MSM FAQ

What is the difference between a MSM and a MBA?

The Master of Science in Management is a research-oriented degree. Students typically specialize in a specific area of management, but are exposed to all key aspects of business management. The MSM may lead to advanced study.

MBA graduates tend to function as generalists, dealing with all aspects of conducting business, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management. The MBA is considered a terminal degree and does not necessarily lead to additional graduate studies.

Do I need TOEFL/IELTS?

Graduate applicants
To be considered for admission, international graduate applicants must submit one of the following:

    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores, taken within 2 years:
      • IBT minimum score of 79
      • Paper-based minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test
    • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Taken within 2 years
      • Minimum score of 6.0 overall band
    • In some instances, international students who have earned a degree from an English speaking university (where the primary mode of instruction is English) in the past 10 years may also be considered for English proficiency waiver. Students should provide a letter of proof from the institution.

In lieu of previously defined satisfactory performance on the TOEFL, IELTS, or iTEP, international students who have attended formal education for three or more years in the U.S. may, at the discretion of the program, be considered for admission into the Graduate School with the recommendation of the program director who has been able to assess the students’ English proficiency through voice conversation.

What is the MSM Accreditation?

Minot State University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), located in Olathe, Kansas.

What is the difference between the Capstone and the Thesis?

In this program, you can satisfy the capstone requirement in one of the following ways:

    • By completing the traditional capstone course (BADM 598, Capstone Experience) or
    • By completing a thesis (BADM 599, Thesis).

Note:  You will find the official course descriptions for these two courses in the current Graduate Catalog or online at http://catalog.minotstateu.edu/graduate

Capstone Experience (BADM 598)

If you choose to satisfy the capstone requirement by completing BADM 598 (Capstone Experience), you should be aware of the following items:

    • The Capstone Experience course (BADM 598) is offered in this program during the fall (Term 2) and summer semesters.
      • If you began the MSM program in a fall semester and, if you proceed according to our suggested rotation of courses, you will complete BADM 598 in a summer semester.
      • If you began the MSM program in a spring semester and, if you proceed according to our suggested rotation of courses, you will complete BADM 598 in a fall semester.
    • This course will require you to complete an applied business research project, culminating in a formal paper (e.g., a business plan, case study, or applied research project) and presentation thereof.  The formal paper must be prepared for a third-party client.
    • You may complete the applied business research project by yourself or with others in this course. However, if you work with other students on a capstone project, the significance of your project must reflect the work of multiple participants. Please use great caution in selecting team members as different students will have different strengths and weaknesses.  Make sure you choose people with whom you can work and who will bring value to your project.
    • Once you have formed your team or have decided to complete a project by yourself, you will approach the MSM Director, requesting approval of your project and the assignment of a faculty advisor to you and/or your team.  You should meet with the MSM Director approximately eight weeks prior to the beginning of your BADM 598 course.
      • For students taking BADM 598 in a summer semester, this means you should meet with the MSM Director prior to spring break of the preceding spring semester.
      • For students taking BADM 598 in a fall semester, this means you should meet with the MSM Director prior to the beginning of that fall semester.
    • Your faculty advisor is a resource person for you to help ensure quality work. S/he, however, will not do any work for you; the project is yours to complete. You should work very closely with your faculty advisor from the time you begin your project until its completion.  You should not begin working on your project until you have first met with your faculty advisor.
    • Make sure you give your faculty advisor plenty of time to review drafts, etc., before submitting them to the instructor of BADM 598.
    • Depending on the nature of your project, you might have to obtain approval from the MSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) before beginning it. Your faculty advisor can advise you on this process. Please refer to the following website for IRB information: http://www.minotstateu.edu/IRB/.

Thesis (BADM 599)

If you choose to satisfy the capstone requirement by completing BADM 599 (Thesis), you should be aware of the following:

    • You will register for the thesis course for the same semester/term that applies if you were taking the capstone course (BADM 598, see above).  However, since theses can take a considerable amount of time, you should begin as soon as possible.  Be advised that a thesis can take up to one full calendar year and longer to complete!
      • If you are a full-time MSM student, you should meet with the MSM Program Director at the beginning of your first semester to discuss this option and to request a faculty advisor.
      • If you are a part-time MSM student, you should meet with the MSM Program Director at the beginning of your second year in the program to discuss this option and to request a faculty advisor.
    • A thesis is an individual project; you will not have the option of doing a thesis with a group.
    • The requirements for a thesis are delineated in the current Graduate Catalog.  This information is also available online.
    • Your faculty advisor is a resource person for you to help ensure quality work. S/he, however, will not do any work for you; the thesis is yours to complete. You should work very closely with your faculty advisor from the time you begin your thesis until its completion. You should not begin working on your thesis until you have first met with your faculty advisor.
    • Make sure you give your faculty advisor plenty of time to review drafts, etc., before submitting them to your faculty advisor and Graduate Committee members.

Please be advised that, regardless of the option you select, you will work closely with a faculty advisor. Quality research and professional writing and speaking are required throughout your project.

What is the placement rate for the MSM program?

See: Graduation Survey Reports