Materials linked to May 19, 2011 Graduate Council agenda (item #2).
Graduate Area of Concentration
Research Thesis
The Research Thesis Area of Concentration (Research Thesis track) offers MBA students and COB faculty with
joint research interests an opportunity to engage in research as part of completing the requirements for the
MBA degree program. This two-year alternative program includes the 33 credit MBA Core Curriculum plus 14
course and thesis credits. These 14 course and thesis credits include:
one four-credit course in Research Methods (BA 596). Students may substitute another ‘research
methods’ course for BA 596 with approval of the thesis committee.
one four-credit BA 505 Reading & Conference consisting of the following:
o
o
o
Study of a discipline-specific core literature, determined by the discipline of the student’s advisor.
Study of a topic-specific literature tuned to the research topic to be addressed in the thesis and
determined by the student in collaboration with the thesis advisor.
Submission and defense of written Thesis proposal.
BA 503 Thesis (6 credits).
Table 1. Additional Learning Outcomes for the Research Thesis Track
Upon completion of Research Thesis track, students will be able to:
Design, execute and report on business research problems and their
solutions. To achieve this outcome, students must demonstrate an ability to:
Inventory the existing academic literature regarding a specific
research topic
Formulate research questions
Formulate a research plan for investigating the research question
Execute the research plan; i.e., collect and analyze the data
Report on the research findings, both in oral and written formats
Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner
Coursework
BA 596, BA 505
BA 596, BA 505
BA 596, BA 505
BA 503 Thesis
BA 503 Thesis
BA 596, BA 505, BA
503 Thesis
Thesis Faculty Committee: OSU Graduate Council Policy states that graduate level thesis students must be
guided by a thesis committee consisting of three or four members. For students pursuing the MBA degree, the
committee is made up of the thesis advisor, one other committee member from inside the major field and a
Graduate Council representative, the latter selected by the student. If the student intends to pursue a minor in
another discipline, a fourth committee member must represent the minor.