MSM Proficiencies

A requirement of all Flexible MBA Core and Professional courses is that students are proficient in Excel, Writing, and Quantitative/Statistical skills. Upon admission to the MBA program students will provide evidence of these proficiencies. If students are not proficient, recommendations for acquiring the proficiencies will be provided.

During the application process potential students will be advised of the required proficiencies. They will be provided with information as to demonstration of the proficiencies and suggestions for acquiring the proficiencies prior to, or during, the application process before enrolling in MBA Core and Professional courses.

Harvard Business Online Courses can be found at: GMAT Business

Ready products can be found at: www.mba.com/store

Writing Skills Proficiency

Writing in English proficiency will be demonstrated by:

GMAT verbal score in the 30th percentile or higher AND
GMAT analytical essay score of 4 or higher OR
Completion of 6400:655 with a grade of B or better or a recommendation from a professor of 6200:601; 6400:602; or 3250: 600 that indicates the student’s English writing skills are proficient.

Recommendations to acquire proficiency:

Students may enroll in 3300:111 English Composition I, 3300:112 English Composition II, 2020-120 Writing and Editing, 2020-222 Technical Report Writing a grade of B or better will demonstrate English writing proficiency. Student may take a comparable course at another accredited university.

Quantitative and Statistical Skills Proficiency

Quantitative Skills Proficiency will be demonstrated by:

GMAT quantitative score in the 30th percentile or higher OR
Completion of relevant coursework with grades of B or higher OR
Completion of Gateway courses: 6200:601; 6400: 602; or 3250:600 with grade of B or better

Recommendations to acquire proficiency:

Enroll in recommended executive education courses:
- Harvard Business Publishing Online Course: Quantitative Methods
- GMAT Business Ready Quantitative Skills Course
Enroll in 3450:145 College Algebra, 3450:149 Precalculus Math, 3450:210 Calculus with Business Applications, or comparable course at an accredited university.
Successful completion of one of these courses will demonstrate quantitative skills proficiency.

Statistical Skills Proficiency will be demonstrated by:

Completion of relevant academic coursework with grades of B or higher.

Other recommendations to acquire proficiency:

Enroll in: 6500:300 Business Statistics; 3470:250 Statistics for Everyday Life; 3470:250 Basic Statistics; 3470:261 Intro Statistics I, or comparable course at an accredited university.
Enroll in recommended executive education courses:
- Harvard Business Publishing Online Course: Quantitative Methods
- GMAT Business Ready Quantitative Skills Course

Excel Proficiency

Excel Skills Proficiency will be demonstrated by:

Completion of relevant academic coursework (6200: 250 and 6500:305) with grades of B or higher OR
Passing CBA Excel proficiency test or vendor supplied assessment (to be developed post Fall 2011 semester) OR
Proficiency petition approved (now until CBA Excel proficiency test implemented). Approval of petition will require student to provide a written summary of their Excel experience and skills. Petition will also include self-assessment report.

Recommendations to acquire proficiency:

Enroll in recommended executive education courses:
- Harvard Business Publishing Online Course: Spreadsheet Modeling Introductory Section
Enroll in an Excel course offered at Summit College: 2440:105 Intro to computers & Application Software (very basic Excel) and 2440:125 Spreadsheet Software (all Excel) or comparable course at another academic institution.
UA Information Technology Services Excel Tutorials: UA Training
Self-instruction via online and print resources:
- Successful completion of an approved Excel course will demonstrate statistical skills.

Excel Proficiency Self-Assessment

MS Word Version of Excel Self- Proficiency Assessment

Rate yourself on the following Excel abilities from 0-3. Proficiency is a characterization of your knowledge of, ability to use, and experience with the features and functions of Excel spreadsheets.