartmental program in the Spears School of Business, including accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management, management science and information systems, marketing and an executive research option. The degree emphasizes flexibility to meet the particular needs and objectives of individual candidates. The program is designed to provide the highest degree of preparation for the individual student, enabling him or her to make significant professional contributions in research, teaching or business or governmental positions.

Requirements

Students select one major area of study from either accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management, management information systems/management science or marketing, and two minor areas. The dissertation is usually written in the student's major area. One of the minor areas must be taken in the Spears School of Business. The second minor may be taken from another department within the Spears School of Business or from a department outside the Spears School.

All candidates for the PhD degree in business administration are expected to have a basic competence in all the major functional areas of business administration—accounting, economics, finance, management, management information systems/management science and marketing. In addition, basic competence is expected in research methods and statistics. Students who possess a recent master's degree in business from a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) will generally have satisfied most of the basic competence requirements in these areas.

Administration

The program is administered by the dean of the Graduate College and the department in which the student enrolls with the assistance of a faculty advisory committee.

Major and Minor Areas

The candidate's advisory committee is responsible for assisting in the development of a plan of study that assures competence in the major and minor areas and in economics and quantitative analysis. All PhD students in residence are required to do teaching or research on a half-time basis while earning the degree.

For additional information about the PhD see the respective departments.

In addition, Spears Business offers several specialized masters and graduate certificate programs.  Information on these is linked below.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This AACSB-accredited Doctor of Business Administration is designed for experienced professionals in business and management.  It is a terminal degree that combines rigorous coursework with applied research to develop advanced skills in critical thinking and decision-making.  The DBA curriculum focuses on solving real-world business challenges and aims to develop industry leaders who can make significant contributions in their fields.  Students will engage in specialized studies within a chosen area of concentration and complete a doctoral thesis that contributes new knowledge to the field of business administration. It is offered in a hybrid format with a mix of in-person residencies and the opportunity to specialize through online coursework.

PhD in Business for Executives

Oklahoma State University offers an AACSB accredited Ph.D. in Business Administration for Executives that allows organizational leaders to earn a doctorate while continuing their full-time careers. The program is designed to bridge rigorous academic study and business practice through a rich research-based curriculum and practical research. It is offered in a hybrid format with in-person residencies.

Masters/Doctoral Degrees

Graduate Certificates