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Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get regarding the graduate programs at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's School of Management.

Did we miss anything? If you have any questions that we did not cover, please contact SOM graduate advising at somgrad@binghamton.edu.

Current students

• How do I declare a concentration?

  Current MBA students .

  MS Accounting students are not able to declare a concentration.

  Concentrations are optional. If you do not declare a concentration, you will select 7-8 electives of your choice that align with your career goals.

• How do I request a course waiver?

  SOM students may request course waiver(s) based on coursework completed during their time as an undergraduate. We will not waive courses for you automatically.

• An elective course is not offered during the semester indicated. Will that become available?
  We cannot guarantee whether or not an advertised elective course will be offered, and if so, when. While it is rare that an elective course is not available to you as advertised, we urge that you register for any elective courses of your interest at the time they are offered to avoid any frustration in meeting your goals in pursuance of your MBA/MS in Accounting.
• Can I use an internship toward an elective requirement?
  Yes, you can request up to four elective credits for your internship experience. To request credit, you will need to submit an internship form. You may only redeem credits for an internship experience once during your graduate studies. Students in the four-semester MBA program and the Harpur/MBA 4+1 program additionally have a mandatory internship experience as part of their curriculum. The internship may be taken for credit or not for credit.
• I'm transferring in from another program. Can I be waived from any credit requirements?
  If you are entering a graduate program in the School of Management and believe you have met course requirements at a previous institution, or if you have completed coursework in a graduate program prior to attending the School of Management, you may be eligible to redeem up to eight credits of elective coursework. This is offered on a case-by-case basis and is dependent on reviewal of your official transcripts and course syllabi. Please contact SOM Graduate Advising for more information.
• I am an SOM undergraduate student and I am taking a course cross-listed with a graduate-level section. Can I use this elective toward my graduate degree?
  You may not use any undergraduate coursework toward your graduate degree. The only exception to this is if you have previously completed a required course in the business analytics or supply chain management areas of focus at the undergraduate level at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ with a grade no less than a B-.
• I'm enrolled in the Management/MBA 4+1 program and believe I have taken an equivalent to MGMT 540 (Strategic Management), can I be waived from this requirement?
  If you completed your undergraduate degree in the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ School of Management and earned a grade no less than a B- in MGMT 411, you are waived from the MGMT 540 requirement, but must replace this requirement with an additional MBA elective. If you are entering the program from an outside AACSB-accredited institution and believe you have taken an equivalent course at the undergraduate level, please provide the course syllabus to Molly Pianella (mpianella@binghamton.edu) for review.

Prospective students

• I'm a senior at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ in Harpur/Watson. Can I still apply for the Harpur/MBA or Watson/MBA 4+1 program?
  No, you may not apply. It is crucial that interested students apply to this program no later than the spring semester of junior year to be eligible. Not all students that apply at this time will be eligible for the 4+1 program due to strict credit hour requirements. If you are not eligible for the 4+1 options but are still interested in earning your MBA, please review our One-Year MBA option or four-semester MBA option.
• Can I register for MBA or MS Accounting courses while I'm still working on my bachelor's?
  No, you may not register for graduate level courses during your undergraduate studies. The only exception to this are Harpur and Watson Fast-Track students. To determine if you are eligible for these program options, please contact SOM Graduate Advising.
• I don't have a business/accounting background. Which program is right for me?
  You have options! Students without a business/accounting background are eligible for our four-semester MBA, One-Year MBA option, or our MS Accounting program (extended timeframe to completion).
• What's the difference between the One-Year MBA option (for non-business majors) and the four-semester MBA option?

  There are a few key differences to consider that can guide your decision of which program is the best option for you:

  • Prerequisite coursework: the One-Year MBA option (for non-business majors) requires completed courses in microeconomics and statistics before enrolling, while the four-semester MBA option does not require any prerequisite coursework.
  • Availability: the One-Year MBA option (for non-business majors) has a mandatory, on-campus summer session spanning from early June to early August. If you are not available during that time, you would not be eligible for this program. The four-semester MBA option, however, follows a traditional academic year and only requires you to be on-campus during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Career considerations: if you are confident of the industry/position you would like to work in post-grad, the One-Year MBA option can help you to get there faster. The One-Year MBA option additionally does not require a mandatory internship experience. If you are unsure of which career(s) interest you, we recommend pursuing the four-semester MBA option, as it gives you more time to explore core business courses and requires that you pursue an internship.
• Does the School of Management offer funding opportunities?

  The School of Management has very limited funding options for MBA/MS students. However, if you are interested in exploring different types of funding offered through Binghamton University, please visit our Financial Support page.

• Does the School of Management offer graduate assistantships?
  Yes, but in a limited capacity. All those applying for a graduate assistantship can submit an application once enrolled on campus for consideration and would be contacted by an advisor or faculty member on an as-needed basis. We urge students to explore other employment opportunities on- and off-campus as well.
• Are GMAT/GRE test scores required?
  While we accept GMAT and GRE scores for consideration, they are not required for our MBA and MS Accounting programs.