MBA/MSOL Accelerated Pathway | Rowan University

MBA/MSOL Accelerated Pathway | Rowan University

MBA/MS in Organizational Leadership Accelerated Pathway

Earn two distinct graduate degrees through a coordinated pathway that combines Rowan University’s 36-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the 30-credit, fully online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). Students may begin with either program, add the second program later, or plan both degrees together. 

With careful concentration and elective planning, students may apply up to 15 credits across both degrees and complete the MBA and MSOL in as few as 51 total credits. 

Review the MBA

Explore the 36-credit MBA curriculum, delivery options, concentrations, and admissions information. 

Review the Online MSOL

Explore the 30-credit MSOL curriculum and its focus on leadership, culture, teams, ethics, and organizational change. 

Apply to the MBA or MSOL

Begin with the program that best matches your immediate academic and professional goals.

MBA/MSOL Accelerated Pathway Overview

The full requirements of the two degrees total 66 credits. The accelerated pathway reduces the combined total only when qualifying coursework is applied across both programs. 

Credit Summary 

MBA: 36 credits 

MSOL: 30 credits 

Coursework applied across both degrees: up to 15 credits 

Minimum combined pathway: as few as 51 credits

The 51-credit minimum is not automatic. The number of credits that can apply across both degrees depends on the student’s completed coursework and MBA concentration and elective selections. Students must complete all remaining requirements for both degrees.

Why Combine the MBA and MSOL?

The MBA develops broad business capability across strategy, finance, accounting, analytics, marketing, operations, information systems, and organizational decision-making. The MSOL provides focused preparation in leadership practice, organizational culture, strategic human resource management, team effectiveness, ethics, and organizational change. 

Together, the programs can help students: 

  • connect people leadership with organizational strategy and performance; 
  • prepare for management and leadership responsibilities across industries and sectors; 
  • strengthen their ability to lead teams, guide change, and make informed business decisions; and 
  • develop both broad business acumen and specialized organizational leadership expertise. 

How Shared Coursework Works

Students may apply up to five courses, or 15 credits, across the MBA and MSOL. The precise mix depends on how completed courses fit within both degree structures. 

  • An MSOL course may satisfy an MSOL requirement and serve as an MBA concentration course when it appears among the approved options for the student’s selected MBA concentration. 
  • Any MSOL course may be used as a general MBA elective when the student has sufficient elective space in the 36-credit MBA. 
  • MGT 06629, Managing Organizational Strategy, may satisfy the MSOL requirement for MGT 06601, Strategic Planning for Operating Managers. 
  • The MGT 06629/MGT 06601 equivalency counts as one of the five courses permitted to apply across the two degrees. 
  • MBA courses that are not part of the MSOL curriculum and do not have an approved program equivalency do not reduce the MSOL course requirements. 

Students should plan with their assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach before registering for courses they intend to apply across both degrees.

MSOL Courses That Can Apply to the MBA

All ten MSOL courses may be used as general MBA electives. Some also appear in current MBA concentration course lists, as noted below. Concentration offerings and approval requirements may change, so students should confirm their academic plan before registering. 

  • HRM 06605: Strategic Human Resource Management | Current MBA use: HR Management Concentration, Management Concentration, Entrepreneurship Concentration with advance approval, or general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06500: Designing, Developing, and Leading High-Performance Organizations | Current MBA use: general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06502: International Business and Society | Current MBA use: Management Concentration or general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06503: Organization Development | Current MBA use: general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06520: Global Leadership and Organization Culture | Current MBA use: Organizational Leadership Concentration, Entrepreneurship Concentration with advance approval, or general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06521: Leadership Theory and Practice | Current MBA use: Organizational Leadership Concentration, Management Concentration, or general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06525: Leading Ethically for a Better World | Current MBA use: general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06528: Leading Teams | Current MBA use: general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06555: Personal Leadership | Current MBA use: Organizational Leadership Concentration or general MBA elective 
  • MGT 06601: Strategic Planning for Operating Managers | Current MBA use: Management Concentration, Entrepreneurship Concentration with advance approval, or general MBA elective 

Review the current MBA concentration options before selecting courses for the pathway. 

MBA Course Approved for the MSOL 

MGT 06629, Managing Organizational Strategy, is part of the MBA core and may satisfy the MSOL requirement for MGT 06601, Strategic Planning for Operating Managers. This equivalency counts as one of the five courses permitted to apply across the programs. 

Plan Concentrations and Electives Carefully

The 36-credit MBA includes 18 customizable credits. Students complete either two concentrations or one concentration plus three electives. Students who want to reach the full 15-credit sharing maximum must choose a concentration and elective structure that provides room for five qualifying MSOL courses or approved program equivalencies. 

Students may select other MBA concentrations based on their professional goals, but concentrations with limited MSOL overlap may result in fewer than 15 credits applying across the two degrees. 

Plan an MBA-First, MSOL-First, or Concurrent Pathway.

Plan an MBA-First, MSOL-First, or Concurrent Pathway.

Begin With the MBA 

MBA students can incorporate MSOL courses into the MBA’s 18 customizable concentration and elective credits. Students who want to maximize the amount of coursework applied across both degrees should select a concentration and electives that provide room for qualifying MSOL courses. 

Begin With the MSOL 

MSOL students may later apply qualifying MSOL courses toward MBA concentration or elective requirements. All MSOL courses may serve as general MBA electives, and some also satisfy requirements within applicable MBA concentrations. 

Students who plan to add the MBA should seek guidance before selecting their MBA concentration structure. A student who chooses two concentrations with little or no MSOL coursework may not have enough elective space to apply the full 15 credits.

Pursue Both Degrees Through Coordinated Planning 

Students who know they want both degrees may apply first to the program that best supports their immediate academic and professional goals. After admission to the first program, students should work with their assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach to determine when to add the second program and how to sequence concentration, elective, and required coursework. 

Students must apply to and be admitted to both programs. 

Online MSOL and Flexible MBA Course Delivery

The MSOL is delivered fully online. MBA course formats may include fully online, online blended, hybrid, or campus-based options, depending on the course, term, and student’s selected pathway. 

Review the MBA program page for current delivery options and the MSOL program page for complete online MSOL information. 

MBA Foundation and Academic Requirements

MBA Foundation and Academic Requirements 

MBA Foundation Requirements 

The MBA requires Foundation knowledge in several areas of business. Admissions reviews each applicant’s prior coursework to determine which Foundation requirements, if any, remain outstanding. The MSOL does not require MBA Foundation coursework. 

Review the Graduate Business Foundation Requirements for approved completion options and current guidance. 

GPA, Grades, and Course Recency 

  • Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to receive either degree. 
  • No more than two grades of C may be applied toward the requirements of either degree. 
  • Coursework applied across the MBA and MSOL generally must have been completed within five years of enrollment in the second program. Older Rowan graduate business coursework may require individual academic review. 

How to Apply and Add the Second Degree

New Applicants 

Apply first to the MBA or MSOL, based on your primary program of interest, using the Rowan graduate application.

Start a Rowan graduate application

After admission to the primary program, students may use one of the following approaches to add the second program: 

  1. Connect with your assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach to determine the best timing and process for adding the second program to your student record. 
  2. In the semester following admission to the primary program, or at a later point in your studies, submit an application for the second program using the Rowan graduate application. 

Depending on the timing of the applications and current admissions policies, previously submitted materials such as transcripts and letters of recommendation may not need to be resubmitted. Online Admissions can confirm which application materials are required. 

Current MBA or MSOL Students 

Speak with your assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach before applying to the second program or registering for courses you hope to apply across both degrees. 

Start with the: 

Graduate Business Student Handbook

Then when you connect with Your Academic Support Team, you’ll find guidance for identifying and scheduling with your assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach through Rowan Success Network. 

Rowan MBA or MSOL Alumni 

Rowan MBA and MSOL alumni may apply to the second program and request a review of their completed coursework. Up to 15 credits may apply across the two degrees when prior coursework satisfies current pathway, curriculum, grade, and course-recency requirements. 

Alumni should contact Online Admissions with application questions and work with their assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach after admission to confirm remaining degree requirements. 

Get Help Planning the MBA/MSOL Pathway 

Prospective Students and Application Questions

Contact Rowan Online Admissions for questions about applying to the MBA or MSOL, selecting a primary program, application materials, and applying to the second program.

Admitted and Current Students

Use the Graduate Business Student Handbook to identify and schedule with your assigned Academic Advisor or Rowan Online Success Coach before adding the second program or selecting shared coursework.